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Schloss Fuschl, Austria -

Overlooking the alpine-fresh Lake Fuschi near Salzburg, Schloss Fuschl appears straight out of a fairy-tale. The property, which dates back to 1450, is set on its own forested peninsula.

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Hunguest Hotel Palota, Hungary -

The achingly romantic Hunguest Hotel Palota is located in the eastern part of the Bükk Mountains in Lillafüred, just a two-hour drive from Budapest.

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Burghotel Auf Schönburg, Germany -

Crowning scenic Oberwesel, Schönburg is one of the most beautiful castle hotels in Germany. Its foundations date back to 911, but what you see today are surviving buildings from the 17th century.

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Hotel CastelBrando, Italy -

Nestling in the Prosecco Hills halfway between Venice and the Dolomites, Hotel CastelBrando occupies one of the largest and oldest castles in Europe. The property is set near two of the most beautiful villages in Italy: Cison di Valmarino and Follina.

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Castle Leslie, Ireland -

Surrounded by the verdant, undulating County Monaghan countryside, Castle Leslie dates back to 1870. A favorite celebrity retreat (Paul McCartney married Heather Mills in the family church located on the estate in 2002), guests are treated with similar discretion at one of Europe's most luxurious rural bolt- holes.

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Schloss Hotel Thun, Switzerland -

Perched decoratively high above the picturesque town of Thun is the Schloss Hotel Thun, a turreted castle property that dates back to 1190. Top room views take in the distant Alps.

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Ashford Castle, Ireland -

Dating back to the medieval period and expanded during the Victorian era, Ashford Castle was once owned by the Guinness family. It became a hotel in the early 1940s and its film-set looks have served as a historic backdrop for a number of movies, including 'The Quiet Man' (1951) starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara.

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Pousada de Óbidos, Portugal -

Óbidos is often cited as one of Portugal's most beautiful destinations. Ancient walls enclose Vila de Óbidos, itself guarded by a medieval castle. Tucked inside its walls is the delightful Pousada de Óbidos, a charming hotel property that features 9th-century architectural details.

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Castell Deudraeth, Wales -

The fanciful-looking Castell Deudraeth is a preferred overnight option for many visitors to the tourist village of Portmeiron, in North Wales.

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Kokkedal Castle, Denmark -

This noble 18th-century property lies 30 km (19 mi) north of Copenhagen. A stately country escape, Kokkedal sits in its own grounds surrounded by nature.

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Parador de Oropesa, Spain -

A 14th-century castle that was later converted to a palace, Parador de Oropesa is today one of Spain's most sought-after historic accommodation options. It overlooks the pleasant medieval town of Oropesa, near Toledo.

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Schloss Ranzow, Germany -

Distinguished by a singe crenellated tower, Scholss Ranzow stands secluded in Lohme on the Baltic Sea island of Rügen.

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Häckeberga Slott, Sweden -

Häckeberga Slott is a 19th-century castle-mansion that was converted to represent a neo-Renaissance hotel with French flourishes. It's located on an island in Lake Häckebergasjön, near the village Genarp, not far from the historic town of Lund.

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Castello Banfi Il Borgo, Italy -

High-quality wines are produced in Castello Banfi Il Borgo, which makes the village's castle hotel a favorite stop-over for wine lovers and anybody else who appreciates the tranquil Montalcino countryside ambiance.

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Lough Eske Castle, Ireland -

A historic castle dating back to the 15th century and closely identified with the O'Donnell Clan, the founding fathers of Donegal, Lough Eske is deserving of its reputation as one of the region's most appealing countryside retreats.

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Oscarsborg Hotel, Norway -

The fortress-like Oscarsborg Hotel sits in the middle of Drøbak Sound on the approach to Oslo. The stronghold is of great historical significance: Oscarsborg is known for the sinking of the German cruiser Blücher on April 9, 1940, when its guns engaged the ship at very close range. The wreck lies at the bottom of Oslofjord, and in 2016 was designated as a war memorial.

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Engelenburg Castle, Netherlands -

A castle-mansion located in Brummel, Engelenburg Castle dates back to the Middle Ages. A stay here is to overnight in a historic national monument. Approaching the hotel takes you over a moat.

