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Author Topic:   Where to Go?
im_in_here_for_fun
Member
posted 06-13-2002 12:14 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for im_in_here_for_fun   Click Here to Email im_in_here_for_fun     Edit/Delete Message
Hi

I've toured castles in England and France and I totally LOVE doing so

This fall I want to escape to one (and only one) country and castle hop

My question is - what is the best country for this?

Thanks in advance

Levan
Moderator
posted 06-13-2002 05:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Levan   Click Here to Email Levan     Edit/Delete Message
Scotland!

Merlin
Senior Member
posted 06-13-2002 05:31 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Merlin   Click Here to Email Merlin     Edit/Delete Message
Switzerland!

AJR
Senior Member
posted 06-13-2002 05:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for AJR     Edit/Delete Message
Scotland is a must !!

Erik Schmidt
Senior Member
posted 06-13-2002 06:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Erik Schmidt   Click Here to Email Erik Schmidt     Edit/Delete Message
It depends on what you are looking for.
Do you like;
a) the mysterious ruins
b) rugged, but fairly intact castles
c) the opulent extravagance of the 16th century?
How much time will you have? Will you be using public transport?

Personally I especially liked;
Northern Italy
Spain (many rugged castles and ruins)
Turkey(Central South, around Adana is best)

also, Switzerland and France, the public transport in Switzerland being the best in the world, that in France being amongst the worst.

Erik

Gordon
unregistered
posted 06-13-2002 04:09 PM           Edit/Delete Message
Scotland has all of that too Erik. The only thing we don't have is sunshine! Ask Andrew!

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'Demeure par la verite'
Visit; Gordon's Scottish Castles Resource Page


im_in_here_for_fun
Member
posted 06-13-2002 09:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for im_in_here_for_fun   Click Here to Email im_in_here_for_fun     Edit/Delete Message
To answer your questions

a) We'll probably plan on staying between 9 to 14 days depending on where we are going and what is there

b) We can get our own car if needed/suggested

c) I do like a mixture of both - old rugged castles and the castles of the royalty / affluent (eg. Windsor, Versailles)

Thanks a ton

ipflo
Moderator
posted 06-14-2002 04:14 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for ipflo   Click Here to Email ipflo     Edit/Delete Message
scotland has that both, that mix of old castles and beautiful mansions

but you can also go to austria or to the czechian republic or the following states in Germany: baden-wurtemberg, bavaria, hessen, saxonia, thüringen.

Erik Schmidt
Senior Member
posted 06-14-2002 05:50 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Erik Schmidt   Click Here to Email Erik Schmidt     Edit/Delete Message
Ahh, yes Gordon, but all the countries I mentioned have a little of each type of 'castle' also. At least in Scotland you can console yourself in a warm pub with a warm beer, telling yourself that the rain on the lense hasn't spoilt every photo and the cold, wet weather is bound to clear sometime and then you'll be able to dry out your soggy shoes(or buy a pair of Wellies as a souvenier).
To be fair though, I did get caught in a couple of heavy downpours during my last couple of weeks in Spain, at the end of October, and that's around the time the rain can set in in most of the Southern parts of Europe.

From my experience of not having my own transport, it would be a definite advantage for getting as much castle hunting done as possible, especially in countries like Spain, France and Italy.

Please notice I use the term 'castle' loosely, as I saw the name "Versailles" mentioned. That palace is not, never has been and never will be, a castle, and should never be confused with being so.
If you like opulence, then the arabs did it well, but more tastefully, and you can see the finest examples in the Topkapi palace in Istanbul and the Alhambra in Granada, Spain.

So, are you confused yet?
How far and wide do you intend to travel in those 9-14 days? Would you prefer to be on the move or somewhat settled?

"The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain, whereas is Scotland it falls all over!"

Erik

Levan
Moderator
posted 06-14-2002 06:58 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Levan   Click Here to Email Levan     Edit/Delete Message
Whilst Scotland would be my first choice, especially for variety and atmosphere, I'd also recommend the South of France, where the Carthar castles are delightful - the city of Carcassonne is pretty impressive and there are many other marvellous castles in the area.

The area also has the advantage of quality food at decent prices, good but very cheap wine of the Languedoc region (the red stuff that the French drink themselves).

Don't get me wrong, food in Scotland is also superb, especially meat, seafood and game, but I'm afraid to get the best (and it really is the best in my view) you have to pay for it - lots! Wine choices across the UK are frequently second to none (probably an advantage of not producing the stuff ourselves - so you'll find good examples offered from around the world - not as partisan as you'll find in wine growing countries) and as for whisky... mmm!

One of the key advantages of castle hunting in Scotland is that you can actually stay in a large number of them. Some are hotels, some are let as self-catering, others treat you more as a personal, and honoured house guest.

Levan

[This message has been edited by Levan (edited 06-16-2002).]

im_in_here_for_fun
Member
posted 06-14-2002 11:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for im_in_here_for_fun   Click Here to Email im_in_here_for_fun     Edit/Delete Message
This is perfect.

I'm learnin' about castles, wine and weather - all of which are important when vacationing .

(o:|>~

deborahknowles
Senior Member
posted 06-15-2002 07:12 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for deborahknowles   Click Here to Email deborahknowles     Edit/Delete Message
I don't know about Scotland but Northumberland (just to the south, across the border) has some of the best in my opinion.

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DEN
Member
posted 06-16-2002 08:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for DEN   Click Here to Email DEN     Edit/Delete Message
I would recommend Alsace in Franch. It certainly has enough castles to keep you busy for a week or two. I think I've been to about seventeen but there are many more. You are almost guarenteed reasonable weather as much of Alsace is in the rain shadow of the Vosges mountains. When you tire of castles there are many attractive villages often with remains of the town walls and gates, not to mention the countless winemakers offering tastings of their wine. You can also visit some of the Maginot line fortifications, and Strasbourg and Colmar.

I would also back up Levan's suggestion of the Roussillon area of France and the Cathar castles.

All times are PT (US)

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