Halloween in Transylvania

So now that I've told you why I wanted to go to Romania for Halloween, I guess I should tell you about my actual trip. I took a 7-day tour of Transylvania through the tour company G Adventures, which was pretty much the perfect amount of time to spend in Romania. 

The trip started in Bucharest, which I'd been warned to have pretty low expectations about. Supposedly Bucharest was called the "Paris of the East" in the 1800s due to its beauty, but 60 years of communism, repression and economic stagnation left it a bit wanting. Knowing there wouldn't be much to do there, we spent our one free day in Bucharest at the Escape Room, which I highly recommend. Basically you get locked in a room for an hour with a ticking bomb to solve clues to escape the room before the bomb goes off. Nothing Romanian about it, but it was definitely a fun way to spend an hour (and no, we did not escape the bomb, though apparently made it farther than most people).

We got out of Bucharest as quickly as we could and headed to Transylvania, which is a region of Romania bordering the Carpathian Mountains. Our first stop was Snagov Monastery, which is supposedly where Dracula was buried. Dracula gravesite or not, I can see why he liked this small Orthodox church so much.

Snagov Monastery

We also swung by Peles Castle before heading to the quaint, medieval town of Brasov.

Peles Castle

Brasov

I was pretty excited to see Bran Castle, which is sometimes incorrectly referred to as Dracula's Castle. It's not clear that Dracula ever visited this castle and, if he did, it was likely only for a short period of time, but it's still a pretty stunning castle. That also happens to be for sale, if you can find $88 million lying around.

Bran Castle

But the real highlight of the tour was Corvin Castle, where we spent Halloween Eve. Every tour group in the country for Halloween attended the costume ball and the castle was decked out for the event. There was medieval jousting in the courtyard, a feast, Romanian folk dancing and a costume contest.

Corvin Castle - most epic Halloween

Getting to spend Halloween in that castle would have been amazing all on its own, but with everyone decked out in costumes and the locals joining in, it was truly the best possible Halloween. I also lucked out and had a really great tour group this time around, so attending the party with a bunch of fun people also helped immensely.

We ended the trip with a visit to Poenari Castle, Dracula's actual castle. The castle was largely destroyed in an earthquake in the 1800s, but what remains is at the top of a mountain...and the top of a very strenuous climb up 1400 stairs. However, the views from the top were amazing and a good (though sweaty) way to end a great week.

Poenari Castle

A view of the Arges River from the walkway up to Poenari Castle

For any other Halloween lovers out there, I definitely recommend Halloween in Transylvania. Or, if you just like stunning mountains and fall scenery, still go.

Now to go finish packing before I'm off to Doha for Thanksgiving!