Castle tips

Red Carnation Hotels is making a splash in Scotland.

Without question, you can spend plenty of money in Slovenia. In every corner of the country, there are enough high-end resorts, wellness centers, hotels, vineyards and restaurants to make any five-star visitor feel at home. But it's also an ideal destination for budget travelers.

Sitting on Pollepel Island in New York's Hudson River, a stunning piece of history is slowly crumbling away.

In the heart of Northumberland, England, lies a castle and country house that draws history buffs, architectural enthusiasts, and movie fans alike.

With the recent release of the acclaimed Hulu historic epic TV miniseries Shogun, travelers are itching to explore firsthand the land of samurais, geishas, picturesque villages and urban centers throughout Japan that epitomize the thrilling spirit of Shogun. Based on James Clavell’s 1970s novel, Shogun is the story of William Adams, better known as Anjin-san, who rose to become the top advisor to Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu in feudal Japan in the early 17th century.

There’s a party atmosphere round the lighthouse on Chanonry Point near Inverness, the UK’s best place to see dolphins from land. It’s an hour after low tide and there are pipers, picnics and kids running barefoot over long, evening sands. Already in late spring, the sun barely seems to set in the Highlands. The kelp-strewn pebbles are glowing as I walk from the bus stop near Fortrose cathedral (bus 26/26A from Inverness) along one side of the promontory. The dolphins don’t show up. But, somehow, it’s fine – the first of many reasons to return. It’s still light as I walk back along the beach for a 9pm bus, past wild lupins and views of Fort George and pink clouds over the Moray Firth. I’m in Inverness at the start of a week exploring Scotland’s wild north coast by train and bus.

When one thinks of the quintessential English experience, images of Shakespearean drama in the heart of London or the elegance of the Cotswolds might first spring to mind. Yet, the true essence of England's rich history and cultural depth can also be found in the less trodden paths of the North.

Italy has long been the darling of American travelers, ranking at or near the top of the most popular European destinations for folks traveling from the States.

My first conscious memory occurred on the lower landing of a staircase that spiraled up four floors of the 14th-century, moat-encircled Gjorslev castle in Denmark. I was hugging the railing while my tweed-clad grandfather, Edward Tesdorpf, who owned the place, smiled at me as he walked down the hall to take care of his ever-expanding farm businesses. I was 3 years old.

The folly of a polarizing, mercurial man casts an enchanting aura 1,600 feet above California’s Central Coast at San Simeon. Its towers punch through the Pacific’s signature blanket of fog more often than not, lording over a labyrinth of halls, galleries and swimming pools frozen in a Great Depression homage to the Gilded Age.

The best way to get around Puglia is definitely by renting your own set of wheels, be they four or two. While you can easily navigate major cities with trains and buses, the same is not true when you leave the city.

When is a hotel more than a place to sleep? When it’s in a building with a storied past, allowing guests to go back in time to the Gilded Age or Edwardian era as easily as they go to the gym or spa.

Step into the world of Jane Austen, Downtown Abbey, and Bridgerton, by planning a tour of some of Britain’s most historic sites and beauty spots.

Lindsay Lohan is back for Netflix’s hit rom-com Irish Wish, currently ranking on the U.S. movie charts on streamer at the No. 1. As you’re watching, you might be wondering where Irish Wish was filmed and if you can visit the breathtaking castles, cliffs, lakes and other locations in real life.

Explore Spain’s world-famous natural scenery and cultural heritage – and savor its acclaimed cuisine at every pit stop – with a road trip across this beautiful country.

Unless you've been sleeping under a rock, you probably know that people are obsessed with "The Traitors," the Peacock reality game show that pits celebrities against each other as a group of "faithfuls" tries to weed out the lying "traitors."

The cities of Scotland may be full to the brim with history and atmosphere, but it's the countryside in between that captures most visitors' hearts.

For over 300 years, Martell has existed as one of the world’s top-selling luxury cognac brands. In fact, it is the oldest of the so-called “big four” major producers that have helped define how the liquid has been embraced across the globe. Now the house has found a way to re-define luxury within the category. L’Or de Jean Martell – Réserve du Château de Chanteloup is the inaugural expression in an ongoing series of ultra-premium XO, wherein each release will highlight a partnership with a historic French estate.

Most people start their visit to the Czech Republic in Prague, the cradle of Czech culture and one of Europe’s most intriguing capitals.

Osaka is half the size of Tokyo but just as much fun. Lightning-quick shinkansen trains link the two cities in a little over two hours while nearby cities of Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara are an easy day trip. Osaka itself is home to its namesake castle, scores of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, and a belting street food scene. The central districts are defined by Honmachi, Dōtonbori, Namba (Minami), and Kita (Umeda) although Osaka Bay is a handy base for visiting Osaka Aquarium (Kaiyukan) and Universal Studios Japan. Mingling Japanese and Western traditions, these are the top-rated Airbnbs in Osaka’s coolest neighborhoods.

Kyoto, Japan has become one of the hottest destinations around the globe in recent years, and for good reason. Surrounded by lush mountains, rivers, and bamboo groves, and studded with exquisite gardens, the city’s natural beauty is positively enchanting.