Adjusting my eyesight, I can just about make out rows of tall, slender pine trees rising from the deep, murky forest. The largest of the Balkan countries, this southeast European country is a natural wonder of dramatic mountain scenery and a coastline lapped by the Black Sea. A troubled past and lack of infrastructure is likely responsible for the slow growth in tourism, but numbers of visitors are steadily rising; around The titular character is often confused with Romanian prince, Vlad Tepes β commonly known as Vlad the Impaler, due to his bloodthirsty nature.
Stoker learned Vlad Tepes lived in a castle in the Transylvania region. Despite never visiting the area himself, his depiction of the castle in Dracula most closely resembles Bran Castle. After surfacing from dark woodlands, we arrive at Bran, and I catch my first glimpse of the castle, perched atop a craggy rock face, its terracotta turrets glowing in the daylight. Climbing the steps to the entrance, I breathe in the fresh air and survey the storybook surroundings made up of Alpine-esque woodland and a glacial lake.
It really is magical. Upon entering the castle, I nervously prepare myself for the dungeons and dark passageways. Sunlight filters through the arched windows and illuminates the white walls and dark wooden floors, while gothic chandeliers and large fireplaces give the illusion of grandeur.
But Romania is about so much more than a fictional vampire. But nothing compares to the view from my sumptuous room, which overlooks a myriad of ornate and traditional buildings.
I take an evening tour of the city with local guide Dana. She explains urban planning was modelled on the French capital β explaining the romanticised moniker. Its stone-hued buildings are a melting pot of Art Nouveau, gothic and neoclassical design.
