Vacation In Transylvania

Vacation in Transylvania is an old piece of ad copy that I stumbled upon on the Internet Archive’s collection of Wayback Machine. The collection includes scans of printed materials like newspapers and magazines as well as recordings of television advertisements. Among its items are also rare pieces like this one: a tourist brochure from Transylvania, issued in the beginning of the twentieth century with not so subtle hints about Dracula and vampire tourism…

Vampires and werewolves…the stuff of legends, or just myths? Believe it or not there are towns in Transylvania where you will find vampires and werewolves scare tourists every night. During this vacation you will visit the most mysterious places in Transylvania, discover the marvellous history of some villages and experience the best mix of entertainment in a region that has preserved its magic for centuries.

Looking for a unique Transylvania vacation package? The people at Dracula Tourism invite you to discover the beauty of this part of the world.

Although labeled as the land of Dracula, this destination is full of non-spooky Romanian adventures. So grab your next European vacation adventure from Transylvania!

Vacation In Transylvania

Brasov is the largest city in the central Transylvania region of Romania. The city is located 282 meters above sea level, and is a key cultural and economic center within this region. Brasov is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Romania and was awarded with the title of European Destination of Excellence for 2014 .

When I was younger, I used to love going on vacation with my family, but now that I’m older, all we ever do is stop at In-N-Out Burger on the highway to Stave Lake. I think if we wanted a better vacation, we’d go on one.

Twenty-some years ago, when I told people I grew up in Transylvania, I inevitably got a wide-eyed, incredulous look, accompanied by the question: “Is that a real place?” Occasionally, it was followed by “have you ever met a vampire?” 

A land once known in the U.S. only as a setting for Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Transylvania today is a popular destination for travelers from all over the world. In fact, it is on National Geographic’s top 25 places to visit in 2021. And for good reason. 

Cradled in the center of the gorgeous, heavily-wooded mountain chain of the Carpathians, Transylvania is indeed a land of enchantments. Rolling hills and lazy rivers, deep woods and rushing creeks, pristine mountain lakes and wildflower meadows are only a few of the natural wonders of the region. Transylvania’s plethora of medieval castles, walled cities, and quaint villages explains why we sometimes refer to my homeland as Tündérország — “Fairyland.”  

However, Transylvania is a real place, with real people, even as it has a pastoral, old-Europe feel, where you’ll still see horse-drawn carts in the streets. And, it is open to visitors who seem to have discovered its beauty. Once behind the Iron Curtain — which explains why people in the U.S. used to believe it was a fictional land — Transylvania welcomes visitors from all over the world. 

Now, when I tell people “I grew up in Transylvania,” I’m met with excited looks and specific questions about the land and its people, places to visit, and the best ways to get there. To answer these questions, here are a few things to know before your first visit to Transylvania. https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1408478.4674318235!2d23.270419271496028!3d46.41035412008231!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x474ea6b445f0d63d%3A0x5d14bec93dcb981c!2sTransylvania%2C%20Romania!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1627591120306!5m2!1sen!2sus

1. You Need A Passport To Get To Transylvania, But You Don’t Need A Visa

Transylvania is a part of Romania, and you need a passport to enter the country. Check your dates to make sure your passport doesn’t expire for at least three months after your departure date for Romania. Besides that, you don’t need a visa to visit, unless you plan on staying over 90 days.

2. You Can Fly Into Several Cities To Use As Gateways To All Your Destinations

Several cities in Transylvania have international airports you can fly into. There is no need to fly to Bucharest and worry about taking public transportation or renting a car. 

At this time you can fly into Cluj or Sibiu, and soon to Brasov (the city’s international airport is set to be finished by December 2021). All three of these cities are perfect destinations on their own, but also gateways to other attractions in Transylvania.

3. For Most Of Your Transactions, You’ll Use Lei (RON), The Romanian Currency

In Transylvania, you’ll use lei for your transactions, so it helps if you exchange some before you go or when you arrive at the airport. But you don’t need to.

You’ll find plenty of ATMs all over the place, on the street corners, or in local banks, where you can use your debit card to withdraw local currency from your bank. The ATM will display the rate and any fees they charge before your transaction, which you can conduct in English. This is by far the easiest, and therefore my favorite choice of transactions. You always get the official transaction rate, and the fees are minimal and convenient. 

You can also use your major credit cards in the larger cities and tourist destinations, though make sure to ask if they take them before sitting down for dinner at a restaurant. 

4. Tipping Is Customary And Appreciated

Like in the rest of Romania, tipping is appreciated in Transylvania. Salaries are low, so your tip always helps.

As for how much to tip, there is no standard answer. Generally, locals tip around 10 percent, so it is a good rule of thumb to follow, though it depends on your bill; the higher the bill, the lower percentage you are expected to tip.  

5. To Charge Your Electronics, You Will Need A Converter

Romania uses 220V as opposed to 110V used in the U.S. So you will need a converter for all your electronic devices. Bring a few so you can plug in and charge your devices. But if you forget them, you can easily buy some in any electronic store in the country. 

Laptops, tablets, Kindles, and similar devices all work here just as well as in the U.S. Wi-Fi is available in the large cities and in most places, except in some out-of-the-way villages in the countryside. 

6. Your Cell Phone Works There — Just Make Sure You Have Service

Before leaving, make sure you call your cell phone provider and let them know you are traveling to Romania. You will most likely have an option to add a temporary international service from your provider. With most plans, you can choose to upgrade it for a month or as long as you need it. 

You will have good cell phone coverage in most areas of Transylvania, especially in the cities.