Transylvania

We are on our last installment for our adventure down the Danube from Budapest, Hungary to Bucharest, Romania. On Day 7, we will visit Rouse, known for its 19th and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, then visit the UNESCO designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings. Or you can visit Bulgaria’s ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples. Later in the day, we will travel through the Romania countryside to the capital of Romania, Bucharest, known as the “Little Paris of the East” and enjoy a panoramic tour of the historic city center with its elegant architecture.

As we arrive back to the ship for our farewell dinner and final night aboard we will say good-bye to new friends as we prepare for 4 more days in beautiful Romania and visiting the legendary lands of Transylvania and Dracula. We will spend 2 nights in Braşov and 2 nights in Bucharest before heading home to the beautiful mountains and valleys of Tennessee.

Braşov is a city in Transylvania, Romania, and is located about 103 miles north of Bucharest. Its oldest traces of human activity date back to the Neolithic age (about 9500 BC). In the late 19th century, archeologists discovered continuous traces of human settlements. Places to visit in Braşov are The Council Square, The Old Town Hall, The Black Church, Braşov Defensive Fortifications, The Schei District, Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, and to get a panoramic view of the city, take the Tampa Cable Card to the top of Tampa Mountain, located about 1,400 feet above the city. Near Braşov is Bran Castle or Dracula’s Castle.

Enjoy finding yourself a part of the myth, history, and macabre legend of Dracula – bask in the imagination of both Bram Stoker and his readers as you visit this unique site. As the true fortune of all good castles, they are also the setting of myths, legends, and their famous residents. The most noteworthy resident of Bran Castle was Vlad the Impaler, aka Vlad III or Vlad Drăculea. He was reportedly held captive and locked up in the dungeon in the 15th century. He earned his nickname because he allegedly killed an estimated 20-80,000 people by impaling them with spikes. This Medieval warlord had a taste for blood. Vlad II, his father, was given the surname Dracul (old Romanian word for dragon) after being inducted into a nightly order (the Order of the Dragon) to defeat the Turkish Ottoman Empire. Hence, Vlad III, his son, was known as “son of Dracul”, or in old Romanian – Drăculea. Vlad’s gruesome habits were chilling. One story says he invited hundreds to a banquet only to have them stabbed and impaled on spikes, and while they were still alive, he continued his feast. While most were outrageous tales, many of the stories had enough truth to them to be historically accurate.

While the Middles Ages was notoriously known for its brutal violence, Vlad managed to stand out from the rest. He was praised by many for being a just ruler in Transylvania and keeping invaders at bay. Bram Stoker, the author, never visited Transylvania or Bran Castle when he wrote his iconic 1897 novel. But the dark stories of the Carpathian Mountains, rich with European folklore and vampires were well-known around Europe. It sits roughly 200 feet tall, atop a cliff in central Romania, with its secret tunnels and mysterious rooms. This made it a perfect setting for Bram Stoker’s bloodthirsty villain, Dracula. It is visited by over 560,000 people each year and is Romania’s most popular destination.

After two nights in Braşov, we will head back to Bucharest, the capital of Romania. It is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, gorgeous Époque buildings, and its high life – hence the nickname “Little Paris of the East”. Romanian legend says the city of Bucharest was founded on the banks of the Dambovita River by a shepherd named Bucur, which literarily means “joy”. His flute playing dazzled the people and his hearty wine from a nearby vineyard endeared him to the local traders. Places to visit while in Bucharest: House of the Free Press, The Arch of Triumph, Calea Victoriei, Cantacuzion Palace, Revolution Square, The Royal Palace, Old Town Bucharest, and Old Princely Court & Church.

After spending two nights in Bucharest, we are off to the airport for our travels home. It has been a glorious eleven days. I hope you have enjoyed the journey and want to join us as we travel along the Danube River from Budapest to Bucharest and visit Transylvania.