Anne Mulder is the Founder and Managing Director of book-a-castle.com, where a personal selection of fine castles, manors and stately homes found in France, Spain, Netherlands and Belgium are showcased.

Tell us a little bit about what it is you do at Book-a-Castle.com?

I am an intermediary and advisor on castles and stately homes only. I am permanently working on publicity & promotional opportunities, I handle day to day reservations, I advise my clients for castle trips. And of course, I keep the website up-to-date and therefor I am in close contact with the castle owners

What inspired you to get into your line of work?

As a child and student I always visited castles as much as I could. They are my passion, they inspire me. I am sure I was a princess in a former life!

I have a friend who owns an impressive castle with bed & breakfast in the heart France. Together with my interest in starting an internet business I created this concept.
In 2005 for the Dutch market: www.kasteelovernachtingen.nl, in 2007 for the international market: www.book-a-castle.com and www.bookacastle.co.uk

Also I will MAKE custom castle trips.

Tell us, what makes your line of work unique?

My castles are a personal selection of the most wonderful places to stay. I visit them on a regular basis to make sure they fit into my concept. The castles that are on my website work with the principle of Bed & Breakfast on a high and professional level. Together with my clients we create unique arrangements or packages. This means our guests will experience a personal and unique stay at our castles. You get to have dinner with the owner, or have a drink with him or her around the fireplace. Or you rent the entire chateau for a group. We only hold castles that are in perfect condition! We do basically everything we can to make it special for our guest. The memories will be priceless!

Do you have anything new that you are working on?

I am working on an interactive map of France in order to find the castles easier. Also I will custom made castle trips.

Did you travel growing up?

As a child I spend every summer in France. As a student I started to travel by myself (United States, North Pole, Sri Lanka etc.). I spent 3 years living in France and traveling a lot through the country while I lived in Paris.

Must have carry-on/travel item(s)?

I need to stay in contact with the internet at places where there is usually no Wifi, so I always carry my laptop and UMTS datacard!!! I try to take my own pillow, as mine sleeps best. And of course my camera, to take pictures of all the lovely places I visit.

Two or three of your most memorable stays?

I once did an anonymous visit of a castle and ended up having a bat in my room in the middle of the night. I was so scared I left at 02 am in the morning. No one to help me. Not a castle that I would put on my website. Although bats are a sign of clean air!!!

I spend some time in a castle in Burgundy that was left by the former owners about a hundred years ago. Together with the current owners we found the most spectacular belongings and even hidden rooms. I was so excited I couldn’t sleep!!!

Most memorable dining experience?

I had the most wonderful dinners in the Burgundy area, with Sauternes wine that looked like gold! I once was in one of Alain Ducasses’s restaurants in Paris.(World famous chef)
Tip: go there for lunch, you will enjoy the incredible sensation of eating his food longer. I didn’t like other food for 3 days!!! Truly worth every euro.

Have you ever encountered a celebrity during your travels?

Our guests appreciate the privateness of the castles and therefore it is difficult for me to talk about this. I can tell you that our Dutch Queen stayed in one of the castles, but I cannot tell you which one.

It is public knowledge that Liza Minelli stayed at Les Rosees in Mougins. I don’t blame her!

Best travel tip?

Leave your Blackberry and Laptop at home and ENJOY & EXPERIENCE your holiday. Our castles provide the perfect atmosphere for your perfect stay.

Where are you headed next?

In June I am headed towards France in order to visit 15 or more castles and a priory. I will be traveling about 5.000 km throughout the country on my own (!) I will visit Brittany, Loire, Dordogne, Provence, Burgundy and the Champagne. I really love my job, which was created by myself.

That concludes our interview! Thank you Anne, for sharing and participating in this piece for TravelerWIRE.

Take a peak at the following properties featured at Directory of Hotels:

Chateau de Normandy, France
Chateau de Burgundy, France
Chateau de la Loire, France
Chateau de Bretagne, France
Masia de Barcelona, Spain