Bran Castle is famously known as “Dracula’s Castle”. When Bram Stoker wrote the novel Dracula, he never actually named the castle, but it was based upon a description he had heard of Bran Castle at that time (Bram Stoker himself never visited Romania).  The real life inspiration for Dracula was a Walachian ruler named Vlad Tepes (who’s birthplace we visit later on our trip); however, Vlad Tepes did not live at Bran Castle at all. Even so, the atmosphere of Dracula is here, a magnificent, brooding castle with narrow passageways, secluded courtyards, and gabled turrets.

We were expecting a lot of cheesy touristy Dracula merchandise in Bran but to our disappointment it was lacking; we couldn’t even locate a postcard with him on it. (Potential lost business opportunity there).