Any green travellers who are also fans of great gothic literature will find Bran Castle – also known as ‘Dracula’s Castle’ – an irresistible trip. Situated near Bran and in the immediate vicinity of Bra?ov, this iconic fortress is a national monument and landmark in Romania, and is argued as being the inspiration for the setting of Bram Stoker’s classic novel Dracula.
The castle is now a museum open to tourists, displaying art and furniture collected by Queen Marie. Tourists can see the interior individually or by a guided tour. At the bottom of the hill is a small open air museum park exhibiting traditional Romanian peasant structures (cottages, barns, etc.) from across the country.
Ecotourism for this location comes in the guise of hiking and cycling tours. Starting from ?686, Transylvania Live offers a 7 day hiking tour which covers the castle itself, a two night sleep in the highest mountain hut in Romania, and trek up to the peak of the highest mountain in the country as well. Needless to say, your level of fitness needs to be in supreme shape to enjoy this kind of adventure.
Cycling wise, the same website also offers a 7 day Cycling Tour that also covers the castle, though it is at the slightly higher price of ?1218, but includes the hiring costs of bicycle, gear and guide.
Camping, is the most environmentally friendly way to go. Camping the Valley offer facilities for the happy camper, and are beautifully surrounded by a mixture of meadows and forest and lots and lots of wildlife.