If you consider yourself a history buff, you will, of course, want to be there to actually see it. There is no second best to the real thing. And if it’s ancient history that floats your boat, your target(s) could be scattered all over the planet, and that can end up being a complicated and expensive effort. Still, to each their own.
Another element of being the amateur historian is whether you want to generalize, or drill down (with surgical focus) on the era or place ticks your boxes. The world is scattered full of history of all kinds and locations. Here, we’ll be focusing on Europe, with the country of Wales as our destination. Why Wales? European history inevitably kings, dukes, queens and the like. Wales is part of Europe, and if it’s castles that give you the tingles, Wales is a living breathing outdoor museum with more castles and ruins that you’ll likely find anywhere else. Let’s start, below. The nice thing is that they’re all easily accessible by car or rail.
Conwy Castle (North Wales): A UNESCO World Heritage site, this imposing fortress built by Edward I is remarkably well-preserved, with its eight massive towers and town walls still largely intact. Getting there: Conwy has a train station right in the town. It’s also easily accessible by car via the A55.
Harlech Castle (North Wales): Perched dramatically on a clifftop overlooking the sea, Harlech is a World Heritage site with a rich history and stunning views. Getting there: Harlech has its own train station on the Cambrian Coast Railway Line. It’s also accessible by car (A496).
Beaumaris Castle (Anglesey, North Wales): Considered a perfect example of a concentric castle, Beaumaris is a UNESCO site, although never fully completed, its design is architecturally fascinating. Getting there: Take a train to Bangor, then a bus (Arriva Bus #58) to Beaumaris. Driving via the A55 and then the A5 onto Anglesey is straightforward.
Hiring a car is a super way to get around. And European cars are a blast to drive. To book, click here.
Don’t want to drive? OMIO has rail, buses, flights and ferries to get you around. To book, click here.