Castles and palaces

There’s not much that’s more imposing than a crag-topping castle, or more luxurious than a sumptuous royal palace. Imagine yourself back a few centuries into the heart of power and influence, with all the grandeur and gruesomeness that entailed, or see the trappings of modern-day royalty for yourself, as you explore the strongholds of monarchs and aristocrats past and present. Whether you’re admiring the fairy-tale beauty Neuschwanstein, the original Disney castle, strolling through the vast grounds and galleries of Beijing’s Summer Palace, or shuddering over torture instruments in the Tower of London, visiting a castle or palace is the most scenic and dramatic way to channel the spirit of generations past, and understand what pitches of pleasure and depths of despair they experienced.