Fact Sheets & Video - Romania

The Dracula legend comes from a prince called Vlad Tepes who was born into an order of knights known as the Dracul.

During his reign Vlad fought many wars against the Turks and earned a formidable reputation for his brutal punishment. He often ordered people to be skinned, decapitated and boiled, but his favourite type of torture was the impalement of prisoners on stakes. Vlad Tepes therefore became known as Vlad the Impaler, and the name still haunts the cobblestone streets of his birth town, Sighisoara.

Vlad the Impaler lived from 1431-1476, but it wasnt until much later when Bram Stoker wrote the famous novel that Vlad became linked to the mythical character of Dracula.

Stoker used the princes common name, Dracula, and based his story in Romania, the country where Vlad lived. The rest of the story is the work of Stoker's imagination. If you want to retrace the spooky steps of Dracula youll have to start in the medieval town of Sighisoara.

Considered by many as the Pearl of Transylvania, Sighisoara is rich in authentic medieval architecture and atmosphere. Its also one of the few fortified towns across Eastern Europe and the only one thats still inhabited.

Here you can visit the house where Vlad once lived. The second floor of the house is a restaurant with Gothic-style furniture and gorgeous views of the clock tower and Piata Muzeului outside. The restuarant is called Restaurantul Cetatea, and its speciality dish is a Transylvanian stew.

Next on the itinerary is the Dracula castle, Romanias most famous tourist attraction. The castle is two and a half hours' drive away in Bran, a town nestled deep within woods and picturesque mountains.

Bran Castle is often referred to as Draculas Castle, but despite popular belief, it never belonged to Vlad Tepes. It was owned at by the princes grandfather, and Vlad once used it for a few days while hiding from his Turkish enemies.

But Dracula or no Dracula, the 14th century castle is spectacular. Inside the castle you can easily get lost in the intriguing maze of corridors, staircases and rooms. Theres also a small customs museum at one end of the castle, and if youre not spooked out already you can check out the collection of photos, maps and weapons on display.

For the serious Dracula fans theres also Dracula Markets nearby. Admission is free and there are loads of tacky souvenirs to purchase.

A variety of accommodation options are available. You can stay at Casa Phoenix Hotel, or for $200 the hotel will take you to a deserted monastery in the centre of Snagov Lake where you can visit the grave of Vlad the Impaler.

The facts

Through Travelworld, Qantas flies via Hong Kong with connections on Swiss Air to Bucharest. Return fares start from $2350 from the east coast and $2328 from Perth.

Travelworld

Tel: 13 14 35

Eastern Eurotours offers 7 day, fully escorted tours of Transylvania, including all meals, accommodation and transfers for $1399.

Eastern Eurotours

Tel: 1800 242 353

Admission to the house where Vlad once lived is just $1. A bowl of Restaurantul Cetatea's Transylvanian stew costs around $4.

A basic room in Casa Phoenix Hotel costs from $65 a night. For $200 the hotel will take you to spend the night in a deserted monastery.