Famous PALACES

Though not fortified, palaces, like castles, serve as residences of royalty or other high-ranking dignitaries. The name is derived from …

The Best of MEXICO

Mexico (officially known as the United Mexican States, since it is a federation comprising 31 states  plus the capitol), is the world’s 13th-largest country by area …

Tokyo Imperial Palace

Built on the site of the old Edo Castle, the Tokyo Imperial Palace (Kyūden) serves as the main residence of the Japanese Emperor. With …

Aliʻiōlani Hale

Aliʻiōlani Hale, located in downtown Honolulu, is the building currently used as the home of the  Hawaii State Supreme Court. Prior …

Monumento a la Revolución

Standing 220 feet high, the Monumento a la Revolución in downtown Mexico City is considered to be the tallest triumphal arch in the …

‘Iolani Palace

The ʻIolani Palace, located in the capitol district of downtown Honolulu, served as the royal residence of the  Kingdom of Hawaii, beginning with King …

Holyrood Palace

Located at the bottom of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, opposite to Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace (aka Holyroodhouse) has served as the official Scottish …

Memories of SWITZERLAND

Switzerland, a landlocked country situated in the heart of Western Europe, occupies the crossroads of  Germanic and Romance Europe, as reflected in its four main …

Castel Gandolfo, Part 2: Apostolic Palace

The Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo is a 135-acre complex of buildings located in a garden setting overlooking Lake Albano in …

Greenwich, Part 5: Old Royal Naval College

Designed by Christopher Wren (the architect of St. Paul’s Cathedral) and constructed between 1696 and 1712, the buildings of the Old Royal …

Memories of Copenhagen

Copenhagen, the capital and most populous city of Denmark, was originally a Viking fishing village established in the 10th century near present-day Gammel Strand, a …

Palace of Fine Arts

Built around a small artificial lagoon, the Palace of Fine Arts, located in the Marina District of San Francisco, is a monumental structure originally …

Buckingham Palace, Part 4: The Queen’s Garden

The Queen’s Garden is a large private park attached to Buckingham Palace, the London residence of the British monarch. Occupying …

Palacio Postal

Located in the heart of Mexico City’s Historic District, the Palacio Postal (also referred to as the Correo Mayor) is …

Top 20 of 2020

Now that 2020 is finally over, I thought I’d recap the year by listing the blog’s Top 20 most-visited posts …

Memories of Paris

Paris is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of nearly 2.15 million residents and an area of around 41 square …

Christiansborg Palace

Christiansborg Palace, located on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen, is a Danish government building that is home to the Danish Parliament, the Danish Prime Minister’s …

Palacio Nacional

Located along Mexico City’s Plaza de la Constitución, its main square also known as El Zócalo, the Palacio Nacional serves as the …

Stockholm Royal Palace

Stockholm Royal Palace (“Kungliga Slottet” in Swedish) is the official residence of the Swedish monarchs King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia (with their actual residence being at Drottningholm …

The Royal Mile

The Royal Mile is a succession of streets forming the main thoroughfare of the Old Town of Edinburgh, Scotland. The term was first used …

Doge’s Palace

Founded in 1340, the Doge’s Palace is one of the main landmarks of Venice in northern Italy. Built in Venetian Gothic style, the ducal palace …

The Best of SOUTH KOREA

The country of South Korea derives its name from Goguryeo (Koryŏ), one of the great historical powers of East Asia, which ruled most …

The Best of AUSTRIA

Austria is a landlocked East Alpine country in the southern part of Central Europe. It is bordered by Germany to the northwest, the Czech Republic to the …

Kensington, Part 2: The Gardens

The Kensington Palace Gardens began life as a King’s playground. For over 100 years, they were part of Hyde Park …

Kensington, Part 1: The Palace

Kensington Palace is a royal residence located in London, England. First established by William III and Mary II, it has …

Seoul Palaces, Part 3: Changgyeonggung

Changgyeong Palace (aka Changgyeonggung) is one of the Five Grand Palaces built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897) …

Seoul Palaces, Part 2: Changdeokgung

Changdeok Palace (literally, “Prospering Virtue Palace”), also known as Changdeokgung, is located within a large park in Seoul, South Korea, east of Gyeongbok Palace. …

Seoul Palaces, Part 1: Gyeongbokgung

Gyeongbok Palace (or Gyeongbokgung, “the palace of illustrious virtue”) was the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty of South Korea, …

Old Town Dubrovnik, Part 2: Historic Center

Dubrovnik’s Old Town is one of the world’s finest and most perfectly preserved medieval cities. Built with huge sturdy stone …

Kew, Part 2: The Palace

Located within Kew Gardens, situated on the banks of the River Thames near London, the Kew Palace is a British …

The Louvre, Part 2: The Museum

The Musée du Louvre, located on the Right Bank of the Seine in Paris, France, is the world’s largest art museum, with around 38,000 objects exhibited over …