Think of Transylvania and you’re probably reminded of a certain ancient aristocrat. That’s right: King Charles III. While you can visit ‘Dracula’s castle’ in the region, the UK’s very own recently-crowned monarch is also a noted property owner in the heart of Transylvania. And you can even go and stay at his place.
His Maj’s Transylvanian property (formally known as the Zalán Guesthouse or the Prince of Wales’s Guesthouse), is in the Zalán Valley and consists of several buildings overlooking a small village. Charles bought the site all the way back in 2006 and it’s believed to have once been owned by some of his Transylvanian ancestors.
Royal fluff aside, the guesthouse and its surrounding bits actually look rather nice. Spread out over a few structures, the site features a flower meadow, a small forest and a training centre for local artisans. The surrounding area is a hotspot for nature, with everything from rare orchids to bears.
The food at Zalán prioritises local ingredients, dishes and cooking methods, serving up stuff like székely köményes (local brandy). The guesthouse also offers day trips and tours to do stuff like caving, horse-riding, flower-picking and wood-carving. In other words, it looks like a pretty fab place for getting to grips with Transylvanian culture and the nearby natural landscape. Here are a few pics of the place and its experiences.
A stay isn’t that expensive, either. Rates start at a rather reasonable €157 (£136, $148) per night, with all proceeds going to The Prince of Wales Foundation in Romania. And you won’t even need to bring any garlic or holy water.
Did you see that Romania is building a 1,400km hiking trail spanning the entire country?
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