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View of the building from across the moat opposite one of its corners. Both wings are somewhat visible here, though the front is mostly obscured by trees.

Fraeylemaborg castle in Slochteren, The Netherlands

Fraeylemaborg, a charming historical estate house and garden in the northern Netherlands, is well worth the visit both for the period interior and the lush gardens.

The castle extends across the whole photo, with a large blockish building on the left and a round tower on the right.

Visiting Cesky Krumlov Castle and UNESCO site

On your trip to Czechia, besides Prague, I highly recommend visiting Cesky Krumlov and the imposing Czesky Krumlov Castle.

Exterior view of Hluboká Castle, complete with crenellations along the roof and a tall tower.

Hluboká Castle, South Bohemia, Czechia: Wow!

Hluboká Castle is a 19th-century castle in Czechia crammed with a stunning collection of furnishings and exceedingly accomplished workmanship.

Rhine Valley castles near Bacharach, Germany

Charming Bacharach Germany is the perfect home base to visit the Rhine Valley castles of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO site.

Heeswijk Castle near Den Bosch

I’ve written about two contrasting castles in the Netherlands before: Muiderslot and Castle de Haar. Muiderslot is the archetypal medieval castle: square with towers in each corner and crenellated walls between them. Castle de Haar,…

Castle De Haar: An extravagant vision of the medieval

Castle de Haar is one of the most fanciful castles I’ve ever seen, if you discount Sleeping Beauty’s castle at Disneyland. It’s got a moat, a formal garden, towers and turrets galore. Stunningly ornate, especially…

Muiderslot Castle (a.k.a. Amsterdam Castle)

I’ve seen a lot of castles in my travels, but Muiderslot Castle is a real classic: a drawbridge over a moat and four corner towers, designed for defense.

a typical fairytale castle: with a tower and defensive crenellations on its walls, perched high on a hill above the village visible in the foreground: Visiting Karlstejn Castle from Prague

Visiting Karlstejn Castle from Prague

Visiting Karlstejn Castle from Prague is quite possible in a day trip. Just make sure to do your research ahead of time, unlike me. This article will help.

This face looks like an animal, but with a human nose, a grimace, and big ears.

Crathes Castle in Scotland

A so-called “tower house”, Crathes Castle in Scotland has been added to and changed over the centuries. First built in the mid-16th century, it was the home of the Burnett family of Leys, who lived…

On a steep crag extending out into the sea are the ruins of the castle.

Dramatic Dunnottar Castle

As I wrote in my overview of Aberdeenshire castles, my expectation was that the Dunnottar Castle ruins would be worth about a half-hour’s visit. I’d seen photos, and its setting – on a cliff-edged finger…

This half is 3 stories tall except for a tall, crenellated round tower at the corner.

Balmoral Castle tour: a review

If you’ve ever seen a film involving Queen Victoria, you’ve heard of Balmoral Castle. This is the place the queen used as her escape: her place in the country. She loved Scotland, and this location…

Craigievar Castle in Aberdeenshire is pastel pink! And it is taller than it is wide.

Craigievar Castle, Scotland

There’s something about the fact that Craigievar Castle in Aberdeenshire is pink that makes it conjure fairy-tale visions. Or maybe it’s that it’s taller than it is wide: think “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!”…

Aberdeenshire castles worth visiting

Aberdeenshire, Scotland has dozens of castles, but many are them are either private or in ruins. Here are the 14 Aberdeenshire castles that are most worth seeing.

Dunrobin Castle, Scotland

In my last post – about the Scottish Highland heritage tour that I took with my friend, Kate – I mentioned Dunrobin Castle as one of our stops. In reality, we stopped there twice: once…

Should you visit Dracula’s castle?

As the crowds shuffled through the castle, some tourists tried to stake out spots where they could take pictures of each room without people in the photo. Others posed for selfies, their backs to the…

Burghausen Castle looms over the town of Burghausen. This photo only shows a part of it. I think the only way to photograph the whole castle would be from the air.

Lovely Burghausen Castle

I don’t see why Burghausen Castle isn’t on the German castle must-see list. It’s among the best medieval castles I’ve ever seen.

Deva Castle, as seen from where Albert stood under the shelter. It's the closest we got to it.

Not visiting Deva Castle

We weren’t even planning to go to Deva Castle. My husband and I were just driving along, minding our own business, on a road trip in the western Carpathian mountains of Romania. The GPS was…

Gripsholm Castle and two charming towns

Gripsholm Castle and the towns of Mariefred and Strangnas are lovely places to visit: small-town charm deceptively close to Stockholm.

The ornate, enormous, white Himeji Castle looms.

What to do in Himeji on a day trip from Kyoto: Himeji Castle and Engyoji Temple

As I stepped off the train for my Himeji day trip from Kyoto, I said to myself, “I’ll look for the tourist information office first and ask how to get to the castle.” (Yes, traveling…

throne chair on a dais with a cloth draped above it in the Gala Dali museum

Gala Dali Castle: Dalí’s Gift to his Muse

If you like Salvador Dalí’s art—even if you’re not such a fan of his work—the Gala Dali Castle in Púbol, Spain, is something you should not miss. This is not a Dalí museum. Dalí bought the…

People pose on their bikes in front of the La Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona.

4 Barcelona bike routes + biking tips

Barcelona is a great place to explore by bike. Here are the unmissable highlights of 4 Barcelona bike routes, plus some useful bicycling tips!

A view of Chateau Chambord from the side.

Château de Chambord: A royal hunting lodge

Chateau de Chambord: a spectacular 16th-century castle in the Loire Valley, worth seeing for its architecture and the art it contains.

A view of a VIVA cruise ship: very long and narrow and just 3 stories high.

Moselle River cruise with VIVA Cruises: A review

A thorough description and review of a Moselle river cruise with Viva Cruises: the ship, the cabin, the food and drink, the itinerary, etc.

Anchored sailboat, sails down, in front of a pink post-sunset sky.

Sailing In Croatia: A comprehensive beginner’s guide

Everything you need to know if you are considering sailing in Croatia for your vacation. Info on where and when, the best route, what to pack, licenses, and more.

Cat sitting on a stone arch at Wadi Rum - desert scenery with red rocks.

Spending Ramadan in Jordan: Everything you need to know

Your instinct might be to avoid spending Ramadan in Jordan, but it’s actually a great time to visit if you want an interesting cultural experience!

Looking up at the Metal Castle temple in Bangkok: white walls, golden spires.

16 best temples in Bangkok, Thailand

This extensive list of Buddhist temples in Bangkok, Thailand includes advice to help you choose and plan your visit.

A grand cathedral in white with many pillars around and above the entrance.

A sightseer’s guide to the history of Ortigia, Sicily

The history of Ortigia, Sicily is long and varied. Read here what to see on this little islet, the oldest part of Siracusa.

Seen across water, the building has a central square structure of glass with long, slanted sections around it and up its sides.

One day in Oslo itinerary: All the highlights

This itinerary for one day in Oslo, Norway, includes all the sightseeing highlights, grouped by location to help you choose which to see.

The tower house on the right, a small round guard tower on the left.

All about tower houses in Ireland with tips for visiting

Everything you need to know about tower houses in Ireland – a variety of castle – before visiting: what to look for, which to see, and more!

A view of lots of snow-capped mountains.

Experiencing slow travel with UnTours: A review

Considering an UnTour? Read this review of the unique UnTours formula for slow travel – in this case in Switzerland.

Looking down a very long hall with gothic arched ceiling and, along one side, what looks like feeding troughs also carved from stone.

Things to do in Figueres: A one-day itinerary

In this complete one-day itinerary, you can read about all the things to do in Figueres, Spain: not just the Dali Theater-Museum!

Two painted white horses - just their heads - on a merry-go-round with the colorful painting of the center part of the carousel visible behind them.

The 8 best Hamburg Christmas Markets (+13 more!) for 2024

Tips for visiting the best Christmas markets in Hamburg, Germany, plus a listing of all the rest: 20 in all!