What to See at the Palace of Versailles, Home of French Royalty

The royal palace of Versailles with its expansive gardens and massively intricate architecture is considered one of, if not the most, famous attractions in the Île-de-France region of France. Built by King Louis XIV, it has been home to three generations of French kings and queens from 1682 until the beginning of the French Revolution in 1798. As a result, each monarch was able to add new additions to the palace estate making even grander and majestic than it originally was. There is a lot see at here as the entire estate is 2,014 acres and so it's best to plan ahead. Be sure to download the Palace of Versailles Travel Guide and Offline Map to help you to maximize your trip.

1.      Estate of Trianon

Thies intimate estate is famously associated with Queen Marie-Antoinette and thus fondly called the Marie-Antoinette estate. Construction of the estate started under King Louis XIV. It was once called the "Marble Trianon" for the unique pink marbles panels that adorned the palace's facades. Marie-Antoinette is known to seek refuge and spent most of her time away from the prying eyes of the royal court in the marvelous rustic-style cottages of the Trianon. The cottages are surrounded by marvelous gardens with ornate geometric flowerbeds and tens of thousands of flowers.

2.      Hall of Mirrors

The Hall of Mirrors is the most prominent feature at the Palace of Versailles. It was originally built as a terrace that stood between the King and Queen's bedchambers. The open-air terrace overlooking the gardens was soon remodeled due to being exposed to bad weather. When the hall was finished it served as a passageway and waiting area to impress his guests. The Treaty of Versailles, which officially brought the First World War to an end, was signed here in the Hall of Mirrors on June 28, 1919.

3.      Leto’s Fountain

The palace estate has eight majestic fountains that you can visit, but one of the notable ones is the Leto's Fountain. It was inspired by The Metamorphoses by Ovide. It illustrates the story of Leto, the mother of Apollo and Diana, protecting her children from the insults of the peasants of Lycia and pleading with Jupiter to avenge her. Jupiter agrees and turns the inhabitants of Lycia into frogs and lizards. The central marble pyramid depicts Leto and her children.

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Make Plans to Visit Marrakech, the Gateway to the Sahara Desert

Marrakech, the fourth largest city of Kingdom of Morocco, is a hidden gem that is definitely worth a visit. The former imperial city is a major economic center and home to mosques, palaces and gardens. Here are a few reasons why you should go to Morocco. For more helpful details, check out the Marrakech Travel Guide & Offline City Street Maps. Gateway to the Sahara Desert

The Sahara Desert is a wonder of nature, an endless sea of sand that seems to stretch infinitely. It covers approximately 3.5 million square miles or 9.2 million square kilometers making it around the same size as the continental United States. It touches eight countries and is home to unique land formations and plant and animal life.

Kasr of Ait Benhaddou at Sahara Desert

Haggle for Rares at the Souqs

The Souqs is a massive marketplace where you can get pretty much anything and for a huge bargain your negotiation skills are good enough. You can haggle on both common items such as food, clothing, and traditional Moroccan lamps as well as rare treasures such as artwork and antique jewelry. Start haggling for a third of the seller’s price and you are likely to get the item you want at half the price. You can even play a game with your friends on who is the best haggler.

Awesome Marrakech Souk

Relax in the Majorelle Gardens

The Jardin Majorelle oasis offers a serene break from the hectic city. The gardens are named after Jacques Majorelle, a French artist who fell in love with the city of Marrakech so much he brought everything he can with him upon his return in 1919 and settled there for good. He purchased the plot of land where the gardens now stand for use as his personal studio and sanctuary. The gardens suffered deterioration after Majorelle’s death in 1962 but were purchased and restored in 1966 by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé. The Majorelle Gardens became open to the public in 2008, shortly after Saint Laurent’s death.

Experience Authentic Moroccan Mint Tea

Moroccan cuisine is nothing to scoff at. It has its own unique look and flavor. The most sought after Moroccan food item is authentic mint tea. It is prepared using unique Moroccan ways using ingredients found in the locality for a distinct aroma and taste.

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Copenhagen, the Stylish Danish Capital

Copenhagen, Denmark is one of the emerging tourist destinations today with many people from all over the world getting captivated by its dreamy design, luscious foods, and beauty. Here are some of the many reasons you should visit Copenhagen. And don’t forget to download the Copenhagen Travel Guide Offline and City Map for maximum experience. The Restaurants

Copenhagen is home to Noma, rated 2-stars by Michelin and is considered one of the 50 best restaurants in the world and the pinnacle of super gourmet dining. There are also numerous other notable eateries such as:

• Fiskebar – serves a wide variety of fish dishes
• Kiin Kiin – a Michelin-starred Thai restaurant
• Retour Steak – home of half kilo rumps
• Relae – informal eatery ideal for dates
• Bodega - a cafe-cum-bar near the city cemetery and the number one destination for brunch

Street Food

If you prefer going through food stalls and tasting as much variety of food as you can over sitting on a dining table, Copenhagen has you covered with its rapidly growing street food scene. The Paper Island houses the city’s first street food market where you can sample food from all over the globe, pull and deck chair, sit by the water, and enjoy the assortment of good food. Artists and musicians also often frequent the area to give free live performances to diners.

Yammi! Copenhagen Cinnamon Rolls

The Hygge

Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) is a toasty, warm, cozy atmosphere so unique to the Danish winter the word does not have a direct English translation yet. It is all about a serene environment of good life, candles, friends and laughter, and a sheepskin blanket. Spending a few winter days in Copenhagen will be a perfect bonding activity for couples and families.

The Tivoli Gardens

The Tivoli Gardens amusement park, founded in 1843, is considered as a national treasure and a must-visit for anyone visiting Copenhagen. It is like a place from fairytales with its lush gardens, exotic architecture, and thousands of multi-colored lights that come alive during the night.

Enjoy Tivoli Gardens

Cycling Culture

Bicycles are the primary mode of transport in Copenhagen which means no traffic, no noise, and no pollution. You can rent a city bike with built-in GPS or a traditional bike from one of the many ubiquitous shops and start exploring.

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