MAIN Travel Special Interest Travel Castle Tours

With a little planning, you can stop dreaming of castles and actually visit one... or perhaps stay in one for a romantic night dreaming of the days of medieval chivalry.

You can even gather family or friends to rent a castle — and be surrounded by breathtakingly beautiful countryside and centuries of history for your entire stay.

Visiting the great castles of Europe

The most renowned of Europe's castle routes is located along Germany's Castle Road in the southern part of the country encompassing some 70 castles along a well-traveld route.

Chateau country in the Loire Valley of France is another famous trip back in time to dozens of chateau located between the towns of Tours and Blois.

Poland's castles are widespread throughout the country and, although more numerous, still less well-known and less traveled.

Farther west, Spain's castles at one time numbered some 8,000, but the 2,500 that remain are still considered some of the world's most beautiful, of which the Alhambra Palace in Granada is considered perhaps the best well-known and historic.

To visit all of them would take a lifetime, but luckily host countries have established specific "castle routes" that can be done in a single day (or several days - again, you might stay overnight in one along with way) in arranged tours or self-guided driving itineraries.

For castles open to the public, visitors can take pride in knowing they are helping preserve a special part of living history, since tickets and admission prices usually help defray the costs of upkeep. Once inside, you can learn more about castle construction, hear harrowing stories of prison towers, or get up close views of castle art, furnishings, armor and weapons.

More about castles and castle hotels around the Web:

Around the Web, discover more about the great castles of Europe, the UK and Ireland offering photos, visitor information, and historical background.

Elsewhere, also check out luxury castle hotel or French chateaux accommodations where, along with all the modern amenities, guests can expect to be treated just like royalty ...

Castles in England A-Z - A complete directory of castles and fortifications including map locations, contact details, nearest hotels and official castle Web sites where available.

Germany's Castle Road - The official site with information, travel details and photos of that stretch of highway in southern Germany encompassing more than 70 castles, palaces, ruins, historic cities and towns, including online booking for castle hotels and suggested itineraries.

Castles in Spain - The insider guide to the countries historic medieval and Moorish castles and fortifications with background information, photos, a look at favorite castle hotels and related resources.

Chateaux-France.com - The premier site for finding romantic and historic chateaux to visit or sleep in, with a searchable database by name or location or browseable menu including wedding arrangements, rentals, historic tours, online booking.

Rick Steves' Europe - Medieval Castle Experiences - The American public TV travel expert with a rundown on his picks for best European castles, including visitor tips, admission prices, opening hours and reservations.

Castles of Europe - Expert guide to must-sees with photos, visitor information and resources for finding castle hotels and rent-a-castles.

Historic Hotels of Europe - Use the interactive map or search the database by country, location, activity or hotel name to find information and photos of top castles or manor house hotels throughout Europe, the UK and Ireland, with free newsletter and online brochures.

also see -> Best Scottish Castles | Harry Potter Travel Tours

Luxury Hotels and Castle Stays in Scotland