The Jubilee Weekend features an extra Bank Holiday for the Diamond Jubilee, with the late May Bank Holiday moved one week later, thereby making a 4-day long weekend.

The main programme of events are as follows:

Saturday 2 June, 2012

The Queen will attend the Epsom Derby.

Sunday 3 June, 2012

The Big Jubilee Lunch: Building on the already popular Big Lunch initiative, people will be encouraged to share lunch with neighbours and friends as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. This may take the form of a traditional street party or a picnic lunch in small or larger groups. This event is being organised by the Big Lunch.

The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant: This event will take place on the Thames and consist of up to 1,000 boats assembled from across the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will travel in the Royal Barge which will form the centrepiece of the flotilla.

Monday 4 June, 2012

BBC Concert at Buckingham Palace: There will be a televised Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace with tickets being available to UK residents by public ballot. The musical programme for the concert is still being planned and is expected to feature British and Commonwealth musicians.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Beacons: A network of 2,012 Beacons will be lit by communities and individuals throughout the United Kingdom, as well as the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Commonwealth. As in 2002, The Queen will light the National Beacon.

Tuesday 5 June, 2012

The Diamond Jubilee weekend will culminate with a day of celebrations in central London, including a service at St Paul’s Cathedral followed by two receptions, a lunch at Westminster Hall, a Carriage Procession to Buckingham Palace and finally a Balcony appearance and Flypast.

The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, and many Members of The Royal Family, will attend the National Service of Thanksgiving to Celebrate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee at St Paul’s Cathedral on the morning of Tuesday 5th June.  The Service will be conducted by the Dean of St Paul’s, The Very Reverend Dr David Ison, and the Archbishop of Canterbury will preach. A special prayer for the Diamond Jubilee will be included in the service.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will then attend a short reception at Mansion House. Other Members of The Royal Family will attend a reception at Guildhall. These receptions are for those taking part in the Service of Thanksgiving and members of the congregation.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, will drive from Mansion House to Westminster Hall to attend a Diamond Jubilee lunch to be given for The Queen by the Livery. The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Henry of Wales will also attend this lunch.

A small number of representatives from sponsoring livery companies will be present at the lunch, with the vast majority of the guest list of approximately 700 comprising people from all over the country whose trade, craft or profession is represented by one of the many different liveries taking part in the event, together with the charities, schools and other organisations they support. The National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain will perform a programme of music at the lunch.

Following the lunch, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Henry of Wales will depart the Palace of Westminster for Buckingham Palace, travelling along a Processional Route by Carriage. The Queen and Prince Philip will be using the 1902 State Landau in this procession.

There will be personnel from all three military services lining the streets for the procession, military bands along the route, and the procession will be accompanied by the Sovereign’s Escort. The King’s Troop will fire a 60 gun salute during the carriage procession. There will be a Guard of Honour present in the Forecourt of Buckingham Palace.

Shortly after their arrival, The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, and other Members of The Royal Family will appear on the Balcony, at which point there will be an RAF Flypast and a Feu de Joie (“Fire of Joy” – a celebratory cascade of rifle fire given as a salute by The Queen’s Guard) from the Forecourt.

More information can be found here: http://www.thediamondjubilee.org

If you will be visiting, now is the time to think about where you want to stay.

Visitors to London

With more than 100,000 hotel rooms to choose from, every visitor to London will be able to find a warm welcome during the Games. Halls of residence and other student accommodation will provide a further 30,000 beds, offering a comfortable and affordable alternative for visitors on a budget.

Visitors to the rest of the UK

From castles to campsites, the UK offers a wide variety of accommodation for ticket holders to Games events at the UK-wide venues in Cardiff, Coventry, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle, and in Weymouth and Portland.

Booking your journey

If you have booked tickets for the 2012 Olympics you will receive a one-day Games Travelcard with your event ticket for competitions in or around London.

Top tips for traveling during the Games

Venues will be very busy and you will need to allow time for airport-style security and ticket checks.

Plan and book your transport early.

Allow plenty of time for your journey.

Do not drive to venues.

Don’t forget to plan your return journey

Follow instructions from staff on the day of your event.

