Poinari Citadel, ruin of castle of Vlad III Tepes (Transfagarasan Pass)

Poenari Citadel, Poinari Citadel.
Castle Ruin, Vlad Tepes
Phonetics change spellings. Search various ways.

Vlad's real castle.

At the top of the mountain is the ruin of the actual castle of Vlad Tepes, where he defended against the Turks, then escaped. His wife, however, had already hurled herself from the parapet in despair, and in fear of being captured. The site is known as the Poenari Citadel. See http://www.draculascastle.com/html/poenari.
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1.  Getting there.
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Watch for a small parking area below, few signs if any, near a utilities complex in the valley.  There is a manageable walk up a long S-curves; and there are even some long stair steps at places on the pathway. This is not a climb, just a long, long walk.

Dan Widing, Poenari Citadel path, Castle, Vlad Tepes, Romania
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Some buses or vans with tourists arrived after we started up,, and a small group was ahead.  We often had to leave the car far behind, and just trusted it would be there. It always was, and no reason for concern except our own.
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The ruin is good for climbing around, but not extensive in size.
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The path is safe, with a pipe-type railing to keep you on track. A group of Romanian teens behind us called the rail The Great Wall of Romania. Lots of laughs - Japanese tourists were ahead of us. This is clearly a worldwide attraction, but not crowded in October.
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Poinari Castle, there at the peak, Transylvania, Romania

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2.  Guides.
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These are not really needed, because there are signs and pathways, but expect someone to join you and expect a payment. We did that, and I only regret not giving more.  Sometimes, however, with a larger tip, there is more intrusion as the guide wants to be sure you get your money's worth.
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Our guide appeared when we were just about at the top, from a little house up there. Do carry some dollars for people who are especially helpful. They really want them, and deserve to be compensated. I tended to tip in Romanian currency, however. Dollars: There is a midground to caution. I do wish I had been more generous with other individuals, like older women sitting asking for money at the monastery gates.
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3.  Arefu - the village that spirited Vlad away
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View from Poenari Citadel, Castle ruin, Vlad Tepes, Romania
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Vlad escaped with the help of villagers at Arefu nearby. I understand that the villagers still identify with that event and can name the individuals and their descendants.

Vlad rewarded them with land, an unusual step for peasants. For an account of places and his life, see the Vlad sites at http://www.ucs.mun.ca/%7Eemiller/vlad_romania.  Someone slept out up there. See http://www.ventureup.com/travel/dracula.
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View from the ruin itself, to the road below.

Poinari Citadel, Transfagarasan Pass, Romania, view down

Lake Snagov

This is not only the Lake where Vlad's burial (?) island at the monastery, is located, so they say. It is also a vacation spot, where fine estates line parts of the shore. As you are rowed out to the island and the monastery, you will also see Ceaucescu's palace, fishermen, and so quiet.

There are plenty of sites for Vlad - see a good collection at //www.donlinke.com/drakula/vlad/photos.

This one suggests that you get off those usual ones, and spend time with the Lake before it also is built up, the more of us that come there. You can stay at the Complex Astoria, a communist-era resort there. This was taken from a dock.

Many homeless dogs. We were told to keep our hands in our pockets, so we did. They trot along with you, just don't pet. Others not so friendly. Don't experiment. We understand that Ceaucescu would not let people take their pets when they were moved wholesale in Bucharest and elsewhere out of neighborhoods that were then razed for big government buildings and boulevards, into high rises. Puppies, show dogs, all set loose. Thousands.