Wieliczka Salt Mine

Sculpture carved in a wall of rock salt - Wieliczka salt mine (Kraków, Poland)

The Wieliczka Salt Mine, located in the town of Wieliczka in southern Poland, lies within the Kraków metropolitan area. The mine, built in the 13th century, produced table salt continuously until 2007, as one of the world’s oldest salt mines still in operation. The mine’s attractions include dozens of statues, three chapels and an entire cathedral that has been carved out of the rock salt by the miners. The oldest sculptures are augmented by the new carvings by contemporary artists. About 1.2 million people visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine annually. More…

Hampton Court Palace

In front of Hampton Court Palace during Olympic Games 2012

Hampton Court Palace is a royal palace in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Greater London. Hampton Court Palace has not been inhabited by the British Royal Family since the 18th century. The palace is located 11.7 miles (18.8 kilometres) south west of Charing Cross and upstream of central London on the River Thames. It was originally built for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, a favourite of King Henry VIII. Today, the palace is open to the public, and a major tourist attraction. Along with St. James’s Palace, it is one of only two surviving palaces out of the many owned by Henry VIII. More…