Editors' pick: Originally published Wednesday, Feb. 10.

After six seasons of vicariously experiencing the regal lifestyle of the British nobility, their fabulous castles and manors, to-die-for clothing and enviable legions of tuxedoed personal servants, Downton Abbey fans may be wondering how they'll get their aristocracy fix when the popular PBS show ends.

Saying goodbye to the marvelous Crawleys, Lord Grantham, Lady Mary and the entire colorful lot of them will be challenging indeed.

We can only hope that another equally accurate and well-written show comes along again, allowing us to pick up where we leave off with the Grantham dynasty in a few weeks - perhaps bringing us up to date with British aristocracy through the 1980s? Would that be too much to ask?

In the meantime, however, it turns out there are other ways to continue your study of life as a member of nobility, that are far more satisfying then reading every last bit of tabloid news about the comings and goings of Princes William and Harry or Duchess Kate.

Dust off your best tuxedo (or rent one if need be), because for those who can afford it, the 7th Earl of Erne, John Crichton, is waiting to host you in his sprawling Crom Castle, providing a real life glimpse of a nearly extinct world. It's one that at its height included footmen, under butlers, afternoon teas and drinks in the drawing room.

Crichton, whose family has lived in Crom Castle for centuries, has recently taken over the property from his father. And as part of a valiant effort to preserve the costly home for future generations of the family, Crichton is offering small groups of travelers the opportunity to spend three nights as his personal guests.

In other words, you too will have servants dashing off to accommodate every need. Carson, Mrs. Patmore are you there?

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"You're getting to meet an Earl who is as highly ranked as Lord Grantham was in the fictional show Downton Abbey, and you will be treated like royalty by his staff," says Mark Stiles, whose travel company Blaycation, is the exclusive representative of the experience.

As VIP guests at Crom Castle, which is located in the heart of Ireland's lake district, you will be wined and dined by the gregarious and very accessible Crichton. There will be formal dinners, boat rides, introductions to the region's other lords and ladies and visits to other stately homes.

Or as the Earl likes to say, you will be immersed in the aristocratic experience 21st Century style.

"I'm offering the opportunity to come to a very, warm hospitable and cozy aristocratic castle -- to come and be entertained," the 7th Earl of Erne himself explained during a Skype interview from the castle's west wing.

The current castle on the property was built for the third Earl of Erne in the 1830s. It was designed by the same architect who was responsible for many sections of Buckingham Palace.

Speaking of the British monarchy - they are personal friends of the Crichton family. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip dined at the castle in 2012, and Prince Charles spent the night there. How's that for aristocratic credentials?

"Throughout the years we would sail and socialize, and give amazing house parties," Crichton says of the nearly 20,000-square-foot castle he calls home. "We would welcome members of the aristocracy and dignitaries."

Like nearly all proper aristocratic children, Crichton was sent off to boarding school early in his childhood. But he has fond memories nevertheless of growing up at the castle, which under his father, the 6th Earl's leadership, had about 22 servants, including footmen, a butler and cook.

"I was a huge fan of Downton Abbey," the 44-year-old Crichton said. "I loved it, because it was quite close to home. The world has moved on now, though. It's not all about the aristocracy, or about titles. It's about the hard working person. I think the aristocratic duty days are disappearing. We are changing every day, with everything in life. The Downtown Abbey days were what they were, but now everyone is equal."

The price for the opportunity to eat, sleep and play at Crom Castle like a member of the remaining nobility is $2,995 per person. The experience is only being offered about four times each year, says Stiles. The visits will take place in June, July, September and a final one later in the fall, he says.

If just one Downton Abbey-esque experience isn't enough, there's a handful of other jaw dropping castles in England that also offer overnight stays of one sort or another - albeit without a modern day Earl as a personal host.

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Brocket Hall, in Hertfordshire, England, is a stunning and stately property that has its own illustrious history. It was home to two British prime ministers and hosted numerous royal figures including Queen Elizabeth I, King George IV and Queen Victoria.

In fact, King George stayed at this home so frequently, he had a bedroom suite made to his exact specifications and the room remains the same today, replete with hand painted silk wallpaper imported from China.

The property includes opulent public rooms, halls lined with priceless artwork and 30 bedrooms. It is available to rent on an exclusive basis and comes fully staffed with butlers, housekeeping and a private chef.

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Meanwhile, Belvoir Castle, a private estate located on more than 16,500 acres in Leicestershire, continues to serve as the residence of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland. However, much like Crichton, they have begun opening the doors of their home to the public. (The Crawleys would no doubt be horrified by all of this).

"The castle is absolutely vast," says Rebecca Cole, managing director for Elysian Estates Limited, which lists the property. "There is a wing that the Duke and Duchess keep for themselves privately. And they only offer a small number of lettings each year."

The Duke and Duchess allow a select few guests the opportunity each year to take over the castle's main state rooms and 12 bedrooms for a night, weekend or longer. The experience includes full catering, nightly turndown service, housekeeping and butler. Such rentals have become something of a necessity among many modern day aristocrats in order to maintain the historic homes for posterity.

"I met with the Duchess, and she explained that it costs about 250,000 pounds a year just to maintain the roof, just one part of it," Cole explained. "And then there are the windows, things break and need replacing and updating, not to mention the running of it and the heating of it."

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One last stately home worth noting in this aristocratic home tour bonanza is Broughton Hall, in Yorkshire. The estate has been the seat of the Tempest family since the 10th century and is located on more than 3,000 acres. Like many of his aristocratic peers, the current owner, Roger Tempest, has decided to open his doors to the common folk, allowing them to stay at Broughton Hall on an exclusive use basis.

The opportunity includes having access to all 16 bedrooms and the full staff - butler private chef and maids.

"There aren't many of these homes left now, that are still private homes. They are all getting sold off or made into hotels," says Cole. "You are, in a sense, getting to walk in the footsteps of famous people from history, who have stayed in these homes."

And if the final episodes of Downton Abbey are subtly, or not so subtly, about the breaking down of barriers between nobility and the rest of the us, here's a chance to traipse through those barriers yourself and experience a fading way of life.