Bran Castle in Transylvania, Romania

Still, I can’t blame them for wanting to capitalize on their literary heritage during the Halloween season, with special tours and events that capture the unique flavor of the season and the location.  And indeed they are trying to capitalize on their destination’s popularity with a number of Dracula tours, specially themed for the Halloween season, and lasting from a few hours up to 10 days.  Although many of these tours are offered year round, who wouldn’t love to take one this time of year.

Check out these tours:

• Vampire in Transylvania – Dracula Tour:  7 day tour covering the important historical places of vampire legend, including Dracula’s Castle.
• Vampire in Transylvania – Short Break:  3-day variation of the 7-day tour.
• Halloween Party in Transylvania with Vlad the Impaler: 2-day tour that departs on Halloween and includes a party with a traditional dinner and show that includes many of the eerie legends and traditions of Dracula’s home town..  This tour can be added to either of the Vampire in Transylvania tours, making for a longer excursion.
• Dracula’s Undying Legend:  5-day tour of significant locations in the life and death of Dracula.
• Dracula Weekend in Transylvania:  3-day getaway weekend that focuses on the two or three key locations of Dracula lore.
• Transylvania’s Dark Legends:  5-day tour that explores Transylvania in addition to the Dracula lore.
• Bucharest Dracula Day Trip:  5-hours to visit a Dracula location and experience a Dracula dinner and show.

With all the revived interest in vampire literature, would you go on a Dracula tour?

Photo credit:  wikimedia

Post from: Blisstree

Party with Dracula this Halloween

Image: sxc.hu

There are various types of Arts and Crafts Tours:

*On your family vacation, see what places of interest you’ll find on your route.  Of course you may have to include something else for the non crafters, but this usually can be arranged.

*Look around your local area and check out what’s available over the summer, or even a particular weekend.

*Plan a special outing with your quilting or craft group to take in a special event along with other attractions in that area.

*Research bus tours that travel to crafting areas of the country, or stop at a variety of arts and craft events and activities.

*Plan something (events or tours)  in your own area with arts and crafts, fabric stores, and eateries.

*Check out workshops in an area and plan to attend by yourself or with others.  Often shops and attractions join this venture.

How do you incorporate arts and crafts into your summer, for yourself and your family?

Post from: Blisstree

Planning an Arts & Crafts Tour

The “money factory” is located in Washington DC and Fort Worth, Texas, and it’s here that all the Federal Reserve notes are printed.  They also engrave all the White House invitations, and print other security documents.  These are the folks that really can show you the money.

FREE tours are offered at both the DC and Fort Worth location.  You’ll see a short movie about the process of making money, and then tour the facility as you watch paper and ink combine to make millions of dollars.  Along the way you’ll pick up some interesting money facts and trivia.  The tour itself (excluding wait time) takes a bit over an hour.  It ends at the money gift shop, where you can buy novelty items as well as find serious collectibles.

The DC location is at 14th & C Streets NW, and in Fort Worth at 9000 Blue Mound Road.  The respective websites will list all the information you need to take the FREE tour.  There are some quirks and exceptions about the tour, and it can be impacted by the Homeland Security threat level, so check for details as part of your planning.

The tour is FREE, and is very popular.  It’s crowded during the summer, the most popular time to visit, but it also makes a great rainy afternoon activity.  The tour is appropriate for school age children, but younger ones might be bored.

Photo credit:  wikimedia

Post from: Blisstree

Show Me the Money!