Mansingh Palace, Ajmer

Advantages: Helps put Romania in context, an astounding building
Disadvantages: Uncomfortable history, vulgar and ostentatious decor

...Pol Pot, Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin….the twentieth century certainly had its share of unpleasant and tyrannous leaders. Romania’s Nicolae Ceausescu must surely rank near the top of the list - if there were league tables for nastiness then he would likely be in a medal position. Tales of his evil deeds abound but the Romanian capital, Bucharest, is home to the project that embodied his bizarre and frightening ideas - the Palace of the People. In terms of surface area it is the second largest building in the world, in volume the third largest. It is not just its size, though, that makes it astonishing; millions of Leu were poured into the project while Romania received international aid and its people starved. The building was not even completed when Ceausescu was overthrown in December 1989 and nearly two decades later it is still... Read review

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Advantages: Architechture, good value for moneym not too busy
Disadvantages: bit off the beaten track, not open Saturdays

...When you think of royal residences in the London area you think of Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace and perhaps the Tower of London or Hampton Court. No one would mention Eltham Palace even though it is where the young Henry VIII spent the vast majority of his childhood.. Eltham Palace is in a far flung corner of suburban south east London thus is a little known gem far far away from the touristtrap of central London. It's a palace with a difference as it is more cosy, intimate and at first sight not very royal at all due to the new 1930s wing. You may recognise the interiors as it has been used in films and television programs set in the 30s such as I capture the Castle and Brideshead Revisited. Eltham Palace is a fascinating building architecturally, with a very interesting history. It's actually half medieval Great Hall... Read review

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Advantages: Great royal history, inside and out
Disadvantages: None at all

...Henry VIII is arriving on his barge, out on the Thames,the scurry of activity is hectic, all over the palace. Cast your imagination back to those historic, royal days; fearful, hospitable, sociable and most of all regal times. It's easy to relive life at Hampton Court, guides dress in period costume and talk in the dialect of the day and exhibitions make it come alive. Take time to step back in time! Time in this case is from 500 years ago. My research tells me that probably the first most famous resident was Thomas Wolsley,who took over the palace in 1514 when he became Archbishop of York. He had to give it up when Henry VIII wanted it- I think he wanted to keep his head, so gave up the palace! Henry took over around 1537 and his only son was born there and christened in the Chapel Royal; a couple of days later the baby... Read review

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