Beyond Dracula Testimonials
What Our Travelers Say
Read first-hand experiences from our guests and see why they trust Beyond Dracula for their Romanian adventures.
“…Romania is a country you arrive in curious—and leave already planning your return…”
The highlight of my trip to Romania was the VIP experience at Bran Castle—an unforgettable evening with a private tour, expert storytelling, and a magnificent dinner paired with local wines in a medieval fortress still owned by the royal family. Welcomed with champagne by the castle’s manager and CEO, it was an experience that far exceeded the Dracula legend. Romania surprised me with how much there is to see and do—and how untouched it feels compared to other destinations.
Beyond the iconic sites, Romania’s wine culture was a revelation. As the world’s eighth-largest producer, it offers unique varietals and excellent wineries. Our guide, Andre, was not only incredibly knowledgeable but also a lot of fun. For those interested in ancient history, I can’t recommend Adamclisi and Istria enough—hidden gems that deserve far more attention. Romania is a country you arrive in curious—and leave already planning your return.
“…Beyond Dracula planned it all with care and insight, offering the richest, most thoughtful travel experience I’ve ever had…”
My journey through Romania was filled with unforgettable moments, but one that stays with me is the magical dinner in an organic garden—delicious, fresh food, a beautiful terrace, and warm, joyful company under the stars. That evening captured the essence of Romania: generous hospitality, meaningful connection, and beauty in the details. Traveling with Paul was a delight—his humor, depth of knowledge, and calm presence made every moment smooth and engaging. And the accommodations? Each one felt like home—charming, spotless, and filled with character. I’m still dreaming of my room in Sibiu!
Romania itself surprised me at every turn: lush landscapes, vibrant traditions, warm-hearted people, and a fascinating mix of influences—from Bavarian palaces to Parisian streets. It’s a place where cows return home on their own in Viscri, where a wedding parade might appear around the corner, and where even the food tells a story—local, soulful, and unforgettable. Beyond Dracula planned it all with care and insight, offering the richest, most thoughtful travel experience I’ve ever had. It truly was a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
“…The opportunity to trace family roots and visit ancestral towns added a deeply moving personal dimension to our trip…”
Romania exceeded all expectations, offering a perfect blend of personal discovery and cultural exploration. Our journey through both countryside and cities revealed a nation of stunning natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant emerging economy. The opportunity to trace family roots and visit ancestral towns added a deeply moving personal dimension to our trip. We were particularly impressed by the ongoing restoration of Jewish sites and the country’s efforts to acknowledge its complex past.
The experience was enhanced immeasurably by our exceptional guides, whose encyclopedic knowledge spanned history, architecture, and religion. Their insights provided a nuanced understanding of Romania’s transition from communism and its growing importance as an ally. The thoughtfully crafted itinerary, combined with wonderful accommodations, created an unforgettable experience that left us with a profound appreciation for Romania’s heritage and its promising future.
“…Romania felt like an adventurous and relatively undiscovered gem…”
During my visit to Romania, some of my favorite moments were staying at the quirky Zabola castle and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere at Bar Ton, people-watching and soaking in local life. Romania’s stunning countryside, especially in the Carpathian Mountains, along with its rich history, left a lasting impression. Bucharest showcased a mix of beautiful, if weathered, architecture contrasted with stark communist-era buildings. However, driving was challenging due to frequent traffic jams, and despite the Dracula myths, vampires aren’t much of a concern for locals!
For travelers, I’d recommend exploring lesser-known castles over the crowded Bran Castle for a more authentic experience. Romania felt like an adventurous and relatively undiscovered gem, perfect for pioneering travelers looking to get ahead of the tourist trail. What surprised me most was the breathtaking beauty of the Carpathian Mountains and the charm of Brașov, though dealing with traffic and unhelpful responses was a downside.
“…Our trip to Romania was filled with unforgettable moments, from the stunning monasteries and mountain landscapes to the warm hospitality and delicious food…”
One of the highlights was a surprise visit to my wife’s father’s hometown, Abrud, and Rosia Montana, a place her grandfather had fought to protect. This unexpected detour was incredibly meaningful and brought so much joy to my wife.
We were captivated by the scenic drive to Scarisoara and the traditional experience at Casa cu Cerbi, where the charming hosts and delightful meals made it a truly authentic Romanian adventure.
I would highly recommend this journey to anyone who wants to feel a deep connection to Romania’s people and traditions.
“…To those looking for a destination that combines beauty, culture, and heartfelt hospitality – Romania is calling!…”
Our journey through Romania was nothing short of magical. From the breathtaking countryside of Transylvania to the charming streets of Brașov, every moment was unforgettable. Walking through fortified churches, exploring castles, and learning about Romania’s rich history felt like stepping back in time. Bucharest surprised us with its vibrant culinary scene, where every meal was a treat. But what truly made our trip extraordinary was our guide, Paul, whose passion and knowledge brought the country’s stories to life. Hearing his personal anecdotes and visiting a communist-era apartment-turned-museum added depth to our experience.
Romania is a country for dreamers, history buffs, and curious travelers eager to explore places straight out of storybooks. Whether you’re strolling through picturesque landscapes or diving into its layered history, Romania captivates you at every turn. And honestly? There wasn’t a single thing we didn’t love. To those looking for a destination that combines beauty, culture, and heartfelt hospitality—Romania is calling!
“…Beyond Dracula crafted a seamless, soulful journey—one of the most meaningful travel experiences we’ve ever had…”
Romania felt like stepping into another time—rolling hills, red-roofed villages, and unforgettable encounters with local artisans. Highlights included rowing through a salt mine, taking in the view from the tower at Biertan, and sharing palinka and fresh cheese with a village distiller. Our accommodations were full of charm, especially in Breb and Sibiu, and the food was fresh, hearty, and deeply satisfying. Traveling with Paul was a joy—knowledgeable, calm, and always one step ahead.
We were surprised by Romania’s cultural richness, unspoiled landscapes, and quiet authenticity. I tell friends: go now, before it changes. Shopping for handwoven blouses, local honey, and herbal teas was a pleasure—and a way to support the people we met. Beyond Dracula crafted a seamless, soulful journey—one of the most meaningful travel experiences we’ve ever had.
My family received so much more than a fascinating tour across Romania this past summer. We also fell in love with Octavian – our tour guide – and made a new friend for life. Tavi impressed us with his broad knowledge of so many topics, his kindness and infinite patience with the unexpected obstacles and daily mood swings (especially of our little children when acting out), his integrity and bravery and his disarming and charming sense of wonder that made it a delight to chat late into the night. Thank you!
“…Romania surprised us with its natural beauty, well-preserved Saxon villages, and the ease of driving on its well-maintained roads…”
During our visit to Romania, one of the highlights was exploring the Saxon villages and walking through the forests during our stay at Bethlen. It felt like stepping back in time, experiencing life as it must have been centuries ago. My husband enjoyed driving through the scenic countryside and visiting the villages, with the Transfagarasan being a must-see. Romania’s lack of heavy tourism made our experience feel even more special, particularly in Brașov and Bucharest, where we were among the few international visitors. The food exceeded expectations, and the varied accommodation—Bethlen was wonderful, Viscri felt authentic, though Epoque seemed a bit dated—added to the charm of the trip.
Romania surprised us with its natural beauty, well-preserved Saxon villages, and the ease of driving on its well-maintained roads. The country feels untouched by Western influences, offering an authentic, unspoiled experience. Travelers who appreciate getting off the beaten path will love the quiet, rustic charm of the countryside and the rich history found in the architecture and way of life. While I was captivated by Romania, I couldn’t help but wish to preserve and restore the aging churches and manor houses we encountered along the way. Romania is perfect for adventurous travelers seeking something different from the typical European destinations.
