Transylvanian Fairytale

Picture it: with the moon hanging over the Transylvanian Alps, the wind rustling through the dark trees and the wolves howling in the distance (okay, a tad theatrical - but wolves do roam these hills), they'll be tingling with excitement and they'll absolutely love it.

While we can't promise Vlad Dracula himself, you can stay in a beautiful Transylvanian manor, steeped in its very own special history. The Count Mike's Estate has belonged to the same family since the 15th Century, and its three buildings have been lovingly restored to their original splendour - with all the modern comforts of a boutique hotel.

The Machine House is set at the end of a tree-lined avenue and it is a magical place to enjoy a mix of privacy and country house hospitality. With or without an excitable brood, this house is a magnificent sight to behold.

Once occupied by the communists to house generators for a hospital they had established on the estate, it has now been turned into a cosy lodge - despite its size and grandeur. Its six large rooms have toasty open fires, squishy sofas and stunning views (our favourite is the 'red room' with its free-standing bath and oak wood floors) and best of all are the aromas of home cooked food wafting around.

The guesthouse has its own chef who conjures up wonderful Romanian dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner - venison, bacon and cabbage rolls, wild mushrooms and delicious home-made dips and jams. Trust us, many a merry night can be spent washing these traditional feasts down with their fine plum brandy.

Walk off your sumptuous meals by exploring the grounds of this vast estate. A lovely morning can be spent strolling around the fishing lake, basking in the golden light beaming through the beechwood trees and breathing in the clean, cool air.

And when you're ready to venture out into the surrounding woods, expert guides can show you the way. Their 'bear tours' hold huge appeal because, as well as those wolves we've mentioned, this area of Romania has more bears than anywhere in Europe. The estate will also organise day trips to surrounding villages on their horse and trap - our favourite spot is the nearby town of Zabola: charming, immaculate and totally unwesternised.

Whether you want a weekend filled with history and romance, or a rustic retreat to get back to nature with your kids, this is the perfect fairytale setting.