Palaces

The Magic Garden at Hampton Court Palace is fast becoming a firm favourite among young and old visitors alike. In May it gained a royal seal of approval, as the Duchess of Cambridge officially opened the garden on a glorious spring day. The attraction has actually been welcoming people since the end of March, and … Continue reading »

The SNCF, France’s national rail network, is a fine piece of infrastructure. But unlike the taxis of Mumbai or the long-haul trucks of Spain, French SNCF trains generally have an unremarkable décor that is more about efficiency than inspired design. But in 2012, the SNCF in collaboration with 3M launched Art in Transit, an ongoing … Continue reading »

Published: 10:02 EST, 14 May 2016 | Updated: 11:47 EST, 14 May 2016 A lavish palace that plays host to the parties of the rich and fabulous on the French Riviera faces being demolished amid claims its tycoon owner failed to get planning permission before he constructed a host of plush extensions. Chateau Diter is … Continue reading »

London’s Westminster City will soon be wired with the Silver Spring Networks’ Starfish Internet of Things (IoT) mesh network, transforming the venerable neighborhood of palaces and cathedrals into a modern smart city. The firm announced its latest deployment in a media announcement against the backdrop of the Internet of Things World Conference and Exposition, in Santa … Continue reading »

Ming Dynasty conquerors may have built the Forbidden City over the site of Yuan Dynasty ruler Kublai Khan’s palace, Beijing archaeologists now believe, the South China Morning Post reported Friday. The Yuan Dynasty ruled China as part of the Mongolian empire from 1271-1368, before a Han Chinese uprising established the Ming Dynasty in Nanjing, before … Continue reading »

Standing flamboyant by the powder blue Lake Pichola, the 200,000-sq ft City Palace in Udaipur, a part of which now functions as a living museum, can overwhelm you even before you step into the fine celebration of Mewari regalia. Built over four centuries ago by Rana Udai Singh II, father of Rana Pratap, the old … Continue reading »

This luxurious cliff-top castle is fit for a king. The Cascais Palace on the outskirts of Estoril offers mesmerising views of the sunny Portuguese Riviera and is on the market for €3,500,000 (£2,722,446). The fairytale property dates back to the late 19th century when the seaside resort, just 21 miles away from the capital Lisbon, … Continue reading »

NEW BERN, N.C. — North Carolina was on the fringe of the British Empire when Royal Gov. William Tryon determined that the colony needed a capitol more reflective of the majesty of King George III. Plus, Tryon wanted a nice place to live. The result was Tryon Palace, a solid, stolid brick Georgian mansion meant … Continue reading »

EL FASHER, Sudan // Tucked between palm trees and verdant lawns in the centre of Darfur’s El Fasher, the palace of the Sudanese region’s last sultan has become a focus of pride, 100 years after his death. Silver swords, antique rifles, richly coloured robes and the throne from which autocrat Sultan Ali Dinar ruled Darfur’s … Continue reading »

ESCToday in collaboration with the City of Stockholm will be bringing you a series of articles leading up to the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in order to showcase and introduce the 2016 Eurovision host city Stockholm to our readers. Today we will have a look at the magnificent Royal Palace in Stockholm with its royal … Continue reading »