The Kasteel De Haar, or the Castle De Haar, in all its grandeur, is one of the most attractive focal landmarks of the country. Including over 200 rooms designed in rich ornaments and architecture dating back to ancient centuries, the castle evokes images of royalty and splendor. It is a true architectural treasure that provides insights into the history of The Netherlands. From the distant past of the early kings to the rich ancient heritage, the castle naturally appeals to anyone who lays their eyes on it. The immense structure is surrounded by a magnificent garden and park with lush green trees that speak of a royal past. Get to this extraordinarily beautiful palace and experience the glory of the place.

Wartburg Castle dates back to the Middle Ages and has witnessed many historical events. It was at this very place where Martin Luther is said to have translated the Bible for the layman and where St. Elisabeth of Hungary stayed for a long time. A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, this castle's architecture mainly reflects Romanesque designs, and its premises also feature a museum. Castle timings and admission fees may vary. Check the website for more details.

Perched at the craggy edge of Castle Rock, the world-renowned Edinburgh Castle, with its brooding grey fortification, was once the military centerpiece of the British army in Scotland. Along with fulfilling its duties as a wartime fortress, it was also the residence of King Malcolm Canmore and Queen Margaret in the 11th Century. Within its dark grey walls and even beyond them, the Edinburgh Castle is home to some of the most marvelous relics of Scottish history, meriting it one of the most popular paid-attractions in the world. The oldest monument atop the volcanic Castle Rock promontory is St Margaret's Chapel, beside which Mons Meg, a colossal siege gun dating back to the 15th Century stands in historic pride. At the heart of the castle's main complex, one can almost hear the deafening silence of the Great Hall, the erstwhile site for several royal ceremonies and the place of congregation for the Scottish Parliament. A little further toward the east, the Royal Palace proudly displays the sparkling crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny. Together with its remarkable past and beautifully preserved elements of history, both Castle Rock and the Edinburgh Castle form solid units of Scotland's royal and political heritage.

The walls of the Prague Castle encompass a whopping 70,000 square meters (750,000 square feet) within their embrace, making this the largest ancient castle in the world. Shaped over 13 centuries, the origins of the castle go back to 870 CE when the Church of the Virgin Mary was built. Former residence of the kings of Bohemia, Roman Emperors and the Presidents of Czechoslovakia, the regal abode is rife with historic treasures, man-made marvels and artistic triumphs. A mélange of architectural styles that spans the ages, the castle is an inspiring sight to behold; a monumental, visual chronicle of the march of time and the prevalent trends of each era. Of special interest is the St. Vitus Cathedral boasting vibrant stained glass windows and the tomb of St. John of Nepomuk.

Resembling something drawn straight out of a fairytale, the magnificent Bojnice Castle is a work of architectural finesse. Once a wood-built fortress, the castle was later reconstructed in stone, many royal bloodlines and lineages have inhabited its walls. Modeled on the romantic castles of the Loire valley, Bojnice Castle lords over the red-roofed houses of the town in all its splendor. Touted to be one of the most famous of Slovakia, the castle is set amidst a charming landscape, which is replete with lush groves, winding pathways and rumbling green lawns. Surrounded by an uneven rocky terrain and thick vegetation, this is one of the most-visited castles in the region, and is known to leave its visitors in awe of its beauty. Its facade is a blend of fine Renaissance and Neo-Gothic nuances, and the castle is topped by quintessential conical roofs. The turrets and towers that flank it accentuate its elegant demeanor. Its insides are a canvas of sheer opulence; the colossal Bojnice Castle is where time halts and history unfolds.

This masterpiece of Moorish architecture is one of the most inspiring set of buildings in Spain and is consequently the country's most visited historic site. A visual feast of intricate details, splendid courtyards and opulent ornaments, Alhambra is a place where artistic flourishes abound amid stately facades. The complex is made up of three parts: a fortress (Alcazaba), royal palaces (Alhambra) and a summer palace with luxuriant gardens (Generalife). The buildings date mainly from the 13th and 14th Centuries, after the Arabic Nasrid prince, Ibn al-Ahmar, made Granada an independent Moorish state. Each succeeding Nasrid ruler continued to beautify the royal palaces, combining wood, plaster, marble, brick and ceramic tiles with Arabic calligraphy, the scene enriched by tranquil waterways and babbling fountains amid landscaped gardens alive with birdsong.