The reality TV show, Love and Hop Hop Hollywood had tons of drama as usual, but one of the highlights for me in this season  was to see the cast in London. There’s so much beauty in London. I have a special love for castles, kings, and queens, so I love to visit anything that has to do with royalty. There’s so much to see! As you plan your trip, you might feel overwhelmed by all of the attractions, so here are some of the best things to do in London.

The Tower Bridge of London

Tower of London by David Stanley

The Tower Bridge is one of London’s most visited attractions. Go inside this iconic bridge for a glorious view of the city. Peruse the bridge don’t forget to bring your camera for amazing photographs of the view.

Tower of London

My visit to the Tower of London was one that I’d never forget. The buildings are immense, but it was the demonstrations around the castle that I remember most. We saw very entertainers, like jugglers and there were plenty of actors and actresses demonstrating various famous moments in time.

Crown Jewels

Best Things to Do in London:  This is a replica of Queen Victoria’s crown

Visiting the crown jewels in the Tower of London was a highlight of my trip to London. It’s one of the best things to do in London.  Now,  I don’t know if the jewels on display were real or not. Some of the other tourists were muttering that the jewels were fake. Since I was there to see the jewels as a member of the press, I was given a behind the scenes view of some of the clothing being repaired. I have to admit that it seemed as though one of the dresses that we saw in the Tower of London was a replica, because I saw the same dress in another room that they had set-up to repair the precious items.

Big Ben

Big Ben photo by Taz Wake

Big Ben is more than a clock. It is a mechanical wonder. You can’t visit England without touring Big Ben.

The London Eye

It’s been such a long time  since I’ve visited London that the London Eye was not even built yet. It opened in 1999, but when I get to London again, I’m definitely going to ride on the London Eye. Riding as a VIP would be an amazing experience.

Hampton Court Palace

My visit to Hampton Court Palace is more than a visit it was an actually stay. I stayed overnight in the castle, and it was an experience that I would never forget. From dramatic storytellers, I learned about history of some of the notorious residents of the palace. I ate scrumptious food, which I believe was cooked using traditional methods. Always will I remember the huge open fireplace in the dining area.

Highclere Castle

Highclere Castle has become even more popular since it’s been featured on the show, Downtown Abbey. It’s a picturesque castle that you’d love! Overnight stays are also available.

Buckingham Palace

A tour of Buckingham Palace is definitely a must, and it could possibly be the highlight of your trip. Plan to see the staterooms and the unforgettable grand staircase.

Hyde Park

If you are looking for some of the best things to do in London that are free, you should consider going to a park and the popular Hyde Park is a great choice.

Stonehenge

Stonehenge is a miraculous mystery that is a must-see while in the country. You will have to travel a bit outside of England to Wiltshire to get there, but it’s definitely work it.

Westminster Abbey

St. James Park

St. James Park is yet another lovely option for something free to do in the London area. It’s less than 2 miles away from London.

Aside from the table throwing, the Basketball Wives in Amsterdam was a great example of how to live your best life. Did you see the gorgeous countryside the Jackie, OG, Kristen and CeCe visited? Did you imagine yourself taking a boat ride like the Basketball Wives, without the confrontation, of course. Yes. You could swing by the Marijuana Museum or the Prostitution Museum, if you like.

Visit the Hash Marijuana and Hemp Museum like the Basketball Wives in Amsterdam

The Hash Marihuna and Hemp Museum is a favorite tourist attraction in Amsterdam. Shaunie O’Neal and Evelyn Lozada were a little too out of it to fully enjoy the museum during their visit, but if you don’t inhale marijuana before you go, you’re likely to see and learn about medicinal marijuana, how hash is made, and uses for hemp.  The museum is the oldest in the world dedicated to hemp or marijuana.

Museum of Prostitution

The Museum of Prostitutes is conveniently located in the Red Light District, housed in a former brothel. To curious visitors, it reveals the secrets of Amsterdam’s prostitutes.  Visitors can pose in a window  at the Museum of Prostitutes just to feel what it’s like to be a working girl, like the Basketball Wives did. Go inside one of the rooms where prostitutes. Learn sexy secrets and confessions.  The museum is sexy as well as educational. You’ll learn more than you ever thought you’d know about prostitution.

Basketball Wives in Amsterdam: Museum of Prostitution

Flower Market of Amsterdam

Floating Flower Market: Basketball Wives in Amsterdam

I love flowers, so I can’t wait to go to the Flower Market of Amsterdam where I could see all types of tulips and other flowers for sale. Amsterdam is an excellent place to shop for flowers and bulbs. Buy bulbs in the market and they can be shipped home. With a little care a colorful array of flowers straight from Amsterdam could be had. This floating market has been a source for gorgeous flowers since 1862, according to Holland.com. The flowers are sold from greenhouses affixed onto barges, definitely something to see.

