When I was small I used to spend hours reading fairy tales like Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel, dreaming of rescue from the ogre’s grasp at the last minute by a handsome knight. It didn’t last long.  The small bit I mean. At the age of 14 I was 6 feet tall and thankfully stopped growing.  Being so long and frequently ungainly means the reality of any man literally sweeping me off my feet is unlikely but I can dream. 

Back to the fairytales. The success of Shrek caused me considerable confusion for some time.  I mean, the ogre was the good guy in those movies. Has the world gone slightly askew? Where were the frogs, how come the beautiful princess went into reverse?

Sadly, I have no answer to these questions but if you love adventure trips and you’re still a bit of an old romantic at heart, take a look at this lot:- 

 

Neuschwanstein Castle, Schwangau, Germany.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                          Image Via Wikipedia

That’s a mouthful! Forget trying to pronounce it and consider visiting instead. Situated in South Bavaria this picturesque castle was built in the 19th Century for King Ludwig II, known as the Fairytale King, who sadly died before it was completed.  With its gleaming white turrets it was in fact the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Today it’s the most popular castle in Germany and it’s perfect for falling into an endless sleep and waiting for Prince Charming. 

 

Alhambra Palace, Granada, Spain

                             Image Via Wikipedia

This ancient palace was built in the 14th century for the last Muslim king.  It was later adapted and renovated in parts on the order of King Charles V, giving it a unique mix of both European and Moorish influences. It has also been named as a World Heritage site but didn’t quite make it into the new 7 Wonders of the World.  It’s still worth hanging around to be rescued here with this view. 

 

 

Warwick Castle, England

                          Image Via Wikipedia

 

Built by William the Conqueror shortly after he did exactly what his name says after arriving in England, this castle was originally wooden.  I can’t imagine that holding out in an onslaught.  Sometime during the 12th century it was rebuilt in stone.  Every year actual jousting tournaments are held at Warwick Castle with real knights in armor!  Who knows, if you focus you could find yourself back in the day transformed into a bona fide damsel in distress. (I must apologize, I’ve recently watched the Christopher Reeve/Jayne Seymour movie Somewhere in Time where such an idea is reality. You’ll have to watch it and find out what I mean.  Don’t blame me though, my stepmom recommended it, it’s her sort of thing).  

 

Bran Castle, Romania

                               Image Via Wikipedia

 

OK, it’s not romantic, I admit that but it’s got to be one of the coolest places that you can claim to have been rescued from.  Bran Castle, often referred to as ‘Dracula’s castle’.  The character of the eponymous anti-hero in Bram Stoker’s novel was actually based on Vlad Tepes who, whilst never taking up residence, was locked up in its dungeons for two days whilst the Ottomans occupied Transylvania.  Imagine it as the lights dim and bats start to swoop just as your horses go lame.  Or your car develops a terminal fault or runs out of gas as it frequently does in the much loved teen horror movies. Why is there never a gas station for another 40 miles and why do they never fill up before they set out? Kids!

If your idea of hero is more in the Rocky Balboa mold I’ll leave you to create your own adventure trips.  Or maybe you’re the one who wants to do the sweeping up (I’m not talking brooms).  Whatever your preference there’s someone for everyone out there, but you may have to kiss a lot of frogs first. 

 

Author bio: Kate is an avid traveller with a passion for fairytale adventure trips and sharing her global experiences online.