Pena Palace – Sintra, Portugal
Perched high above the village of Sintra, this fairytale palace in Portugal is one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal and features a mix of architectural styles, including Manueline and Moorish influences. Inspired by German Romanticism, King Ferdinand bought the building and transformed it into this eclectic palace, with exotic flowers on the grounds and he planted over 500 species of trees.
Chateau de Versailles – Versailles, France
One of his most visited attractions in France, the Palace of Versailles is one of the most impressive examples of his 17th-century and his 18th-century royal residences for everyone to experience. Considered Louis his crowning contribution to the Palace of the XIV, historically, he was also where the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919 to end World War II.
Rundale Palace – Rundale, Latvia
A visit to the Rundale Palace, also known as the Versailles of the Baltic, transports you back to a time of splendor. Designed by architect Francesco Rastrelli, who also worked on the St. Petersburg Hermitage, the building is a Baroque and Rococo masterpiece, packed with artistic treasures and surrounded by a beautiful rose garden.
Buckingham Palace – London, England
The London residence of Queen Elizabeth II, Buckingham Palace is the working palace at the heart of Britain’s constitutional monarchy. If you’ve seen a royal wedding, you might recognize the throne room that served as the backdrop for the official photos of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Topkapi Palace – Istanbul, Turkey
First built by Mehmet the Conqueror in the 15th century, the Ottoman Sultan ruled the territory from this magnificent palace on the banks of the Bosphorus until his 19th century. The enormous palace, which takes at least half a day to explore, was once home to her 5,000 full-time residents, including hundreds of concubines and eunuchs.
Royal Palace Amsterdam – Amsterdam, Netherlands
At the center of the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age, the Royal Palace was dubbed the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’. Today it serves as the residence of the King in Amsterdam and is used for ceremonies and events.
Royal Palace of Caserta – Caserta, Italy
The Royal Palace of Caserta was designed and largely built by the Dutch architect Ludwig van Wittel. Given the Italian onomatopoeic name Vanvitelli, Ludwig van Wittel is the pride of the Bourbon dynasty. The palace also houses a theater, the only room completely completed by Vanvitelli himself before his death.
Schonbrunn Palace – Vienna, Austria
Vienna’s top attraction, the word palace should have been coined for this sprawling palace on the outskirts of the city. The palace also starred in James’s Bond movie The Living Daylights, in which 007 and his accomplices ride in horse-drawn carriages through the gardens.