De Wallen/Red Light District

Get an eye full or more at the famous Red Light District. Visitors have reported that the area is safe, but there’s bound to be lots of drug use, maybe it’s not so appropriate for kids. The Red Light District is where to go for people watching and window watching. Prostitutes dance or do whatever to lure those inside who want to buy, and there are plenty of places to legally purchase drugs in Amsterdam. Organized tours and other structured activities are there. You can’t go to Amsterdam without visiting the Red Light District. I’m calling it a must-see hot spot.

Amsterdam Historic Canal Tour

The Historic Boat Tour of Amsterdam features a tour on a 100-year traditional Dutch boat. The tour takes visitors to Rembrandt’s neighborhoods and passengers will learn from the boat’s skipper, an experienced historian. This is really a special treat, because this beautiful salon-style boat only holds 12 people.

Once upon a time queens and kings roamed the castles in Germany.  From Neuschwanstein Castle, and Hohenzollern Castle to Eltz Castle, they were the epitome of glamour and royalty. Fairy tales come to life through these real-life castles in Germany. Did you know that  inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty’s castle? Here are some of the most enchanting castles in Germany and what you need to know to see them for yourself.

Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most well-visited castles in Germany. It is busiest from July to September, so expect long lines. It is the same castle which inspired the famous Sleeping Beauty castle. The small town of Hohenschwangau sits at the base of the castle. Tickets for touring Neuschwanstein Castle should be purchased in the town prior to your visit. Hotel  Villa Ludwig is walking distance to the ticket office, where tickets can be purchased for Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau Castle and the Museum of the Bavarian Kings.

After purchasing your ticket, you can can arrange transportation up to the castle. The most comfortable options appear to be by horse and carriage and by bus.  Both options will require some walking, because the transportation can’t deliver passengers directly in front of Neuschwanstein Castle. So, you can expect a 10 to 15 minute walk.

Hohenschwangau Castle

Castles in Germany: Hohenschwangau Castle by Michelle Callahan

Hohenschwangau Castle, in the town of Hohenschwangau (the same town where Neuschwanstein Castle is located. Transportation by horse and carriage to Hohenschwangau Castle can be arranged just before you leave for for the castle. You pay the driver for the carriage ride.  Keep in mind that the carriage does not operate during the winter months.

Hohenzollern Castle

Beautiful Castles in Germany: Hohenzollern Castle by BrookCatherine53

Hohenzollern Castle is on the outskirts of Baden-Wurttemberg. Tours for Hohenzollern Castle are approximately 45 minutes long, and the tour guide will most likely speak only German. Tours in English, however, are given on weekends.  Tickets are about $14 per adult for general admission. Beginning in 2018, there are Hohenzollern Castle strolls available, which allow guests to visit the castle’s rooms without the traditional tour with time limitations.

Public transportation, buses and trains, are available to the castle. Check the schedule.  Unsere Stadtvilla is a hotel that’s only about 2 miles away from Hohenzollern Castle.

Schloss Schwerin Castle

Photo of Schwerin Schloss by Jana Reifegerste

Schwerin Castle is in the town of Schwerin in the state of  Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in the north part of  Germany near the Baltic Sea. The oldest parts of the existing castle were built in the 16th Century.

To get to the castle take a flight into the Fuhlsbüttel Airport in Hamburg and then take a train to Schwerin Central Station (Schwerin hbf – Hauptbahnhof). You can then even walk to the castle or take a taxi there. The Hotel Niederlandischer Hof is a short walk from the train station and only .7 miles away from the Schwerin Castle.  Call ahead of your visit to arrange a tour with a guide (the more expensive option) or you could have a self-guided audio tour (the less expensive option). Buy your tickets at castle’s museum office.

Wernigerode Castle

Located in the town with the same name as the castle, Wernigerode Castle, actually towers over the town and it takes a hike, a rather steep hike, to get there. Or if you would rather not hike up the hill, take the little train behind the Town Hall (Rathaus in German) to get up to the castle.  You can also try looking for signs for the train in the Tourism Office. There is another train company that operates behind the HKK Hotel.  It’s much easier to take the train up, especially since there is a lot of walking and  stairs in the castle itself.

To get there, take a flight into Hamberg or Berlin  to the Harz Mountains. From the Harz mountains, you’ll likely take a train to Wernigerode. There’s a train station in the town. Here is the train schedule.

Burg Stahleck Castle

Amazing Castles in Germany: Burg Stahleck Castle by Wei-te Wong

The Burg Stahleck Castle in Bacharach, Germany has a surprise inside. It’s actually a hostel, so there’s nothing to see inside, unless you are generally curious about what a castle-turned-hostel would look like. And it’s a hike to get up to the castle, anyway. The good news is that it’s a great place to view the town, and the outside of the castle is pretty neat to photograph. If you do stay at the hostel, you’ll definitely need a reservation.

