Top 5 Castles
Follow along as Bethany explores her top 5 castles from her seven river and ocean cruises.
To date, I have had the pleasure of taking five river cruises and two ocean cruises in Europe, Asia, and South America. Along the way, I have done several excursions with visits to castles. Here is the top 5 list of my favorite castles.
At the end of each section is a button(s) with a link to the blog post(s) that cover the full experience. The buttons are color-coded to represent the cruise where the experience occurred:
1. Sailing the Rhine Gorge, Germany
What I Did
The Rhine Gorge is the most beautiful stretch of the river, dotted with many beautiful castles and small towns all along the way. Most passengers, including me, chose to head up to the Sky Deck for the sailing from Rudesheim to Koblenz. The Cruise Director provided some commentary along the way to point out some of the highlights. The rain held off for most of the journey, but we did get a few showers as we got closer to Koblenz. That was a perfect opportunity to go back inside the ship for a nice cup of coffee!
Why I Loved It
It is amazing to see how many different castles are here in this stretch of the Rhine River. They are in all shapes and sizes. Some are well-kept and others are in ruins. But all are absolutely gorgeous! I really enjoyed the afternoon sailing, which is a relaxed and convenient way to see this part of the river. While the weather didn’t cooperate fully, it certainly did not dampen the enjoyment.
2. Castelo de São Jorge (Saint George’s Castle), Lisbon
What I Did
While in Lisbon, Portugal I enjoyed exploring the Castelo de São Jorge (Saint George’s Castle). It is quite a hike up lots of winding and hilly cobblestone streets to get there, but the views from the castle are absolutely worth it! This castle hill was occupied by humans back to at least the 8th century BC. The first fortifications built here date back to the 1st century BC. The current site is a national monument and museum. The grounds are beautiful to walk around and explore. You can explore the grounds at your leisure or join a guided tour. I chose to explore at my leisure.
Why I Loved It
I really enjoyed wandering this gorgeous complex at my own pace, taking in the glorious views over the city, meeting some of the resident peacocks that also enjoy wandering the grounds, and enjoying a fresh crepe from a food truck as a light lunch. From the stunning views to the rich history, there is a lot to love about this castle.
3. Clam Castle, Grein
What I Did
I enjoyed a late afternoon visit to Clam Castle while docked in Grein, Austria. The count himself, Count Carl Philip Clam-Martinac, received us in the main courtyard. His adorable 6-year-old son was right by his side. This castle dates back to 1149. The Count gave us a tour of the castle. It is stunning inside and out! We saw the kitchen and the chapel, along with many bedrooms and sitting rooms. After the castle tour concluded, we headed out to a large terrace that overlooks the beautiful countryside. We could sample some of the local specialties as well. I tried a delicious sparkling rose wine. Prost!
Why I Loved It
Historical artifacts and decor are throughout the castle. Wandering through this castle is like spending time in a museum. Being greeted by the Count and getting to hear his fascinating stories during the tour was also a wonderful part of this experience. It was fun to imagine living like a Countess while exploring this captivating castle!
4. Prague Castle
What I Did
The Prague Castle complex is the official office of the President of the Czech Republic. It was originally built in the 9th century and has been the seat of power for kings, emperors, presidents, and other leaders throughout the years. Because the castle is the official office of the President of the Czech Republic, there are several armed guards posted throughout the complex. While I was visiting, I also got to see the changing of the guard ceremony.
Why I Loved It
This is a gorgeous and interesting complex to explore! There are several different buildings, including the gorgeous St. Vitus’ Cathedral, here to see. It is a beautiful place to spend a few hours.
5. Heidelberg Castle
What I Did
The Heidelberg Castle is in ruins now, but it is still very beautiful. Originally built in the early 13th century, the castle sustained damage from lightning bolts, wars, and fires in the 16th and 17th centuries. It towers over the city high on a hill, and it is considered one of the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps.
Why I Loved It
I really enjoyed the history and the beauty of this castle. Being able to wander around this large complex and to see the ruins up close really gives a great overview of what this castle must have been like in its prime. Even in ruins, it is absolutely gorgeous. The views from the castle’s terrace overlooking the city were also amazing!
Conclusion
I have enjoyed exploring a few different castles along my journeys so far. Each one is different and has a different story to tell. Seeing the unique beauty of each one is amazing. Being able to soak in all of the history that comes along with each one is also wonderful. I love indulging my inner Princess every time I get the opportunity to explore a stunning castle!
Links
Curious about what some of my other favorite experiences are? Click the button below to check out my other ‘Top 10’ lists:
Want to learn more about my experiences on each of the cruises covered in this post? Click the buttons below for the full pages for each of the cruises:
Interested in booking your own fabulous cruise? Click the buttons below for further information about Avalon and Azamara cruises:
