Christmas is a time for family, presents, celebration, and, of course, Christmas movies.
If your household is anything like ours, these movies often involve a palace or two. For some reason, Christmas always brings to mind palaces in the snow, regal balls, and a love story with a happy ending. It’s the time of year we all look at our own households and think: hmm, maybe I should redecorate a bit.
But as much as we’d all love our homes to resemble a palace, it’s more of a dream than a real possibility – and it becomes even more of a dream when we check our bank balances after the Christmas season is over!
No. Sadly, our homes will never be as magnificent as a palace. But we shouldn’t care too much. For one, think of the heating bills involved with running a palace. For two, if we want to get a taste of that magical experience, there are hundreds of real palaces around the world that are available to visit all year long.
With this in mind, we’ve listed 3 of our favourites that are perfect to visit in the wintertime, getting you outside of Texas and into a true, wintery fairytale!
Amalienborg, in Denmark
Amalienborg Palace is home to the royal family of Denmark, including the much-loved Queen Margrethe II. Denmark itself is a beautiful country to visit in the winter, with numerous Christmas markets and activities to get involved in.
Visiting Amalienborg in the snow, however, is an experience that cannot be beaten. For those getting involved in the Queen’s speech odds, this is where the famous speech will be broadcast from, so if you visit before the day of the speech, you might even pick up a few clues on what she’s going to talk about. Or not. But hey, it’s worth a try!
Buckingham Palace, in London
This is perhaps the most famous palace in the world, home to King Charles II, who was crowned earlier this year. Every day, Buckingham Palace attracts hundreds of visitors, and it becomes even more magical in the winter, when the palace walls seem to glow an even brighter shade of white.
We should warn you, however, the people guarding the gates are not life-size nutcrackers. They’re called the Palace Guards, and they’re very serious. Watch the changing of the Guard, take some photos, but don’t get on their bad side!
Summer Palace, in Beijing
This might seem like a weird one, seeing as it’s literally called “Summer Palace”. But if you’re thinking about discovering the wonders of Beijing, then this is a must-visit. The Summer Palace is one of the most beautiful, magnificent palaces in the world, acting as an imperial garden during the Qing dynasty.
Covering an expanse of 2.9 kilometres, this is a beautiful, ancient building that takes on a different light in the winter, especially if you’re lucky enough to visit in the snow. With the gardens shining in a layer of white and the many monuments glistening with ice, visiting the Summer Palace will feel more like walking into a winter wonderland.
Visiting Palaces in 2024
When you watch your Christmas movies this season, make sure you don’t just sit there and dream. Make 2024 the year that you actually get out there and see these beautiful structures in the flesh.
You don’t have to choose these exact palaces, of course. Other honourable mentions include the Chateau de Chambord, in France, and the Mysore Palace, in Mysuru, and there are countless others to choose from. Doing so will truly give you a wintertime experience to remember, so book in your flights and get out there!