Things to do in London and the UK

The Olympic Stadium, in London, will be hosting the main Olympic and Paralympic Games and if you have time to explore the city of London there is lots to see. Take a look at this video that details some of the amazing sights that London has to offer.

Keeping in touch

If you have Olympic tickets for London2012, remember you don’t have to worry about staying in touch with friends and family. With a EuroBuzz European Cell Phone you can keep in touch with the folks back home.

Official Languages: French

Recognised Regional Languages: None

Currency: Euro (€)

Population (approx.): 65.8 million

Calling Code: +33

Did you know: France is the most visited country in the world, receiving 82 million foreign tourists every year!

Places to Travel

Loire Valley

The ‘Garden of France’, as this area is also affectionately know, lives up to its name. As an area of outstanding natural beauty, the valley is filled with culturally and historically important architecture, which has earned it a world heritage site status.

It is one of the most visited places to visit in the country and is renowned for its large collection of fairytale châteaux and mansion, beautiful landscapes and one of the most striking rivers in Europe.

Mont Saint-Michel

Sitting on top of a rocky, peaked island Mont Saint-Michel forms an imposing sight. Surrounded by sandbanks and powerful tides, the heritage site is most celebrated for its Gothic-style Benedictine Abbey.

Whereas most castles of this stature were built for defence purposes or the arts, Mont Saint-Michel is different. Complete with Monastery, medieval village, small houses and souvenir shops, with complimentary winding streets, Mont Saint-Michel is the one of the best-loved landmarks in France.

Côte d’Azur

The Mediterranean coastline of southeast France is otherwise known as the French Riviera. Although expensive and over-developed to some, with its miles of gorgeous coastline and azure waters it’s still one of the most beautiful places in France.

The area has attracted and transfixed many visitors over the years including royalty, celebrities, writers and artists such as Pablo Picasso, and Henri Matisse. The Côte d’Azur is also famed for it’s stylish coastal cities such as Nice, Cannes and St-Tropez, which still remain exclusive holiday resorts even today.

Annecy, The Alps

The French Alps are best known for its prestigious ski resorts, although the region is also home to many pretty towns which are great to visit, summer or winter. One of the most attractive is Annecy which has a medieval picture-postcard quality.

The centre is built around a 14th century Chateau and the whole town is interspersed with small canals which is why some locals refer to it as the ‘Venice of Savoie.’ With its canals and backdrop of snowy mountains, Annecy is easily one of the most photogenic towns in France.

Champagne-Ardenne

The birthplace of champagne is also one of the most beautiful regions in France and of course it’s very popular with wine trail tourists. In addition to the miles of Champagne Routes, the region has exceptionally scenic countryside, medieval chateaux and vineyards as far as the eye can see.

Make sure you visit the region’s capital Troyes for impressive art and architecture and Reims for its famous cathedral and acres of underground wine cellars.

Paris

The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Invalides Dome and Notre Dame, are all enough to convince you to go to Paris. But, that that’s where you put it yourself seduced by the Louvre and his Mona Lisa, the paintings of Picasso and the memory of French bohemians.

Montmartre will take you through the most unusual places and you will reveal fascinating Basilique du Sacre-Coeur, as well as cafes and artists workshops.

Lourdes

Famous for being the site where the Virgin Mary had been sighted a total of eighteen times from 1858, Lourdes has developed into a major place of Roman Catholic pilgrimage and of miraculous healing.

Lourdes itself is a small market town lying in the foothills of the Pyrenees, that features a fortified castle that rises up from a rocky escarpment at its centre. The castle has been at the heart of much of French history, especially during the ‘Hundred Years War’ and ‘Peninsular War’.

Normandy

Famous for its food and drink, as well as the ‘D-Day’ landings, Normandy is one of the most rich and diverse regions in France. It is of historic importance, especially the link between Normandy and England with the ‘Norman Conquest’.

Explorer Samuel de Champlain left the port of Honfleur in 1604 and founded Quebec City (Canada). While Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and his brother Lemoyne de Bienville founded Louisiana, Biloxi, Mobile and New Orleans.

