Cruising in Wachau, Austria

It was a pleasure cruising in Danube River in Wachau, Austria last summer 2011. In this Austrian valley, you can see a lot of picturesque landscape formed by the Danube river. It is considered to be one of the famous tourist destinations of Lower Austria. One of the wonderful places we passed-by was Dürnstein. It is said that in this well-known place was where King Richard the Lion-Heart of England was held captive by Duke Leopold V.

Our cruise last only around two hours but I totally enjoyed the scenery around. It was very refreshing breathing the fresh air on this part of Austria.

we were about to board in a boat for a cruise in Wachau, Austria last August 2011.

My First Visit in Vienna, Austria

It is almost five years now since I visited Vienna, Austria. It was quite an adventure for me because it was my first time to have a long trip travelling with a train. Thanks to my friend and travel companion from England who was with me that time or else I won't be travelling alone with a train. Now I can already go anywhere in the world travelling in any transportation with or without companion.

As we arrived in Vienna last June 29, 2007, we put our backpacks in storage lockers located in the main train station of Vienna so that we can go around the city without heavy stuffs with us. It is really convenient and a good idea that most train stations in Europe especially in big cities have their storage lockers.

I can say that my first visit in Vienna, Austria was really a fantastic one. Last August 2011, I had another chance to see it again.

A Visit to Verona, Italy

It was a wonderful time we had as I and some good friends visited Verona last summer 2011. It was a long drive from Germany and was quite tiresome but we also had fun. It was truly a memorable experience.

Verona is a city in the region of Veneto in northern Italy. It is considered to be one of the major tourist destination in this part of Italy. Upon arriving this city, we took a walk around it especially in its old town. One of the sights we visited was the Arena in Verona, the ancient amphitheatre built by the Romans.

You have to know that due to its urban structure and architecture, Verona is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The Arena di Verona during our visit last July 2011.

Top Sights To See in London

Visiting one of the beautiful and top megacities not only in Europe but also in the world can be a fabulous experience. London, the capital and largest city of United Kingdom and England is truly a must-to-see when visiting Europe. It has maintain its status as one of the global capital of fashion, culture, politics, finance and trade.

I was so happy and contented when I visited London three years ago. Boarding for the first time in a British Airways flight was also a nice experience for me.

Here are some of the sights not to miss when visiting London, England

London Eye- I did not expected that a dream came to reality when I finally had the chance to ride London Eye last 2008. It was one of my greatest dreams to ride this giant wheel when visiting London. The happiness that I felt was overwhelming. The London Eye is now the third largest observation wheel after being surpassed by the Star of Nanchang in 2006 and the Singapore Flyer in 2008. It is situated on the South Bank of the Thames. Once you are on the top of this wheel, you will have a magnificent views over London.

London Eye during my three weeks trip in England last 2008.

Piccadilly Circus- I thought I can only see this place in postcards or via internet. It was evening when I experienced Piccadilly Circus. It is actually the best time to visit it so that you can see the huge, iconic neon hoarding on its northeastern side. At the middle of it, you can see the statue of Eros. This area is one of the most photographed sights in London.

Buckingham Palace- I was not able to go inside the Buckingham Palace during our visit last winter 2008. It is only open for visitors during summer season. This palace is the official London residence of the queen. I still recommend this sight to be visited even during winter season. It is a must-to-see when visiting London. Be sure to witness the changing of the royal guards.

The Buckingham Palace. I also witness the changing of the Royal Guards there.

Tower Bridge - Remember the song "London Bridge is falling down"? I guess it is wrong because it is not the London Bridge that is falling down but the Tower Bridge. It is a suspension bridge over River Thames in London, England. This bridge is considered to be the iconic symbol of London. I hope to visit its engine rooms and the Tower Bridge exhibition in my next visit there.

The Palace of Westminster and the Big Ben- All these two are adjacent to its other. The Big Ben is a the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the north end of the Westminster Palace. This building is the seat of the United Kingdom Parliament which belong to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site.

I read an article last year that the Big Ben is slowly reclining. It might be slowly following the leaning tower of Pisa. Quite interesting!

The Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster. I hope to go inside this building in my next visit.

There are still a lot of sights that are worth-to-see in London. It was a great experience for me to see some of it. The St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, the Trafalgar Square, Canary Wharf are only some of the other sights that I experience. One of the highlights when I was there, was my visit to the Madame Tussaud. This wax museum is very interesting.

If you are planning to visit this lovely city, be sure to plan your trip ahead. Book your accommodation and means of transportation in advance. There are some low cost airlines like flybe and Ryanair available for booking in the internet.

