Travelsmartplanet

It is free to wander thru the Cortile (courtyard) di Michelozzi of the Palazzo Vecchio (townhall of Florence). One reason to come here is to see a copy of Michaelangelo’s statue of David. The original sat here from 1504 to 1873, when it was moved to the Accademia Gallery. This replica erected in 1910 now stands in its place.

The first courtyard of Palazzo Vecchio was designed in 1453 by Michelozzo. The frescoes on the walls were painted in 1565 by Giorgio Vasari for the wedding celebration of Francesco I de’ Medici, the eldest son of Cosimo I de’ Medici, to Archduchess Johanna of Austria, sister of the Emperor Maximilian II. They depict cities of the Austrian Habsburg monarchy: Graz, Innsbruck, Linz, Vienna, Hall in Tirol, Freiburg im Breisgau and Konstanz.

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Here you can imagine dancing at a ball in a palace in Queen Victoria’s days. Her gown appears at the end of the video.
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Though foreigners flock to see the Mona Lisa, to the French, the most important painting in the Louvre – the unofficial national painting of France is this one, Liberty Leading the People by Delacroix. The bare-breasted female figure, who is called Marianne became a symbol of Liberty for the French Republic. Though Delacroix painted the July Revolution of 1830, the broken bodies beneath the flag depict the 40 years of civil war, political and social upheavals necessary to conquer the monarchy in order to win a representative government. The huge 8′ by 10′ scale adds to the dramatic patriotism.

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A chance to “dress up” as Prince Albert in Kensington Palace, London.

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We loved the way you could maneuver the reflections in a glass case in Kensington Palace to look like you are wearing Queen Victoria’s crown.

She was quite the catch.

Diana’s gowns are displayed in Kensington Palace with descriptions of where she wore them. She was much taller than we thought.

Photo op at Queen Victoria’s desk in Kensington Palace. On the desk are her diary notes from the day when she became Queen in this very Palace.

Photos of Princess Di and her boys in Kensington Palace which is included on the London City Pass.

Loved loved loved the wallpaper drawings of Princess Diana in Kensington Palace where she lived. Her sons now live here with their families. This wall is hidden in a little hallway near the public bathroom.