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Netflix recently released season four of The Crown, a series dedicated to the British royal family. In addition to the Foggy Albion itself, it shows a number of countries of the British Commonwealth and other remote corners of the Earth. If you are an avid fan of this show, or just want to visit the same places as Her Highness and her spouse, then this article is for you.
It is interesting that most of the exotic countries featured in the series were actually filmed in just two locations outside the UK - Spain and South Africa.
Malta
In the series. According to the plot, Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth spend the first 4 years of marriage in Malta. That's where Philip serves in the navy and Charles and Anna, the first two children of the couple, are born.
In real life. The country, whose name translates as "harbor", was once the headquarters of the famous knightly order, and nowadays, the knights of YouTube and the princesses of Instagram reside here. The most spectacular photos are taken against the background of the Azure Window, a natural arch on the island of Gozo, between the supports of which you can sail by boat. You can feel the spirit of a medieval city in Mdina, the capital of Malta, with its majestic cathedrals and narrow streets.
One of the best views of the island is from the Upper Barrakka Gardens. Under the city of Valletta, you can look into the Eisenhower's bunker, touch the thousand-year-old megaliths in the Mnajdra temple complex, and in Casa Rossa Piccola, you will feel like a duke or duchess. You can take a break from the hustle and bustle of tourist places in the village of Mgarr, the best beach holiday in the country is on the Golden Bay Beach.
Kenya
In the series. During a safari in Kenya, Elizabeth learns of the death of her father and that she is becoming the Queen of Great Britain. It is interesting that the hotel, in which the sad news was brought to Princess Elizabeth, actually exists and functions to this day.
In real life. Anyone can see the elephants, giraffes and zebras that Elizabeth and Philip came to see. It is best to visit the country during the Great Migration Periods and go to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Another interesting national park has a terrifying name Hell's Gate National Park, but at the same time, it is one of the few parks in Kenya, where you are allowed to go without an escort. Mount Kilimanjaro is best admired from the Amboseli National Park. And diving to meet the marine life of Kenya is best in the Watamu Marine National Park. And don't forget to visit Lake Victoria.
The largest and most popular tourist cities in Kenya are its capital Mombasa and the resort town of Malindi. Visiting the first one, you will get acquainted with the history and culture of the country, the latter will let you relax on first-class beaches.
Australia
In the series. The crowned spouses visit Australia several times in the series, and for the first time, Prince Philip arrives there for the opening of the Summer Olympics in Melbourne. That's where Philip's five-month journey through exotic countries and islands of Southeast Asia begins from.
In real life. Australia is a huge country, and even the monarch of Great Britain did not manage to visit all its interesting places in one visit. A curious traveler will find a huge number of national parks, modern cities, monuments of history and culture.
Must see places in Australia are Sydney and Melbourne, the Great Barrier Reef and the island of Tasmania. It is interesting that the main shopping center of Sydney is named after Queen Victoria, and the dial inside the building is an exact copy of Big Ben's clock. The famous Sydney Opera House and Harbor Bridge also deserve attention.
In Melbourne, the National Gallery is dedicated to the British royal family. In addition, it is worth visiting the Carlton Gardens as well as taking a ride on a retro tram.
And, of course, do not forget about the country's natural highlights. This is Ayers Rock, towering over the Australian desert, the limestone pillars of the Twelve Apostles, the Blue Mountains, the Royal Canyon... even a cursory listing of all the interesting places in Australia is not enough for a whole article.
Jamaica
In the series. Elizabeth and Philip visit Jamaica during a tour of the Commonwealth countries, but the country is shown in more detail in episodes with Anthony Eden, the former British Prime Minister. In Jamaica, Eden is on vacation after a high-profile international scandal around the Suez crisis and the events in Egypt.
In real life. Sunny Island is famous not only for the local rum, which is added here even to coffee, but also for a large number of resorts. On many of them, you can imagine yourself, if not the Prime Minister of Great Britain, then at least a nobleman. The best resort in Jamaica is Negril, the capital of hedonism, in the vicinity of which the true Jamaican rum is made. Other popular resorts are Port Antonio, White House Bay, Montego Bay and Runaway Bay.
Jamaica has Dunn's River Falls, one of the world's most picturesque waterfalls. Pirates of the Caribbean were once based in the harbor of Port Royal, and nowadays, any tourist can visit the abandoned city without the risk of running into a pirate sword. Crossing the waterways of Jamaica is best on the Martha Brae River, walking in the mountains - in the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, and rafting - on the Rio Grande.
