Classic-Castle.com

It's not quite medieval life but I have a question regarding castles

Nothing is set in stone yet but there's a chance that my wife and I might be in Europe for a few weeks over Christmas and I thought I'd get some ideas for which castles are worth visiting (if they're open through winter).

We have come up with a rough idea of an itinery which possibly puts us travelling through Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, France and possibly Holland and Belgium. The main driver for the trip was a friend wanting to have a white Christmas in the alps and then go on a driving trip down through Provence. We were hoping that we can stick on a week either side and check out a few other regions while we're in the neighbourhood.

Neuschwanstein Castle is at the top of the list (assuming it's open) and possibly Palace of Versailles. I'd love to get to Castle Mont St Michel
but I'm not sure how close we'll be. We were hoping to get to a couple of WW1 and WW2 sites up north so maybe? I can't remember what it was called but I saw a model or at least a footing of a castle (you walk around the base of it on a boardwalk) while I was in Musée du Louvre (I think) - I know that's a really helpful description I'm also keen on getting to Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg.

Anyway, if anyone as some suggestions, I'd appreciate it. Any cathedral ideas would be neat too.

Burg Eltz is a worhtwhile visit. But it might be off of your path.

Frank_Lloyd_Knight wrote:But it might be off of your path.

Well, if we go through Luxembourg but that might be a detour on a detour

I've visited many castles and I will write my impressions about them shortly:

Neuschwanstein Castle - yes, yes, marvelous but overcrowded. For me that is a bit of a problem. It is open during Christmas I think (or check their site neuschwanstein.de)

Palace of Versailles - nice place to visit.

Hohensalzburg Castle - if you'll be close to Neuschwanstein, it is not that far from there. Plus that in Salzburg you could also visit the Hellbrunn Palace although not sure if the trick fountains work there during winter.

If you are passioned about medieval life, you should visit Guedelon Castle in Burgundy. It is not a castle in the classic sense, it is still under construction. And the whole castle is built with 13th century technology. For me, it was a marvelous experience.

French chateaux's are nice ... I was especially impressed by Chambord and Chennonceau. In Germany Wartburg Castle is also worth visiting.

If you go through Switzerland, Chateau de Chillon is nice (maybe you know Lord Byron's poem about the prisoner of Chillon too).

Let me know if I can help you further, I visited almost 100 castles and would be glad to give you more information if I know what you are into.