Magical places to be discovered

3 de October de 2013

We all grew up with fairytales and fantasy stories – and if there’s one thing we’ve learned from our travels at InsureandGo, it’s that magical places really do exist!

Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, Germany

It might seem like something out of a fairytale, but the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria is so breathtakingly magical that it actually inspired the Disneyland version of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. In true form, the castle once did really belong to a real King, Ludwig II of Bavaria, who built it in the 1800s as a homage to German composer, Richard Wagner.

The Secret Garden, Japan

Frances Hodgson Burnett may not have had Japan in mind when she wrote The Secret Garden in 1911, but it’s easy to see why this destination, in Kitakyushu, is so wonderfully captivating.

The Enchanted Forest, Poland

The Enchanted Forest is one of the most popular fairytale and fantasy settings and has its origins in traditional folklore. Now, you can actually enchant yourself at the mysterious ‘Crooked Forest’ in Poland. Despite many rumours, no one knows how the trees actually came to be that way… perhaps it was a touch of magic!

Snow White’s Castle, France

It’s grand, it’s royal and it’s everything you imagine Snow White (or her evil stepmother) would have. The Chateau de Pierrefonds has been around since the 12th Century and is located on the edge of the Forest of Compiègne in northern France (possibly where you will find the Seven Dwarfs). The Castle was also used as the set for Arthur’s Camelot in the British television series, Merlin.

Great Waterfall of Narnia, China

Perhaps stepping through the back of your wardrobe won’t take you here, but a quick flight sure will! In the Chronicles of Narnia, the Great Waterfall flows down into the Cauldron Pond and gives life to the Great River.

Hogwarts School, UK

Some things are just too good to be true, but this definitely isn’t one of them! If you love the magical world of Harry Potter, Alnwick Castle in the UK is the place to be. It featured in the first two Harry Potter films as the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and many ‘magical’ classes are now held here for kids.

Ice Dragon’s Lair, Alaska

Ever wondered where dragons hang out during the winter? In giant ice caves, of course! The Mendenhall Glacier Ice Cave in Juneau could very well be home to many fantastical creatures. Enter if you dare!

Bridge of Nargothrond, Iran

Spanning across the River Narog, the Bridge of Nargothrond is one of the lesser known settings of Middle Earth, but it is still just as magical, since it was originally built by elves! Khaju Bridge in Isfahan, Iran, is perhaps a real example of what the Bridge of Nargothrond would actually look like. In the Middle East, it is considered one of the region’s finest examples of Persian architecture.