Romania is situated in southeast Europe and it’s home to Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”. But apart from vampires, Romania offers a diverse culture of invention, poetry and literature and their forests cover approximately a quarter of the country. Majestic castles illustrate the country’s medieval heritage and Bran Castle, set in deepest Transylvania, is top of the must-visit list. Dracula’s Castle sits austerely atop a sheer rock face where the views across the village of Bran are fabulous. But make sure you visit during daylight hours only and keep away when there’s a full moon!

Before World War II Romania had only a handful of golf courses: Bucharest Country Club in the capital, two by the seaside at Mamaia and Eforie Nord, an American designed layout at Teleajen and one at Buftea which belonged to Prince Stirbei. The Communist regime subsequently closed every layout except the Diplomatic Club but, twenty years into the new millennium, eight Romanian golf facilities are in operation:

Diplomatic Club (6 holes), Lac de Verde (9-hole course designed by Ronald Castillo), Selas Golf & Polo Club (9 holes), Tite Golf Resort (9 holes), Sun Garden Golf & Spa Resort (9 holes), Theodora Golf Club (18 holes), Transilvania (9 holes) and Paul Tomita (18 holes).

It was announced in 2021 that construction had started on a new course near the village of Tâncăbeşti, to the north of Bucharest. Designed by Jeff Howes, the 18-hole layout is situated within a former orchard, with some of the fairways routed around the edges of a large lake that’s famed for its carp fishing. The course is scheduled to be in operation by the end of 2023.