Sunday, March 23, 2014

Romania Road Ways Itinerary, Including Vlad III Tepes sites (Vlad the Impaler)

Post dates being put in chronological trip order, with the merger of this Romania Road Ways with the Vlad Tepes sites at Romania Road Ways Vlad Tepes.   Both topics, culture and history and specific Vlad III Tepes are being integrated. Post dates reflect the itinerary, not the dates actually seen. Please be patient with us.

Bucharest*
Snagov* -- Lake, Monastery burial of Vlad issues, 
Complex Astoria -- Communist era resort, with rowboats to alleged Vlad burial,
Sinaia
Brasov and Bran Castle*
Rasnov.
Curtea de Arges.
Poinari Citadel
Transfagarasan Pass
Sibiu
Sighisoara*
Targu Mures
Bistrita*
Piatra Fontanele 
Bucovina
Voronet
Putna
Prislop Pass
Sighetu Marmetei
Moisei
Ieud
Sighetu Marmetei
Iasi
Sapanta
Cluj Napoca
Alba Iulia
Baiu Mare
Hunedoara*
Petrogani
Targu Jiu
Horezu
Calimaneste
Rimnicu Vicea
Targoviste*
Mogosoaia
Bucharest*
......................

* Sites visited, and that have particular reference to Vlad III Tepes.  Those sites, separated at originally at Romania Road Vlad Tepes, are now merged here.

See also Romania Road Ways, included at our hub site for all trips to Europe (and other political and cultural commentary and research), at Europe Road Ways. 

For a fast reference to Vlad topics, see Vlad Tepes, The Historical Dracula, at http://www.donlinke.com/drakula/vlad.htm

More:  Go to the History of Central Europe at http://mysite.du.edu/~etuttle/misc/europe.htm#Mong. Scroll down to the Romania section. This is the most concise but clear and complete accounting we have found so far.

Wednesday, March 05, 2014

Bucharest, Count Dracula Club, fried rats to eat

The Dracula Club, Bucharest, Romania
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The Dracula Club, Bucharest. Excellent for Halloween. Knock, and a little door in the big door opens and a face peers out. This is a reputable fine food supper club-restaurant, not just a come-on. See http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294458-d1070292-Reviews-Count_Dracula_Club-Bucharest.html/.  This may not be the place for a romantic proposal, but it served all our other purposes.


Enter and find yourself tightly embraced by the hospitality.


Dan Widing meets Dracula, Count Dracula Club, Bucharest, Romania (on Halloween)
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Enjoy the decor.  People, or parts of people, emerge from the walls.

Enjoy the fried rats - looked like chicken breast with dark pumpernickel breadcrumb coating, pimento puree within, and long tails and whiskers of something, perhaps fried angel hair pasta? See what else is offered, at  http://wwrn.org/articles/6176/?&place=eastern-europe&section=occult

Halloween was dress-up night. Watch for the really good actor who suddenly descends from the ceiling, seeking Mina, Mina, Mina; and grabbing bites where he can.  You may not be studying for an exam on Dracula, but get the overview on Mina at this crib site, http://www.gradesaver.com/dracula/study-guide/section6/

Who else has visited there? Mwah ha ha.  See Dinner At The Count's at http://www.travellady.com/Issues/Issue60/dracula.&gt/   Fitting an unfortunate stereotype, there was a group of American tour guides there at our visit.  They were rude and intolerant, barely tasting the fine buffet prepared.  This was not a friendly group at all. One even said aloud, in the face of a lavish and excellent variety of hot and cold foods, that she never ate local food.  I hope she chooses another career.