If you could be king or queen for just one day, would you? When I was young, the dream of many little girls was to be a real-life princess. I do not think much has changed today, as at some point I am certain that majority of girls have fantasized about tiaras and tutus, pretending to be queens of their own playground. If living like a royal sound like a dream, perhaps it is more achievable than you think.
What every true princess needs is her own castle, and that my friends, is something that is not impossible to have, even if it is just for a day.
Planning a trip to Europe is the most exciting thing, and if you are drawn to a world of fairytales, pomp and circumstance, why not unleash the inner princess in you and plan for a royal tour, and stay in a castle or two?
Back in the days, literally all countries in Europe were kingdoms and today there are 12 monarchies left. Palaces and castles were built for nobility and royalty to showcase their wealth and power, and the main difference between a palace and a castle is that castles were built as fortresses to protect from invaders, with walls surrounding the buildings. Palaces were for the elite, with an architecture showcasing splendour and wealth through ornated and decorated facades as well as interiors. Buckingham Palace and Versailles are two examples of palaces, without defensive walls.
Many of the palaces in Europe have been owned by the same families for centuries, passed along the lines. Some palaces are still privately held, but others, fortunately open to the public and some being converted to businesses hosting us aspiring princesses. Europe is blessed with more palaces than I could possibly cover, so the below is a selection of seven amazing palaces to fulfill your royal dreams and hopefully serve as an inspiration for you when planning your very own Princess trip.
1. Dalhousie Castle -From Scott to Scotts
If Scotland triggers your adventurous side, and you want to indulge in traditions and heritage that dates back 850 years, then Dalhousie Castle, eight miles south from Edinburgh, may be just the right pick for you. Pack your tartan skirt and feel the history of the Ramsay’s of Dalhousie. The Ramsay’s have held ownership of this castle longer than any other Scottish family has over any castle in Scotland. At Dalhousie castle you can enjoy a candle lit dinner in the dungeon and stay in palace rooms reached by secret passages. To the activities worthy of a royal, the palace will offer archery and falconry.
The castle has hosted many notable figures, one of them was said to be the close friend of the ninth Earl of Dalhousie, the famous novelist and historian Sir Walter Scott. Not all guests were as welcome though. A Lady Catherine who was a mistress of one of the Ramsay’s was locked up in a castle turret by the wife, where she starved to death. Since then, there has been reports of sightings of her ghost, where it has been seen both on the stairs and in the dungeon, and unexplainable noises of a swirling gown has been heard.
Disregarding the ghost stories, and given that Mary, Queen of Scots has spent a night at the castle as well as Edward I himself before going on to Falkirk where he defeated William Wallace, I figure that this gives more than enough princess points to the castle and could be well worth a visit.
2. Gstaad Palace Hotel - A winter wonderland satisfying your every whim
Do you simply love the winter season and cannot have enough of snow-clad mountains? Situated in the luxurious holiday destination Gstaad in Switzerland, with a panorama over the Bernese Oberland, Gstaad Palace Hotel will transform you back to a golden era of glamour and sophistication. Gstaad is one of the priciest and most luxurious of winter resort destinations in the world. A playground for the rich and famous, reachable with private jets, and situated among some of Switzerland’s most eloquent chalets, Gstaad has stood the test of time since the 1920’s as the number one ski destination. Famous guests that have stayed at the hotel include royals and presidents, movie stars and celebrities.
This palace was indeed built as a hotel and is one that hosts many interesting stories. Michael Jackson expressed interest in purchasing the hotel as he “liked it”. The hotel goes above and beyond for its guests to offer them an experience like nothing else. It is said that a certain Russian Aristocratic Lady’s furry friend refused to go out in the cold to do his business, so the solution was to roll the shower in the penthouse suite with real grass. Another returning guest apparently uses nothing but Evian water to wash her hair and brush her teeth with. 25 litres of Evian to be precise. If this doesn’t sound like Princess treatment, then what will? Some returning hotel guests store their suitcases and bags with more bulky items in the hotel’s storage that hosts three tonnes of luggage for up to 20 years, and if nothing is heard from the guests, at the hotel’s discretion they sometimes take the liberty of opening the luggage, and some luxurious items such as fur coats have been donated to the local Salvation Army if contacting the owners have deemed to fail. That is service.
3. Les Crayeres - Champagne and Michelin Stars
France is not short of chateaus, and many of them serve as hotels today. One that stands out is Les Crayeres, in the heart or Reime, in the Champagne region. To its neighbouring properties we can count Veuve Clicquot, one of the most famous champagne houses as well as the breathtakingly stunning cathedral where many of France’s kings held their coronations. It really does not get better than this if you want to experience the opulence of the French aristocrats. The chateau was designed by Charles Dauphin for Marquise de Polignac, whose mother Jean Alexandrine Pommery from the Pommery Champagne house.
The interior of the chateau is a masterpiece with wallpapers designed in finest Dedar velvet using patterns from historical archives.
If you ever wanted to sleep like a princess, this chateau has twenty rooms to choose from, all named after European empresses, queens as well as princesses. To top the experience, the restaurant Le Parc has been rewarded two Michelin stars, so it will not disappoint your culinary expectations. In the evening, toast at the legendary and exclusive Bar La Rotonde, a true gentleman’s club bar in mahogany and tartans. It is no surprise that the hotel has been named The Most Beautiful Hotel by New York Times.
You will reach Les Crayeres within 45 minutes from Paris by train, or 30 minutes by car, so hire that Rolls to roll you away to be pampered like the queen you are.
4. The Château d’Artigny - French Opulence in the Loire Valley
Let’s stay in France a bit longer, shall we? If you are looking for something majestic that will blow you away, The Château d’Artigny will. This Belle Epoque castle was owned by famous perfumer Francois Coty who had it built between 1912-1929. He had the chapel built as an exact copy of the one at Versailles, but smaller in size. Marble, Macassar ebony and intricate woodwork with decorated columns, it is all so grandiose.
The chateau was converted to a hotel in 1961 and has remained so until this day. The restaurant at the premises promises to deliver a royal feast, composed of regional cuisine. Located in the Loire Valley, it is easy to visit many of the beautiful chateaus on the vicinity, and one of the most famous ones is the second most visited palace after Versailles, the The Château de Chenonceau, so if this palace isn’t enough to satisfy the blue blood in your veins, then there are plenty of them around.
5. Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé – for the art connoisseur
While in the Loire Valley, why not extend your stay and explore the magnificent Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé?
Built in the eighteenth-century, this neoclassical marvel was commissioned by Baron Pineau de Viennay III, who was a trusted confidant of King Louis XV. He decided to replace the old castle on the grounds with Château du Grand-Lucé and spared no expenses using the finest of finishes and furnishings, and by 1764, the forty-five thousand square foot chateau was completed. Staying at the Chateau might please the art and music lovers, as after the passing of Baron Pineay de Viennay II, his daughter, Mademoiselle Pineau de Viennay, who adored art, used to host prominent guests such Voltaire, Rousseau, Mozart and Grimm. It is not every day we get to sleep under the same roof where some of the world’s finest composers used to be entertained. Do not forget to visit the Grand Ballroom and imagine yourself whirling around to the tunes of the old Masters. If only the walls could talk!
6. Botaniq Castle, Hungary
Architecture, culture and the picturesque scenery that Hungary has to offer are valid reasons for visiting the country. Botaniq Castle is 50 minutes’ drive from Budapest and if you ever believe in fairytales, this castle will seal your beliefs. Here, in what truly looks like a Disney Castle, you are guaranteed to live all your Princess dreams.
Sigmund Schossberger, who was given the baronial title by King Franz Joseph had this castle built for his wife, Therese Mayer von Gunthof. Now, this is a true token of love, and a gift fit for a Baroness. The castle is built influenced by both Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque architecture and it was completed by 1883. In the Schossberger suite you can choose to enjoy a private dinner on the terrace, or the dining room in the clock tower. It does scream Rapunzel to me!
7. Thorskogs Slott, Sweden – murder mysteries and seances
When you are done visiting the palaces in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, a train ride to Gothenburg and a visit to Thorskogs Slott , some 30 minutes away from Gothenburg will give you an adventure filled holiday in a castle with a rich history dating back to 1249 when Norwegian King Haakon Haakonsson the elder and Swedish King Birger Jarl sat down here to conclude an “eternal peace agreement “between the two countries. The current castle was built in 1892 and today it is the perfect place to visit if you want to conclude your castle tour with some adventure.
The beautiful castle offers activities such as clay pigeon shooting and archery and for the inquisitive, they host murder mystery dinners, spy hunts, and even real life seances just as they were conducted during the 19th century. Nothing for the faint hearted, more for the Mulan princess warriors! If you wish to bathe away the dust after the activities, as real princesses do not perspire, they glow, then a bath under the skies in an outdoor wood-burning tub is an option. For a more traditional Scandinavian cleanse, a visit to the sauna is another. You will not be short of activities here. Some of the prominent guests that have visited the Thorskogs Slott are George HW & Barbara Bush, Mikhail Gorbachev, John Major, Benazir Bhutto and FW de Klerk. Seems that there are more politicians than royals at this place, or perhaps they were living out their royal dreams in this place with ancient roots.
For more tips on how to travel in style, or how to ignite your inner princess, “Tea with the Dutchess: How to do anything with style” by Kate Gawi will unveil the secrets to a royally opulent life.
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