The Royal Pavilion may sound like a typical tourist trap but Brighton doesn’t do anything the normal way and this royal palace isn’t any different. From the outside you wouldn’t think this was once a royal residence commissioned by King George IV when he was still Price Regent. The first thing you’ll notice is it doesn’t tower above you; there are no intimidating walls, motes or turrets as seen in traditional castles. In fact it looks more like something out of a movie set trying (and not quite succeeding) to look like a palace from the far east. This is because it was built just over 200 years ago by a young man who was fascinated with China and India despite never actually visiting these countries. One of the first large rooms you reach when walking round is the grand banquet room with the most imposing and mesmerising chandeliers you’re ever likely to see. The lavish décor is very eastern and the extravagant décor is too grandiose to be overwhelming but as you walk round the other side of the first floor you come into the library and drawing rooms that suddenly offer a more sombre décor. These rooms were completed after the Prince Regent became king and suddenly had to grow up.

Royal Pavilion, Brighton, UK by Richard Randall

Shopping

Once you’ve had enough history grab a map (or an app) and head into The Lanes and North Laine to check out some incredibly eclectic shops. The Lanes are famous for their jewellery and antique shops, no matter what you find in them, you can be sure there aren’t many other people out there with the same item. The reason this shopping destination is so iconic is because of their narrow walkways, in some place there isn’t enough room for two people to pass head on. Although natives can navigate their way round these lanes with ease, first timers can find themselves getting turned around, but don’t worry, this isn’t London, if you get lost find a local and ask for help, most Brightoneons will be happy to help. Once you’re don’t with The Lanes, head over to North Laine, Gardner Street, Kensington Gardens and the surrounding streets for a range of eclectic shops sure to cater to everyone from music lovers, shoe hoarders, clothes addicts and everything in between. If you love junk shops, anything retro or just something a little bit different have a walk round Snoopers Paradise on Kensington Gardens – you’re going to need that sense of direction again though.

Dinner

You can’t throw a pebble from the beach in Brighton without hitting a dozen restaurants, cafes and bars but the trick with finding somewhere amazing to eat in Brighton is not to judge a book by its cover. You can head over to one of the expensive hotels but the best restaurants are hidden in plain sight, usually on the sea front and have been battered by the assault of the salty weather over the years. If you’re in Brighton it really needs to be a sea food dinner and the best sea food restaurant in Brighton has to be The Melrose just opposite from the old West Pier, it might look like a throw back from the nineties from the outside and the inside décor doesn’t fare much better but the menu is a fish lover’s dream with everything from oysters to lobster with the usual code and plaice thrown in too. The food is always cooked perfectly, the service is second to none and the prices are incredibly reasonable. If sea food isn’t for you then try Stekis still on the sea front but closer to the main pier for mouth-watering traditional Greek food. You have no reason to even look at the non-descript restaurant chains when in Brighton.

Brighton Pier, UK by stephen jones

The Pier

You’ve had a great day, you’ve seen some landmarks, done some shopping and you’re well fed. No trip to the sea side would be complete without actually visiting the sea side. All along the water’s edge there are plenty of bars and when the weather is nice there’s nothing like a drink out on the beach. If you’ve gone for dinner at one of the places mentioned above, walk down to the promenade by the West Pier, find an inviting looking bar and head in for a drink. Once you’re done carry on towards the Pier, stopping to look at the artists galleries peppered along your left hand side. Once you reach the pier stroll along it, play the slots in the amusements, have your caricature drawn or tarot read and once you reach the end go on a few of the rides. The Booster should only be attempted if your dinner has well and truly gone down and you’re not faint hearted. As you head back down the pier stop for some good old fashion candy floss or doughnuts and munch them as you head over to the Brighton Wheel, for less than a tenner you can spend 15 mins and see the whole city from a height and take in just how awesome it is.

And there you have it, the perfect day out in Brighton.

Jessica spent several happy years living in Brighton and now works for Travelworldrv.co.uk where you can find the perfect vehicle for exploring the amazing cities and country side the UK has to offer.

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Budapest, Hungary by Marco Aurelio Martins Costa

One particularly captivating country looking for TEFL teachers is Hungary, a fabulously cultural and historic country in Europe. With amazing castles and stunning world heritage sites, as well as bustling cities such as Budapest and the romantic Danube River, the country is unique in its charm and attraction.

The positions in Hungary are in locations like Tata and Budapest, offering competitive wages and in some cases, offer accommodation as part of the employment package.

