Palaces

The iconic victory over the might of the Ottoman Empire in 1565, bolstered with the systematic building of coastal defences around Malta, encouraged the top three dignitaries in Malta, namely the Grand Master, the Inquisitor and later the Bishop, as well as the nobility to venture out of the cities of Vittoriosa, Mdina and (later) … Continue reading »

Out came the sketchbook, the squared paper, the pencils and the plant catalogues: Otter Farm was on its way. The inspiration kept coming. People like Sarah Raven, and Monty and Sarah Don sat on the fence of gardening and cooking, exactly where I felt most at home. Their early books showed me that gardening is … Continue reading »

A James Bond-style Cold War bunker deep beneath the Mendip Hills could leave visitors a tiny-bit shaken and a little-bit thrilled next month. The bunker, built underground between Charterhouse and West Harptree, still contains some of the equipment that was fitted more than 50 years ago, to be used in the event of a national … Continue reading »

Next week Hampton Court Palace hosts the world’s biggest flower show, offering a chance for horticulturists and gardening enthusiasts alike an unbeatable day out. Hampton Court has always had a more relaxed atmosphere than Chelsea Flower Show – some people prefer it – where all the family can spend the day shopping for plants and … Continue reading »

A vacation is about losing yourself in your environment – figuratively speaking. Patrick Lanzing had one of those experiences on a trip to England two years ago. Visiting Hampton Court Palace, the Newark, Calif., resident became enchanted by the grandeur of the castle and its grounds. “These trees and walks… present an almost surreal image … Continue reading »

Finicky Royal Builder: Tsar Ferdinand of Bulgaria’s Euxinograd Palace! Tsar Ferdinand I of Bulgaria The construction of the palace began soon after the land which it occupies was given to Knyaz Alexander Battenberg as a present by the Greek bishopric on 16 March 1882. There had previously been small monasteries called St. Demetrius and St. … Continue reading »

Changdeokgung and its legacy featured by national museumAmong the five grand palaces that were built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), “Changdeokgung,” or Changdeok Palace, was favored by many members of the royal family. The literal meaning of the palace, “Palace of Flourishing Virtue,” is reflected in Changdeokgung’s architecture and scenery, where the … Continue reading »

The Palace of Versailles, one of the most beautiful achievements of 17th-century French art. Symbol of the heyday of French royalty, the Palace of Versailles is one of the most remarkable monuments of France and the world. The former hunting lodge of Louis XIII was transformed and extended by his son, Louis XIV. The court … Continue reading »

Mon Repos Palace in Corfu, where a museum records the site as the birthplace of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, 90 years ago, is one of several state-owned properties included the package. The firesale will beaches, casinos, palaces, airports and marinas auctioned off around Greece. A suggestion by German MPs last year that Greece … Continue reading »

By Quaid Najmi Kolhapur, June 22 (IANS) A sprawling and lavish home for Kolhapur’s erstwhile rulers and then a school before becoming Maharashtra’s only heritage palace hotel, the Shalini Palace Hotel faces the prospect of being auctioned because of financial problems. Spread over 12 acres of lush greenery on the banks of the Rankala Lake … Continue reading »