Seeing The Sights in Boleslawiec, Poland

It was quite an adventure when we visited this pottery town of Boleslawiec in Poland. Together with some friend, we drove from Bavaria, Germany going to Boleslawiec. It was quite a long drive but we never had a dull moment.

The town of Boleslawiec in southwestern Poland is very famous for its ceramics and pottery. We only had a short sightseeing in this town and it was worth-it.

The colorful buildings in the town of Boleslawiec during my second visit last October 2011.

The Hohensalzburg in Salzburg, Austria

This was my third visit in Salzburg, Austria but it was the first time for me to go to the castle. Hohensalzburg is a castle atop the Festungsberg mountain. Its name literally means "High Salzburg Fortress". If I have to translate Hohensalzburg one by one, it actually consist of three German words, Hohe means high, Salz is salt and Burg, a fortress.

There are a lot of sights to visit in Salzburg. Its Old Town for example is a must to see because it belong to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This city is also the birthplace of the famous musician and composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

The view of Hohensalzburg at the Cathedral Square. This monument with a man on top of it was still not there during my first visit in 2008. I am not quite sure but I did not see this in my first visit. The construction of the fortress began in 1077 under Archbishop Gebhard von Helfenstein.

a souvenir shop in Salzburg, Austria. This was taken during my third visit last July 2011.

Skywatch Friday
Shadow Shot Sunday
Sunday Snapshot
Weekend Reflection
Scenic Sunday

Planning for a Trip to the Baltic States

Another year is here. It is time to plan again for some trips anywhere anytime around the world. I already have some target places and until now I am still on the process of deciding which place am I going to visit first. One of my targets is Baltic region. There are a lot of interesting places to visit in this region and I am quite sure anytime this year I can visit those places. Since the beginning of January, I already started to search for cheap flights to any of the international airports in any Baltic States. Not only that, I also read some flight reviews to know which airlines are really good and affordable to fly to this region.

Among the cities I wish to visit in the Baltic region are;

Riga- dubbed as "The Paris of the Baltics", this is the capital city of Latvia. It is also the biggest city in the Baltic States. One of the city's must to see is its Old Town which is one of the many World Heritage Sites in Europe. Its old buildings have made Riga one of the most attractive cities in Europe. There are a lot of things to experience in Riga. From its historical buildings and architecture, museums, visiting a zoo, shopping, night life, entertainment and a lot more.

Riga is accessible by train, ferry, bus or airplane depending on your point of origin especially from any parts of Europe.

Vilnius- In 2009, Lithuania's capital city was the European Capital of Culture, along with Linz, Austria. Vilnius is also known as the "Jerusalem of the North" because of the many Judaism scholars and rabbis that lived and worked in this city. Their over 700 years of their presence in Lithuania, the Jews created a rich and diverse culture in this country.

The Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage List), Vilnius Cathedral, St. Ann's Church, Gediminas Castle, National Museum of Lithuania, Three Crosses Hill and the Artilery Bastion of Vilnius Defensive Wall are only some of the imposing sights to visit.

Sadama, Tallin. photo credit Jose Rambaud

Tallinn- This is also one of the most interesting cities to visit in the Baltic States. It is a historical city dating back to the medieval times. This global city is the capital of Estonia and also its largest city. There are a lot of things to do and experience there. Its Old Town which belong to the list UNESCO World Heritage Sites is a must to see. It is also famous for its beaches and music festivals.

You have to know that along with Turku, Finland, Tallinn was a European Capital of Culture for 2011.

Other places and sights worth to see in the Baltic States are Klaipeda, Kaunas,Curonian Spit,Hill of Crosses, Parnu, Kuressaare, Saaremaa, Kuldiga, Livu Akvapark, Sigulda and many more.

View of Salzburg City from Hohensalzburg Castle

The best way of looking around Salzburg is to climb on Hohensalzburg castle. From there, you can have a breathtaking view especially of the Historic Center of the city of Salzburg which also belong to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Last July 2011 was already my third visit to this Austrian city. I find it always interesting would love to come back again and again. I hope you are all having a wonderful start of 2012. Cheers!

view of the historic center of salzburg from one of the fortress' windows. It was during my third visit in Salzburg when I had the chance to go up to the castle.

Salzburg is on the banks of the Salzach River, at the northern boundary of the Alps. The mountains to Salzburg's south contrast with the rolling plains to the north. The closest alpine peak—the 1972 m Untersberg—is only a few kilometres from the city centre. The Altstadt, or "old town", is dominated by its baroque towers and churches and the massive Festung Hohensalzburg.