Dordogne Valley

The scenery, the peace, the coffee in a small cafe, the picnic next to a stream. The Dordogne is beautiful and serene. Some of the best known highlights of the area include Lascaux caves, the gouffre de Padirac caves and Marqueyssac gardens and canoeing the Dordogne.

It is a very scenic area, most suited to those who enjoy outdoor activities – walking, cycling (road and mountain biking), horse-riding, canoeing and fishing are just some of the things you can do.

Brittany

Brittany is home to many megalithic monuments which are scattered across the peninsula, to which the purposes of these are still unknown. The largest alignments are near Karnag/Carnac. The purpose of these monuments is still unknown, and many local people are reluctant to entertain speculation on the subject.

With its numerous intact manors and châteaux, Brittany also has several old fortified towns. The walled city of Saint-Malo (Sant-Maloù), a popular tourist attraction, is also an important port linking Brittany with England and the Channel Islands.

If you require a European Cell Phone, especially for your next vacation to Europe, have a look at our phone or our SIM. Perfect for your next trip.

So enjoy ‘Europe in Pictures’…

Karlsbrucke, Czech Republic

Gent, Belgium

Berlin, Germany

Town Hall, Vienna

Barcelona, Spain

Mount Blanc, Switzerland

Paris, France

National Theatre, Bulgaria

Oslo, Norway

Pisa, Italy

Sonderburg, Denmark

Stonehenge, England

Tartu, Estonia

Where in Europe has the best food?

Why was it so good? Was it consumed in a nice restaraunt or from a food wagon in the streets?

Your answers will help the EuroBuzz community get a ‘taste’ for their next European vacation.

Please leave your stories in the comments box. We’ll share the best stories next month.

On behalf of everyone, thank you for your input.

However, believe it your not, there are some outstanding airports out there. A nine-month customer survey, that attracted more than 11 million participants, the ‘World Airport Awards’ has judged these to be the 10 best airports in the world.

Have you flown to or from any?

1. HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – WINNER

Over 50 million passengers (2010), 160 destinations, 900 daily flights by 95 different airlines saw the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) named as the Worlds Best Airport by air travelers across the globe.

The HKIA gives customers easy access to downtown Hong Kong, excellent shopping facilities with a bright and airy terminal ambiance, with the food on offer exquisite. The airport has continued to improve, its security and immigration processes also contributed to the HKIA success.

2. SINGAPORE CHANGI AIRPORT

Although a respectable runner up, Singapore Changi Airport was voted the 2010 winner for Worlds Best Airport. Even though the airport was undergoing a terminal refurbishment, it still scored highly on customer satisfaction.

It caters for over 42 million passengers every year (more than 7 times the size of Singapore’s population), handling 100 international airlines flying to some 200 cities in 60 countries. Primarily a traditional airport, Changi Airport boasts 40,000 square meters of commercial shopping space, making it a busy shopping destination too.

3. INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Making up the top 3 for 2011 is Incheon International Airport, which was the winner of this award in 2009. Unsurprisingly, during recent years, Incheon, along with Singapore Changi and HKIA, fight out for top spot in these awards.

The airport has a golf course, spa, private sleeping rooms, ice skating rink, a casino, indoor gardens and a Museum of Korean Culture. The main passenger terminal (496,000 sq metres) is the largest airport terminal in area in South Korea, and the ninth largest passenger terminal in the world.

4. MUNICH AIRPORT

Munich Airport is smaller than some others, in-fact it’s Germany’s second busiest airport with just over 34 million passengers a year. However, size isn’t everything and it’s Europe’s highest ranked in the top 10.

Convenience, comfort and airport hospitality has seen Munich Airport retain its position at number four, as well as its consistency and reliability. The airport itself has its own commercial center which houses an array of shopping, business and recreational facilities and is located between its two terminals.

5. BEIJING CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Moving up three places to fifth in the Worlds Best Airport list, Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) is continuing to improve and aims to compete with the big three of HKIA, Singapore and Incheon.

The BCIA is now the second busiest airport in the world and it’s newest terminal, terminal 3 building, is also the second largest terminal in the world. The airport, located 20 miles northeast of Beijing’s city center, offers semi-tropical surroundings, supported by great customer satisfaction.

6. AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT

Busy than Munich, the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport secured sixth place in the overall ranking. Another success is that the airport is climbing the rankings and has moved up a place this year from the 2010 rankings of seventh.

Just over 45 million passengers pass through the airport, and it remains an extremely popular choice with travelers. The Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has large shopping areas, both landside and airside. The Schiphol Plaza shopping center, which is located before customs, is very popular with both air passengers and non-traveling passengers.

7. ZURICH AIRPORT

Zürich Airport is located about 7 miles from downtown Zürich and connects its passengers to destinations all over Switzerland via its very own train system. This makes it one of the most convenient airports for travel within central Europe.

One of the many areas that Zürich Airport does exceptionally well is baggage and its delivery. One of the biggest sources of complaints comes from baggage, whether its been lost or damaged, the airport is reassuringly good. Zürich Airport also offers a large selection of shops, restaurants and services from over 180 different companies.

8. AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The Auckland International Airport is the 2^nd busiest airport in the Australia/Pacific region, servicing more than 13 million visitors a year. 70% of visitors enter of leave New Zealand via Auckland International Airport.

The airport delivers a typically friendly Kiwi service, while its security and immigration procedures have been improved. This has seen the airport climb one place in the rankings from ninth in 2010.

9. KUALA LUMPUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has retained its position in the top 10, having slipped four places to ninth – the biggest fall in the top 10. However, it continues to maintain a high level of staff service for immigration procedures.

KLIA is an airport in a forest, yet a forest in an airport. Confused? Well KLIA is surrounded by lots of green space, both inside its main terminal and outside. It’s also the first airport, within the Asia/Pacific region, to become 100% BCBP (Bar Coded Boarding Pass) capable. The KLIA is connected to Kuala Lumpur by a non-stop express train, which takes just 28 minutes.

10. COPENHAGEN AIRPORT

A new entry to the top 10, the Copenhagen Airport climbs five places from 15^th position. Service, comfort and ambience rated highly here and ticks a lot of boxes for its passengers.

The airport is located just 12 minutes from the heart of Copenhagen, while the distance from the train platform to the check-in counters is less than 100 meters. The airside shopping is good too. Passengers have access to 50 shops, numerous restaurants and bars, conference facilities, a hotel area and a sauna.

Have you visited any of these airports and what was your experience? Do you agree, or disagree with these results, would you have another airport in this top 10?

If you’re traveling within Europe, whether that’s for business or taking a vacation, don’t forget to take a EuroBuzz European Cell Phone or SIM card. This allows you to keep in touch with family, friends and business colleagues.

The World Airport Awards are run by Skytrax.

There’s much more to Europe than the famous cities like London, Paris, Rome, Berlin, Amsterdam and Athens. While we already feel familiar with these places, much like visiting an old friend you’ve not seen in a while, there are other cities that are also rich in history and culture – maybe you should consider visiting one of them.

To call these cities ‘lesser known’ isn’t accurate, however we can say that they are less popular. Why? Because, us – the trusted traveler, has to work a little bit harder to get away from the main stream.

So here’s a little guide to those ‘Other Cities’ and the wonders that they have on offer.

Antwerp, Belgium.

Offering a celebrated club scene within its historic narrow and winding streets is quite a paradox – and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Antwerp is an artistic haven for a lot of cutting edge contemporary culture. So whilst you walk through the old streets you can take in the great masterpieces of artists such as Rubens and Van Dyke. Visit one of many modern galleries and stores, and if you’re looking for that special gift why not give the world-famous Diamond District a try.

There are plenty of restaurants, friendly bars and alehouses to choose from if you fancy eating out, or you’d like to sample the local beer. As previously mentioned, Antwerp has excellent nightlife, with lots of clubs and bars open till late, or early, depending on which way you look at it.

Koycegiz, Turkey.

One for the adventurer, Koycegiz is getting rather popular with the backpacker and the more independent traveler.

