Sighisoara(01 of17)
Open Image ModalVlad III was born in 1431 in Sighisoara, Transylvania to Vlad II Dracul. The younger Vlad would hold the title voivode (denoting him as military governor or prince) of the principality of Wallachia. Wallachia would later join with parts of Moldavia and Transylvania to form modern-day Romania.\r\n\r\nVlad\'s home is pictured above. \r\n\r\nPhoto: Aleksander Dragnes/Flickr
Sighisoara(02 of17)
Open Image ModalSighisoara is located in central Romania, about four hours from the capital Bucharest. It\'s home to a well-preserved medieval town that\'s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. \r\n\r\nPhoto: trackranger/Flickr
Targoviste(03 of17)
Open Image ModalIn 1436, Vlad II became leader of the principality of Wallachia, and young Vlad moved to Targoviste, the capital of Wallachia. \r\n\r\nTargoviste is less than an hour and a half\'s drive from Bucharest. While there, visit the city\'s royal court, which is open daily except Monday.\r\n\r\nPhoto: nicubunu.photo/Flickr
Ottoman Court/Constantinople(04 of17)
Open Image ModalVlad and his younger brother were sent to the court of Ottoman Sultan Murad II in 1442. The boys were being used as a way to cement the relationship between Murad II and Vlad II. \r\n\r\nAfter Vlad\'s death, likely in January 1477, his head was brought to Constantinople. \r\n\r\n(The Topkapi Palace in Istanbul aka Constantinople, pictured here, was built by Murad II\'s successor Mehmed II. Entrance is between $10 and $15, but the Harem is an extra $10.)\r\n\r\nPhoto: AFP/Getty Images
Moldavia(05 of17)
Open Image ModalVlad II was killed in 1447 while Vlad III was still in Ottoman captivity. Vlad III returned home in 1448 to take the throne, but was ousted shortly thereafter. He fled to the region of Moldavia (north east of Wallachia) to the protection of his uncle. Vlad returned to his throne in 1456.\r\n\r\nPhoto: ruizsanjuan/Flickr
Poenari Castle(06 of17)
Open Image ModalPoenari is a cliff-top castle and fortress that Vlad refurbished and for a time called home. \r\n\r\nPhoto: Coco_ro/Flickr
Poenari Castle(07 of17)
Open Image ModalAccording to legend, Vlad\'s first wife killed herself by jumping from the castle\'s tower during an Ottoman siege around 1462. She is believed to have said she\'d rather rot than be captured by the Turks. \r\n\r\nPoenari Castle is located two hours from Bucharest. Be prepared to climb 1,462 steps to access the castle ruins.\r\n\r\nPhoto: Coco_ro/Flickr
Visegrad, Hungary(08 of17)
Open Image ModalFrom about 1462 to 1474 Vlad was held captive in Hungary, spending many years in Visegrad. However, he also spent much time living in the house of his second wife, a cousin to the Hungarian king. From Hungary he announced his third reign in 1476, but was killed about two months later. \r\n\r\nPhoto: David Spender/Flickr
Visegrad, Hungary(09 of17)
Open Image ModalVisegrad is a 12 hour drive from Bucharest, or an hour from the Hungarian capital of Budapest. A train between Bucharest and Budapest can take between 12 and 17 hours with fares from $126 at press time. \r\n\r\nPhoto: sander_123/Flickr
Hunyad Castle(10 of17)
Open Image ModalHunyad is said to have housed Vlad for part of his Hungarian captivity. The castle is located in Hunedoara, Romania, five hours from Bucharest.\r\n\r\nPhoto: Nagy David/Flickr
Snagov Monastery(11 of17)
Open Image ModalWhile Vlad\'s head went to Constantinople, his body might have been buried at Comana, a monastery he founded. Legend holds that he was buried at Snagov Monastery, but no tomb has been found.\r\n\r\nTour companies like Delta Travel and Visit Transylvania Travel offer half-day excursions to the monastery on Lake Snagov.\r\n\r\nPhoto: fusion-of-horizons/Flickr
Bran Castle(12 of17)
Open Image ModalBran Castle is known as Dracula\'s Castle, though Vlad is only thought to have spent but a brief time there. \r\n\r\nBran Castle is about two and a half hours from Bucharest. Entrance is 20 Lei (about $6) for adults.\r\n\r\nPhoto: AFP/Getty Images
Spooky Shadow(13 of17)
Open Image ModalMichael Williams 1:
Spooky Shadows from a tree in the main square in Sighisoara
Dracula's hometown Tower and Jail(14 of17)
Open Image ModalRockyGibraltar:
Draculas Bran Castle(15 of17)
Open Image Modalpcleaver1:
Bran Castle was commissioned by Draculas grandfather and it is unknown whether he actually spent any time here.According to our guide the English tourists looking for Dracula\'s original castle decreed that this was it.
Brann Castle(16 of17)
Open Image ModalUpon entering the gates and walking up to the castle. (credit:Andrea Shepherd)
Brasov, Transylvania(17 of17)
Open Image ModalBedroom in Dracula\'s Castle (credit:Englishmum)