TEFL England gives you free, lifetime access to the TEFL Job Centre when you enrol on one of their courses, which is extremely handy for keeping you up to date with all of the most recent TEFL employment opportunities. As well as this, there is access to the employer’s directory, which has literally thousands of contacts. They offer full support throughout your course, in aspects like C.V. and interview advice, job placement guidance and even in basic things like choosing the right course for you. This helps make your TEFL experience very straight forward.

Hungary is a fantastically vibrant place to work and live, and an ideal setting to start your TEFL journey.  If you have your sights set somewhere else in Europe, however, why not look to teach English in The Czech Republic, France, Spain, Russia, Finland, Germany – and the list goes on! TEFL is a truly rewarding experience, and a brilliant opportunity to become fully immersed in an exciting and unfamiliar environment.

For more information visit: https://teflengland.co.uk/ or have a look at some of the TEFL jobs available worldwide on: https://teflengland.co.uk/tefl-jobs.asp.

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St. Michael’s Mount, Cornwall

Sitting atop a tidal island of the same name, St. Michael’s Mount is a great place to visit for anyone staying at campsites in Cornwall. As you can see from the pictures, it bears more than a slight resemblance to Mont St. Michel in Normandy, France because of its remote location. However, it is linked with the coastal village of Marazion by a narrow causeway composed of granite, much like the island itself. The castle is where Lord St Levan currently resides.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Gilles Messian

Stokesay Castle, Shropshire

For anyone wanting to go camping in the uninterrupted beauty of rural Shropshire, a visit to Stokesay Castle is well worth doing. Its origins as a dairy farm go back all the way to the 12th century, and it’s has the honour of being the oldest manor house in the whole of England. If you thought that there was very little to do in Shropshire, this castle will prove you wrong.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Chris Walsh

Skipton Castle, Skipton, North Yorkshire

Within a short distance of many top campsites in the nearby Yorkshire Dales, this castle lies within the popular market town of Skipton. Built in 1090 by Norman baron Robert de Romille, it has stood for over 900 years and remains in great condition. Having been under the ownership of the Clifford family from the 14th century all the way until 1676, today it’s a popular tourist destination as well as a private residence, which can be put down to the immaculate way in which it has been maintained.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Afshin Darian

Leeds Castle, Kent

Although you’d think it was in the large Yorkshire city, Leeds Castle actually lies just to the east of the small village of Leeds in Kent. It dates back to 1119, having previously been the site of a manor house as early as the 9th century. Leeds Castle enjoys a good reputation as a local tourist attraction, which is largely down to its striking looks.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Marc Evans

This article was brought to you by UK camping experts Pitchup

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Castle Coch

Located in the village of Tongwynlais just north of Cardiff, Coch Castle is favoured for its ideal fairy tale resemblance. Visitors are attracted right away by the fluted towers and charming drawbridge. Built upon the ruins of a former keep, the castle represents more of an impressive work of art than a military fortress. Designed in a Gothic Victorian style, the castle also features a beautiful ornate interior. The Lady Butte’s room is well worth checking out with its mirrored ceilings. From the top of the battlements, visitors can get splendid views across the Cardiff area. Surrounded by lush woodland, the castle grounds offer several walking and cycling trails and picnic spots.

Photo released under public domain. Source: wikipedia

Carreg Cennen Castle

Located in the village of Trapp, a few miles south of Llandeilo is the spectacular castle of Carreg Cenne. The castle is well noted for its strategic defence position atop a steep limestone cliff. Human remains found at the castle area have presented evidence of people living at the site as far back as prehistoric times. Rich in history, the castle has seen its share of sieges and battles and even being damaged during the War of the Roses. Visitors can tour the square court surrounded by high towers, the drawbridge and even explore a cave tunnel beneath the castle. Stunning views of the area can be seen from the tower and battlement tops.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by zingyyellow…wish I could bend space/time

Caernarfon Castle

Built in 1284, this Norman castle is one of the most popular attractions in Wales. The architectural beauty, hexagonal towers and imposing presence set it apart from other castles. It was here that the fourth son of Edward I was born and crowned as Prince of Wales. The castle was used in 1969 for the investiture of Charles, Prince of Wales. The castle features everything one expects in a castle from its lovely turrets, towers, interesting passageways and murder holes. From the tower top, visitors can see across the Menai Strait with its elegant suspension bridge and lovely countryside.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Bladeflyer