Koycegiz translates to ‘small poor village’, but in fairness it’s nothing like that, just a little rough around the edges. This ‘roughness’ has seen its popularity grow, its not quite mainstream yet, but it’s getting there. With lots to do, it’s a great place for the adventurous spirited traveler. Visit mud baths and waterfalls, whitewater raft down the Dalaman River where the rapids can reach up to a Grade 4, or take in the ancient Caunos ruins.

There’s also a number of independent shops of all sizes, but after a hard day of exploring and adventure you may just want to settle for a homemade ice-cream that are sold in the town center.

Cinque Terre, Italy.

Becoming more popular with travelers taking their vacation, this is a fine example of the European Destinations – The Other Cities.

Situated on Italy’s Northeast coast, the impressive ‘Five Villages’ are delightful. Located between Genoa and La Spezia, the stunning villages offer golden sandy beaches, steep cliffs and beautiful sapphire waters. Each village, or town (as some of them are bigger than typical villages found in Europe), offer a quiet alternative to some of the bigger tourist destinations such as Florence or Venice.

The ‘Five Villages’ are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore. At any one of them you can enjoy sleeping in and relaxing on the beach, or if you’re feeling a bit more energetic go hiking and take a picnic with you.

The Lake District, England.

It is the second largest national park in the UK and one of the most breathtaking regions within it. The Lake District sits just under the Scottish border, in Cumbria Northwest England.

The Lake District was formed by repeated glaciations that have occurred over the last 2 million years. This carved through the landscape to create the magnificent lakes, mountains and valleys on show today.

If you’re Scotland bound, the Lake District makes an ideal stop off point. You can choose to relax and unwind by the many lakes or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, you can go hiking or climbing one of the many mountains in the area.

Tallinn, Estonia.

Tallinn has emerged from Soviet occupation as a thriving and exciting center filled with many awe-inspiring buildings, which have somehow escaped any damage from more difficult war-torn times.

The cities subterranean bars serve locally made vodka, amongst other alcoholic beverages, and their old stone doorways cast an enticing glow. Walk down dozens of winding, cobbled streets with high wall and ramparts. Stop off for a sandwich, made on native thin, dense black bread at one of the many cafés, or ‘kohviks’.

Estonia’s capital is one of the last remaining truly medieval cities in Europe, with breathtaking Gothic buildings, and is largely undiscovered by visitors from outside the EU.

Dijon, France.

This historical city is the capital of the Burgundy region in France, that lies Southwest of Paris and North of Provence, in the shadow of the French Alps.

Dijon is a lively Renaissance city and one of the great European centres of art, learning and science. It’s home to a large number of museums and churches, notably the Notre Dame de Dijon and Dijon Cathedral, the crypt of which is dedicated to Saint Benignus and dates from 1,000 years ago. The city has retained its varied architectural styles and is distinguished by, among other things ‘toits bourguignons’ – roofs made of tiles glazed in terracotta, green, yellow and black and arranged in eye-catching geometric patterns.

Dijon was largely spared the destruction of wars such as the 1870 Franco-Prussian War and the Second World War, despite the city being occupied. Therefore, many of the old buildings such as the half-timbered houses dating from the 12th to the 15th centuries (found mainly in the city’s core district) are well preserved.

Chora, Greece.

Another fine example of a Greek whitewashed village, perched high on a hill over looking the calm blue waters of the surrounding sea.

Chora is a traditional Greek village, complete with port and access to some amazing sandy beaches. During the day, it is a quiet village made for relaxing and sightseeing. If you want to get away from the beach for a while, why not take a walk through the village square, down windy cobblestone streets and take in the beautiful local churches. However, this all changes as the evening draws in as partygoers start filling the bars, cafés and nightclubs that occupy the once quiet cobbled streets.

At the top of the village hill there is a scenic amphitheatre where some local events take place. You can appreciate the vastness of your environment whilst here, taking in the stunning views of the sea, cliffs and sandy beaches.

Innsbruck, Austria.

Located in a valley, in the midst of the surrounding mountains, Innsbruck is a picturesque city that changes with the seasons.

