Morning stop on the former Wallachian – Transylvanian border, protected by Bran Castle and find out about its true histories and Dracula legends. Then, passing through the ski resorts of the Southern Carpathians, you’ll stop and visit Peles Castle, one of the most astonishing royal residences of Europe. The castle was built and expanded over a large period of 39 years by the first (and most important) king of Romania, transforming the city of Sinaia into an unofficial capital of the country. After being seized by the communist government, it wasn’t looted, but was opened for visitation, for a while, to the members of the proletariat and used as a propaganda tool against the monarchy. Then it was turned into a “holiday house” for the writers that produced the right kind of politicized literature. In 2007 it was returned to the family of the former monarch, and, perfectly preserved as it is, was open, once again, for tourist visitation.
