Eltz Castle

Medieval castles and fortresses span Europe, documenting defense systems and princely seats from the 9th through 16th centuries. These sites include mountaintop strongholds such as Montségur in the Pyrenees, island fortifications like Trakai in Lithuania, and coastal defenses such as Kronborg in Denmark. Construction methods range from Romanesque towers to late medieval artillery positions, from Moorish palaces like the Alhambra to Gothic defensive structures like Burg Eltz. Many of these sites feature multiple rings of fortifications, underground passages, and residential quarters that provide insights into both military and civil aspects of medieval life. The collection includes locations in varied geographical contexts. Predjama Castle in Slovenia is built into a cliff face, while Eilean Donan in Scotland occupies a tidal island. Fortresses such as Sant Ferran near Figueres demonstrate 18th century military architecture with star shaped bastions. Some sites like Neuschwanstein were constructed in the 19th century in historicist style, combining romantic ideals with engineering advances of their era. Further examples include Château de Chambord in the Loire Valley, Peles Castle in the Carpathian Mountains, and Bojnice in Slovakia. These sites document functions ranging from border fortresses to royal residences and show the evolution of European military architecture across several centuries.

This collection guides travelers to destinations around the world sought by couples for romantic stays. The selection includes natural wonders such as Niagara Falls on the Ontario and New York border, Victoria Falls between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and Milford Sound in New Zealand. Historic sites like the Taj Mahal in Agra, Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, and the Pont des Arts in Paris offer architectural and cultural depth. Tropical destinations such as the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, Bora Bora in French Polynesia, and Ubud in Bali draw visitors preferring warmer climates. European locations feature prominently, including Venice with its Grand Canal, Santorini Island in the Cyclades, Positano in Campania, and Cinque Terre in Liguria. Kyoto's bamboo forest and Tokyo's cherry blossom festival represent Asian options, while Cappadocia in central Anatolia is known for its rock formations and hot air balloon rides. The Blue Lagoon near Grindavik offers geothermal bathing in Iceland, and Sapa in Lao Cai province displays rice terraces and mountain landscapes in Vietnam. Additional entries include Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia, Banff National Park in Alberta, and Kruger National Park in South Africa.

These castles represent significant architecture from medieval to modern times. The structures showcase military defenses, royal residences, and religious centers. From the Alhambra in Spain to Himeji in Japan, these fortresses document different architectural styles and historical periods.

Rhineland-Palatinate preserves centuries of European fortification architecture across a region shaped by river valleys and forested highlands. Medieval castles like Eltz Castle rise above the Moselle loop at Bremm, while Pfalzgrafenstein Castle sits on a Rhine island at Kaub, where it once controlled river traffic. Roman foundations lie beneath later structures such as Limburg Monastery near Bad Dürkheim, and Romanesque abbeys like Maria Laach demonstrate monastic design from the 11th century. The landscape ranges from the Teufelsfels rock formation in the Hunsrück to the ruins of Hardenburg, among the largest fortress complexes in the state. From the Rhine Valley with Stolzenfels Castle and the Loreley to the Palatinate fortresses of Hambach and Trifels, these sites document the region's strategic importance. Pyrmont Castle stands beside a waterfall near Roes, while the ruins of Frankenstein Castle near Kaiserslautern show medieval defensive works. Natural formations like the Kaltwasser Geysir at Andernach and the Geierlay Suspension Bridge at Mörsdorf complement the historical structures, providing access to the geological features between the Rhine, Moselle and Nahe rivers.