The Spanish capital is awash with art. Madrid has so many museums that even the biggest art enthusiast will have trouble visiting them all. The most popular choices are the Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza, which are affectionately known as “the Big Three.” A specially-priced museum pass is on offer to encourage visitors to tour […]
Europe
The Astonishing Hanging Houses of Cuenca, Spain
The Hanging Houses of Cuenca, Spain take the phrase “living on the edge” to extremes. Built in the 15th century atop rocky cliffs, the homes extended the town to its geographical limits. Las Casas Colgadas, as the structures are known in Spanish, seem suspended in both time and place. Some feature wooden balconies that jut […]
Three Must-See Manors in Estonia
A Baltic German aristocracy reigned over Estonia and Latvia from the Middle Ages until the end of the first world war. They arrived as traders and crusaders, fighting to convert the native pagans to the Christian cause. Entry into the Hanseatic League increased the wealth of these German traders and they soon dominated every aspect […]
Rakvere Castle, Estonia: A Step Back to the Middle Ages
I pulled into Rakvere, Estonia on a rainy afternoon and was drawn to the imposing castle ruins perched above the town like a moth to a flame. Built by the Danes in the 14th century, Rakvere Castle is now a self-billed theme park that aims to educate visitors on the realities of medieval life. Trudging across […]
Kadriorg Palace: A Museum Fit for a Queen
Kadriorg Palace in Tallinn, Estonia is a relic of a bygone era. It was built in 1718 by Peter the Great, founding czar of the Russian Empire. The palace’s salmon pink facade, accented with slate blue doors and a green copper roof, was designed in the same ornate style as the buildings of Petersburg, the Empire’s […]