The Coronation of King Charles III is sure to be a weekend to remember. Communities up and down the country will come together to celebrate history in the making and relish the extra bank holiday.
King Charles has done a fair bit of globetrotting in his time so we would like to take this opportunity to mark the occasion with travel suggestions inspired by some of King Charles’ favourite destinations.
Here are our top ten holiday hotspots for anyone seeking to follow in the footsteps of royalty…
1. London
This is where it all began. King Charles III was born at Buckingham Palace at 9.14pm on 14 November 1948.
As the writer Samual Johnson once observed, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” A city break in our capital is a great tonic and provides the opportunity to explore Buckingham Palace for yourself.
Combine a visit to the State Rooms with a guided walking tour of the most remarkable features of the beautiful garden. Described as ‘a walled oasis in the middle of London’, it boasts more than 350 types of wildflowers, over 200 trees and a three-acre lake.
2. Cornwall
Charles became the Duke of Cornwall from his mother’s accession as Queen Elizabeth II in 1952 until his accession as King Charles III in 2022. He was the longest-serving Duke of Cornwall, having held the title for 70 years.
Cornwall provides the perfect escape at any time of year. With its spectacular coastline for walks, quaint fishing villages, sandy beaches and surf, sensational seafood and cream teas (jam first!) and plenty of art, culture and history, you’ll be spoilt for choice for things to do.
3. Scotland
With the late Queen’s ascension to the throne in 1952, Charles also automatically became the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, along with Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland.
At the end of every summer, Queen Elizabeth II made her annual pilgrimage north to Scotland for a long family holiday at Balmoral Castle and it is a place King Charles has equal affection for. From pristine beaches to crumbling castles, soaring mountains to wild isles rich with wildlife, exciting cultural attractions and ancient heritage, Scotland has it all.
6 nights rail break in Scotland including rail fare on the Caledonian Sleeper from £885pp!
4. Malta
King Charles and Princess Anne spent some of their earliest years living in Malta while their father was stationed there as a naval officer.
These years away from the UK were full of happy memories for the young family as they spent time as a normal family living at Villa Guardamangia, owned by Philip’s uncle Lord Mountbatten and located just outside the capital Valetta.
Whether you’re a history buff, a night owl, an adrenaline junkie, or simply a rambler wishing to be bowled over by natural splendour, the list of things to do in Malta is endless.
4 night tour of Malta and Gozo with B&B, accommodation, flights and more from £1,045pp!
5. Wales
The King was invested as Prince of Wales by The Late Queen on 1 July 1969 in a colourful ceremony at Caernarfon Castle in North Wales. Before the investiture The Prince had spent a term at the University College of Wales at Aberystwyth, learning to speak Welsh. As the longest-ever serving Prince of Wales and with a home in Carmarthenshire, King Charles has strong roots in Wales.
Wales is your perfect holiday destination. There is so much to do and see with lots of easily accessible indoor and outdoor activities surrounded by breathtaking scenery. From adrenaline-fuelled family adventures (Wales is home to the world’s fastest zip line!) to relaxing and romantic beach breaks, Wales has got it covered.
5. Australia
The Prince of Wales spent two terms in 1966 as an exchange student at Timbertop, a remote outpost of the Geelong Church of England Grammar School in Melbourne, Australia.
Are you ready for endless sunshine, beautiful beaches, dramatic deserts and ancient cultures? Start planning your trip to Australia! Australia is bursting with incredible destinations – the only question is, which ones to pick?
That’s where we can help. Each Aussie spot offers a unique holiday, so whether you’re a foodie, beach lover or adventurer, there’s a place perfectly suited to you. It’s also worth considering the time of year you’re planning to visit – think school holidays and the weather – and how long you’ve got to explore.
6. Corfu, Greece
The rugged Greek island of Corfu is one of his majesty’s favourite holiday destinations and he once told an Athens newspaper: “Greece is in my blood and I have long had a fascination for her ancient culture and history”. Corfu holds a special significance for King Charles III as it’s the birthplace of his father Prince Philip.
Corfu has always been one of the most charming neighbourhoods in Europe. A place with wonderful contrasts, successive influences, a crossroad of cultures and colours. Chic and delicate by nature, Corfu has an unsurpassed natural beauty. The sea, the sun and the wind have carved an impressive shoreline on the island. Golden sandy and snow-white pebbled beaches, fine carved rocks resembling sculptures from a modern gallery, trees which stretch out their shadow up to the water. Go for a pleasant everyday life, full of plenty of light, sea breeze and warm smiles!
7. Scilly Isles
One of King Charles’ favourite British holiday spots is the Isles of Scilly. A group of over 200 islands and rocks located 28 miles from Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly have been part of the Duchy of Cornwall since its beginning in the 14th century.
There are few better places to escape than the gorgeous Isles of Scilly. This archipelago may be a hop, skip and a jump from the UK mainland, but it is a world apart. With only five inhabited islands, the remaining 140 or so more are home to wildlife and seabirds. Some are popular day tripper haunts, while others rarely see a human footprint.
7 nights Isles of Scilly Tour with B&B accommodation, ferry fare and more from £1,339pp!
8. Transylvania, Romania
Transylvania – a wild and vast historical region in Romania – is a favourite of King Charles III, who owns an estate in the region. Having first visited in the 1990s, King Charles has been a regular visitor ever since.
The King has such a fondness for Transylvania that, in 2015, he founded the Prince of Wales Foundation Romania to assist the region’s heritage preservation, work with local communities, and engage with farmers and producers of artisan foods to grow their businesses.
Fine architecture, famous painted monasteries and an epic mountain range are just three, but very good, reasons to visit this country. Romania’s monuments, fairy-tale castles and even Dracula’s lair trace the centuries and make up the rich tapestry that is its unique story.
10. Germany
It seems fitting that Charles’s first state visit as King was to Germany, where he was greeted by cheering crowds. He not only has German ancestry, he speaks the language and reportedly has such a fondness for the country, he has visited more than 40 times.
Germany is a great nation with a rich history and distinctive culture. Take a journey down one of its wonderful waterways, the Rhine, where you can sample some of this country’s exceedingly varied and beautiful landscape.
Book your royalty-inspired holiday with Charitable Travel and donate 5% of the price to the charity of your choice for free! None of these offers living up to your imagination? Get in touch with our expert travel agents to plan your perfect escape!
by net effect