Pembroke Castle

Located in the west of Wales, the castle is well noted for its significance in Britain’s history as the birthplace of Henry VII. Founded in 1093 by Roger of Montgomery, it was also the residence of the Earl of Pembroke. The castle is so huge that it can take up to a half of a day to tour it. Here, visitors can explore corridors and rooms featuring tables that depict the history of the castle. Wander the outside grounds and feed swans at a nearby pond.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Wendy Mann

Conwy Castle

Located on the north coast of Wales, this beautiful castle was originally a stronghold built by Henry III and later replaced by King Edward I. Built on a high rock precipice, the castle is said to be haunted by an earlier resident. Featuring high curtain walls and eight round towers, the castle presents a dominating presence. Climb to the top for incredible views of the area. Children can learn about the castle’s history through a children’s trail and interactive displays.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Phillip Capper

Written by www.worldwidetravelguide.co.uk

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Bouzov castle is also possible birthplace of the Czech King Jiří z Poděbrad (George of Poděbrady), whose family – the lords of Kunštát – owned this castle from 1396 until the end of the 15th century. At the end of the 16th century almost the whole castle was destroyed by fire. The owners of the castle had not fully reconstructed it, but they tried to sell it. But there was nobody who would like to buy such a “ruin” so they forced Grand Master of the Order of the Teutonic Knights to buy it. In the 19th century the castle was rebuilt by a young Grand Master archduke Eugen of Austria in the style of German Neo-gothic. For the reconstruction was responsible Viennese architect Georg Hauberisser who designed the castle as a symbol of medieval traditions and the Teutonic Knights.

He built a new two-storey palace, demolished and restored the old high cylindrical tower. A magnificent furniture, including chairs, beds, tables and even a ceiling, was moved here from various castles. There were built the moat, walls with battlements, drawbridges and great medieval gates. At the same time was also equipped with very modern features, as it had functional bathroom, practical kitchen and phone. However until today it is not electrified.

Bouzov castle is now considered one of the most popular and most visited monuments in the Czech Republic. The castle was a place of several fairy tales, including Arabela, Fantaghirò, and Before the Fall, so if you want to get to the fairy tale for a while, do not wait and come!

The castle is opened from April to October during weekends and holidays only but daily from May to September and the basic admission is around €8. For further information visit official site of the castle (in Czech only).

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The area of today’s town was settled by The Livs (Livonians) already in 2000BC. The Livs lived here until the 12th century when they build several wooden forts on the tops of the local hills. At the beginning of the 13th century they were not able to resist against German raids and left. In 1207 the land on the right bank of the river Gauja belonged to the bishop of Riga and the left bank to the Knights of Sword Order. Both sides have built castles Satezele (later destroyed) and Segewald in important places, which should protect them from the opponent. From the name of the second castle – Segewald is probably derived the present name of Sigulda.

In the period from the 16th to 18th century Sigulda underwent a number of wars, but the decline of this medieval city was noticeable already during Livonian Wars. The first one who conquered the castle Segewald was Ivan the Terrible. Sigulda fell to the Swedes in 1601 for a short time, who completely burnt it down during the retreat. Due to constant unrest and fighting Sigulda almost disappeared from the earth’s surface. The life returned back here in 1625 when the whole area fell to the Russians. Great development came up with the construction of the railway Riga – Valka – Pskov in 1889. In 1928 it was registered as a town of Sigulda and increasingly becoming a place where the rich families moved from St. Petersburg and Warsaw.

The recreation potential was not discovered until 1920-1930 – in a time of independent Latvian state. In 1935 there were registered 375 rental vacation homes in Sigulda. During the World War II many monuments and houses were destroyed and burnt. Recovery occurred during the Soviet domination between 1950 and 1962. The city gradually became a regional hub again. Today the town of Sigulda with 11,000 inhabitants is a small spa resort and also an important winter sports center. There is a short ski slopes with ski lifts and groomed trails. The river will satisfy all lovers of water sports, you can try also rafting here.

The main attractions of Sigulda are the ruins of Segewald castle on the northeastern outskirts of the town. From its walls you can enjoy a beautiful view of the other side of the valley, where is located Archbishop’s castle Turaida built of red bricks in 1214.

The nearby Gauja National Park was established in 1973. It covers an area of ​​917 km2 and is divided into five functional zones. Its most valuable parts are the reservations, in which tourists are not allowed. Under high protection is also the Gauja River valley, which together with the valleys of its tributaries, create a very nice landscape feature. Also, from a geological point of view it is a very interesting area.

