How to Turn Your Fascination With the Royals Into an Unforgettable Vacation

How to do it: Owing to the weather and the royal family's use of the home, Balmoral is only open to visitors from March to July of each year. It's possible to tour a number of public rooms, but the royals' rooms are off limits — staff won't even tell you which are the Queen's windows, for good reason. Further information is available at Balmoral's site.

If you go: Balmoral is nestled in a picturesque spot in mountainous Scotland's Cairngorms National Park. It's hard to reach, but worth the visit. We stayed at the lovely Meldrum House Hotel outside of Aberdeen, about an hour-and-half away. It's a luxurious experience, and the drive is breathtaking. But for something closer, Glendavan House is a charming B&B in the town of Ballater, just a few miles away from Balmoral.