While we enjoy a lovely long Queen's Birthday weekend, Leila George tracks down the best royal sites to visit around the world.
1 Buckingham Palace
Where:
London, England
What:
Best royal sites to visit: Crowned heads living here
By Leila George
Herald on Sunday·
8 mins to read
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The Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. Photo / 123RF
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The official London residence of the UK's sovereigns since Queen Victoria moved in in 1837, Buckingham Palace is also the monarch's administrative headquarters. It has 775 rooms, including 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, and 78 bathrooms, and that very famous balcony where the royal family make public appearances on special occasions. The first balcony appearance was in 1851 when Queen Victoria marked celebrations for the opening of the Great Exhibition; in recent years the most famous appearances have been from newlyweds Charles and Diana, and William and Kate.
When to go: The palace's State Rooms are open to visitors every summer (this year from July 22 to October 1). Tours take visitors through all 19 State Rooms, the Grand Staircase and the Throne Room, with a free audio guide narrated by Prince Charles. The Queen's Gallery, which hosts changing art exhibitions from the Royal Collections, is open all year. While you're there, travel a couple of hours outside of London to Windsor Castle, built in the 11th century and the longest occupied palace in Europe. It's open daily, year-round.
Online: royalcollection.org.uk
2 Palace of Versailles
Where:
Versailles, about 40 minutes' drive from Paris, France.
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What:
Once a hunting lodge in the swamplands surrounding Paris, Versailles was transformed and extended by Louis XIV, starting in 1682. Its lavish history as a royal palace, including as the home of Marie Antoinette, came to an end in 1789 when the French Revolution forced Louis XVI to return to Paris. In 1837, King Louis-Phillipe returned the site to the people, turning it into the Museum of the History of France. In the 20th century, it was restored and has been a world heritage site for 30 years. Today the Palace has 2300 rooms - including the impressive Hall of Mirrors - spread over 63,154sq m, as well as 600ha of manicured gardens.
When to go:
To avoid huge summer crowds, visit in low season from November to March. The palace is open every day except Mondays; the gardens and the park are open daily.
Online:
3 Forbidden City
Where:
Beijing, China
What:
In the heart of Beijing, the Forbidden City is the largest palace complex in the world, one of only three ancient palaces in China still standing, and the best preserved imperial palace in the country. Construction began in 1406 and ended in 1420, and the palace was home to the 24 emperors of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. It's a sprawling complex and you won't be able to see it all in one day, so make sure you plan your visit. Don't miss the Calligraphy and Painting, and Ceramics Galleries, the Three Great Halls, the Pavillion of Cheerful Melodies and the Imperial Gardens. Guided tours are available.
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When to go:
The Forbidden City is China's most popular tourist attraction for both domestic and international visitors and sees about 14 million visitors a year. Its website recommends visiting between November and March, and to especially avoid national state and traditional holidays like Chinese New Year, National Day (October 1) and Tomb Sweeping Day in early April.
Online:
4 Winter Palace
Where: St Petersburg, Russia
What: The official home of monarchs, including Catherine the Great, from 1732 until the Russian Revolution in 1917, this riverside baroque palace now houses part of the Hermitage Museum, one of the greatest collections of art in the world. Fire destroyed most of the interiors in 1837 but Nicholas I demanded everything was rebuilt and restored within a year. One of the world's most visited palaces, it has more than 3 million visitors per year.
When to go: May to September to get the best weather, but avoid peak tourist season in July and August.
Online: hermitagemuseum.org
5 Alhambra
Where:
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Granada, Spain
What:
Lonely Planet
calls The Alhambra "Part-palace, part-fort, part-World Heritage site, part-lesson in medieval architecture". It's thought there has been some kind of castle on this site since the 9th century, thanks to its vantage point looking out over the river Darro, the meadow, the city and surrounding neighbourhoods.
Built in the 13th century for the Arabic Nasrid dynasty, the Alhambra got its name from its red walls - the word roughly translates to Red Castle in Arabic. Look out for beautiful mosaics, lattice work, carvings and Moorish architecture.