During the winter months, Innsbruck is one of the top destinations in Europe for skiers, and is also internationally renowned for being a winter sports center, having plenty of excellent resorts to stay at. During the summer months the city explodes in greenery, exposing mountain lakes and superb hiking trails for you to conquer.

The natural environment is amazing, and is well complimented by the city’s architecture. With lots of museums, churches and parks there is plenty to see and do in Innsbruck.

The Hague, Netherlands.

Home to Holland’s Queen Beatrix, the Hague will enchant you with a colourful mix of culture, history and natural beauty.

One of the big attractions is the Maurithaus museum which presides over the canal and houses Johannes Vermeer’s ‘Girl with Pearl Earring’. Take a wander down to the various flea markets, or enjoy a stop off at a smokers coffeeshop. You’re not too far away from the beach here too. Go for a stroll along the beautiful wide beaches and Victorian promenade, which becomes a popular club scene at night. Whatever time of day it is, there is so much to do here.

You would think it was the capital city, given that the Queen, Parliament and all foreign embassies are located here, as well as a center for the United Nations, but that title of capital city is given to Amsterdam. Strange.

Ljubljana, Slovenia.

This small town really punches above its weight. Full of history and culture, with resources typical of its capital city stature, Ljubljana makes an ideal case for being an ‘Other City’.

Ljubljana is a melting pot full of different influences, from Italians to Austro-Hungarian, so it makes for a rather unique atmosphere. Take a trip through the Baroque old town where you’ll find a number of quaint cafés and traditional shops, or take in the local street performers playing tunes in the main square. The castle is another popular attraction, dating back to medieval times it’s undergone some transformation which makes it all the more interesting.

Being centrally located in Slovenia, it makes the city an ideal base to explore the country’s mountains, lakes and caves. The city itself is full of kind and helpful people, willing to engage in conversation in a number of different languages.

If you’re thinking about taking a European vacation to any of these destinations, or any other European cities, don’t forget to take a EuroBuzz European Cell Phone or SIM card.

Where would you say is the most romantic place in Europe?

Why is it so romantic, what did you do there?

Your answers will help the EuroBuzz community plan their next romantic getaway.

Please leave your stories in the comments box. We’ll share the best stories next month.

On behalf of everyone, thank you for your input.

Congratulations to those who have made this top 25 list. For anyone that has visited and stayed at any of the hotels mentioned below please feel free to leave your feedback below on your experience.

The top 24 Hotels in the United Kingdom as chosen by Europeans, via Trip Advisor:

1 – Rudding Park Hotel, Harrogate
2 – The Old Rectory Hotel, Martinhoe
3 – Boskerris Hotel, St Ives
4 – Charterhouse Hotel, Torquay
5 – Abbot’s Brae Hotel, Dunoon
6 – Overwater Hall, Keswick
7 – Elmdene Hotel, Torquay
8 – Can-y-Bae, Llandudno
9 – Haytor Hotel, Torquay
10 – Apsley House Hotel, Bath
11 – The Seawood Hotel, Lynton
12 – Yeoldon House Hotel, Bideford
13 – Kingsley Lodge, Wilmslow
14 – Dunkery Beacon Hotel, Exmoor
15 – The Clarence Hotel, Portsmouth
16 – The Clontarf Hotel, Llandudno
17 – Tara Lodge, Belfast
18 – Hillside Hotel, Ventnor
19 – Avalon Beach Hotel, Bournemouth
20 – The Plough Inn, Llandeilo
21 – Hotel Una, Brighton
22 – Swinside Lodge Hotel, Keswick
23 – Green Bough Hotel, Chester
24 – Tremarne Hotel, Mevagissey

Click here and take a look for yourself at the whole run down, including pictures, reviews and a more detailed description of the hotels listed in this list.

 
Have we missed anywhere you have stayed that you could recommend? Please leave your comment and assist your EuroBuzz community.

Often we think of castles as dark, dank places with dungeons, or as something from a fairy tale where the happy King and Queen reside. You’d be right, at some point in history anyway, but without the neighbouring dragon for company.

If you do plan to visit Europe, I would like to suggest for you to take a look at one of Europe’s Best Castles.

