Castles and Gardens of Europe

Five châteaux near Paris beyond Versailles

Versailles is extraordinary. It is also, on most days, extremely crowded. The good news is that the Île-de-France and its neighbouring departments contain dozens of historic châteaux that see a fraction of the crowds, and several that tell stories Versailles cannot. Within 90 minutes of Paris, these five reward the detour.

8 Castles To Visit In Slovenia

Slovenia may be one of Europe's smallest countries, but its castle legacy is anything but modest. Perched on rocky outcrops, mirrored in glacial lakes, and tucked into medieval town centres, Slovenia's castles offer history, drama, and beauty, but without the crowds. Here are eight of the most remarkable castles and historic sites to visit in Slovenia.

Baroque Gardens

The Baroque era, spanning the 17th and 18th centuries, witnessed a remarkable fusion of art, architecture, and nature, giving rise to the elaborate and meticulously designed Baroque gardens across Europe. To understand the genesis of this distinct style, let's delve into the predecessors that laid the groundwork for Baroque garden architecture...

20 Best Spring Destinations for Castle Lovers

Spring is when Europe’s castles and palaces are at their most elegant. Gardens return to life, fountains flow again, and historic interiors host major exhibitions and exciting cultural events. Here are 20 exceptional castles and palaces, everybody loves.

The Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi

During our summer holiday in the Italian Alps, my wife and I set out to visit the Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi, located roughly ten kilometres south of Turin, Italy. Expecting a charming historical site, we were unprepared for the grandeur that awaited us. The Palazzina, with its breathtaking scale and exquisite detail, far surpassed our modest expectations…

5 Remarkable Castles Near Amsterdam

Most visitors to Amsterdam never make it past the canals. That’s entirely understandable, but it also means they miss something extraordinary. Within an hour or two of the capital, the Dutch countryside hides historic estates that rival anything you’ll find in France or Germany. Fewer crowds, lower prices, and stories that are anything but ordinary.

Château de Fontainebleau near Paris (image: Edoardo Colombo via Pexels)

Places, Travel

Five châteaux near Paris that go beyond Versailles

Versailles is extraordinary. But it is also extremely crowded. The good news is that the Île-de-France and its neighbouring departments contain dozens of historic châteaux that see a fraction of the crowds, and sometimes tell stories Versailles cannot. Within 90 minutes of Paris, these five reward the detour. Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte The story of Vaux-le-Vicomte... / READ MORE /

Bellevue Palace, Germany the official residence of the German Bundespräsident (foto: Harald Krichel, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons)

News

Schloss Bellevue near Berlin opens its doors as a pop-up gallery

Germany's official presidential palace, Schloss Bellevue, has opened its historic state rooms to the public for the first time as a contemporary art exhibition, weeks before the building closes for a multi-year restoration. / READ MORE /

Castle Bečov nad Teplou in Czechia (CC BY-SA 3.0 zobrazit podmínky via Wikimedia)

Exhibitions, News

Château d’Yquem found beneath a Czech castle floor

Eight bottles of nineteenth-century Château d'Yquem have been restored after spending decades hidden beneath the floor of a Czech castle chapel. The wine, part of a 136-bottle collection left behind by a noble family fleeing Czechoslovakia at the end of the Second World War, will go on public display for the first time following a fundraising campaign by the castle. / READ MORE /

Moritzburg in winter (photo: Sebastian Rose ©Schlosserland Sachsen)

Exhibitions, History, News

The day an Inuit capsized his kayak for the King of Saxony

The exhibition 'Thin Ice — Inuit on Display', open from 15 May to 1 November 2026 in Moritzburg Castle, German, may be one of the most thought-provoking exhibitions currently showing in any castle in Europe. / READ MORE /

Monty Don at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2011

People

Monty Don: The gardener who reads history in the soil

Who doesn't love Monty Don? As a gardener, broadcaster, and devoted ambassador of the world's garden heritage, he has brought historic gardens to life for millions. / READ MORE /

When Emperor Charles IV founded Karlštejn Castle in 1348, he had one purpose in mind: to build the safest possible place on earth for the things he valued above all else.

History, Places

Karlštejn Castle: built to guard holy relics

When Emperor Charles IV founded Karlštejn Castle in 1348, he had one purpose in mind: to build the safest possible place on earth for the things he valued above all else. Not gold. Not weapons. But holy relics. Find out what makes Karlštejn unlike almost any other medieval fortress in Europe. / READ MORE /