Rent A Castle: Spend Your Next Vacation In Royal Digs (PHOTOS)

If a man's home is his castle, what does that make a rented vacation home? That can also be a castle. Literally.

The hip new trend in travel is a decidedly ancient affair. Ancient, as in, castles and châteaux built by royalty and other well-to-do families throughout the Middle Ages and early modern period. Though most of these estates now available for rent exist in Europe, U.S. tourists have a couple domestic options as well.

Even as rentals, these can be pricey affairs, depending on your tastes. For example, one night at a room in Ireland's Ashford Castle can be priced anywhere from €235 ($310.00) for an average room during the offseason to €950 ($1,250) for the castle's suite during busy season.

For a truly royal stay, travelers also have the option to rent out entire castles in some cases.

New Hampshire's Rindge castle, for example, may lack the history of its European counterparts (it was built in 1995), but it can accomodate up to 22 guests for the (relative) bargain of $1,400 per night -- knight in shining armor not included.

PHOTOS of castles for rent: