Where would you take kids to see castles?

[Anonymous]

France - because DS got to visit his own ancestors' castles. That really made history come alive for him.

Personally, I love the atmosphere of Scottish castles. All that black granite and sighs and gusts of wind, in bleak and foggy conditions, make you believe in ghosts!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
France - because DS got to visit his own ancestors' castles. That really made history come alive for him.

might be one of my alltime classic DCUM posts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
France - because DS got to visit his own ancestors' castles. That really made history come alive for him.

might be one of my alltime classic DCUM posts.

Me, too! I can't stop giggling. I love this place.

[Anonymous]

Transylvania is gorgeous and the small cities surprisingly lovely. Brasov, Sibiu and Sighisoara. The fortified churches in the tiny villages. Gorgeous countryside. And the food was actually quite good. As with anywhere you go, it depends on doing advance research and searching for good restaurants. A thumbs up to Romania from me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Romania!

Depressing country and dull food.

[Anonymous]

Doesn't sound like the Scotland I lived in.

Anonymous wrote:
France - because DS got to visit his own ancestors' castles. That really made history come alive for him.

Personally, I love the atmosphere of Scottish castles. All that black granite and sighs and gusts of wind, in bleak and foggy conditions, make you believe in ghosts!

But yes, there are some wonderful castle ruins to visit in Scotland. Donattar comes to mind. Edinburgh (not a ruin) is always worth the visit.

Wales probably has the best castle ruins in the UK.

[Anonymous]

+1 wales. Castles are older - more medieval than the "Disney-fied" versions we think of today.

You can do London and Cardiff in one trip. It's a 2 1/2 HR train ride.

[Anonymous]

+2 Wales

[Anonymous]

FYI -there are some castles in the US. Closer trip and for kids that age they really aren't going to appreciate or care whether it's a real European castle or a made to look like one in the US.

[Anonymous]

Wales - beautiful countryside, some of the best castles in the world . Weather is iffy though, lots of rain.

Rajasthan in India has amazing castles, but i wouldnt go there with young kids.

Syria has the most impressive castle i have ever seen- Krak des Chevaliers - but now off limits to those without a death wish.

German castles along the Rhine are nice, but less mddieval and more early modern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Doesn't sound like the Scotland I lived in.

Anonymous wrote:
France - because DS got to visit his own ancestors' castles. That really made history come alive for him.

Personally, I love the atmosphere of Scottish castles. All that black granite and sighs and gusts of wind, in bleak and foggy conditions, make you believe in ghosts!

But yes, there are some wonderful castle ruins to visit in Scotland. Donattar comes to mind. Edinburgh (not a ruin) is always worth the visit.

Wales probably has the best castle ruins in the UK.

"his ancestor's castles." Not only are we better than you, we were better than you over five hundred years ago. You work for me now, and five hundred years ago, your ancestors likely worked for my family on our manor as serfs. Go away, you serf, you! (THe OP makes me want to barf.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Doesn't sound like the Scotland I lived in.

Anonymous wrote:
France - because DS got to visit his own ancestors' castles. That really made history come alive for him.

Personally, I love the atmosphere of Scottish castles. All that black granite and sighs and gusts of wind, in bleak and foggy conditions, make you believe in ghosts!

But yes, there are some wonderful castle ruins to visit in Scotland. Donattar comes to mind. Edinburgh (not a ruin) is always worth the visit.

Wales probably has the best castle ruins in the UK.

"his ancestor's castles." Not only are we better than you, we were better than you over five hundred years ago. You work for me now, and five hundred years ago, your ancestors likely worked for my family on our manor as serfs. Go away, you serf, you! (THe OP makes me want to barf.)

If you go back far enough, you are probably descended from someone wealthy or prosperous. The wealthy had better nutrition and had more kids survive to adulthood. Edward III of England has like a million descendants today.

[Anonymous]

We loved Pembroke Castle in Wales.

We were in Wales visiting a friend who lives there, and she told us that Pembroke was her family's (with three young kids) favorite castle in Wales. The castle is truly medieval, built in 1093, but it was in use until the 17th century. It was the birth place of Henry Tudor (Henry VII). During the English Civil War, Oliver Cromwell once captured the castle after a seven week siege. The castle has a fascinating history, if you or your kids are interested in that kind of thing.

Pembroke has a fantastic - and free! - Knight School for kids. All the children in our group loved it. And the adults had a great time exploring the castle. Climbing to the top of the Castle Keep was an incredible experience, but not for the faint of heart (but is suitable for adventurous kids).

Pembroke is very close to Tenby. I spent many summer holidays there as a child. It's beautiful beach town that I would highly recommend if you are in the area. Really lovely!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Germany e.g. Neuschwanstein

Very pretty to look at but not terribly interesting inside. Basically a fancy house tour with a guided lecture, look only, no touching!

Blarney Castle was huge and lots of fun to run around in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Doesn't sound like the Scotland I lived in.

Anonymous wrote:
France - because DS got to visit his own ancestors' castles. That really made history come alive for him.

Personally, I love the atmosphere of Scottish castles. All that black granite and sighs and gusts of wind, in bleak and foggy conditions, make you believe in ghosts!

But yes, there are some wonderful castle ruins to visit in Scotland. Donattar comes to mind. Edinburgh (not a ruin) is always worth the visit.

Wales probably has the best castle ruins in the UK.

"his ancestor's castles." Not only are we better than you, we were better than you over five hundred years ago. You work for me now, and five hundred years ago, your ancestors likely worked for my family on our manor as serfs. Go away, you serf, you! (THe OP makes me want to barf.)

If you go back far enough, you are probably descended from someone wealthy or prosperous. The wealthy had better nutrition and had more kids survive to adulthood. Edward III of England has like a million descendants today.

Me again, yeah this bugs me because I work with this jerk who never fails to remind us that his ancestors came over on the Mayflower. (Mine arrived sometime after WW II). "Nice weather we're having, Barney." "Yes, it reminds me of the weather my ancestors experienced -- when they came over on the Mayflower." Blah, blah, blah.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FYI -there are some castles in the US. Closer trip and for kids that age they really aren't going to appreciate or care whether it's a real European castle or a made to look like one in the US.

Vegas, baby!