Transylvanian Halloween getaways

Europe's medieval towns, historical cities and traditional countryside are ideal for a Halloween getaway, whether you are looking for a city break or visits to remote castles.

If you are thinking of a Halloween-themed trip to central Europe then one region stands out above all others for its horror connections - Transylvania.

However, much of Transylvania is far from horrifying, boasting hilly green valleys, beautiful walled-towns, wildlife such as brown bears and striking castles.

And there is also the chance to explore the heritage of its most famous and cruel resident, Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Count Dracula.

Among the tour operators with trips to Transylvania are Explore and Sunvil.

Holidaymakers can explore the cobbled narrow streets, turreted buildings and towers of the UNESCO World Heritage town of Sighisoara with Sunvil's week-long break.

You can stay at the Hotel Casa Cu Cerb, which is on the town's main square and is close to the home of Vlad Dracula's father.

For more of an active break in Romania Explore has a five-day Transylvanian adventure holiday that includes a bear watching trip.

Also on the itinerary is a stop at the black church at Brasov, a palace that used to belong to the Romanian dictator Ceausescu in Bucharest and Bran Castle, close to the city of Brasov.

If you cannot make it to Romania for Halloween this year, there are also set to be new Transylvanian tours from 2008 with Thomson and Page & Moy.

Thomson's Transylvania holiday is an eight-day coach tour that also visits Sighisoara, where Vlad the Impaler was born, as well as mountain monasteries, the main sights of Bucharest and the main towns including Pitesti, Medias and Sinaia.

Page & Moy's 11-day trip also includes a stop at Sighisoara to trace Vlad the Impaler's legacy, but with the extra days holidaymakers can explore lots more of the country.

This includes seeing the painted monasteries of Bucovina, the Bicaz Gorge and Curtea de Arges, one of the oldest cities in Romania.

For more information on visiting Romania see the Romania Tourist board.