Category: History

These stories are straight from history books and are a living testament to what happened in these places.

A photo of the plaque commemorating Peter the Great - Brussels, Belgium

The Belgians know Tsar Peter’s secret

The National Park in Brussels, right in front of the Royal Palace, is a welcome touch of greenery in the city. But why would the Belgians commemorate the spot in the park where Peter the Great, Tsar of Russia, felt violently sick?

Sychrov Chateau: A Czech-French Chateau

Picture the situation: It's the French revolution and you are a member of the French nobility. What's the best way of making sure your head doesn't end up on the chopping block too? Why, escape to another country and buy a château there of course!

Finding Prague’s lost Old Town fortifications

Tourists from the New World chuckle when they read that Prague's New Town dates back to the 14th century. The New World barely existed in those days. Prague's Old Town Fortifications have been lost but if you know where to look, you can rediscover the medieval limits of the Old Town of Prague.
A photo of the Savoy hotel - London, United Kingdom

Do you know when to drive on the right in London?

Many people become anxious when they have to switch from left-hand driving to right-hand driving. I've had people tell me they won't drive in England because they're so used to driving on the right. In London, you may need to switch from driving on the left to driving on the right depending on which road you're in!
A photo of one of the first postal sledges - Nymburk, Czechia

Loučeň Castle

Most stately homes and castles in Czechia close for the winter months. I suppose not many people enjoy traipsing around an unheated building when it’s -20 C outside. Loučeň castle is
A photo of the Auberge de Baviere - Valletta, Malta

Maltese windows

When the Knights of Malta built Valletta in the seventeenth century, it was admired by all who saw it. We don’t realise that it took 400 years or so to