QUEEN FOR A DAY!

Ghosts and witches, white knights and princesses to be rescued exist only in time-honoured castle legends. Or is the castle perhaps really haunted between midnight and one o’clock in the morning?


Be that as it may, you can explore for yourself the old walls of the Historic Hotels of Europe. All that is required is a bit of curiosity and history transforms it into a passionate story. And if the story is not true, it is at least well invented.

The Historic Hotels of Europe invite you to banquet princely, reside royally and sleep imperially. The magic of castle hotels and the particular cordiality of your host transforms fairy tales into reality.


The Historic Hotels of Europe invite you to experience history and authenticity in marvellous places all over Europe. No matter whether you stay only a week-end or several days, you will discover heritage travelling in its most enjoyable way and coming home, you will have a lot of stories to tell – be they true or just another legend. Browse their offerings by theme or destination, at their website!

Out Traveler recently listed 10 great castles in Europe. Among them is the amazing Skibo Castle in Scotland. With prices ranging from $1800-$2000 per night (for non-members). It's an 'exclusive' members only club. The annual membership fee is around £4000 and each night spent on the estate costs around £600, including certain activities and meals. The castle  hosted Madonna's wedding to Guy Ritchie  in 2000.

Ashford Castle  in Ireland can run you $350 - $2000 per night. Ask anyone in Ireland to name the best castle hotel -- in a country with as many castles as shamrocks -- and they'll cite Ashford without hesitation. The 700-year-old estate, opened to guests in 1939, is one of the oldest castle hotels in the world. A room with a view? Ashford defines it, perched as it is on the shores of Loch Corrib, Ireland's second-largest lake.

                                       
France has the Chateau D'esclimont . $200-$1200 per night. 150 acres of manicured gardens and reflecting pools, the estate, once home to the Rochefoucauld family, is a royally romantic stop just an hour's drive from Paris. In addition to rooms rich with bed curtains and Louis Quinze chairs, the chateau offers delights fit for a queen including a heated outdoor swimming pool, two tennis courts, and a wine cellar stocked with the best vintages in France.

 

And if Poland is on your radar screen, HOTEL PODEWILS in Krag is a must see at $75-$125 per night. The largest 15th-century knight's castle in Pomerania and Poland's only castle built over water, the "Castle of Flowers" is perched on oak piles like those supporting the canal buildings of Venice. The stylish interiors and the use of modern technological solutions link together tradition, modern facilities and convenience.