With another royal wedding on the horizon, Hills Balfour has rounded up the best destinations around the world to follow in the Royals’ footsteps.
1. BHUTAN: FOLLOW WILL AND KATE
Having welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during part of their honeymoon in April 2016, the Kingdom of Bhutan, nestled in the Eastern Himalayas, has certainly had the royal seal of approval. Follow in their footsteps and visit Thimphu Dzong, the Buddhist monastery and fortress located near the city of Thimphu, dating back to 1216, or visit the Paro Taktsang Monastery, known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Considered to be the country’s holiest site, Tiger’s Nest can be reached only by foot and visitors must climb over 1,000 steps to reach the monastery. Travellers looking to immerse themselves in a different kind of cultural tradition, as the Royals did, can attend one of the archery competitions that take place throughout the year. Known in Bhutan as ‘dha’, archery has been the official national sport of the Kingdom since 1971, and holds communal and religious significance across the country.
2. ONTARIO: FOLLOW CHARLES AND CAMILLA
As Canada’s capital, Ottawa has been a frequent stop for many royal visits over the years, most recently by Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in 2017 to celebrate the historic 150th anniversary of Confederation. Those seeking a regal stay can check into the luxurious Fairmont Château Laurier hotel adjacent to Parliament Hill where several heads of state have stayed throughout the years, or the Andaz ByWard Market, complete with stunning rooftop bar with sweeping views over Parliament. Those interested in Canadian Culture can make a stop at the Canadian Museum of History, where Prince Charles and Camilla opened the recently renovated Canadian History Hall on their visit last year. The city where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle fell in love, and where Harry’s Invictus Games took place in 2017, Toronto is another Royal hotspot. Whether it’s exploring the historic Distillery District or simply soaking up the skyline from the Toronto Islands, the city has something for everyone. Visitors to Ontario can also follow in the footsteps of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth with a trip to near-by Niagara Falls, where in 1939 they dedicated the soon-to-be-completed Rainbow Bridge.
3. QUEENSLAND: FOLLOW WILL, KATE AND GEORGE
In 2014 the world’s eyes were on Queensland as Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with their son, Prince George, visited Brisbane – a buzzing city with a rising foodie scene, sophisticated galleries, nearby beaches and stunning rooftop bars. Visitors to the city should check into the new six-star W hotel on South Bank, which opens this month, for a true taste of Royal treatment and explore this upcoming neighbourhood, as The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh did in 2011. Further afield, and ideal for those eager to experience the famous Australian Outback, is Longreach, which received the Royal seal of approval by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall in 2012 when they named a new aircraft for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and received a tour of the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre. www.queensland.com. The Commonwealth Games in April 2018 on the Gold Coast, is also expected to see a Royal presence. Known as Australia’s playground for entertainment and adventure, the Gold Coast is an up-and-coming hotspot for travellers, revellers and hipsters, as quirky bars and stylish restaurants continue to pop up along the famous stretch of coastline.
4. LITHUANIA: FOLLOW THE QUEEN
In 2006 the Queen visited Lithuania’s capital Vilnius as part of her tour of the three Baltic States, and with the 100th anniversary of the Restoration of State this year, there’s never been a better time to walk in her shoes. Offering stunning architecture, creative street art and a buzzing foodie scene as well as a beautiful UNESCO-protected Old Town, Vilnius offers a wealth of activities for visitors. Wider afield, Lithuania also offers a versatile natural landscape including white sand beaches, numerous national parks and more than 3,000 lakes to be explored.
5. THE ALPS SKI: FOLLOW WILL, KATE, GEORGE AND CHARLOTTE
In 2016, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge melted hearts around the world when they released a selection of family photos in Courchevel with Prince George and Princess Charlotte, their first holiday as a family of four. The couple visited the same resort before they were married and returned for a four night break with their two children, which was the first time Prince William was photographed holding his daughter since she was born. Part of Les Trois Vallées, the largest linked ski area in the world, Courchevel is one of the top ski resorts in Europe and a popular destination for families, couples and royals alike with one of the longest ski seasons and the best snow cover in the Alps. Families like the Cambridges will find Courchevel the ideal location for children with gentle green and blue slopes for beginners and some of the best ski schools in the area.
