From the first moment checking-in to a Chateau for a three-night stay I knew I was profoundly changed forever. I knew holidays abroad would never be the same again. I knew that I had to continue working hard in order to retain the privilege of spending more nights in such wonder. Never did I imagine that someone like me could experience such splendor and history without going broke in the process.
When we first began this Chateau odyssey the Internet wasn’t in existence. Today, one can find most of the information they need on the Internet. Having spent the last twenty-27 years cataloging mountains of information, most of which was collected during our travels, I felt compelled to share things that have been most helpful during our travels, including my personal picks of as many accommodations that could be found.
For those choosing what is referred to as a “private residence” Chateau accommodation, it is crucial to remember these are not hotels (or public Chateaux) but private family homes who take in paying guests. This is not considered bed and breakfast, merely due to the status of the owners and your surroundings. When staying at one of these private family homes please do not loose sight that you are in someone’s home. Room service may not be an option in many cases the freedom to roam just anywhere could also be limited.
Furthermore, making oneself ‘at home’ in some of these offerings is dictated solely at the discretion of the proprietor. You may not have access to the entire house/Chateau. We personally do not prefer such accommodations, as we thoroughly enjoy room service and want to always feel welcome wherever we stay, especially when a paying guest.
My husband and I found this out first hand when staying at a Chateau in Montlouis-sur-Loire, France many years ago, when we were still green in our travels. Further details of this adventure are posted a little further in this chapter. This Chateau would ultimately be introduced to America via an MTV production called the ‘Real World’ followed a few years later by ‘Joe Millionaire’ which also took over the Chateau for one season.
With the large number of stately residences scattered throughout Europe, these ancestral homes have become too costly to maintain. Though owners strive to keep these homes in their families, it has become more and more difficult for them to maintain on their own. There is a vast real estate market out there for manor houses, castles and chateaux primarily due to the maintenance costs. In order to supplement their expenses many private homes accept paying guests for the spring and summer seasons. Most are not open during the winter, as many are not heated. For those who like to boast you can even stay in the home of a Count, Countess, Baron, Princes and alike! This however was not what inticed us to these surroundings, but history, and our appreciation of architecture as well as decorating and design.
During a stay at Chateau de la Bourdaisiere in the Loire valley several years back we were shown to our room by a Prince, whose own bedroom was right across the hall from ours. What was really uncomfortable to us there were no locks on the door to our room. And not know who these people were from 'Adam', we did feel compelled to block our door when we went to sleep. Think about it, as you are in someones’ home, most people don’t have locks on there inside doors. You certainly will not run into any crowds staying in these places. You might even be the only guests as we were. One can feel very awkward and intimidated in this ‘family-home’ environment and personally feel it is more enjoyable staying in Chateaux that are not necessarily family operated. Because of this one experience, we never chose private residences for our travels, as I don't want to go to bed frustrated when I am on a holiday abroad.
Though suggestions are will be offered throughout my posts, all of the accommodations included were previously published in guides available to anyone. You will also be provided with general information about the countries featured, along with as many suggestions as possible for “On Your Own” travel.
I feel it is imperative for serious travelers to obtain more than basic knowledge about the country they are visiting. In light of this authors opinion I have included abbreviated histories on the countries included in this guide. Not meant as a history lesson but to further your respect and appreciation of your destined vacation spot. To visit a country or castle with no knowledge of its historical significance seems a waste. To visit places that have been written in history books will most definitely plant rich memories for years to come.
Better-yet to experience an overnight accommodation in a 17th century French Chateau or 18th century manor house in England, or some of the other unique hotels mentioned is a vacation within a vacation. Your children can see where knights lived, and know they too have also slept there.
Speaking of children, throughout the years of our travels we have seen many families on European holidays. Those with infants and junior high or older don’t seem to have so many difficulties, however families attempting to see Europe with toddlers in strollers and young children in constant need of parents attention is not what I would call a stress-free vacation. Smaller children cannot appreciate the significance of so many European treasure’s, whether a museum, or monument or shopping or whatever... and not a great idea for parents trying to survive through a European vacation. This author’s personal suggestion is to use 5th grade as a “right to passage” for such an expensive vacation. You want your children to remember where they were, and give them hope for the possibility of returning someday with their own families. A trip abroad for a child of junior high age or older is an education in itself and could spawn many years of interest and discussions with peers for years to come. It could also spawn the desire to learn foreign languages that will potentially benefit them when they become adults.
As one cannot travel in this day and age without the concern for safety abroad, without attempting to dictate how one should act when out of the country, I have but a few comments to make.
We have spent significant time with the British as well as Europeans to learn precisely what they think of us. Most of it has been good over the years, and not untill 911 and government policies enforced since that time has opinion become critical. We have also learned first hand what they thought of our all of our elected government's going back as far as the Reagan years, which unfortunately, wasn't really respected to any great extent.
Over 25 years, politics (US and the World) have been through some critical times, and they aren't getting any less complicated. We have personally found ourselves in some hairy situations over the years, that were outright intimidating and scary to us. We never look for trouble abroad and is better to leave American politics and opinions at home when visiting another country. It is one thing to discuss politics when you have friends on foreign soil, but to raise a political conversation on your own you are most likely setting yourself up for confrontational experience which I don't believe most people intend to do when taking a pleasure holiday.
American foreign policy (especially since 2001) does not sit well with a majority of Europeans (or the British) and they will not be shy in telling you so. They will not be shy in telling you that after a major conflict is fought on our soil (the U.S.) then we’ll talk again about who is right and wrong. Then, in the next breath they will thank you for saving their country in WWII.
As I never imagined the power of that little blue American Passport, when traveling through customs or through borders, one can still be a proud American without wearing a flag on your chest. Just be careful of what you might say and who you say it to. The world is not the same thanks to 911.
Copyright 10/16/2001 by Peggy S. Baker
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