Home & Away with Robert Walshe
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Weekend Hotspot – Transylvania Romania IF YOU want to leave Bucharest for a one or two day trip go to Transylvania once made famous by Bram Stoker the Irish novelist who never visited this land and yet responsible for its image of towering castles, dark forests. Bordered to the east by the Carpathian Mountains, ‘the land beyond the forest’ still feels undiscovered. Bran Castle is popularly known as Dracu-
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la’s Castle, though the real Dracula, Vlad Tepes, never lived in this castle. This castle is not among Romania’s most beautiful castles, but its association with the most famous vampire legend makes Bran its best known, and, understandably, one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions. Bram Stoker’s 1897 vampire novel was inspired by centuries-old superstition and the real-life exploits of Vlad Dracula. Known by his murderous moniker, Vlad the Impaler, the 15th-century nobleman was said to have skewered up to 80,000 enemies on long spikes. Despite his wicked ways, Romania he’s consides Castle Transylvania
ered a hero in Transylvania, so not everyone’s thrilled with the region’s bloodsucking reputation. After years of opposition from locals, the Romanian tourism board recently announced plans to develop ‘vampire tourism’ using European funds. If you don’t fancy visiting Bran, head 50km south to the mountain resort of Sinaia. The fairytale here is Peles Castle built for King Carol I in 1875 as his summer retreat. The Castle (and its surrounding complex) is regularly open to visitors who want to marvel in its NeoRenaissance architecture, gothic sculptures and pristine courtyards. Brasov is located in the hilly terrain of Transylvania and is also a great place to visit. The city is a resounding example of old world Romania with an ancient city centre square and little cafes throughout. Unspoiled, the Carpathian Mountains surrounding Brasov are also home to wolves, lynx and Europe’s largest population of brown bears. Around 5000 bears roam the oak and beech forests. Strangely, the population flourished during the Communist period, as dictator Nicolae Ceausescu was the only person allowed to hunt. Described as ‘the last truly medieval landscape in Europe’, trav-
For our best deals call 0044 28 9038 1111 or visit www.mooneyhotelgroup.com elling around Transylvania feels like you’ve gone back 100 years. Horse-drawn carts rumble along dirt roads, while shepherds tend their flocks and villagers make hay while the sun shines. Keep your romantic notions in check, though. This also means poor infrastructure, such as potholed roads and slow trains, so ■ Bran Castle Tran sylvania Rom you’ll need ania a bit of patience. Adrian Rusu is a wonderful tour long term parking, a compliguide for Bucharest, Transylvania mentary shuttle to the airport, good and all of Romania. www.thefixers. sized rooms and a friendly service eu Ryanair fly to Bucharest daily at Burnell Bar & Grill. www.hilton. from Dublin. www.ryanair.com com For travellers from Northern IreRobert Walshe is a travel broadland or Ulster counties the Hilton caster with Q Radio Network and Dublin airport offers a perfect stop Travel Editor for River Media off point before you catch your newspaper titles across the isflight the following day. land of Ireland. www.robertwThis homely Hilton offers short & alshe.com