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Since childhood, Spanish baker Jose Paronella had dreamt of building a Moorish castle. In 1913, the adventurous 26-year-old left his village in Catalonia and moved to the tropical north of Australia. There he eventually found wealth as a sugar cane farmer, and was finally able to pursue his dream. 

In 1929, Paronella purch… (View original article)

Jose Paronella immigrated to Queensland from Catalonia, Spain in 1913 with a big dream: to build a castle. After working in sugar cane fields for a decade and a half, he finally purchased a plot of unspoiled land not far from Cairns and got to work. He planted trees, installed a fountain, and erected his grand, Spanish-style castle. In 1935, his dream opened to the public — dubbed Paronella Park. It was an instant tourist attraction (with tours conducted by Paronella himself) and a popular pl… (View original article)

A NEW film by VisitScotland has brought to life the breathtaking scenery and diverse array of activities on offer for visitors to Dumfries & Galloway.

The region has long been celebrated for its rugged landscapes, unspoiled coastlines and literary links but now a new film produced by VisitScotland brings to life the people and the places at the heart of the region and lifts the lid on what makes it a unique and memorable destination.

Produced in partnership with Dumfrie… (View original article)

Croatia is home to numerous gorgeous castles
By Iva Ralica

Considering the numerous beautiful castles around Croatia, it was a difficult task to choose only ten!

There are beautiful fortresses and ruins with magnificent views over the surrounding areas, but we just might leave those for another article. Many others are used for other purposes, such as the beautiful Lužnica castle near Zaprešić, Vojković castle in Oroslavje and Miljana near Kumrovec. Some also are no… (View original article)

Runners braved the elements to pound round a testing course in the second Brodie Castle 10K race.

A bumper field of 450 sold out more than a month in advance, with athletes eager to compete in the historic grounds of the 16th century keep.

Runners at the front of the field yesterday got the best of the conditions to make their way down the wide esplanade towards the finish line at the castle before the weather deteriorated.

Athletes were hammered by sleet, hail storm… (View original article)

A relaxing and delicious road trip though Southwest England. west England. Above is Bovey Castle. WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA LUBIN

By Lisa Lubin

There is probably no more festive time to visit England than during the holidays. The towns and villages are all done up in lights and the trimmings conjuring up days of yore.

Just 90 minutes west of London by train, Southwest England has some of the country’s most stunning coastline and quaint villages. The area… (View original article)

McNulty welcomes 2017 start for Killeavy Castle Hotel

SDLP MLA Justin McNulty has welcomed the news that construction work is to commence in early 2017 on the new Killeavy Castle Hotel and Wellness Centre.

Speaking to Newry Times, McNulty said, “This is a fantastic day for South Armagh as we get the news we have so long hoped for.

“Killeavy Castle is to be developed as a hotel with construction to begin in a few months’ time. This is an exciting project f… (View original article)

Less than half the £23m raised by the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red installation went to the charities involved

Historic Royal Palaces, the charity that runs the Tower of London, has defended the amount raised by its ceramic poppy display at the castle in 2014 after it faced criticism for the fact that less than half of the £23m raised went to the charities that took part.

The Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red installation, which was created by the ceramic artist Paul… (View original article)

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We have been able to access pictures of a new footbridge that it is hoped will be built at Tintagel Castle, North Cornwall.

English Heritage want to build the breathtaking bridge at the world… (View original article)

An abandoned century-old castle on a wooded hilltop in Danbury could be converted into a garden if the city’s voters approve a bond package on Tuesday. Hearthstone Castle has been slowly deteriorating for years, even as groups have fought to save it.

The castle’s stone walls are covered in ivy and graffiti. There’s a wire fence around the castle, but someone cut a hole in it.

Becky Petro, who is with a group that oversees the property, says, “This is the chronic problem we ki… (View original article)