You will then leave Bucharest, driving north to Sinaia: a mountain resort located in the historical region of Muntenia. Named after Sinaia Monastery, the picturesque town is nestled in the Carpathians (aka Transylvanian Alps). Here you will visit King Carol I’s stunning Peleș Castle. This landmark dates back to 1873 and blends Neo-Renaissance and Gothic Revival architecture, with a heavily Baroque-influenced interior loaded with luxurious linens and intricately carved woodwork.

Before reaching Brașov, you will also visit nearby Bran Castle. This landmark is a favorite among visitors because of its inaccurate association with Vlad Țepeș, aka Vlad Dracula. In reality, there is no evidence that Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula, was influenced by Bran Castle, and the fortress has no proven associations with Vlad the Impaler. Despite Bran Castle’s questionable connection with the literary legend, the castle remains a worthwhile and historic destination. In fact, the original fortress on this site dates back to the early 13th century; however, Mongols destroyed the first wooden edifice in 1242. The King of Hungary granted local Saxons authority to build the stone castle at their own expense and labour in 1377, and the site is now a museum housing Queen Marie of Romania’s furniture and art collection.

Framed by the Carpathian Mountains and resplendent with gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture, Brasov is one of the most beautiful and visited places in Romania. Brasov was founded, in 1211, by the Teutonic Knights, on an ancient Dacian site. In the 13th-Century Brasov was settled by the Saxons and shortly became one of Transylvania's seven walled citadels Siebenburgen.