Your Almost-European Vacation

You’re craving: The architectural awesomeness of castles

Try: The Iolani Palace in Honolulu. Hawaii is home to America’s only official royal residence, built in 1874 by King Kalakaua as a symbolic home for the Hawaiian nation. Hawaii too far from home? Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California, is probably our nation’s most famous castle, built with architectural elements shipped directly from Europe. Or consider Belcourt Castle, built in 1891 in New Port, Rhode Island. More than a dozen rooms of the lavish, 60-plus room estate are open to tour.