Transylvania is one of the most emotive place names. Much of the focus is on Bram Stoker’s creation and the bloodthirsty Prince Vlad III or Vlad the Impaler, upon whom he was loosely based. However, the region offers a fascinating mix of cultural influences, from the Saxons to the raiding Tatars and Ottomans. The natural diversity and beauty of the region is also key to capturing the imagination as castles and churches are framed by the imposing Carpathian and Faguras Mountains. The best seat from which to view all this is that of a bicycle, allowing us to soak up the tranquillity and majesty of the landscape at a pace that means we can enjoy the hidden stories and places along the way.We finish with time in Bucharest, once the seat of communist power but still with enough left to remind visitors why it was once known as ‘the Paris of the East’.