Last Chance to Spend Halloween Night at Dracula's Castle

[The Madame X]

I did it and recommend it!
Madame X

Last Chance to Spend Halloween Night at Dracula's Castle
in Transylvania at Reduced Rates

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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 an experience that Dracula aficionados and horror enthusiasts actually do every year on the "Dracula Tour," thanks to a tour group (www.DracTours.com) which brings fear-filled travelers to Transylvania twice a year.

With the rising cost of fuel and airfares, and the exchange rate, the cost of the vampire vacation will be going up. This is the last chance to go on the Dracula Tour at current discounted rates.

The tour sells out every Halloween, as 90 monster mavens, goths and gorehounds fill two coaches that journey alongside horse & buggies through the Romanian countryside roads, following in the footsteps of Bram Stoker's novel, "Dracula." Tour dates for Halloween are October 27-November 3, and the Summer trip takes place July 10-17. During each 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. There is both educational and entertainment value for anyone looking for an unusual week-long ghoulish goth getaway. Vampire fans, vampire slayers and perhaps even vampires are obviously all welcome, and all get along harmoniously. Last year was the 110th anniversary of the Dracula novel, and this year marks the 11th anniversary of the "Dracula Tour" to Transylvania, mixing the chills & thrills with the cultural aspect of the pilgrimage.

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 and also climbs the historic Clock Tower above the Torture Chamber and torture museum. The group explores the historic ruins of Vlad's mountain-top Poenari Castle, along with famed Bran Castle.

Ascending up Borgo Pass into the Carpethian Mountains, travelers follow the path of Jonathan Harker, the character described in the Dracula novel. Travelers partake of 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. 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, the tour 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" costs travelers only $2199 for all this, which includes airfare, accommodations, meals, admissions, parties, guests, attractions, a complimentary souvenir travel bag and a "bloody" good time. After June 1st, the package price increases to $2499.

A real vampire has yet to go on the tour, though. Dozens of travelers have dressed as Dracula or Nosferatu or other famous vampires at the Transylvanian Halloween masquerade ball, but there's only one way to 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 journey to the "unholy" land is still accepting reservations for Halloween, 2007 (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.

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). Email us at DracTours@aol.com for a link to our website, which contains additional information, photos of past trips and articles including recent tour reports.

Bela Lugosi and Bram Stoker would both be proud.