Regarding Hestian virgins. Hesta was the first born of the Olympian gods, sister to Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite, etc. She was godess of the hearth and home; the Roman godess of the hearth was Vesta (see Vestal virgins). Since the hearth fire was a home's only source of heat and cooking, Vesta was very important. Every town had a sacred hearth fire dedicated to Hesta and maintained by priests (and virgins because Hesta had taken a vow of celibacy).
Xena going undercover as a beauty pageant contestant mirrors an event from Lucy Lawless' own life. In 1989, she took part as a beauty pageant contestant in Mrs New Zealand which she won.
A castle appears at 5:41 that has appeared at other times over the course of the series.