While we tend to associate castles with Europe - from the fairy tale chateaus of France and the royal residences of Britain to the medieval palaces of Bavaria and the military fortresses of Portugal - you may be surprised to learn that the USA has its fair share of beautiful chateaus, mansions and palaces.

For any backpacker looking for an excellent experience, the USA just has to be on your wishlist. It’s a vast country that takes in a huge range of environments from east to west. You will meet a lot of people, make a lot of friends, and enjoy every kind of landscape you can think of. From long stretches of desert to modern cities - it’s all here.