The snow castle, in the northern town of Kemi, Finland, has a hotel, a restaurant and a chapel which are all located inside its thick snow walls.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people visit the attraction and some are even keen to stay in the 48 rooms where temperatures are only -5C regardless of the outdoor temperature, which is normally between -15 and -20C.

But while newlyweds get to snuggle up in the honeymoon ice suite, they have to use sleeping bags suitable for Arctic conditions and don ski hats, socks and thermal undies.

According to Italian newspaper La Stampa, Carla Bruni, France’s first lady, has sold her family’s castle to an Arab sheikh for $11.5 million, dwarfing the $30,000 worth of diamonds she received as an engagement gift.

“Yes, we have finally found a buyer. We had finished with Castagneto Po, nobody went there anymore.” Carla’s mother, Marisa Bruni Tedeschi, said

Here’s a real chance of owning and being a part of real Irish history. The castle’s historic roots date back to the 10th century and it is located on an ancient druidic ceremonial ground.

It was burned down in 1922 but rebuilt in 1928. It was sold to The State in 1951 but then the Ryan family bought it in 1994 and turned it into a hotel.

It has been used for weddings and events (over 1400 couples have married here in the past 14 years) but could also be converted back into a private residence.

“On Monday (September 22, 2008), a famous 800-year-old Belgian castle will be auctioned off by court order to the highest bidder, and it looks as if someone could snag a real bargain.”

On that date, the third and final session for the public sale of the historic castle, Corroy-le-Château, will occur. The castle, situated just south of Brussels, is surrounded by a moat and borders a 12-hectare, protected park.

With walls and seven massive original towers dating to the 13th century, the property’s pristine condition makes it one of Europe’s only remaining perfectly-preserved castles. It has the popular architecture of medieval dark ages and is full of secret passages and mysterious moats.

Inhabited today by the same family descended from the original owners, the castle has undergone continuous transformation over the centuries and has been maintained in immaculate condition, preserving both its mythical quality and modern comfort throughout its 5,000 square meters of habitable space.

The castle’s status as a historic landmark provides the additional benefit of eligibility for government subsidies for any major work. Its majestically decorated parlors, beautiful corridors, bright interiors and sweeping staircases continue to attract touring groups and cultural performers, offering the possibility of dual use as both a residence and commercial endeavor.

A family dispute between the existing owners over the use of the castle culminated in a court decision which led eventually to the castle’s sale by public auction. The first two rounds of bidding yielded a current offer of €2.1 million ($3million), the International Herald Tribune reports, an astonishingly low price in view of current European real estate values.

The September 22 auction session will be the last time that bids will be accepted for Corroy-le-Château. The 16,000-sq.ft. fortress will be sold to the highest bidder, even if it goes no higher than the €2.1 million, a spokesman said.

More information on the auction, as well as a video tour of the property, can be found on the castle’s Web site.

Source : reuters

A bottle of 115-year-old champagne has been found in a sideboard at a Scottish castle, BBC reported.

Chris James, the owner of Torosay Castle and Gardens, found the bottle of the distinctly yellow-labelled 1893 Veuve Cliquot champagne in a solid wooden dining room side board, which is a family heirloom. The “secret” compartment did not have a key, so Mr James employed a locksmith in an attempt to bring a family mystery to a conclusion.

On opening the door, he found a bottle of brandy, a port decanter and a bottle of claret and the single bottle of Veuve Cliquot champagne. The drinks are believed to have been locked up since at least 1897.

The bottle, complete with label, was in mint condition having been kept in the dark throughout.

James contacted Veuve Cliquot in France to enquire whether the bottle was of interest. Veuve Cliquot had no idea when they first used their trademark yellow labels, but the bottle found at the castle was the oldest by a long margin.

The priceless bottle is now on display the Veuve Cliquot visitor centre at Reims in France.
Fabienne Huttaux, head of communications there, said: “The bottle is literally priceless. It is a one-off and therefore unique. We would never consider selling it as it is far too important to us.”

Asked whether the champagne was still drinkable (It probably tastes horrible ^_^), Peter McKay which handles public relations for Torosay castle, said: “I don’t think that question will ever be answered. It is so valuable to Veuve Clicquot in France that they are going to keep it exactly as it is.”

Though, if I were Mr James I would ask for unlimited free champagne !