history

Something for the Weekend: Hampton Court Palace

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Hampton Court Palace is a little off the beaten track – as London goes. You can’t reach it on the tube so I never really ventured out that way before. It’s very easily reached by car though if you’re staying west of the city.

It was a favourite palace of the Tudors and the Georgians and as such it’s teeming with history. Though it’s perhaps most famous for hosting the romance of Henry Tudor and Anne Boleyn.

The decor is a visual picnic – there’s a little bit of everything as so many royals have put their stamp on the place over the centuries.

Vienna: The Spanish Riding School and Hofburg Palace

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There was so much to see in Vienna that it would be impossible to fit it all into one post so let me start with showing you guys The Spanish Riding School and the Hofburg Palace.

The Spanish Riding School was #1 on my list of things to see in Vienna. We were lucky enough to book tickets to one of the last shows before the stallions have their annual summer break. It’s a place steeped in tradition and it completely lived up to all my expectations.

The Museum’s quarter in Vienna was formerly the imperial stables, but the horses are now stabled across from the Spanish Riding School. There is so much to see and do in Vienna, but with the weather being so glorious we spent most of our time outdoors taking in all the beautiful sights. (I have every intention of going back one winter to explore inside the many museums and palaces.) The Spanish Riding School was pretty much the only time we spent indoors – as well as the show we also booked onto the Behind the Scenes Tour of the facilities, which is worth doing. It’s prohibited to take pictures of the horses at any time (for good reason) but I did manage to get a sneaky shot of the stable cat!