A Night in Dracula's Castle

[The Madame X]

A Night in Dracula's Castle a Great Way to Spend Halloween & Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of "Dracula"

HALLOWEEN NEWS ITEM:

Transylvania: Spending Halloween night in Dracula's Castle sounds like something Abbot & Costello might have done by mistake in one of their movies. But it's something that Dracula and horror enthusiasts actually do every year on the "Dracula Tour," thanks to our tour group which brings fear-filled travelers to Transylvania twice a year.

"It's a bit more special this year because we're celebrating the 75th anniversary of one of the greatest classic monster movies of all time, the original 'Dracula' that starred Bela Lugosi," exclaims tour organizer and host Charles F. Rosenay of Connecticut, a self-professed lover of all things haunted and macabre. "We have been doing the 'Dracula Tour' for some years now, and as the tour has gotten to be where it's truly the ultimate haunted Halloween travel adventure, the groups have gotten bigger every year too."

THIS YEAR’S TOUR IS COMPLETELY SOLD OUT with 90 monster mavens filling two coaches that will journey alongside the horse & buggies which share the Romanian countryside roads, as the tour follows in the footsteps of Bram Stoker's novel, "Dracula" from October 27-November 3. It’s the largest tour group ever! During the week, there is an equal portion of history, involving Vlad Tepes, plus the myth and mystery surrounding Dracula, and the ways that Vlad inspired Dracula.

But reservations are already being accepted for NEXT YEAR!

2007 will be the 110th anniversary of the Dracula novel, and it will also mark the 10th anniversary of the "Dracula Tour" to Transylvania. It will be another sell-out, but there will be some new tour twists and surprises planned for the special occasion in 2007. Every single traveler will be given a gift “swag bag” filled with vampire & horror goodies worth over $100! One of the cities that the tour visits, Sibiu, will be the European Culture Capitol in 2007, so mixing the chills & thrills with the cultural aspect will bring the trip to a whole new level. In Sibiu, the group visits the Evangelical Church built in 1300, which contains burial vaults in its crypt connected to both Dracula and the legend of Frankenstein. That's just one of the numerous horror-related sites.

The tour visits Snagov Island, where a secluded monastery contains Vlad's coffin. There's a visit to Vlad's birthplace in the best-preserved medieval town in all of Europe, Sighisoara. This is the region of Transylvania where there were attempts to build a "DraculaLand" theme park, but all signs indicate that the area will remain uncommercialized. While there, the group also ventures into a haunted graveyard, takes part in a witch trial (a re-creation, that is) and also climbs the historic Clock Tower above the Torture Chamber and torture museum. The group explores the historic ruins of Vlad's Poenari Castle, which is as breathtaking as the more tourist-visited Bran Castle, also on the itinerary.

Ascending up Borgo Pass into the Carpethian Mountains, travelers follow the path of Jonathan Harker, the character described in the Dracula novel. "We partake in a gala dinner banquet at Jonathan Harker's Golden Crown Restaurant, the Romanian Coroana de Aur, for the ritual meal of robber steak and blood brandy, just like in the novel," proclaims Rosenay. The group has a late-night party there, but the highlight is unquestionably Halloween, when travelers from all over the U.S., Canada and overseas experience what is the definitive Monster bash masquerade ball, in the dungeon room at Dracula's Castle in Piatra Fantanele atop the Romanian alps. The costume party is preceded by an outdoor bonfire with music by local gypsy musicians, followed by a six-course meal, culminating with a gala monster mash costume extravaganza and dancing into the early morning hours.

Along the way, Rosenay screens classic horror films on the coaches and adds fun to the fear. It's a dream-come-true (or nightmare-come-true) for fans of Dracula or the horror genre, and is one of the more unique leisure vacations offered for the popular holiday. The "vampire vacation" still costs travelers only $1999 for all this, included airfare, accommodations, meals, admissions, parties, guests, attractions, the complimentary souvenir travel bag filled with goodies. . .

and a "bloody" good time is guaranteed for all.

Rosenay is waiting for a real vampire to go on the tour, though. "We've had dozens of people dress as Dracula or Nosferatu or other famous vampires at our Halloween masquerade ball, but there's only one way we'll really know if there's ever truly a vampire on the tour... they'll fly back as bats and won't need the return airplane flight home."

"Dracula Tour" is the only fully-escorted, professionally guided vacation organized by fans for fans. The annual pilgrimage to the "unholy" land is accepting reservations for Halloween, 2007 (also October 27-November 3), with a similar summer version of the tour slated for July 10-17. The trip is open to all ages, and welcomes couples, families and solo travelers. There is both educational and entertainment value for anyone looking for an unusual week-long ghoulish getaway. Vampire fans, vampire slayers and perhaps even vampires are obviously all welcome, and all get along harmoniously.

For further details on the "Dracula Tour," call toll-free (866) T-E-R-R-O-R-T-O-U-R (direct line 203-795-4737) or email DracTours@aol.com.
And tell them Madame X sent you.

Seventy five years later, Bela Lugosi would be proud.

[Astannun]

Tempting, very VERY tempting. I'd love to go.

[Aislin Ni MorRhiaghan]

[The Madame X]

Have yourself a haunted horror holiday...