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Helmond Castle is everything you expect from a visit to the typical medieval castle. All archaeological treasures, replicas, guns, tools, pictures, paintings and other historical items that you can see here, will give you the opportunity to have a concrete idea of ​​life at the Castle Helmond. In combination with the view of this picturesque castle, your visit gets an unforgettable experience.

Helmond Castle has a square floor plan, in the corners there are rounded towers and is completely surrounded by the moat. There are other similar castles in the Netherlands, for example Ammersoyen Castle, Muiden Castle and partially preserved Radboud Castle. Helmond Castle’s walls are only 1.3 meters wide, therefore the castle has originally a double moat. This kept cannons during a possible attack at a safe distance from the castle.

Helmond Castle also serves as a museum, which is located in the basement of the castle. You will find here something about the history of the castle and the city of Helmond and art gallery.

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Helmond Castle was built around 1420 by the family Van Berlaer to replace their former castle. This, originally wooden fort, was already built in 1350 and its remains were found during the excavation about 250 m southwest of the castle. In 1549 Helmond Castle was strongly damaged by fire. During The Eighty Years’ War the castle was on the side of Spain. The castle was under siege several times in its history, in 1581 even by the government troops. Although the city of Helmond was conquered, Helmond Castle was not, so the army had to leave the town.

In 1587 the soldiers came back again, but the castle remained unconquered again. Thus, despite the thin walls, Helmond Castle was very well situated from a military point of view. In 1602, however, luck turned. The castle was besieged by the government troops under the command of Prince Maurits. He used six cannons. All 45 soldiers at the castle was forced to surrender. All those sieges caused many damages. In 1603 the castle was conquered again, this time by the soldiers of the Walen.

This happened during the reign of the family Van Cortenbach who were not much interested in the Castle Helmond, mostly because its members lived on their sites in the southern Netherlands (today Belgium). Therefore, in the 18th century, they sold the Castle Helmond to the lower nobles of Utrecht. He renovated and re-arranged the castle and his heirs lived here until 1920, when it was sold to the city council. They established a city hall here. Since 1982 Helmond Castle does not serve as the town hall anymore, but still hosts weddings and other festive ceremonies.

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The Gothic appearance of the castle was changed by several reconstructions, especially interior which is now more in Baroque or Rococo style. The tour leads through fifteen rooms, richly furnished mostly with stylish furniture, with valuable paintings and carpets. Visitors can see here a unique collection of 545 copper engravings, depicting the entire history of the Thirty Years’ War, but also a collection of historic weapons, art porcelain, hunting trophies, and many other attractions. During the season there are thousands of tourists, who have the opportunity to use also hiking and biking trails. Today the castle is owned by the Sternberg family.

The castle in open from April to October and basic admission fee is 100CZK (€4). It is situated only about 40km from Prague, so if you have one free day while visiting Prague, this castle is a great idea to spend it.

For further information visit Official website of Český Šternberg Castle

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The complex consists of the palace with 126 rooms, opera house, Diana’s Temple, the Temple of Venus, the Hermitage, the Chinese pavilion, dance hall, puppet theatre and a large French garden. The castle was a home of the Austrian composer Joseph Haydn for almost thirty years. Even Empress Maria Theresa lived here in 1773.

After the death of Count Esterházy, the family left and the castle remained empty for nearly a whole century. During the Second World War, the chateau served as a hospital and was damaged. In the past few years the castle has been partially renovated and rebuilt into a hotel. Today there are 26 rooms ​​available.

There is a museum and music hall. Every year it hosts International Music Festival and Weeks of music.

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Castillo de Coca is preserved example of medieval architecture in Spain. It is located above the river Voltoya and is protected by a broad and deep moat, which has a length of approximately 560 meters. It was built by Don Alonso de Fonseca, Archbishop of Seville in the 15th century. Besides its advanced defensive system, Castillo de Coca has also very nice interior decoration. Here you find Gothic ribbed vault mosaics and various geometric motifs.

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Castillo de Coca belonged together with castles of Cuéllar, Arévalo and Olmedo to a strategic fortification system. Thanks to the cleverly formed defence the castle was first occupied in 1808 by Napoleon’s army. In recent years, the castle was used as a forestry high school, but it is publicly accessible. Its main attraction is the decoration of the interiors and museum.

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Photo: karaco1971

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