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 [email protected] or follow us on instagram at Instagram.com/DestinationFandomPodcast

Hosts: Erin Erdos & Ashley D'Aristotile

Introduction:
Erin Erdos and Ashley, your friendly neighborhood travel advisors, are diving headfirst into the world of podcasts, armed with nothing but caffeine and an insatiable love for all things nerdy. In this inaugural episode, they unravel the mystery behind their unlikely friendship, spill the beans on their nerdy obsessions, and tease what's to come on their journey through Destination Fandom.

Origin Story
How did this dynamic duo come to be? Picture it: a Travel Age West conference for future travel leaders, two souls named Ashley and Erin collide in a whirlwind of Disney bounding and shared passions. Ashley's boredom sparks an idea – a podcast merging travel with their nerdy interests. Thus, the legend of Erin and Ashley was born.

The Genesis of Destination Fandom
From across the room, Erin pegs Ashley as a vampire in disguise – and two years later, a vampire-themed episode kicks off their podcast adventure. Each episode promises a deep dive into a nerdy topic, from vampires to space exploration, seamlessly intertwined with their love for travel.

What Are You Nerding Out About?
In this recurring segment, Erin and Ashley spill the beans on their latest obsessions. Ashley's recent trip to the Kennedy Space Center has her orbiting around space exploration, while Erin delves back into the dystopian world of Wool, on which Silo is based (Apple TV).

Closing Thoughts:
As Erin and Ashley bid adieu, they extend an invitation to listeners: join them on this nerdy odyssey through Destination Fandom. Tune in, geek out, and let the wanderlust take hold. Until next time, fellow travelers!

So, who's ready to pack their bags and embark on a nerdy adventure? And who else agrees with us that Keanu Reeves is DEFINITELY aging like a fine wine?

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 [email protected] or follow us on instagram at Instagram.com/DestinationFandomPodcast