Can't think of a unique gift for the holiday season? Here's something you could sink your teeth into even after the holidaze! Treat someone to the ultimate haunted horror experience -- a "vampire vacation!"
"DraculaTour," is the travel adventure which takes you to Eastern Europe's most infamous land of the unholy, Transylvania (in Romania). For one week next year, either July 10-17, 2007, or October 27-November 3rd, 2007, experience the definitive haunted holiday with fellow fans, friends & fiends of the macabre on a vacation that is scary, spooky, campy - but most of all - fun for all ages!

"DraculaTour" is the only true fully-guided, professionally-escorted "vampire vacation" professionally organized by fans especially for fans. This annual pilgrimage to Transylvania is presented by Tours of Terror, who organize and host both the Summer version of the tour and the popular Halloween week trip, along with the annual haunted "GHOSTour."

The very special guest tourguide for the Summer trip (July, 2007) is horror hostess Darvella, from television's "Vampire Lounge." She will be onboard throughout the tour to mingle with travelers, and be available for photos and autographs. The last horror host to join us was TV personality/actor Butch “Eddie Munster” Patrick.

"Dracula Tour" follows Jonathan Harker's trail from the novel "Dracula," while throwing in all sorts of spooky surprises along the way. There is a mock witch trial, visits to haunted graveyards and time spent in the world's largest and oldest torture museum. There is both educational and entertainment value as the tour includes historical Bran Castle, Clock Tower, the Black Church, Vlad's birthplace, Vlad's castle (also known as Dracula's fortress) and also the monastery where Vlad is buried. It's the perfect combination of fun and fear, for anyone looking for an unusual week-long ghoulish getaway. Vampires, vampire fans and even vampire slayers are welcome, and all get along harmoniously on this travel adventure.

The highlight of the "Dracula Tour" is undoubtedly spending the night at
Dracula's Castle. All travelers dress in their best costumes, eat a lavish meal, experience a surprise "vampire" encounter, descend to the dungeon of the castle where "the coffin" lies waiting, dance to appropriate macabre music (everything from "The Monster Mash" to music from "Rocky Horror"), partake in a moonlit bonfire and simply have the times of their lives ... even if they're part of the undead. Every year, one couple takes the experience one step further -- they get married during the trip with their ceremony and reception at Dracula's Castle,
and all the fellow travelers are guests at this unique wedding! Whereas most couples kiss after their cake-cutting ceremony, the bride and groom bite each other's necks (lovingly, of course).

What are some of the other highlights of this trek of terror? Along with
actually following in the footsteps of Jonathan Harker's trail from Bram
Stoker's novel "Dracula," you will spend time in Bucharest ascending the
Carpethian Mountains to Vlad Castle. You will be part of a hair-raising
(spirit-raising?) séance in a secluded graveyard in Brasov. You will see the
Black Church and haunted Farmer's Market in Sighisoara, birthplace of Dracula (Vlad). You will visit the eerie Clock Tower and Square History Torture Museum.
You will embark on a journey through Borgo Pass to Dracula's Castle! You will also explore the Snagov Monastery (Tomb of Dracula) as well as the Transylvanian Castle of Bran, a fortress built in 1377 and preserved as national monument. And that's just the sightseeing part of the trip. Our nights are filled with howling parties, witch trials, bonfires and surprises. There'll be more head-turning than in an Exorcist movie!

This professionally-guided, fully-escorted tour is ideal for the single
traveler, but also is well-suited for couples and also families. If you're the
type who would enjoy dressing up (or down) for a masquerade ball in Dracula's Castle, or if you can imagine have a blood-suckingly great time partying under a full moon in a land that time forgot, this is the tour experience of a lifetime (even if you're part of the undead!). And it's the most inventive holiday gift for anyone into such a vacation.

"Dracula Tour" is presented in association with Horrorfind.com, Chiller Theatre, Monster Bash, Haunted Attraction Magazine, VampFangs, MonsterMania and the Fright Catalogue. It's a $4500 value for only $1999 per person (this is the last time the tour will be priced this low), based on double occupancy. Package price includes round-trip airfare from the NY metro area, deluxe hotel accommodations, meals, transfers, luxury coach ground transportation, all events - parties - guests appearances - attractions - admissions. Reservations are now being accepted, and space is limited.

To read about past tours, or for additional information (along with travelers' testimonials and photos), visit our website. Email us for the link. For a free color brochure, write to Tours of Terror at 315 Derby Avenue, Orange, CT 06477
or call toll-free (866) T-E-R-R-OR-T-O-U-R. The direct line is (203) 795-4737.
We also produce the annual “GHOSTour” (a Haunted Horror Vacation to England September 10-17, 2007) and our music-theme trips, notably the “Magical History Tour” for Beatles fans. Please write or call for details.

Although the Vampire Vacation takes place in July and over Halloween time, we will gladly include post-holiday gift card notices with travel vouchers for anyone reserving space on any of the tours as gifts.

Happy Horrordaze and Beast Witches!

[DARKEND DIVERSITY]

[color=darkred][color=darkred]
Darn! Hiss! Spit! I have been looking for a group to go to Romania this year to the Dracula's Tour this year. I figured it would be in October. I didn't know about the July one. Me and a friend booked a tour a couple years ago but it was cancelled due to not enough people booking!

I just noticed in your events that the tour our group is planning? Now you said it is all booked up for this year Yet there are two this year what I understand. July and October. Are they both booked. I am serious and want to go. Do let me know. Thanks. And, yes, that price mentioned is not bad at all covering everything?

I want to go

Seriously and from a real vampire lol,
Nocturnally yours,
VampMu v v [/color][/color]