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Castles, broadly defined can probably be traced back to prehistory. The word CASTLE is derived from the Latin castrum, a fortified military camp usually surrounded by a palisade and a ditch. However, a castle is most often associated with the western Middle Ages and is more strictly defined as a large fortified stronghold inhabited by a lord [o.t. Castles of the World]

  European Castles Tours   -   Multi-Day castles Tours, Day & Short Tours
Small-group and private English-language castles and regional tours in Germany and central Europe: Bavarian Castles, River Castles, Black Forest, Alsace & Switzerland, Berlin & the East of Germany, Christmas Markets, Best of Germany & Austria, Kids and Castles, Imperial Castles, French Castles, and Italian Highlights

  Local   -   Neuschwanstein Castle   -   Guided tours
Neuschwanstein Castle can only be visited within a guided tour. Guided tours in German and English by their own personnel.
Special tours can be organized for private groups, but only outside normal opening hours.

  Equestrian Escapes [ Cheshire ]  -   Medieval Castle Tour of Tuscany
If you are looking for a horse riding holiday set deep in the Italian countryside between Tuscany and Umbria and you like the idea of staying in castles please read on.

  Local   -   Loire Castle Tours    -   Day trip
Through this excursion, you will reach the Loire Valley and discover three prestigious castles : Chenonceau castle, Chambord castle and Cheverny castle. A 1 day Loire Tour to visit the masterpieces of the Renaissance in France.

  Inn France Chateaux    -   Castle hotels, Castle accommodation
Chateau accommodation in over 500 privately owned French chateaux in the towns and countryside throughout France. They are grouped in five categories with the prestigious Orus Collection having top quality accommodation. The chateaux in the Caracteres listing are manor houses and castles with their own character and charm.

  France of the beaten Path [ US-based ]   -   Loire Valley Castles
Loire Valley Castles and Culinary Tour Itinerary - 6 Days/5 Nights
Fun Cooking Classes and Discovering Castles in the Loire Valley, Plus Hot Air Ballooning!



Guides / Related Books

The Best-ever Book of Castles (Best-ever...  
Together, England, Scotland and Wales retain one of the most impressive and biggest collections of castles anywhere in the world. The author presents a historic guide to these ancient buildings and 130 colour and black and white illustrations.
Castles in Medieval Society: Fortresses in England, France, and Ireland in the Central Middle Ages 
In this title Charles Coulson overturns many of the traditional assumptions about the nature and purpose of castle building in the Middle Ages. He demolishes the traditional belief that castles were overwhelmingly military in their function, showing how this was simply one aspect of a more complicated whole. He sets out to recreate the medieval understanding of castles as symbolically fortified places of all kinds, from ancient walled post-Roman towns and prestigious religious enclaves to transitory campaign forts. Going back to the original sources, Dr Coulson proposes a new and more subtle understanding of the function and symbolism of castles as well as insights into the lives of the people who inhabited them. Fortresses were only occasionally caught up in war, but constantly were central to the ordinary life of all classes: of the nobility and gentry, of widows and heiresses, of prelates and clergy, of peasantry and townspeople alike. This text presents and explores this broad social panorama.


Links

  Castles of the World
Affordable Tours,  Architecture,  Bibliography,  Build your own Castle,  Castles for Kids,  Castle Resources,  Crosses & Icons
  Castles on the Web
Extensive database of all things Castle related including a directory of castles from around the world, a photo gallery with thousands of castle photos, and more.
  Haunted Castles and Hotels
Would you stay in a Castle said to be HAUNTED? Here is your chance....  Denmark, England, France, Scotland, Ireland, Wales.
  Historic Royal Palaces
The Historic Royal Palaces Agency was created in 1989 to manage the unoccupied royal palaces. In April 1998 all the activities of the Agency were transferred to a Royal Charter Body with charitable status.
It is responsible for the care, conservation and presentation to the public of: HM Tower of London; Hampton Court Palace; Kensington Palace State Apartments and Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection; the Banqueting House, Whitehall and Kew Palace with Queen Charlotte's Cottage.
  La Sabranenque   -   in Saint Victor la Coste, a typical southern French village
o  Summer Volunteer Sessions
On-going restoration of Mediterranean architecture. June through September.   
o  Volunteer & Visit
Restoration work coupled with visits of the region. March, April, May, October.


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