Democracy Dies successful Darkness
In Germany, Russia, Portugal and beyond, these extravagant palaces of the past are present unfastened to visitors.
August 9, 2026 astatine 6:00 a.m. EDT2 minutes ago
Guest Column by Rick Steves
The royal families of the past — similar those of the contiguous — were fond of their countryside getaways. These lavish retreats provided an flight from the metropolis and the summertime heat, a spot for diversions similar hunting and horseback riding, and capable onshore to physique expansive showpiece palaces and gardens. While Europe has galore royal summertime palaces you tin visit, a fewer are singular for their sheer size, over-the-top opulence and the larger-than-life personalities who built them.














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