The Giralda of Seville Cathedral in Spain

I miss this place. I had so much fun and enjoyment with my friend while walking around in this city. Seville is truly a must-see when visiting Andalusia, one of the regions in Spain.

The tower you see below is called the Giralda. It is a is a former minaret that was converted to a bell tower for the Cathedral of Seville in Seville. The tower is 104.5 m (343 ft) in height and it was one of the most important symbols in the medieval city.

When visiting Seville, don't miss to go inside its Cathedral. You will be amazed by its arts and architecture. Spain still hunts me and wish to visit it again next year!

The Giralda, a famous tower in Seville's Cathedral. I am happy to be there last December 7, 2011.

The tower was begun under the architect Ahmad Ben Baso in 1184. After Ben Baso's death, other architects continued work on the tower. An architect named Jabir (or Geber) is also often credited with the tower's design. The tower was completed March 10, 1198 with the installation of copper spheres on the tower's top.

Visit to the Christmas Market in Strasbourg, France

I had the chance to visit one of the beautiful Christmas market in Europe last December 2010. The market in Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region in France is also a worth to visit. This city is just located near the border of Germany.

The main Christmas market is located near the Strasbourg Cathedral but there are other areas in the city center where you can also find little markets. I guess the pictures I have below will explain a bit about the Christmas market in Strasbourg.

the market at the Cathedral square in Strasbourg.

some stalls at the market.

A Day in Madrid- Things To See and Experience

What you can probably do when you only have the chance to visit Madrid for a day? Spain's capital and largest city is best known for its great cultural and artistic heritage. There are a lot to see and to experience there. A day of visit is not enough but you can maximize the things you need to do and to see. At least I had the chance in my life to visit Madrid and truly enjoyed it.

If you only have a day and do not know the city at all, go grab a map and don't miss these sights.

Paseo del Prado- This is one of the main boulevards in Madrid, Spain which comprises three museums; the most famous Prado Museum, the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum and the the Reina Sofia Museum. There might not be enough time to go inside the three museums but you can rather see the famous fountains in this area.

The Paseo del Prado taken as we were touring with the bus.

Plaza dela Cibeles- a square where you can see the famous Cibeles Palace, home of the City Hall in Madrid. It is a square with a neo-classical complex of marble sculptures with fountains that has become an iconic symbol for the city of Madrid. Plaza dela Cibeles is one of Madrid's landmarks.

Puerta de Alcala- It is the main entrance to the city and now the symbol of Madrid. It was built by Francisco Sabatini to commemorate Charles III entrance to Madrid in 1778. It has a Neo-classical style made of granite and stone from Colmenar Viejo.

Puerta del Sol- This is one of the busiest places in the city and located in the heart of Madrid. At the center of the plaza, you can see the Statue of King Charles III on horseback, facing the Royal Post Office (Real Casa de Correos). This is the favorite meeting place for locals and you can also find here a lot of street performers and artists. Festivals, demonstrations and other activities are also being held here. Beware if you are in this plaza, there are a lot pickpocketers and anyone else looking to take advantage of all the tourists on hand.

We did some shopping at the El Corte Ingles in this area.

Plaza Mayor- An impressive and stunning square and perhaps the best known plaza in Madrid. This is also a must-see when visiting Madrid. Until today, it continues to accommodate a whole range of activities., There is a Christmas market going on in this plaza during our visit last Dec. 10, 2011. You can surely find a unique and relaxed atmospheric surrounding in this square. I remember buying some souvenirs in one of the shops there.

The Plaza Mayor during our visit last Dec. 10, 2011

The Royal Palace of Madrid- King Philip V commissioned it to be built in the 18th century. It is an enormous palace and considered to be one of the biggest in Europe. It has an impressive collection of paintings, musical instruments and armoury.

The Catedral de la Almudena is just facing the Royal Palace.

The Royal Palace of Madrid.

If you still have the time, you can also visit El Retiro Park, Plaza dela Villa, Las Ventas Bullring, Gran Via, Templo De Debod, Plaza de Castilla and other interesting sights that might be of interest to you.

The Barajas airport in Madrid, Spain. This is where we landed and take-off during our 8-days trip to Spain. I should get a better picture of it. Maybe in my next visit.

