Sintra is one of the unique and beautiful places in Portugal. It is a charming Portuguese town situated within the hills of the Serra de Sintra.

Pena Palace, a storybook-like castle perched on a hill in the Sintra Mountains is an amazing sight. This was the summer residence for the Portuguese royal family, opened in 1854, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bolsa Palace is the Stock Exchange Palace in Porto, Portugal. The Palace was built in the 19th century by the city’s Commercial Association and is located in the Infante D. Henrique Square in the historical center of Porto and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Scone Palace is the family home of the Earls of Mansfield and the crowning place of Scottish kings. The interior of the palace is furnished and loaded with family memorabilia.

Alex Munthe said this about Villa San Michele, ‘My house must be open to the sun, to the wind and the voice of the sea, just like a Greek temple, and light, light, light everywhere!’

Naples is a well-known city in southern Italy that has a mix of tattered Old World beauty and modern. There are castles and palaces, monuments and statues. The city’s historic district is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

Madrid is a cheerful and vibrant city at all hours. It is known for its rich history, architecture, late dinners, art and culture. It is diverse and welcoming with every style of neighborhood and culture.

Vienna is the capital of Austria and a city full of historical buildings and some of the most astounding palace complexes in the world.

The castle at Linderhof or Linderhof Palace is part of the famed legacy of the Bavarian King Ludwig II, situated in the Bavarian Alps. Linderhof is considered one of King Ludwig II’s smallest palaces, but it is surrounded by extensive gardens an terraces in the Italian style.

The Nymphenburg Palace is a Baroque palace located in Munich, Germany. It is considered one of the premier royal palaces of Europe and was the summer residence for Bavarian Kings for over 300 years.

When I took the ferry from the airport via the Grand Canal, which runs through the heart of the city, I started to fall in love with the enchanting city, and knew this bucket list destination was not going to disappoint. Venice is incredibly unique with 117 islands, 150 canals, over 400 bridges and no cars. Venice, Italy is mostly known for its canals, but I will tell you it is an architectural photo walk. The city’s architecture reflects so many influences including Byzantine, Islamic, and Gothic.