| Transylvania, a region situated in central and | | | | October till the beginning of April, and are known |
| western Romania is most famous for its | | | | for being the most beautiful season to visit the |
| mysterious and spooky fictional resident: Dracula. | | | | region. Sports-minded visitors can ski at the |
| Though Dracula is a work of fiction, written by | | | | Poiana Brasov resort, situated at 1900m, with 13 |
| the Irishman Bram Stoker, its lead character was | | | | trails ranging in difficulty and served by 3 cable |
| based in part on a real life figure: the | | | | cars and 8 drag lifts. It also has an ice rink for |
| Transylvanian-born Vlad III Dracula of Wallachia. | | | | slightly more sedate winter pursuits. |
| Vlad ruled parts of Romania during the 1400s and | | | | Animal lovers can indulge in tracking activities |
| remains a heroic historical character for | | | | where a local wildlife guide will take you out and |
| Romanians due to his defence of the common | | | | teach you how to identify various animal species |
| people against foreign aggressors. | | | | from their tracks in the snow. The is also the |
| However, amongst the English speaking nations of | | | | option to go for a horse drawn sleigh ride, or if |
| the world, Vlad is most famed for his exceedingly | | | | you'd prefer to do the walking, then there are |
| cruel methods of punishment that he administered | | | | plenty of snow shoeing trails that will allow you to |
| during his reign. Often referred to as 'Vlad The | | | | the explore the enchanted forests of the area. |
| Impaler', as the name suggests, his preferred | | | | The entire Transylvania region is very picturesque, |
| method of execution was impalement; victims | | | | and often likened to a land of fairly tales, on |
| would be forced on to oiled spikes or have stakes | | | | account of the many turreted castles, and |
| driven into them slowly, to cause an excruciating, | | | | châteaus that dot the landscape. Plus of |
| prolonged death which could take several days. | | | | course the area will also satisfy history and |
| Dracula has caused much interest in Romania and | | | | culture enthusiasts, especially those interested in |
| in Transylvania in particular, and it is possible to | | | | the medieval period. Accommodation varies from |
| take part in a Dracula tour; but there is much | | | | rustic holiday rentals to small hotels and guest |
| more to this region than vampires. Transylvania is | | | | houses and tends to be inexpensive. |
| also now attracting tourists who are interested in | | | | Horror, Gothic and Vampire fans are likely to |
| visiting remote Transylvanian villages in the | | | | continue to be drawn to Transylvania as the blood |
| foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. The area is | | | | thirst for Dracula shows little sign of slowing. |
| characterised by medieval villages that have | | | | However, the beautiful, largely untouched nature |
| remained the same for hundreds of years, and | | | | of the region is also attracting a growing legion of |
| have avoided the blight of new development seen | | | | visitors, so if you want to see Vlad's birth land |
| in other parts of Eastern Europe. | | | | before the crowds arrive, now is the time to |
| Winters are long in Transylvania, lasting from | | | | take a trip to Transylvania. |