Smag31

A glorious example of Medieval architecture on a truly grand scale, this former Benedictine abbey church stands on the south side of Parliament Square. Founded in the 11th century by Edward the Confessor, it survived the Reformation and continued as a place of royal ceremonials. Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation was held here in 1953 and … Read more

Buckingham Palace overlooks two of London ‘s most central Royal Parks – St James’s and Green Park – and is just a short walk from Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. Along with the other London parks, these provide year-round pleasure and an invaluable retreat for all who live, work and visit the city. Many offer … Read more

Sony Center One of Berlin’s largest new structures is the spectacular Sony Center. Neue Nationalgalerie This impressive low building with its huge windows was built in 1965–8 according to plans by Mies van der Rohe. It was the first building to be designed by the pioneering Bauhaus architect after his emigration to the USA. He … Read more

Brandenburger Tor More than a mere symbol, the Brandenburg Gate is synonymous with Berlin . Schloss Charlottenburg This palace boasts Baroque and Rococo splendours and a beautiful park, making it one of the most attractive in Germany . Schloss Bellevue Built according to plans by Philipp Daniel Boumann in 1785–90, this palace was the residence … Read more

Mission Dolores The 18th-century Spanish mission, site of the area’s earliest settlement, is worth a visit for its tranquility, as well as for the education it provides about the city’s early history . Jackson Square The area that witnessed the worst misbehavior of the Barbary Coast days contains some of the city’s oldest, loveliest buildings. … Read more

Native Americans There were settlements in the Bay as early as the 11th century BC, made up of hunters and gatherers who enjoyed a rich diet of seeds, shellfish, and game. Historians group these peoples into the Coast Miwok, the Wintun, and the Ohlone. Sir Francis Drake In 1579, the English privateer landed near Point … Read more

Features of Mr. Washington’s Farm 16-Sided Treading Barn With this unique design, George Washington created one of the most aesthetically pleasing and yet efficient working barns. The circular floorplan of the building with its slatted upper floor allowed horses to tread over grain placed on the floor to break the heads from the stalks. The … Read more

This graceful mansion, on the banks of the Potomac River, is the second most visited historic residence in America after the White House. George Washington spent part of his childhood here and returned after his presidency. With many of the buildings and activities brought back to life, no other place better portrays the character of … Read more

Palazzo Altemps Collection Garden of Delights Loggia The loggia frescoes (c.1595) are a catalogue of the exotic fruits, plants and animals then being imported from the New World. Athena Parthenos The 1st-century BC Greek sculptor Antioco carved this statue to match the most famed sculpture in antiquity, the long-lost Athena in Athens’ Parthenon. “Grande Ludovisi” … Read more

The National Museum of Rome, with its excellent Classical art collection, grew too vast for its home in the Baths of Diocletian, which closed in 1981. In 1998 the collection was split between various sites, becoming a truly modern, 21st-century museum. The Ludovisi, Mattei and Altemps collections of sculpture moved into the gorgeous 16th-century Palazzo … Read more

Eats like royalty on a vegetarian cookery course in Turkey with the ultimate sea view. Sweet, syrupy, soft and with a textured, nutty finish – you haven’t tasted proper baklava until you’ve experienced Yediburunlar Lighthouse’s fresh and utterly delectable homemade version. With layers and layers of paper-thin pastry painstakingly rolled out by expert hands, it … Read more

Anassa, a glamorous thalassotherapy spa decorated with Roman mosaics and Venetian frescoes, nestles on one Cyprus’ fitnest beaches. It’s good for families, couples and singles wanting to escape to peace and nature.   The hotel The five-star spa has a Byzantine theme, reflected in its fountains, archways and cobbled courtyard; it even has a tiny … Read more

Once a humble house built by three monks to worship Buddha, Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island is now a large and important temple. Its crowning glory, the giant Buddha statue facing the monastery, is an object of veneration for devotees and one of Hong Kong’s most popular tourist sights. The statue dominates the area … Read more

This tiny, charming island, a half-hour ferry ride west of Hong Kong, makes a great escape from the heat and hassles of the city, except maybe at weekends when everyone else has the same idea. The sense of an older, traditional Hong Kong is pervasive among the narrow streets, tiny shops and temples of this … Read more

The Retiro is the city’s green lung and the madrileños’ favourite weekend retreat. The aristocracy was first admitted to the former royal grounds in 1767 but it was another century before the gates were opened to the general public. Visitors can enjoy not only the decorative features, w hich include statues and sculptural arrangements, follies, … Read more

Musée d’Orsay Musée d’Orsay Musée Picasso A favourite of Parisians and visitors alike. The beautifully restored Hôtel Salé in the Marais is a splendid setting for this extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings and other works by Pablo Picasso (1881–1973), including works from his Cubist period. Large sculptures also adorn the garden and courtyard. The … Read more

Tower Prisoners Sites of imprisonment Bishop of Durham The first political prisoner to be held in the White Tower was Ralph de Flambard, Bishop of Durham. Locked up by Henry l in 1100, he was seen as responsible for the unpopular policies of Henry’s predecessor, William ll. Henry Vl During the Wars of the Roses, … Read more

London’s great riverside fortress is usually remembered as a place of imprisonment, but it also has a more glorious past. Originally a moated fort, the White Tower was built for William I (the Conqueror) and begun around 1078. Enlarged by later monarchs – including Henry VIII, who famously sent two of his wives to their … Read more

The spiritual and political heart of the city, the Palace of Westminster was built here a thousand years ago as a royal household, seat of government and abbey. The square was planned as part of the rebuilding programme following a fire that destroyed the Palace in 1834. Usually known as the Houses of Parliament, the … Read more

George Washington The United States’ first president George Washington (1789–97) was never greater than when he refused to interpret the position of president as equivalent to “king.” George Washington John Adams Adams (1797–1801) was among the young nation’s most experienced diplomats, having managed affairs in Europe. He was the first US vice president, under Washington. … Read more