Pretty well everyone knows that vampire Count Dracula is a myth, a scary creation of Irish writer Bram Stoker.

But many people think Dracula’s bloody hunting-ground, Transylvania, is also a figment of Stoker’s vivid imagination.

So many, in fact, that Bryce Crampton was compelled to take a photograph of the Bank of Transylvania (the name appears in blood-red lettering) to convince sceptics that there really is such a place.

Bryce Crampton with a Romanian tour guide

It’s a state of Romania and the Beyond Travel marketing manager reckons it’s going to become a hot European destination for Australians.

He admits that Aussies haven’t been falling over themselves to get there since he made the prediction a few years ago.

But he sees interest building and believes the new Transylvania touring options his company is featuring in its 2010 brochure will whet a lot of appetites.

For many, the Dracula legend and the numerous ways it has been exploited by Romanian tourism promoters will be the main drawcards.

Bryce, who spent a week or so touring Romania last year, says the Dracula industry is entertaining, if sometimes "a bit tacky".

But there’s much more to Transylvania and Romania generally..

Pristine forests and quaint villages

"The highlight of my trip was definitely the countryside", he says. "It’s a very pretty country. Rugged mountains, pristine forests and rolling green hills dotted with quaint villages.

"There’s a medieval feeling about much of it, like the 850-year-old citadel (fortress town) of Sighisoara, which is the last inhabited medieval citadel in Europe and a World Heritage site".

He says centuries-old architecture, untouched by modern development, can be seen everywhere.

"Many towns still have fortified churches and there are beautiful old monasteries".

"Romania is a trip back in time. Perhaps what other parts of Europe were like 50 years.

A sign reminding travellers that Romania clings to much of its past

"Everywhere in the countryside you see people travelling by horse and cart. It’s known as the Romanian Mercedes.

"Some of the tourism infrastructure is a bit behind, but that’s all part of the charm".

Bryce was "really pleased" with the quality of hotels across the country.

"You can expect to find good 3-star properties in even the smaller towns, 4-star in bigger centres and international names like Marriott and Hilton in Bucharest".

He says the food reflects Romania’s geographical position as part of the Balkans, though many Westerners assume it’s part of Eastern Europe.

"Meals are lighter, greatly influenced by Balkan neighbours. Certainly not the heavier texture that people tend to associate with Eastern Europe".

One of his favourite dishes was polenta (a sort of corn maize), served with fresh sour cream.

"The sour cream was magnificent", he says. "I’ve never tasted anything like it".

He was told that Romania is a major wine producers with a 3000 year wine-growing heritage.

"I certainly tasted plenty of great local drops when I was there and really enjoyed them".

Language isn’t a problem.

"English is widely spoken among younger people and even small medieval towns are surprisingly cosmopolitan. Guides are university-educated and speak excellent English".

Bryce found older Romanians "a bit reserved", which didn’t surprise him given how they suffered under the hated Ceausescu regime, when neighbours were encouraged to spy on one another.

"But after a few drinks they are much more forthcoming", he says.

It’s 112 years since Bram Stoker wrote his novel, said to be based loosely on the exploits of a 15th century prince call Vlad, otherwise known as Vlad the Impaler.

Dracula theme can be too much

But the Dracula industry continues to flourish, in the form of Dracula castles, Dracula hotels, Dracula restaurants and more.

In one Dracula-type restaurant, Bryce was served a cream sauce with a red tint.

He says the theme can be overdone and some older citizens resent it because they see Dracula, a real nasty, as besmirching the reputation of Vlad, regarded as a hero for the way he fought the Turkish invasion during the Ottoman Empire.

But he acknowledges that for the foreseeable future, the mythical blood-sucker will be the big drawcard for tourists, including Australians.

Beyond Travel has a number of Transylvania options for 2010, some of which it feels will appeal to Aussies who come ashore in Budapest at the end of a Danube river cruise.

A day tour from there to Transylvania costs from $450 a person and a 3-day itinerary from $1600 a person, including accommodation, all meals and private car transport with English-speaking guide.

Bryce admits that’s fairly expensive, but says it’s the way the system operates in Romania. His company is working to get better rates.

If you’d like to find out more about Beyond Travel and Romania, click here