LONDON- The city of London holds more history than you can begin to fathom. Luckily I have been given the opportunity to spend several
months taking it all in; however I am not sure that is even enough time to
see it all. Throughout the past month I have dedicated my weekends to
spending time exploring a number of historical places right here in the city.

I was fascinated by Hampton Court Palace before I even stepped foot on the royal grounds. To think, Henry VIII, infamously known for executing all six of his wives, was the first person to call it home. However, it was when I made my way through the gates, and stepped into the palace’s first room that I realized how much history lies inside this palace.

From Andrea Mantegna’s Triumphs of Caesar, which is considered
to be one of the most important works of the Italian Renaissance to the
wall length tapestries, illustrating history from Henry VIII to George II to the 60 acres of flawless gardens and world-famous garden maze the
palaces are just examples of the history in Hampton Court Palace.

I also have had the chance to visit Buckingham Palace where the present
Her Majesty, The Queen Elizabeth resides today. Although this palace did
not have the eye-striking gardens, like those of Hampton Court, the size itself, 240 rooms and 78 bathrooms to be precise, is reason enough to attract a tourist.

The lavish amounts of gold which coats the ceilings and walls is beauti-ful,
but overwhelming, particularly in the state rooms where the color of the
walls and the furniture always match.

During my visit I was also able to watch the official process the changing
of the guards, a fascinating event that goes on at Buckingham Palace, one of the few running royal palaces left in the world today.

Visiting these palaces in London have been both memorable and educational experiences, leaving me with great aspiration to continue exploring the rest of the city and all it has to offer.