12 brown bears spotted in the Carpathians: how to get to the observation site.

According to The Sun: Our guide Sebastian, dark-haired and with fair skin, jokes:

“EVERYONE comes here looking for vampires”

This trip to the Carpathians, in the context of the Dracula legend, has been a real treasure for me. The opportunity to observe bears in the wild makes this journey special.

I comfortably fly to Brașov from Luton on easyJet flights, and then rent a Dacia Duster 4×4, which is perfect for Romania's mountain roads.

Adventures at Bran Castle

The first stop is the legendary Bran Castle, famous for the story of Dracula. Although there is no historical evidence that Vlad the Impaler, one of Dracula's prototypes, lived here, the castle with its gothic towers and secret passages creates an atmosphere of horror that impresses all horror fans.

With an atmosphere still felt after the latest adaptation of 'Nosferatu', the castle is filled with impressions.

After visiting the castle, I head to the German Villa, located near the village of Mahura, where I will spend the weekend. This eco-friendly hotel, run by Catherine and Herman, is nestled in a picturesque valley within the Piatra Craiului National Park.

The hotel offers me delicious dishes made from local products and wonderful views of the surrounding landscapes, complemented by the sounds of cowbells.

Bear Watching

One evening, together with a quiet guide, I set off for an evening bear watching. As dusk falls, a female Carpathian brown bear emerges from the forest, soon followed by a mother with two cubs. Overall, we manage to see 12 bears in two hours, and it was an incredible experience.

Romania is home to the largest population of brown bears in Europe — about 6000 individuals, as well as 3500 wild wolves, which are currently at risk of extinction.

Returning from the walk, I enjoy traditional Romanian food at the hotel, including delicious soup, stuffed cabbage rolls, and creamy polenta with homemade cheese.

The next day I set out on a pleasant walk along the mountain roads of Transylvania, where traditional wooden houses and silhouettes of horses become a common sight.

This trip has become not just a vacation but a real discovery of ancient and modern Romania with its endless beauty and wild adventures.