“…Beyond Dracula’s planning was flawless, from the delicious, authentic food to the unique accommodations, showcasing Romania’s true culture and hospitality…”
My trip to Romania was filled with unforgettable moments, from revisiting a beekeeper I loved in 2017 to watching cows return with villagers in Viscri. The personal stories shared by locals like Marcela and Emese were deeply moving, and exploring the Saxon fortresses and the community spirit in Breb was truly special.
Every experience felt authentic, and sharing it with friends, especially Emily, who embraced her heritage, made it even more meaningful. Paul, our guide, was exceptional. His knowledge, humor, and patience made the trip smooth and enriching. Beyond Dracula’s planning was flawless, from the delicious, authentic food to the unique accommodations, showcasing Romania’s true culture and hospitality.
“…Romania is on the brink of being “discovered” by the rest of the world….”
Raluca with Beyond Dracula created the perfect itinerary for our small group trip to Romania. We could tell that everything was done with such thought and detail and we know we couldn’t have had the experiences that we had without her or her company. Our guide, Paul, was also exceptional – the best of the best. At the end of our trip it was hard to say goodbye! He had the answer to every single question we asked him (impressive!) and we learned so much about Romania’s history and culture from him.
It is too hard to pick just one favorite experience during the visit to Romania. Standing in the historic fortified churches and getting to walk around inside is something I’ll never forget–I can’t even comprehend that history! It was amazing to be there. Seeing Peles and Bran castle was, of course, very cool, and same goes for the Turda Salt Mine. But of all the things we saw, I think our favorite experiences were the times we were gathered around the table, getting to hear Romanian stories and tasting traditional Romanian foods, prepared by locals. These were incredibly special moments… (Like in Breb or in Viscri. Our favorite was Viscri 125. There was magic in the air here).
The trip they planned for us was incredibly special and we felt so honored to be a part of it. Romania is a beautiful country and the people, the food, the history, the sites are all absolutely wonderful. Romania is on the brink of being “discovered” by the rest of the world, but I hope that visitors who come really dive deep into the country and go off the beaten path to have the special experiences that Romania is known for. We’d go on this trip again and again if we could.
Thank you, Raluca, Paul, and team for this incredible experience. It is something we will never forget
“…Being in Romania felt like being in a country that is experiencing a renaissance…”
Romania has so much to offer. My favorite experience during my visit to Romania was taking in the natural beauty of the country, with its mountains, historical villages, castles, city life. I believe the younger generations (those who didn’t experience Communism) are eager to spread their wings. Being in Romania felt like being in a country that is experiencing a renaissance.
“…Beyond our best dreams, our trip to Romania…”
We could not find any guide books to help us and our online research indicated sights to visit but not how to access them. Once we made contact with Beyond Dracula, our problems were solved! Ioana was so helpful in figuring out what we wanted to see and then augmenting these choices with the best lodging, the most fun adventures and novel experiences.
We really appreciated the contacts you had in the “off the beaten path” lodging department and the special people who ran them. Meeting Donita at Casa cu Cerbi was a highlight of our trip – she made us feel like treasured family in an authentic setting….and I loved that we could communicate a bit in French. Of course, lunch with Marcella was a treat as well…she is so warm and engaging as well as being a wonderful chef. And our truffle hunting jaunt was made even better by dining at Cornel’s house and sharing our meal with a lovely young Romanian family that was bunking in with the horses! However, the best accolades need to be reserved for Tavi. He was the perfect guide, driver, companion and friend. We are so happy we found you and we plan to return to explore more of your beautiful country in the near future.
“…The great success of our trip with a large variety and number of activities was due to the planning and ongoing daily adjustments of Raluca and Monica and particularly to our great guide Andrei…”
We had been looking forward to our trip to Romania for several years and it was even better than we hoped for. Meeting Monica and opening our welcome package included painted eggs and snacks started the trip off well. Our first stop the next day at Peles Castle was beautiful inside and out and included the first and last crowds of the trip. It was also the beginning of our ongoing history of Romania lessons from our wonderful guide Andrei. Our rooms in Brasov, Sighisoara and Cluj included a nice combination of traditional decorations and modern amenities. We began the first of many visits to beautiful churches, learning more of the complicated history of Romania over many centuries. Our day in Sighisoara also included a wonderful visit with Emese and family ,touring her gardens, discussing herbs and teas, and having a delicious Easter meal.
Our stay at Village Hotel in Breb was very special with sounds of the creek next to our traditional cottage and the helpfulness and pleasantness of Penny and Andrada. Our dinner with a Breb villager demonstrated the self sufficiency of village families with room full of handmade woolen rugs woven from her own sheep’s wool, dinner including polenta from her own corn, ground in her own woolen mill, mushrooms picked locally and blueberries as part of the delicious dessert. The visit to the Museum of Communism in Sighetu was very powerful, largely due to the photos of victims involved. Our guide knew of a small woolen mill with a rug washer which made an unusual interesting stop.
Returning to the sight of Breb in the valley felt like coming home but we moved on to Bucovina region for Orthodox Easter. Our room at Casa Cu Cerbi included beautiful traditional furnishings and the owner and cook Vio and family made us feel at home and made wonderful breakfasts and dinners. Our main reason for traveling at this time was Orthodox Easter and the midnight and Sunday services and food traditions were very moving. Seeing and learning about the stories on the painted monasterieswas another highlight.
We were able to stay in King Charles’ cottage in Valea Zalanalui. A 3 1/2 hour walk with our very knowledgable biologist guide Chafa was very enjoyable and we were able to see and learn about many Romanian flowers which was another goal of our trip, though we will need to return in May or June to see a larger number! We thought that without our guide Andrei we would have felt somewhat lost and unaware of activities there because of communication difficulties. The meals , though good , were not as interesting as our other villages.
In Viscri we had our best chances to meet local craftsmen including watching a Roma villager making boiled woolen slippers , blacksmith visit, and a very educational time with the royal beekeeper in Crit. Once again the meals with another Vio cook were great.
Lastly, Bucharest surprised us with it’s vitality, green spaces, and wonderful old buildings.
The great success of our trip with a large variety and number of activities was due to the planning and ongoing daily adjustments of Raluca and Monica and particularly to our great guide Andrei. He was able to determine our interest, physical limitations, and schedule very easily and was always pleasant, reliable ,easy to talk to, and extremely knowledgeable about Romanian history and culture.
We enjoyed the gift of the Romanian cookbook and already planning on making a polenta recipe. We also appreciated Monica going into the airport with us on departure and making sure we were through security.
We are very happy we finally were able to take our trip to Romania and witness the beauty of the countryside and the people.
Bespoke travel to Romania
In the Fall of 2022, my husband and I went to Romania. Neither of us had ever been there so we really had no idea where to go or what to do for 2 weeks.
My husband researched guides and found Raluca Spiac to plan our trip. We communicated with her through email and phone visits to inform her of our desires and interests. She was great at arranging a very knowledgeable guide in Bucharest and an extremely intelligent, friendly guide, Paul, who drove us to the other cities and served as our guide when we visited Transylvania and Cluj.
Raluca listened to our interests and made certain our needs were met. Since we told her we always love to shop for art on our trips, she arranged for us to have a fine art guide in Cluj, which is known for the numerous artists living and working there. We got to visit with many artists and talk with them about their work.Raluca is a young, energetic woman who checked in on us and Paul regularly to make sure all was going well. She is a very hard worker who wants to show visitors the best Romania has to offer.
Both my husband and I highly recommend her services. She did a wonderful job of making our trip very memorable.
Raluca can be found at Beyond Dracula.
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