In the 17th century, Sultan Moulay Ismail made Meknes his capital in the hope of turning it into Morocco's answer to Versailles.
Meknes: Discovering one of Morocco’s four Imperial Cities
Rabat: Exploring Morocco’s elegant and historic capital city
Founded on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in the 12th century, Morocco's grand, elegant and historic capital is a delightful city.
Madrid travel guide
One of my favourite European capital cities, Madrid is a must for art aficionados, foodies and museum lovers. This is my mini guide to the Spanish capital.
Kuala Lumpur: Visiting the National Palace, Monument and Mosque
A trio of national sites: the Istana Negara (royal palace), the Tugu Negara (national monument) and the Masjid Negara (national mosque).
Madrid: El Escorial
Severe, austere and imposing, the 16th century El Escorial is part-monastery, part-palace, built to house the remains of the Spanish royal family.
Aranjuez: Royal Palace and Gardens
Some 45 minutes south of Madrid, you'll find the city of Aranjuez, home to the spectacular royal summer palace and its extensive gardens.
Madrid: Palacio Real and Catedral de la Almudena
Lavish, ornate and sumptuous, Madrid's royal palace is the largest palace in Western Europe. The adjacent Almudena Cathedral is a simpler, more modest affair.
Madrid
Sophisticated, elegant and walkable, the Spanish capital may lack a big, showstopping attraction. But it more than makes up for it with world-class museums, breathtaking palaces and outstanding food.
London: Holbein at the Tudor Court at The Queen’s Gallery
This fascinating and comprehensive exhibition charts artist Hans Holbein the Younger's journey to become one of Henry VIII's official court painters and his lasting influence on royal portrait painters.
Venice: San Marco
No trip to Venice would be complete without a visit to its most famous square, the Piazza San Marco, and the iconic sites that surround it, the Basilica di San Marco, the Palazzo Ducale and the Campanile.
London: Kew Gardens
Home to more than 50,000 species of plants from all corners of the globe, these world-famous gardens date back to the 18th century.
Wells: Bishop’s Palace and Gardens
The partially-ruined Bishop's Palace, which is surrounded by 14 acres of gardens, has been home to the Bishop of Bath and Wells for more than 800 years.
Little Old World 