Enchanted Europe: the Magical Spots.
A world of make-believe may exist only in the books, movies and artworks that stir our souls, but the real-life inspiration behind the magic can be found on this Earth.
Whether you are looking to explore serene ravines and gorges of mountainous regions, or take a stroll through exquisitely maintained gardens, you will find enchanting environments at every corner of the continent.
What constitutes as a spellbinding sight is completely subjective. For some, simply being in the presence of the Eiffel Tower creates enough magic for a life-time. To others, a full-day trek to the tip of the elusive Trolltunga in the Norwegian mountains will provide a life-affirming experience that wont be forgotten.
Fairy-tale forests, delicate gardens + mystical gorges.
Across the continent, lush green pastures can be found to all who seek tranquillity. The natural enchantments of Europe range from grandiose finely tended gardens to rugged woodland areas. Taking a stroll through these whimsical environments, you will immerse yourself in some of the landscapes that have inspired generations of folk-tales and artworks.
Stepping into Les Jardins D'Etretat (📷) in Northern France, you would be forgiven for thinking that you had fallen down the rabbit-hole and ended up in Alice's Wonderland. This intriguing garden is filled with avant-garde sculptures, and is truly a unique and pleasant experience.
Interestingly, the concept behind the garden was spurred on by French artist Claude Monet, whose own personal garden estate (📷) has been maintained to its glorious condition since his death, and is still enchanting visitors to this day with its lily-ponds and floral patches.
In the alpine regions of Europe, the dramatic mountains that dominate the landscape are not the only awe-inspiring feats of nature to greet the eyes. Rivers flowing through the mountain passes and into the lowlands have carved out their paths through years of erosion, leaving stunning ravines and gorges in their wake. Few ravines in the continent are as dream-like as Sigmund-Thun-Klamm (📷). Nestled in the Austrian alps, a circuit of the excellent system of board-walks will provide stunning views of waterfalls and whirlpools.
Leaping straight from an illustrated book of fairy-tales, the elegant Garden of Ninfa in Central Italy is replete with crumbling overgrown ruins, charming stone bridges and rainbow-coloured flowers. Often touted as potentially 'the most romantic garden in the world', the special beauty of this landscape garden cannot be under-estimated.
Rickety board-walks and mossy trails wind through the ancient English forest of Puzzlewood (📷). The countless vibrant shades of green that compose this stunning fairy-tale woodland are a treat for the eyes, therefore it is no wonder that this dreamy forest was reportedly the driving inspiration for the fantasy world created in the Lord of the Rings books.
A leafy sculpture of a sleeping goddess rests peacefully in a tame corner of the Lost Gardens of Heligan, just one of many magical creatures that inhabit the area.
Rustic villages + towns worth dreaming about.
Well-preserved old towns can be found in abundance across Europe. Suspended in time, these pastoral towns offer an immersive glimpse into the rich history that is still prevalent in modern culture.
The half-timbered towns found in France and Germany will evoke vivid emotions of inhabiting a real-life Disney movie, and are ripe with the history and culture of the region. The old town hall of Bamberg (📷) was re-built in the midst of the 18th century, and is one of the prettiest buildings in Germany. Meanwhile, colourful homes in Colmar (📷) entice tourists in droves to revel in the peaceful medieval town centre.
Various pastel shades adorn the old town houses that populate lake-side Annecy (📷), aligning the idyllic canals that run through the town centre. Lake Annecy acts as the stunning backdrop for this quaint and peaceful Alpine town, and is a marvellous sight itself.
Sometimes, you don't even need to stray far from your big city break to get that magical vibe. The quaint Dean Village (📷) is a sleepy residential neighbourhood burrowed in the heart of Edinburgh. A gentle river flows through the centre of the fairy-tale village, and is the perfect spot to capture some respite and calm in the heart of the city. The hallowed cobblestone streets of Edinburgh itself are a spell-binding place to visit. J.K. Rowling was living here when she created the wizarding world of Harry Potter, and the influence of the city can be seen greatly in the movie franchise.
Otherworldly caves + caverns.
As a testament to the diverse landscapes found across the continent, caves in Europe take on many forms. Across the length of Europe you can find massive icy caverns carved into gigantic glaciers, fluorescent blue grottoes with crystalline waters and beaches encased in coastal caves.
The colossal glacier of Vatnajökull (📷) in Iceland spans over 3,000 square miles, concealing active volcanoes and mountains beneath its surface. Over time, expansive other-worldly ice caves have been carved into the glacier, and can be explored with the assistance of a tour guide.
One of very few instances on Earth, the beach of Benagil in Portugal's Algarve region is routed inside a sea cave. There is something distinctly enchanting about standing on the sandy surface of this cave, staring up through the open roof as you listen to approaching waves lapping against your feet.
Castles that continue to inspire.
It is said that Walt Disney drew great inspiration for his Magic Kingdom castle from breath-taking castles on European soil. The dramatic castle of Neuschwanstein perches atop a steep cliff, dominating the border region between Germany and Austria. The ability of this castle to make jaws literally drop is reflected in the mass exodus of tourists that flock to the site, with an average of 6,000+ daily visitors in the summer.
Another castle that is reputed to have influenced the architecture of Disney's fantasy creation is the illustrious Alcazar de Segovia in the heart of mainland Spain. Standing proud above the landscape on a rocky crag, the alcazar has one of the most unique and eloquent facades of any castle in Europe, and is a major tourist attraction for those who want to tick-off the list of essential fairy-tale castles.
Located in close proximity to one another, there are few day trips that can top the double bill of Palácio da Pena and Quinta da Regaleira. Located close to the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, these two palaces are the crown jewels of Sintra National Park, and are very distinct from one another.
The bright facade of Pena Palace is coated in an array of vibrant colours, and towers proudly above its surroundings. Meanwhile, the Gothic architecture of Quinta da Regaleira offers a more subdued and mysterious vibe. The hypnotic spiral stairwell at the centre of the interior has become weathered by time, and this only enhances its enchanting qualities.
Another fine example of magical architecture can be found in the Highlands of Scotland in the form of Dunrobin Castle. This stately home was completed in 1845, and has been wowing visitors for centuries. The lovely gardens that backdrop medieval Warwick Castle in England are a welcome addition to a sight-seeing destination seeping with history.