Leeds Castle – Kent, England

Described, by the English, as the ‘loveliest castle in the world’ it dates back to 1119, where it replaced the Saxon built manor, and became a royal palace in 1278 to King Edward I.

As its status as a popular tourist destination it has lots for everyone to do, including a maze, grotto, golf course and, maybe the worlds only, museum dedicated to dog collars.

Prague Castle – Prague, Czech Republic

Where Leeds Castle was the ‘loveliest’, Prague is officially the ‘biggest castle in the world’. It steadily grew bigger and bigger between the 9^th and 18^th centuries, until it started to host government departments in the 20^th century.

This steady growth over time sees the castle incorporating a number of different architectural styles, which makes visiting quite a unique experience. It’s certainly an ‘international’ castle, with the guided tour being offered in six different languages.

Castelo de Sao Jorge – Lisbon, Portugal

This castle in Lisbon is located on the highest point of the Portuguese capital, offering stunning views of the city itself and the Atlantic Ocean.

The origins of the castle started early, in and around the 6^th century BC by Celts, and it has been used over time from this point by Greeks, Romans, Carthaginians and many others. During more recent times the first geodesic observatory in Portugal was assembled at the top of one of the towers of the castle.

Alcazar of Segovia – Segovia, Spain

The site where this impressive castle sits is actually on top of an old Roman fortification, of which the Roman Aqueduct can be found within Segovia, with the first reference to its current form being in 1120.

Its main initial purpose served as a fortress and a residence, however as Madrid became the more important location, the Alcazar of Segovia turned in to a prison. The castle sits within one of the most picturesque areas of Spain.

Neuschwanstein Castle – Munich, Germany

Built as a retreat, and as a homage to the great composer ‘Wagner’, this castles construction started in 1869!

So, unlike some of the other castles featured in this list, it’s history is very modern. It played a big part in World War II and housed gold, artwork and other treasures. More recently Disney used this castle as it’s inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s Castle within Disneyland.

Mont Saint-Michel – Normandy, France

Sitting on a rocky area between Normandy and Brittany, makes visiting Mont Saint-Michel a rather unique experience.

It was originally designed as an abbey for pilgrims, but has evolved throughout the years, incorporating the styles of the time and belongs to the Organization of World Heritage Cities.

Lincoln Castle – Lincolnshire, England

Constructed during the late 11th century by William the Conqueror on the site of a pre-existing Roman fortress, it is unusual in that it has two mottes.

It certainly carries scars, as it was where two major battles took place, but whatever was damaged during these battles they were either repaired or replaced. Starting in 1787, the castle was a prison for the area partially because its layout and build made it impossible for detainees to escape.

Chateau de Chambord – Loire Valley, France

Construction started in 1519 and is designed in a typical French Renaissance style. It retains the typical castle design with a keep and four towers, yet it was not built with defence in mind.

The Chateaux itself is surrounded by glorious woodlands and a game reserve, which compliments the luscious gardens and many water features. The château also features 128 meters of façade, more than 800 sculpted columns and an elaborately decorated roof and 440 rooms, 365 fireplaces, and 84 staircases.

Castle Frankenstein – Darmstadt, Germany

Lord Konrad II. Reiz von Breuberg erected Frankenstein Castle and had since named himself von und zu Frankenstein. He was the founder of the free imperial lordship ‘Frankenstein’, which was subject only to the jurisdiction of the emperor.

The castle has an interesting history, mainly through how the Frankensteins operated during their time inhabiting it. In more modern times it was used as a refugee and hospital after falling into ruins in the 18^th century.

Glamis Castle – Glamis, Scotland

The castle was built by 1376, even though their had been a hunting lodge their previously.

It’s famous for it’s ‘Grey Lady’, a ghost that resides in the castle, for whom a seat is left empty in the Chapel. This is supposedly the ghost of Lady Glamis. There are other local ghosts too, including King Malcolm II and ‘Earl Beardie’ who is involved in an interesting story about poker.

So, if you’re visiting Europe don’t forget about your EuroBuzz European Cell Phone – for ease of use, just when you need it!

If you’ve visited any castles or chateaux in Europe please share with the rest of the gang. What was it like?