Do you have a passion for all things castle-related? Here is a holiday option that not only lets you explore fantastic architecture while indulging in medieval (for example) fantasies, but also allows you to sample fabulous cuisine, travel in comfort and style, and view some of Europe’s most picturesque locations from the best vantage point possible: the water. Here are a few itinerary suggestions for you.
Mad Castles
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine river in Germany is castle-abundant in the extreme, especially in the popular stretch between Cologne and Mainz. You thought that phantasmagoric castles were the stuff of children’s fairytales? Just wait till you see Burg Eltz for example, that’ll set you right. During the European summer months you can catch firework displays above the most impressive of the riverside hilltop castles, too. This cruise itinerary also includes visits to some of Europe’s oldest towns and cities, striking gothic cathedrals and wineries poised along the scenic river banks. Whatever you do, don’t forget to indulge in the age-old German tradition of Kaffee und Kuchen or coffe and cake (packing loose clothing for this trip is highly recommended!).
Chateaus, Croissants & Impressionists
Vive the chateaus of France: the French built castles not only for defence purposes but also for fun! Just imagine yourself munching on a pain au chocolate and sipping your bowl of café au lait, while gliding along on the waters of the Seine all the way from the glorious Paris to the beaches of Normandy…This itinerary features not only Bizy Castle, Richard the Lionheart’s Château Gaillard and Napoleon and Josephine’s Château de Malmaison, among others, but there are also options to visit places that passionately inspired celebrated Impressionist painters: Monet’s beautiful Giverny gardens and Vincent Van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise. Something to consider for a romantically-minded getaway, perhaps…
Best of Europe in One Go
Yup, it’s possible, thanks to the irrepressible Danube river, which weaves itself across…10 countries (including Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Moldavia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Ukraine)! So if you can spare the time to get to know Europe and its castles in detail, go the whole length of the river, exploring the top cultural delights and sights it has to offer. Of course any stretch of the Danube you can do is bound to impress you, such as short cruises from Vienna to Budapest or Prague. Castle admirers are best served at the Wachau Valley in Austria, where medieval castles such as Aggstein serve their tales of gothic horror in gruesome detail. For the more wholesome minded, there are plenty of royal palaces to visit in all the gorgeous cities along the Danube banks, and for Aussies who can brave the cold temperatures, Christmas-time cruises should hold special delight: you can’t get closer to the “real” Christmas festivities than that!
So book your flight to Frankfurt and join a European river cruise. Partake in the rich cultural heritage of this part of the world in a relatively short space of time and in the most spectacular way – it’s like being a king and queen of a floating castle!
If you’re taking a trip to Europe, be sure to stop by at least one of these beautiful castles. Find out more about visiting Europe at Flight Centre Australia.
Author: Patricia Bieszk is a freelance writer and an avid traveller who will admit to a fondness for medieval corners of the world.
About Douglas Smythe