Madrid is served by Barajas Airport with international flights from all over the world. It serves as the main gateway to the Iberian peninsula from Europe, America and the rest of the world. It is also the main hub of Iberia airlines. Barajas airport is knonw to be one of the busiest airport in Europe and in the whole world. The architecture of this airport is also worth to see if you are not flying. Low cost airlines such as Easyjet, Vueling and Ryanair use this airport for domestic, international and transcontinental flights.

Remembering Windsor Castle in England

It was three years ago since I visited this medieval castle in the English country of Berkshire. Windsor Castle is noted for its architecture and the association with the British Royal family. This castle is considered to be the largest inhabited castle in the world since more than five hundred are living and working here. It is in essence a Georgian and Victorian design based on a medieval structure, with Gothic features reinvented in a modern style.

I remember during our visit, I told myself not to go inside because I will surely pay for an entrance. Upon seeing the castle November 2008, I decided to go and had a look of it. Sad to say, taking pictures inside the castle rooms is forbidden.

My visit to Windsor castle was so far one of the highlights during my three weeks vacation in England.

Windsor Castle during our visit last Nov. 2011

Plaza de España in Seville, Spain

Visiting Spain is so far the most highlight of my trips this year. It was another dream come true. One of the places we visited in Spain was Seville, known as Sevilla in Spanish. The Plaza de España or "Spain Square" is one of sights we saw and experienced.

I was amazed by the beauty and the architecture of this square. There was a very memorable experience that happened here. It is better not to say it. If I have the courage later I might share it. It was not really bad just something exciting and shameful..lol! It just happened due to the call of nature. I guess you have an idea now.

Below is an image of this beautiful square in Seville, Spain. I love this place! I love Spain!

1929 Exposition Building at the Plaza, during our visit last Dec. 7, 2011.

It is a plaza located in the Parque de María Luisa (Maria Luisa Park), in Seville It was built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. It is a landmark example of the Renaissance Revival style in Spanish architecture.

Spain Trip Coming Soon

I believed this is one good way of ending the year, a trip to Spain. Two weeks ago, I finally have the confirmation for our trip after being fully paid. A week from now, me and friend will be finally spending a short holiday to one of the famous tourist destinations in Europe. I am thankful that another travel wishlist is soon to materialize.

The Alhambra in Granada, Andalucia in Spain. We will be visiting this palace and fortress during our trip. Thanks to my friend Claudia for this image.

The trip is not so expensive compared to the ones I see on travel catalogs and in the internet. I have been browsing for cheap airline tickets to Spain the past months but I always find expensive ones. The cheapest I found the past few months is around 400.00 Euros and this is only for plan ticket. With the one we booked last time, an 8-day trip cost only 608.00 Euros. Included in this price are the return plane ticket, hotels for 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, 7 dinners and the trips to the different places and cities everyday for the duration of the trip.

I need to slowly pack this week. Seven night from now, we will be flying. Thank you dear Lord for this trip. See you soon Spain.

More on itineraries and updates of the places that we will be visiting in my Euro Travel blog.

Hundertwasser, Vienna, Austria

I thought I can only see images of the Hundertwasser in the internet. During our short stop-over in Vienna, Austria last August of this year, I had the chance to finally see it in person. If you are familiar about Friedensreich Hundertwasser, you might probably have an idea how this house was created. He is an Austrian artist who had this idea of building such architecture. With the help of architect Joseph Krawina who is also his co-co-author this building was materialized.

Don't miss it when visiting Vienna.

This expressionist landmark of Vienna is located in the Landstraße district on the corner of Kegelgasse and Löwengasse. The Hundertwasserhaus is now an apartment house in Vienna, Austria.

Seeing The Sights in Wuerzburg, Germany

Wuerzburg, written in German as Würzburg, is an old city founded in the 10th century. It is located in the region of Franconia in Bavaria, Germany. It is famous not only for its Residence, regarded as one of the finest palaces in Europe but it is also known to be home of one of the oldest churches in Germany.

Getting to Würzburg is quite easy. It has no airport but it is very accessible by train and car. If you are looking for flights to Germany and wish to visit this city, you can take the airport in Munich, Nuremberg or Frankfurt. From there, you can take the Deutsche Bahn or German train. Air Berlin, Ryanair and Easy Jet are among the affordable airlines to Germany.

Here are some of the sights not to miss when visiting Würzburg;

Residence Palace- It is one of the most important and finest palaces in Europe. It is one of the finest Baroque architecture in the world built from 1720-1744. It was designed by Balthasar Neumann with the help of other architects. Good to know that it was not destroyed during the WW II.

