A Transylvania Holiday

Right about this time of year people are drawn to Transylvania, a region in central Romania.
Transylvania is known for its baroque buildings, medieval towns, mountainous borders, and castles. One castle in particular is the Bran Castle, a Gothic fortress associated with the legend of the famous Dracula.Transylvania is located in a historic region of central Romania and is often referred to as "The Land Beyond the Forest." The Carpathian mountain landscape makes it a popular destination for hiking and skiing.

With so much to see and do why not have a Transylvanian holiday?

                                                               
Attractions in Transylvania:

*Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle)
*Black Church
*Peles Castle
*Rasnov Citadel
*Poiana Brasov (Ski Resort)
*Turda Salt Mine                    

                                                                   

Transylvania Main Towns: 

*Alba Iulia
*Bistrita
*Brasov
*Cluj Napoca
*Deva
*TG Mures
*Sightsoara
*Sibiu

Places to Stay in Transylvania:

*Armatti Hotel
*Boutique Hotel Casa del Sole
*Casa Lia Bed & Breakfast
*Hilton Sibiu
*Kronwell Brasov Hotel
*Savri House
*Teleferic Grand Hotel

What to Eat in Transylvania:     

*Apricot Cake
*Cabbage Rolls
*Ciorba De Perisoare (Pork & Rice Meatball Soup)
*Csirkepaprikas (Chicken with Paprika)
*Mamaliga Cu Smantana (Romanian Polenta with Sour Cream)
*Mititei (Grilled Sausages)
*Szekelyalmas (Pork with Apples and Cider Cream Sauce)


B R A N   C A S T L E  

Situated near Bran and in the vicinity of Brasov, BRAN CASTLE is a landmark and national monument. The castle was built in the 1377 and was made of thick walls and hard to get entrances. The secret passage was used to connect the first floor off the castle to the third
floor. It was an escape tunnel built inside the wall and used by the castle offices in case of emergencies. This medieval castle once contained a water well. The water was necessary for
drinking and putting out fires. Perched atop a steep cliff, the castle, the cost of this famous castle is 80 million.

Who was Vlad III Dracula? He's considered one of the most important rulers in Wallachian history and a national hero of Romania.

DRACULA written by Irish author Bram Stoker was a fictional character in the Gothic novel written in 1897.


ROMANIAN CAKE WITH APRICOT MARMALADE

4 egg yolks
1 cup sugar
1 cup sour cream
1 cup melted butter
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup flour
apricot marmalade

Mix egg yolks with sugar, add the sour cream, vanilla, and baking soda. Next, add the melted butter and the 1 cup of flour. Knead the dough, add more flour if need be. Divide dough into three parts and roll each into sheets the size of a baking sheet.

Place one sheet, spread a layer of apricot marmalade, cover with a second sheet, and spread apricot marmalade, cover with a third sheet. Bake the cake at a low temperature than increase it.

Bake for about 15-20 minutes.

Let cake cool and sprinkle some confectioner's sugar on top before serving.