Castles
 

Given the following emerging itinerary - can you recommend an awe inspiring castle we could take our children to for a night's stay (or even a day's visit) while traveling between Paris and Seville? Thanks! Donna

Day 1 arrive Paris in PM

Day 2 Paris

Day 3 Paris

Day 4 Paris

Day 5 Paris

Day 6 leave Paris – train to Avignon

Day 7 Avignon ? (rent car, cruise around villages, etc.)

Day 8 Avignon ?

Day 9 Leave Avignon – train – arrive Barcelona

Day 10 Barcelona

Day 11 Barcelona

Day 12 Barcelona (overnight train to Andalucia?)

Day 13 ?

Day 14 ?

Day 15 Sevilla

Day 16 Sevilla

Day 17 Sevilla

Day 18 Depart Seville in AM

Are you going to Versailles?

Have you considered the chateaux in the Loire Valley (betw Paris and Avignon)?

You mean a chateau around Avignon, correct?

Cahteau de Rochegude is not too far from Avignon........

Yes - After investing so much time with Antonia Fraser and her book about Marie Antoinette I can't miss Versailles!
Yes also to the Loire Valley trip - either a day trip from Paris or maybe a night there then Avignon. Chenonceau is nice, correct? Other specific suggestions?
(I'd really like to find a memorable place to spend the night with the kids one night)... thanks! Donna

If you were driving, I'd recommend a night at the Château d'Igé in southern Burgundy. It's the real thing. But castles are a bit harder to come by in the south of France, and offhand I can't think of anything to recommend.

It is about 10 years ago now but we had the most wonderful stay at Chateau du Rochegude near Avignon. Full of history, wonderful ambience and we had the most amazing dinner there.

There are not many castles in Spain where you can actually spend the night, but there are a few. The rest are great for to visit, including the Castle in Segovia that served as the model for Disney's Magic Kingdom.

One castle where you can spend the night is the 12th century castle, the Parador de Sigüenza, in the province of Guadalajara, about 1-1/2 hours northeast of Madrid. This is one of the prized castles in the Parador system. Another classic medieval castle, if you follow the route through Navarra, is the 15th century castle Parador de Olite, reopened in 2004 after major renovations.

You shouldn't forget the Parador de Cardona, another classic medieval castle whose walls date from the 9th century. This one is located just out side of Barcelona in the village of Cardona.

For a complete list of castles in Spain, you can visit the following web site:

http://www.castillosnet.org/spanishc...rce/mapa.shtml

Thank you, everybody. Lots of wonderful suggestions! D

the national parador system has 16 historic buildings.. many of which are castles, and now hotels.

www.paradores.es

alarcon is one of my favorites.. halfway from vlc. - mad.

jaen.. another.

oropesa

and guadalupe.