Eager to discover the vampire’s origins and indulge the dark curiosities of coffin-dwelling creatures loving guests? Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest has created the exclusive new “Twilight in Budapest” experience to get the real gothic story. Novelist Bram Stoker based the character of Dracula on Vlad III, a 15th-century warrior born in Transylvania who impaled his enemies on giant spears. After killing thousands of victims by this method, he became known as Vlad the Impaler.
Guests can recline in the back of a limo as they get a tour of the streets of Budapest, all up to the gorgeous Hungarian countryside, where they will find the hilltop Visegrad Castle. That’s place where Vlad the Impaler was prisoner for twelve years, from 1462 to 1474. Visitors can step inside the hexagonal Solomon Tower, built in 1258, which served as Vlad’s jail cell. Vampire’s lovers will also learn about Vlad’s eventual good fortune. After winning back the king’s favour, Vlad married a royal cousin and lived with her happily in Budapest, where they had two children. It was not until the release of Dracula in 1897 that legend began to link Vlad with vampirism.
The Twilight in Budapest experience also includes a glass of thehearty Hungarian red wine Bikaver, known as “Bull’s Blood”. While adults enjoy quality wines, there is a special kids’ menu inspired by the adventurous history of vampires. So, if you’re daring enough to take a bite out of Hungary’s vampire culture, that pleasure starts from $1,100.
