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01
The Witches Castle, USA
The Witches Castle, which now sits in ruins in Portland, is steeped in unsettling history. Built in the mid 1880s, the house saw unapproved love, murder, arrests and execution (read the whole story here). In the 1980s, students discovered the abandoned forest house and turned it into a party destination for Friday nights. It was thus named the Witches Castle, without connection to witches (that we know of). It's nonetheless a pretty cool house to visit.
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02
Puzzlewood Forest, England
If you're a Lord of the Rings nerd, Puzzlewood forest is a must-do. Puzzlewood is rumored to have been the inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkein when he was writing LOTR and dreaming up Mirkwood, Lothlorien and other beautiful places in Middle Earth. Puzzlewood also served as a filming location for Merlin and Dr Who. The forest is considered one of the best pre-Roman Celtic open cast iron mines, and over 3,000 coins from the third century have been found there. It's still a place teeming with secrets.
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03
Fremont Troll, USA
If you thought that trolls only frequent isolated forests, you're mistaken. Seattle has its very own 18 foot tall troll living under a bridge. The Fremont troll (located in the Fremont neighborhood) holds an actual Volkswagen Beetle in its hand, which is encased in cement. The troll was brought into existence in 1990 after winning a Fremont Arts Council competition. At least that's the story the authorities want us to know (wink wink).
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04
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
If you think the castles at Disneyland are awe-inspiring, you're in for a treat. The Neuschwanstein Castle is a real life castle that serves as a retreat for the "fairy-tale king," Ludwig II of Bavaria. The first stone of the castle, which means New Swan Stone palace, was laid in 1869. At the end of its construction, the designer of the castle was declared insane, arrested, and found dead the next day with a police commissioner. Now, it's a tourist attraction, but we think there's some magic built into the walls of the castle.
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05
Fairy Pools, Scotland
If you never really stopped believing in fairies, Scotland is the place to go. It's culture is full of Celtic myths and legends of fairies (along with other fantastical creatures). The Fairy Pools is one such place that will have you believing in magic (whether you want to or not). Accessible only by foot through the Glen Brittle forest, a series of small waterfalls make up the Fairy Pools. The water is so pristine and pure that you can clearly seen each stone at the bottom of the pool (and perhaps a tiny fairy taking a bath).
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06
Platform 9 3/4, England
We really couldn't get through this article without mentioning Harry Potter. As all muggles know, the only way to get to Hogwarts is via the Hogwarts Express which is boarded at Platform 9 3/4 in Kings Cross Station, London. Although visiting Kings Cross Station isn't a magical experience in itself, real locations are rarely mentioned in magical stories, so it makes sense that fans must visit it. So far, no-one has travelled through the brick wall onto the magical side of the platform... yet.
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07
Valley of the Mills, Italy
Ever wondered what the world would look like without humans in it? Well, you'll experience just that when you visit 'Valle Dei Mulini" or Valley of the Mills in Italy. This group of ruins is housed at the bottom of a crevasse, but once was a flourishing Italian town brimming with flour mills, some of which were built with stone from the 13th century. Over time, the sifting of flour was taken to other larger pasta mills, and the down became obsolete. By the 1940s, all of the residents had left to find work elsewhere and the area was left to be taken over by nature.
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08
Fairy Glen, Scotland
Another one for the fairy lovers: the Fairy Glen is probably the most enchanting place you'll ever visit. Located in an isolated area of the Isle of Skye, the Fairy Glen is made up of natural rock formations, waterfalls, ponds and cone-shaped hills. It's said that the fairies created the landscape here, and we believe that.
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09
Monsters of Bomarzo, Italy
If traditional parks bore you, the Garden on Bomazro will be a nice (or scary) change of scenery. This park was commissioned in 1552 by Prince Pier Francesco Orsini who wished to express grief and shock through the medium of huge stone monsters scattered around a beautiful park. The layout of this park was everything the Renaissance was against, and surrealists loved it. Salvador Dali painted The Temptation of Saint Anthony there, and countless other artists have been inspired. It's a good place for a picnic too.
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10
The Witch House of Salem, USA
The Witch House is the only structure still standing that is directly connected to the Salem witch trials of 1692. If you don't know about the Salem witch trials, read about it here. In short, over 200 people were accused of being witches, 59 were tried, 31 were found guilty, and 20 people were executed. These accusations were based on "spectral evidence" (i.e. dreams). Not exactly a solid piece of evidence but it was the 1600s, who knows what went on then. Today, the Witch House is a museum where you can learn about how cruel humans get when they think someone is a witch. Be sure to hide your broomstick well when you go there.
Magical Destinations to Put On Your Travel List
When real life gets too boring or serious, there's one place you can always turn to: the world of magic. Fairies, trolls, witches and monsters existed when we were children, but who says they don't still exist? If you're a true believer and you'd like a break from real life, put these magical destinations on your next travel list. We're pretty sure you'll forget your skepticism when standing in the middle of a fairy glen.
If you're after more unconventional travel destinations, check out these abandoned islands.
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