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Château de Bagnols, France -

The 15th-century Château de Bagnols nestles in the heart of the Beaujolais vineyards in France's Rhône department. It has served as one of the region's most elegant and appealing hotel properties since the early 1990s.

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Amberley Castle, England -

Amberley was erected as a 12th-century manor house and fortified in 1377. Named for the pretty village of Amberley in West Sussex, it has served as a hotel since 1988.

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Schlosshotel Kronberg, Germany -

Built between 1889 and 1893 for the German empress Victoria, this former royal residence sits regally in carefully-manicured grounds near the little town of Kronberg im Taunus. The hotel makes for a convenient rural escape from nearby Frankfurt.

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Pestana Cidadela Cascais, Portugal -

The coastal resort of Cascais, set 30 km (18 mi) west of Lisbon, is where to find Pestana Cidadela Cascais, a hotel property built within the massive walls of the Citadel of Cascais, a set of fortifications built between the 15th and 17th centuries to defend the Cascais coastline and the River Tagus estuary, and to protect against attacks on Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.

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Château de Mirambeau, France -

One of France's most distinguished château hotel properties, Château de Mirambeau stands as a Renaissance jewel in the heart of Bordeaux wine country.

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Fonab Castle Hotel, Scotland -

When shrouded in early morning mist, Fonab Castle Hotel in Pitlochry, Perthshire, appears simply as one of the most romantic and serene castle hotels in Scotland. Built in 1892, it's set on the banks of Loch Faskally.

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Castello di Monterone, Italy -

Set just outside the beautiful city of Perugia in Umbria, Castello di Monterone dates back to the 13th century. The hotel, fashioned within the centuries-old structure, features just 18 rooms. It's suggested that Templar knights were linked to the castle: the Catholic military order owned the nearby Monastery of San Bevignate.

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Chateau Liblice, Czech Republic -

Just one hour's drive from Prague, splendid Chateau Liblice is a Baroque masterpiece that once served as a residence for local nobility. After extensive renovation, the castle-mansion appears today much as it did in the 17th century. It reopened as a hotel in 2007.

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Castello di Gargonza, Italy -

Commanding breathtaking views of the bucolic Tuscan countryside, the 13th-century Castello di Gargonza incorporates an entire hilltop village within its accommodation options.

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Schloss Wartegg, Switzerland -

Completed in 1557, Schloss Wartegg boasts an impressive history, including a time when it served as a refuge for Zita, the last Empress of Austria. Today, this castle hotel in Rorschacherberg welcomes an equally discerning clientele.

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Schlosshotel Klink, Germany -

Recognized for its ink black witch hat turrets, Schlosshotel Klink looks over tranquil Lake Müritz to exude a spirit of sophisticated seclusion.

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Festningen Hotel, Norway -

Another former Norwegian military establishment turned hotel accommodation, the solid walls of Festningen, a 17th-century fortress, these days shelters a unique place to stay. Located at Kongsvinger, the fortress once protected Napoleon's northwestern flank, and has played a significant role in Norway's history and independence.

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Bovey Castle, England -

The centerpiece of a grand county estate in Dartmoor National Park, Bovey Castle was completed in 1907 and was originally home to landed gentry. It has operated as a hotel since 1930, and includes an 18-hole championship golf course among its leisure amenities.

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Castello Delle Quattro Torra, Italy -

A 13th-century Sienna bed-and- breakfast option, what Castello Delle Quattro Torra lacks in rooms it makes up for in genuine period allure. The building stands over a medieval courtyard, one of the most attractive in Tuscany.

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Castle Durrow, Ireland -

This impressive 18th-century country mansion in County Laois served as a country pile for a well-to-do family before later becoming a school. In the 1990s, it was transformed into the stately Castle Durrow Country House Hotel.

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Castel Porrona, Italy -

Set in a restored medieval castle, Castel Porrona stands as the centerpiece of Porrona, a charming village tucked way in the hills of Montalcino in Tuscany.

Sources: (IrishCentral) (Royal Central) (Templars Route European Federation) (World War II Database)

See also: Europe’s cleanest waters, ranked

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