Stokered for Transylvania

Q Some friends and I want to visit Transylvania and Dracula's Castle in Romania. What airlines fly there and how do we get around?

Neil Allen

Baltimore

A Though some scholars debate whether Bran Castle really inspired "Dracula" author Bram Stoker, it's generally accepted--at least for tourism's sake--as the count's crib. The castle dates to 1377 and sits atop a 200-foot-tall rock, with stunning views of the town of Bran. The whole area is said to have strong magnetic fields and its residents extra-sensory perception -- so careful what you think about.

There are other castles worth visiting, too, including Peles Castle -- 35 miles from Bran, it's considered one of Europe's finest -- and the Gothic-style Corvinesti Castle near the town of Hunedoara.

The Romanian National Tourist Office (212-545-8484, http://www.romaniatourism.com ) suggests two- and three-day tours of southern Transylvania on its Web site. While these trips probably are best done by car -- rentals are available at the airport and in Bucharest -- you can also visit the area via public transportation. For instance, take a train the 110 miles from Bucharest to the town of Brasov, then take a taxi or bus approximately 16 miles to Bran Castle, according to the tourist office.

Alitalia, British Airways and Lufthansa are among the airlines that fly from Dulles International to Bucharest's Henri Coanda International Airport (formerly called Otopeni before its recent name change), with connections in Europe. Take a shuttle from the airport to downtown Bucharest, where buses, trains and domestic flights connect to other parts of the country.