The Residence is known for its magnificent staircase. It is included in the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Residence in Würzburg during our visit last August 2010. I have been to this city for a lot of times already.

Fortress Marienberg- It is a castle on a hill across the Old Main Bridge. From the castle, you can have a good view of the city of Würzburg. The building of the Fortress started around 1200.

The Festung Marienberg or St. Mary's Fortress on the hill. also taken during our visit last 2010.

The Marienkapelle (Mary's Chapel)- It has a Late Gothic architecture which construction started in 1377 and was finished in 1480. After a fire damage in 1945, its interior was replaced. The famous "Beautiful Madonna (around 1420) and "Silver Madonna" (17th century) are found inside the chapel. It contains tombs of Franconian knights and citizens of Würzburg.

The Marienkapelle or St. Mary's Chapel, a very interesting architecture.

The Alte Mainbrücke (The Old Main Bridge)- If you have seen the Charles Bridge in Prague, you will also see almost the same bridge in Würzburg. It was erected from 1473-1543 to replace the old Romanesque bridge. The characteristic statues of the Saints and famous persons were added around 1730.

The Old University- This building has a Renaissance architecture. It was designed by Gerog Robin of Mainz. The southern section contains the "Neubaukirche", nowadays houses the university's assembly hall.

These are only among its interesting sights. You also need to know that Würzburg is famous for its wine. Don't miss testing one when visiting this city.

Europe's Must-Visit Cities

Travelling is a passion and the one who get addicted will not let its charm get away. A traveler always wants to explore new places and for all of those, I too, want to share my experience of Europe’s five most unique cities. All these cities has had a history of their own and their charisma asks you to keep visiting them again and again.

Finding and booking international flights from and to any destination in Europe is very easy and convenient nowadays. There are a lot of discount airlines available for your choice. Ryanair, Easyjet, Tuifly, Air Berlin and German Wings are only some of these airlines.

The St. Paul Cathedral in London. I am happy to be there last Nov. 2008.

London:

London is no doubt the heart of United Kingdom. If you are in Europe and not visited London then you have not seen anything in Europe. London a much vibrant place is a city where you can see people from almost every country. London will soon host the Olympic Games in 2012, so lots of development work is on these days. Madame Tussaud Museums, Thames River Cruise, London Eye, Windsor Castle, Westminster Abbey are some of the many attractions at London. London can mesmerize any one with its magic.

Paris:

Paris, the French capital is always known for great Eiffel Tower but there is lot more apart from that wonder of the world in this city. The question of what not to do in Paris is more important than what to do. The city offers so many attractions that they are even difficult to mention. Stay in an affordable hotel in Paris but make sure it’s in the center. A walk alongside River Seine, Disney land adventure, watching a Moulin Rouge show, visit to Notre Dame or just enjoying snacks at any road side café will definitely provides you the utmost pleasure. I recommend a Paris sightseeing tour if you want to see the best attractions that Paris has to offer.

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, commonly known as Sacré-Cœur Basilica. This is a snapshot during my second visit in Paris last August 2010.

Istanbul:

Istanbul, the Turkish delight is the gateway of Europe and is the only city in the world which is located in two continents i.e. Asia and Europe. The moment you stepped in Istanbul, you will mesmerized by the finest architecture on both sides of Bosphorus channel. This architecture gives you the glimpse of so many forms like Byzantine, Roman, Greek and of course Ottoman as Istanbul has seen all of these civilizations in different times. The Blue mosque, Topkapi, palace, Hagia Sophia, Galata Bridge, Grand Bazaar and Princess Island are some of the must visit places.

the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey during our trip last September 2011.

Barcelona:

It will be great if you end your European tour at Barcelona in Spain. Having a marvellous past this city enthrals you with its beautiful nights and bright sunny days. You can enjoy the Mediterranean climate at Barcelona which attracts sun-seekers from around the globe. Number of interesting festivals and events are on throughout the year at Barcelona which never let you weary. This city is full of life and colors and is known for his museums, Picasso’s paintings and many more.

Venice:

A European tour is incomplete without a trip to Venice. This Italian city is unique and one of its kind. Also known as ‘The Floating City’ or ‘City of Water’, Venice can easily be declared as the most romantic city of Europe. Beautiful Gothic style of architecture, its fashion galleries, music, art and cuisine thus everything is so special about Venice that one cannot afford to ignore this fantastic city.

Cruising the canals of Venice, Italy during my third visit last July 2011.