When to go:
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Avoid the Northern Hemisphere summer months and book a tour early or late in the day to avoid crowds. Online: en.granadatur.com
6 Neuschwanstein Castle
Where:
Hohenschwangau in southwest Bavaria, Germany
What:
Perched on top of a rugged hill, this is one of the most picturesque castles in Europe. It was the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty's castle at Disneyland, and has featured in many movies, including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the Great Escape. Built in the late 19th century, the palace was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria, who paid for its construction from his own pocket. He intended to make the castle his home, but died before his project was completed. It was then opened to the public and, an easy day trip from Munich, sees more than 1.3 million visitors every year.
When to go: Entry is only permitted as part of a guided tour, which depart at set times. Tickets must be bought from the ticket centre in Hohenschwangau village. If you can cope with the cold, go in winter for a magical look at the area blanketed in snow. Otherwise, aim for shoulder season - May to June or September to October.
Online: neuschwanstein.de/englisch
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7 Schonbrunn Palace
Where:
Vienna, Austria
What:
The Palace and Gardens of Schonbrunn, a former residence of the imperial Habsburg family, is one of Europe's best examples of a Baroque palace. A major tourist attraction since the 1950s, and preserved as a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1996, this is Austria's most visited tourist attraction. The palace was commissioned in 1693 by Emperor Leopold I for his son Crown Prince Joseph. It went through various transformations and extensions over the years, before being gifted to Maria Theresa, daughter of Emperor Charles VI, who rebuilt and extended the grand buildings into a palatial summer residence. With its rosewood panelling and intricate decorating, the Room of Millions is considered to be the most magnificent Rococo room in the world. The gardens, which have been accessible to the public since 1779, contain a maze, fountains, monuments, and winter gardens, and Tiergarten Schonbrunn, the first zoo.
When to go: Open daily, including public holidays. Avoid peak summer months and buy tickets online well in advance so you don't have to queue on the day.
Online: schoenbrunn.at/en
8 Mysore Palace
Where:
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Mysuru, Karnataka, India
What:
The city of Mysore (officially renamed as Mysuru in 2014), has a rich history and is one of India's most-visited tourist attractions. It was the official residence of the Wadiyar dynasty, who ruled the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1950. The current building replaced the old wooden one that was destroyed by fire in the late 19th century during a wedding ceremony. The buildings, inside the city's Old Fort, are made from granite and pink marble, and around the complex you'll find spacious courtyards, beautiful gardens, sculptures and 12 Hindu temples.
When to go:
The palace is open daily from 10am to 5.30pm, and has special illuminations every Sunday and public holiday from 7-7.30pm. Avoid April, when temperatures can reach 34C, and the rainy season from May to October.
Online:
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9 Chapultepec Castle
Where:
Mexico City, Mexico
What:
There aren't many castles in America, and those that do exist are more style than substance, none being home to actual royalty. So Chapultepec is truly special - it's the only castle on the North American continent that was once the home to sovereigns. It was built in 1725 as a large manor house for the commander in chief of New Spain. After the Mexican War of Independence, the castle went through a period of abandonment and near-ruin, then served as a military academy, then was the site of the Battle of Chapultepec in the Mexican-American War in 1847. Later, the castle became the official residence of Emperor Maximilian I and his wife Empress Carlota - Maximilian wasn't Mexican at all, but actually the Austrian prince of the Habsburg dynasty though had been offered the crown by Mexican monarchists. He met a brutal end - shot by firing squad in 1867 - and the castle once again fell into disrepair until it became the residence of Mexico's presidents. In 1939 the castle was transformed into the National Museum of History. As well as exhibits on the history of Mexico, part of the castle has been preserved as it would have looked when occupied by Maximilian and Carlota. Baz Luhrmann fans will recognise it as the Capulet mansion in his version of
Romeo + Juliet
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.
When to go:
Easter is a good time as Mexico City residents head for the beaches. Or go in early November - the rainy season will have ended and Day of the Dead festivities will be beginning. The museum is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9am to 5pm, and costs 70 pesos ($5).
Online:
