Blame childhood stories or the popular Disney influence, but castles have a strong effect on even the most rational among us. We are fascinated by the idea of castle walls with open spaces and tall towers, performers, entertainers, and knights. Not the actual royal life, of course — we prefer to stay commoners — but getting a glimpse would be nice. And there are castles around the world that are more than willing to satisfy that desire.
Tripadvisor recently showcased 10 stunning castles that are open to the public in Europe, Japan, and even here in California as the ideal locations to experience the magic of fairy tales. The ranking is led by Neuschwanstein, the extraordinary Bavarian palace that served as inspiration for Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle. It was one of three palaces commissioned by “Mad” King Ludwig II of Bavaria.
Constructed by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, Windsor Castle in England ranks at No. 3, and most of the other castles date back to the 15th or 16th centuries.
However, the most recent addition to the list was not completed until 2007. That's winemaker Dario Sattui's remarkable Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga, a 150,000-square foot, Tuscan-style castle and winery constructed from handmade bricks and roof tiles imported from Italy and ironwork crafted by artisans on site. Like many of the other castles on the list, it features hidden passageways, a drawbridge and moat, a chapel, and a torture chamber — but this Napa Valley castle also offers wine tastings and tours.
Find information about Castello di Amorosa at https://castellodiamorosa.com and about the other castles at www.tripadvisor.com. In the meantime, here's a look at the list.
10 castles for magical dreams
1. Schloss Neuschwanstein, Schwangau, Germany
2. Château de Chambord, Loire Valley, France
3. Windsor Castle, Windsor, England
4. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland
5. Chapultepec Castle, Mexico City, Mexico
6. Himeji Castle, Hyogo, Japan
7. Alcázar of Segovia, Segovia, Spain
8. Prague Castle, Prague, Czech Republic
9. Castello di Amorosa, Calistoga
10. Osaka Castle, Osaka, Japan