Although the European continent has much more to offer but by visiting these cities you can feel the soul of Europe. The joy which you get by having a Turkish Bath or by a quite walk at Champs Elysees Street in Paris is indescribable. Even visiting Piccadilly Circus at London or Barcelona’s old town will give you a life time experience.

The Liberty Bridge Accross Danube River in Budapest

Time truly runs so fast. It's been almost a month now since we visited Budapest, the capital city of Hungary. It was only a short trip but we had seen and experienced a lot of sights. The highlight of our visit was the fireworks during the National Holiday in Hungary.

The image you see below is the Liberty Bridge, called in Hungarian as Szabadság híd. It is sometimes Freedom Bridge. It connects Buda and Pest across the River Danube. It is the third southernmost public road bridge in Budapest, located at the southern end of the City Centre.

Szabadság híd or Liberty Bridge during our visit last Aug. 20, 2011

Cruising in Danube- From Spitz to Krems in Austria

It was only some hours cruise trip but a very fascinating and memorable one. I was with a friend Jean during that cruise. After we traveled from Gyor, Hungary to Wachau in Austria, we did had this wonderful cruise. It started in the Spitz, a wine town and ended in Krems, a riverside town in the Danube's Wachau Valley in Austria. These towns are famous tourist spots in Lower Austria.

The landscapes and scenery that we saw around are priceless. It was truly a wonderful trip last August 2011.

Spitz, this is where our cruise started.

Krems is where the cruise ended.

a castle that we passed-by during our trip.

Beautiful Castles to Visit in Europe

There is something unusual about visiting a castle. Perhaps it brings out the inner child and day dreams of royalty and knights in shining armor. Perhaps it is the exquisite craftsmanship that has lasted for so many hundreds of years. Perhaps it is the immaculate settings on which you find them. Whatever the case is, if you are on a quest to visit a castle during your Europe tours, here are some that you cannot miss.

Europe has been a tourist destination for centuries. That is the reason why there is a huge choice of accommodation available everywhere for travellers. There are a lot of international flights going to Europe from any destination worldwide. Be sure to book it in advance to avoid stress and to avail of cheaper prices. Easyjet and Ryanair for example are only some of the affordable airlines from anywhere in Europe.

Leeds Castle – Kent, England

With nearly a thousand year history, Leeds Castle is a must-see. This fortress castle was constructed in 1119 as was occupied as a residence until 1974. The castle is complete with a moat and wonderful stone architecture. It is now available to hire as a castle venue and celebrities have been known to marry there. The castle is also available as venue for conferences, concerts and use in cinema, TV and radio. The grounds are beautiful and a garden maze can be experienced when visiting.

Neuschwanstein Castle- Bavaria, Germany

This is considered to be the most photographed building in Germany. It is also the most lavishly romantic castle in the German-speaking world. The fairytale castle of King Ludwig II of Bavaria was used as a retreat and homage to Richard Wagner. It was the inspiration for Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle. Neuschwanstein Castle is a 19th-century Gothic Revival palace on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau. Its construction begun in 1869 and was said to be completed in 1892. It was actually unfinished because of King Ludwig's II death.

Neuschwanstein Castle in Hohenschwangau, Bavaria, Germany. I had been to this castle thrice and I always love it there especially the scenery around.

Segovia Castle (Alcazar Segovia) – Segovia, Spain

Segovia Castle, as it stands today, was built before 1120. On this same spot an Arab fort stood as well as a Roman stronghold. This impressive castle, built high above the city, is of typical medieval styling. It is one of the largest attractions in the area.

Mont Saint-Michel – Normandy, France

Mont Saint-Michel sits atop a small island in the Normandy region of France. This magnificent structure was built, at first, as an abbey in 708. It became a Norman stronghold in the 900’s and has played a significant role in the lives of people such as William the Conqueror.

Lincoln Castle – Lincoln, England

Lincoln Castle was constructed by William the Conqueror in the 11th century on top of an old Roman fort. The strategic importance of this place was the main reason for its construction. Today, Lincoln Castle is one of the best preserved castles in England. It is a beautifully constructed building that has served many purposes in its history. Today, open as a museum, you can see one of the original Magna Carta documents signed by King John.

Chateau de Chambord – Loire, France

This stunning castle dates back to the year 1519 when construction began. The building was completed in 1547. King Francois I had the chateau constructed as a place to spend his “off” time. There are 440 rooms in the structure and nearly the same amount of fireplaces. In total, there are 84 staircases throughout the structure and each floor contains vaulted ceiling hallways that are in the shape of a cross. While the building is not the standard fort type castle, it marks the period when castles became a luxury and not a stronghold.