6. QUEBEC: FOLLOW THE QUEEN
In 1959 aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, Queen Elizabeth and then-US President Dwight D Eisenhower inaugurated the 2,300-mile St. Lawrence Seaway in Québec that links the Atlantic with the Great Lakes. As head of the Commonwealth, the Queen represented Canada during the tour and welcomed President Eisenhower at Montréal airport before continuing onto Gaspé, Arvida in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, the Trois Rivieres along the St Lawrence River and finally Québec City. The royal family have had a longstanding relationship with Québec and, in the previous year of 1958, Montréal opened the iconic Queen Elizabeth Hotel in the heart of the city, which is now owned by Fairmont Hotels, where the Queen often stays on her visits to the city. Québec has continued to remain a firm royal favourite, with the most recent visit taking place in 2011 by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who visited Montréal and Québec City as part of their first official tour as husband and wife. Exploring Quebec City and Montreal is the ultimate tale of two cities from Montreal’s vibrant food scene, street art, colourful festivals and stunning Mont Royal park to Quebec City’s European flare, beautiful architecture and quaint shopping streets.
7. DARTMOUTH WITH MAYFLOWER 500: FOLLOW THE QUEEN AND PRINCE PHILIP
Following their 70th wedding anniversary in November last year, those looking to travel back to the place where Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth first met can head to the picturesque seaside town of Dartmouth in Devon where it was at the Britannia Royal Naval college that a 16-year old Princess Elizabeth met an 18-year old Prince Philip in July, 1939 during a Royal visit to the college. Their son and grandson Princes Charles and William later went on to train at the college and the town has maintained a strong connection with the royal family ever since. In 2020, Dartmouth will be in the spotlight once again to mark the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower voyage. It was in Dartmouth that the Mayflower and its sister ship the Speedwell, were forced to stop when the Speedwell began to take on water following their departure from Southampton. They arrived in Dartmouth on 23rd August 1620 where the Pilgrims were regarded with suspicion by the locals. The Speedwell’s repairs were made in Bayards Cove Harbour while the Mayflower moored upstream on the River Dart beside what is now known as ‘Pilgrim Hill’. While much has changed on the waterfront since, the Tudor Bayards Cover Fort, Lower Street, Smith Street and Agincourt House, which is now a hotel, are still recognisable. A light festival, Mayflower exhibition and arts and crafts trail are just some of the events in Dartmouth’s 400th anniversary commemorations programme in 2020.
8. MALTA: FOLLOW THE QUEEN AND PRINCE PHILIP
Malta holds fond memories for the Queen who spent two years on the island between 1949 and 1951 when Prince Philip was working as a naval officer on HMS Chequers. The young royal couple lived at Lord Mountbatten’s Villa, Guardamangia, overlooking Valetta Harbour and in 2007 returned to Malta on route to Uganda for a state visit, where they celebrated their Diamond Wedding anniversary and visited the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
9. NEW YORK CITY: FOLLOW THE QUEEN AND PRINCE HARRY
Follow in the footsteps of Her Majesty the Queen and indulge in a royal weekend across New York City, as she did in 2010, by visiting Hanover Square or the National September 11 Memorial Museum. Head to Bloomingdale’s department store in Midtown East or join a very special VIP Access Garment District Shopping Tour and visit six private designer showrooms to shop like a princess or prince. Dress to the nines in fancy frocks and watch the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic on Governors Island on June 2, 2018, where Prince Harry competed in 2010. Step onto the court at Brooklyn’s Barclays Centre to watch a game as Kate and William experienced in 2014 during their first visit to NYC. For a taste of home fit for the royals, visit Myers of Keswick, a British grocery store in the West Village that stocks English classics such as Cornish pasties, Walker’s potato crisps and Cadbury chocolate bars. For the perfect regal evening, visit NYC’s luxury hotels such as the Plaza for a cultural oasis amid a bustling metropolis by indulging in the Plaza’s esteemed Champagne Bar.
10. KENYA: FOLLOW THE QUEEN, WILL AND KATE
Africa has already played a part an important role in the blossoming royal relationship, and the newlyweds looking for their own honeymoon inspiration should choose Kenya, home of Heritage Hotels. As part of the commonwealth, Kenya has been a favourite holiday hotspot for the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, for it was in Kenya that the Queen received news of her fathers’ death and subsequently ascended the throne in 2010, it also witnessed the royal engagement of the Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge.
