Ashley and Erin shed light on the magical world of vampire myth, starting with the story of the infamous Dracula's Castle in Romania, officially known as Castle Bran. Ashley dispels the popular belief that the castle is historically linked to Vlad the Impaler, the real-life figure who served as Bram Stoker's inspiration for the character of Dracula. Despite the lack of actual historical connection, she notes that the castle has fully embraced its reputation and capitalized on the allure of vampire lore, hosting vampire-themed events for visitors.

Join Ashley and Erin as they sink their teeth into the enchanting world of vampire myths, starting with the legendary Dracula's Castle in Romania. Ashley debunks the Dracula-Vlad the Impaler link but highlights the castle’s thriving vampire-themed tourism.

Ashley recounts her eerie vampire tour in Rome, featuring tales of 19th-century blood-drinking rituals. They then dive into Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles, painting vivid images of historic European sites that inspired her tales, like Paris's Les Innocents cemetery.

Drawing parallels between ancient vampire origins and modern cities' dynamic nature, they discuss the timeless allure of places like Paris and Rome. Ashley suggests that wandering these cities at night feels like stepping into a bygone era, where historical landmarks preserve their eerie charm.

This episode masterfully blends travel, history, and myth, showing how ancient vampire lore continues to captivate and evolve in today's world. Bonus points if you, like Erin, also want to believe in vampires (and maybe Santa Claus?).

Thanks for joining us for another episode of Destination Fandom! If you'd like the help of fellow geeks (Erin and Ashley) to plan your next vacation, reach out to us at info@destinationfandompodcast.com or follow us on instagram at Instagram.com/DestinationFandomPodcast