Golubac Fortress: Towers of History

Golubac Fortress: Towers of History

Perched on the banks of the mighty Danube, Golubac Fortress, with its towers full of history, rises like a vision from a medieval legend, its rugged towers and thick stone walls commanding dramatic views over the cliffs and river below.… Read the rest

Topkapi Palace: The Fourth Court

Topkapi Palace: The Fourth Court

Topkapi Palace dominates Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet district, completing what I think of as the city’s essential sightseeing trifecta alongside Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Perched above the Bosphorus, the palace does not simply reward visitors with views; it opens a door into more than four centuries of Ottoman rule.… Read the rest

Topkapi Palace: The Third Court

Topkapi Palace: The Third Court

Topkapi Palace dominates Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet district, completing what I think of as the city’s essential sightseeing trifecta alongside Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Perched above the Bosphorus, the palace does not simply reward visitors with views; it opens a door into more than four centuries of Ottoman rule.… Read the rest

Topkapi Palace: The First Court

Topkapi Palace: The First Court

Topkapi Palace dominates Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet district, completing what I think of as the city’s essential sightseeing trifecta alongside Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Perched above the Bosphorus, the palace does not simply reward visitors with views; it opens a door into more than four centuries of Ottoman rule.… Read the rest

Ubud Water Palace

Ubud Water Palace

Nestled in the heart of Bali, the Ubud Water Palace, also known as Saraswati Temple (Pura Taman Saraswati), is one of the island’s most enchanting landmarks. It is a large, relatively new temple (pura), built for the Ubud royal family.… Read the rest

Ubud Palace

Ubud Palace

Ubud Palace (locally, Puri Saren Agung) is located in the heart of Ubud. This previously quiet town, known for its rice paddies and relaxation, is now the buzzing center of Bali‘s ‘yoga’ tourism. Long the destination of backpackers, seeking cheap beer alongside authentic experience, Ubud was catapulted into fame when it put the ‘love’ into Julia Roberts’ 2010 blockbuster Eat Pray Love.Read the rest

Nymphenburg Palace: Marstallmuseum

Nymphenburg Palace: Marstallmuseum – Horse decoration and harnesses from the coronation procession of Emperor Karl VII

When wandering through the grandeur of Munich’s Nymphenburg Palace, the Marstallmuseum is a hidden gem that may fly under the radar of the typical tourist path.… Read the rest

Badenburg

Badenburg

Tucked away in the lush palace park of Nymphenburg in Munich, the Badenburg Pavilion is one of those hidden gems that you might just stumble upon if you take the time to wander off the main path. At first glance, it looks like just another charming Baroque pavilion but step inside and you’re transported into a world of early 18th century luxury and leisure.… Read the rest

Amalienburg

Amalienburg

Amalienburg at Schloss Nymphenburg serves as a summer residence and hunting lodge. Elector Karl Albrecht (who reigned from 1726 to 1745) commissioned it for his wife, Maria Amalia. Munich court architect Francois Cuvilliés designed the single-storey building, which features a unique hall of mirrors partly decorated in silver.… Read the rest

Nymphenburg Palace Park

Nymphenburg Palace Park

You know a place is special when you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairytale just by walking through its gates. That’s exactly how I feel as I enter the Nymphenburg Palace Park in Munich. While the palace itself is undeniably grand, dripping in Baroque opulence and royal history, the gardens and palace park steal the show with their quiet beauty, lush landscapes and hidden architectural gems.… Read the rest