To get here, you’ll want to take a flight into Frankfurt. From Frankfurt, find the train station (downstairs from terminal 1)and take one of the regional trains going to  Mainz. The Koblenz stop will be final stop. Use this train guide to help you get to the Burg Stahleck Castle.

Zwinger Palace

Fairy Tale Castles in Germany: Zwinger Palace by Steve

Zwinger Castle is located in the city of Dresden, where there happens to be an international airport, the Dresden International Airport.

It is a Baroque-style palace, which now accommodates world-famous art collections. The palace is said to be one of the best examples of Baroque-style architecture.  There are actually several museums in the palace, with styles ranging from old masterpieces to a museum on weapons of war. The Zwinger holds art that is representative of artists from around the world.

From your hotel in Dresden,  you can take a taxi or public transportation to Zwinger palace. The Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski (ranking #10 on TripAdvisor) is the closest hotel, but the Hyperion Hotel Dresden am Schloss is the second closest hotel, and it is rated at the #2 hotel in Dresden on TripAdvisor.

Lichtenstein Castle

Located in Baden-Wurttemberg, Lichtenstein Castle was inspired by the novel, Lichtenstein by Wilhelm Hauff. Built between 1840 and 1842, the Gothic-style Lichtenstein Castle sits high up on a cliff. Other castles have stood in this location, so Lichtenstein Castle is considered a relatively modern castle.  Be forewarned that although it is certainly worthy of a selfie background, Lichtenstein Castle is very small.

Stuttgart Airport is the nearest airport to Lichtenstein castle. Check out this TripAdvisor list of the closest hotels to Lichtenstein castle.

Schloss Drachenburg Castle

Schloss Drachenburg is yet another one of Germany’s beautiful castles. It is found on top of Drachenfels Hill, overlooking the Rhine, and near Bonn. Actually, the Schloss Drachenburg was originally constructed to serve as a villa, so you might think that it looks a little more like a home. If you want to go the self-guided route, you can pay the admission price to enter the castle and visit selected rooms inside (rooms on the noble level).

The Stuttgart Airport is the nearest airport to Schloss Drachenburg Castle. It’s two hours away from the castle. From there, you can take the German Railway and make it to the Königswinter exit to get to the castle. Buy your railway tickets at the airport.

Burg Eltz Castle

Burg Eltz Castle in Wierschem is yet another fairy tale castle in Germany. It’s best to arrive there via the Frankfurt Airport and then use the train to get closer. The castle in basically in the woods, so you’d have to take a taxi to get there from the train station. Burg Eltz Castle has a beautiful bridge that leads to the castle, itself. If you get there early enough, you can get some gorgeous pictures on it. You’ll need to arrange a tour to get inside the Burg Eltz Castle. It’s much easier to get a hotel near Burg Eltz Castle and come and go as you wish. Here are some of your choices.

What Are Your Favorite Castles in Germany?

The Art Hotel Barcelona, officially the Hotel Arts Barcelona thrilled the Real Housewives of Atlanta in Barcelona. during their Season 10 trip to Spain. You’ve got to see the penthouse! The women, who are accustomed to the utmost of luxury during their cast trips were not disappointed at the Art Hotel.

Check for availability, make reservations, and compare prices for the Hotel Arts Barcelona.

The Art Hotel Barcelona/The Hotel Arts

Another thing is the view. The Arts Hotel Barcelona (Hotel Arts) has breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea. A hotel with a seaside view is a must if you are staying in Barcelona. Since it’s one of the tallest buildings along the coast this Ritz property has fabulous views of the coast, too.

A lovely spacious room at the Art Hotel/Hotel Arts

The 5-star seaside hotel boasts penthouses with huge living areas and celebrity-quality amenities (a private concierge and use of a car for transport.) Located on the upper ten floors of the hotel, some of the penthouses have private gyms and come with a chef and personal trainer.

Penthouses have living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens. Marble bathrooms, smart TVs (with Netflix, of course) and a multilingual staff of butlers to help are some of the little extras Penthouse guests partake in.

The Art Hotel  Barcelona, Hotel Arts Barcelona is on the coast.

Convenience plays a huge role in whether or not a hotel is superb or just okay. This property is walking distance to the beach and restaurants. It’s in a bustling part of the city and it’s right across from the port.

Cuisine From a Michelin Starred Chef

Other amenities at the hotel include a spa, restaurant and bars. Chef Paco Perez, of the Art Hotel Barcelona’s Enoteca Paco Perez is the winner of two Michelin stars.

Find top-rated hotels at the lowest prices on TripAdvisor. Check rates now!