BY CLAY LARROY
Do
you feel like it is time for a short vacation? Once you decide to travel, how
good you plan the trip will help you feel comfortable and be comfortable at
your destination. Not only will you feel less anxiety before the trip, but you
can rest assured that once you arrive where you're going you will have a good
understanding of what's going on there. When you need to plan a vacation contact me!
Who
has not been captivated by tales of knights and dragons, of medieval feuds,
battles and betrayals? Serving as the backdrop for each of these stories is a
castle. Visiting a castle can provide a playground for the imagination,
allowing the mind to revel in legend and lore. Walking through grand halls past
suits of armor, torches and tapestries, one cannot fathom so many stories
embedded in stone. More than a getaway from the stresses of everyday life,
castles have the ability to transport visitors to another time.
Castles
come in all states of repair. Many are still occupied and many more hang on in
some state of ruin. Each has its own personality, calling out to some hidden
part of our curiosity about times shrouded in mist. Whether you believe in
ghosts or not, the spirits of those who occupied the halls of Europe’s castles
beckon to us, calling us by name.
This
TRO report will provide you with a guide to the realm of castle tours and
stays. Use it to begin your research into your castle visit and to work with
your travel consultant in planning a vacation suitable for royalty!
The
United Kingdom and Ireland are the traditional areas for castle stays and
tours. Britain alone has several thousand castles, most constructed in the 11th
through 15th centuries. Austria, Spain, Portugal, Germany and France likewise
have many amazing properties scattered throughout their many provinces and
districts offering both tours and hotel like accommodations.
Central
Europe is a quickly growing castle market with highly competitive pricing. In
particular, Hungary offers several properties constructed during the Baroque
and Rococo periods, as does the Czech Republic and its sister state of
Slovenia. If you have a particular destination in mind, ask your travel
consultant to investigate the possibility of castle tours and vacations as an
alternative to more traditional lodging options!
Castle
vacations offer visitors the opportunity to indulge in a tranquil and
intriguing escape, not to mention unforgettable scenery. In general, castle
vacations fall into two categories: tours and stays. Both types are recommended
for travelers of all ages who have an appreciation for history, culture and
beauty. But, a bit of planning is in order to make your castle experience the
adventure it should be.
A
good travel consultant can help you navigate the maze of castles. There are a
number of important considerations, including the types of castle, the choice
of rooms inside of the castles, the general condition of the properties and the
number of guests permitted. Your travel consultant will inquire with regard to
the standards of the tour company and how the company chooses the castles with
which it works. For example, far too many tour companies include manor houses
in their definition of "castles", risking the disappointment of their
guests. Your travel consultant will make sure that you obtain a match much
closer to your preferences and will provide you with pictures of various
properties along with a history to ensure that you will be in a castle of the
period and age of your preference.
To
better ensure an enjoyable stay and a high standard of quality, your travel
consultant will choose a tour operator that that specializes in castle stays or
at least visits its featured castles regularly. Some tour operators specialize
geographically, while others offer castles in a variety of countries. Tour
operators can give you the price of a stay, the size of the castle and its
grounds, and the number of guests it can accommodate. They can be particularly
helpful in arranging a stay if the castle booking system is not computerized,
and most are not.
Tours
of castles are rewarding trips into the past. Most tours will stay at each
castle for at least a few hours, exploring the halls, stairways and grounds. Of
course, the time allotted depends on the number of castles visited that day,
the traveling time between them, and the castle’s visitation hours. To allow a
longer visit your tour operator may try to arrange hotel accommodation nearby,
but this is not always feasible in rural areas. Because of the large scale of
many properties and their grounds, it is best not to try to squeeze too much
viewing into too short a time period. If you time constraints are limited,
choose quality over quantity and limit your tours to a few, select properties.
In
terms of transportation, remember to be flexible. Though the tour will likely
have a timetable, travel delays are common in the countryside. As a passenger,
it is best to relax and savor the majestic views.
Remember
that the better physical shape you are in for castle exploration, the more
enjoyable your experience will be, especially when climbing to the top of a
tower or getting lost in a garden labyrinth. Because of their age, castles
generally cannot offer superior accommodation to disabled guests. Uneven
floors, narrow passages and winding staircases can present particular
hindrances. For these reasons, a castle tour that explores castle interiors may
not be realistic for persons with certain disabilities. If you or a companion
has a disability that might hinder full enjoyment of a property, let your
travel consultant know well in advance. There are some destinations that boast
ground floor bedrooms and restaurants, disabled parking and wheelchairs for
hire. Some castles have been converted to offer ramps (permanent and removable)
and bathrooms with handrails.
REFERENCE SITES:
http://www.travelresearchonline.com/
“Travel and change of place impart new
vigor to the mind.” – Seneca
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