USA
In the series. The United States of America is regularly featured in the series, which is not surprising given their close relationship to the UK. Princess Margaret and her husband Tony go on tour to the United States, visiting cities in the west of the country and glittering New York.
In real life. All the sights of the United States cannot be described in one text or visited in one trip. There are huge megalopolises, and strikingly different national parks, and a cozy one-story America. In the western part of the country, take a look at San Francisco and Los Angeles, in the east - at New York and Washington, and between the two coasts, feel free to choose any state, and you will definitely find something interesting in it.
Ghana
In the series. Ghana is home to one of the strongest and most dramatic episodes of The Crown's second season.
The Queen goes there to meet with President Kwame Nkrumah, who leads Africa towards socialism and friendship with the USSR. But Elizabeth's sudden move restores Ghana's relations with the West.
In real life. Ghana is one of the most prosperous and safe countries in West Africa and the whole continent, so it's a good idea to start exploring this part of the world from here. Moreover, the country has a lot of natural and cultural attractions. For example, Lake Volta is one of the world's largest artificial reservoirs, Mola is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Ghana, Mount Afajato - the highest mountain in the country.
Most of the man-made landmarks are located in Accra, the capital of Ghana. Also, Cape Coast with a picturesque castle, the town of Elmina with one of the oldest European fortresses in Africa deserve attention.
Some Commonwealth dominions are only mentioned in the series, but no plot events take place in them. Nevertheless, these countries are also worth a visit by mere mortals.
Bahamas
The Bahamas has been a very exotic place and a piece of paradise a hundred years ago, when the current Queen of Great Britain was not yet a Queen, and remains so today. People flee here from civilization, letting their body and mind rest.
Interestingly, the most famous architectural landmark in the Bahamas is associated with the British ruling dynasty. We are talking about the Royal Stairs in Nassau, the capital of the country. The 65-step staircase was built as a birthday present for Queen Victoria, and construction took 16 years.
Other places of interest in the island state are the world's largest straw market in Nassau, the water tower, which is the tallest building in the archipelago, the monumental Fort Charlotte and the Garden of the Groves. From natural places, it is worth visiting the beautiful pink beach and the Lucayan National Park, where rare animals roam in their natural environment. Diving fans can dive into Dean's Blue Hole, a 663 meter deep underwater sinkhole.
Even without visiting the attractions in the Bahamas, you can have a great rest, basking on clean beaches under the tropical sun.
Antigua and Barbuda
It seems that most of the places in this former British colony have remained unchanged since the days when the islanders met the young Queen Elizabeth. Colonial architecture, almost untouched nature, simple life - all this attracts tourists from all over the world to Antigua and Barbuda.
Antigua and Barbuda is connected with the British royal family by Clarence House, a house built in the Nelson's Dockyard National Park for King William IV.
The country's man-made sights are concentrated in the city of St. John's on the island of Antigua. These include St. John's Cathedral, two 18th-century forts - Fort James and Fort Barrington, as well as Redcliffe Quay. In the same city, you can buy souvenirs and visit the historical museum. But the most interesting places on the islands are beaches and national parks.
You should definitely drop by Half Moon Bay, one of the best beaches in the Caribbean on the southeast coast of Antigua. You can swim with stingrays in Stingray City National Park, walk along a strip of pinkish sand stretching into the horizon - on 17-Mile Beach in Barbuda. Test your nerves at the Devil's Bridge, a limestone cliff lying horizontally above the sea. Feast your eyes and admire the birds at Barbuda's Frigate Bird Sanctuary and visit Darby's Cave.
Sri Lanka
In the youth of Queen Elizabeth II, the country was called the Dominion of Ceylon. Now, some things have changed, for example, the name and infrastructure, but some have remained unchanged. The latter include the majestic ocean and stunning nature.
In Sri Lanka, you should definitely visit one of the coastal towns to plunge into the ocean waves, swim with whales or go surfing. This can be done in Mirissa, Unawatuna, Weligama and many other towns.
In the center of the island, there is the town of Nuwara Eliya, which has preserved the atmosphere of the colonial times. In its surroundings, there are numerous tea plantations and waterfalls, as well as a couple of national parks. Also in the center of Sri Lanka, the cities of Ella and Kandy deserve attention, and the main natural attraction is Sigiriya.
Mauritius
The small island attracts not only British monarchs, but also ordinary travelers. People come here to look at lemurs and alligators, pet giant turtles and feel the famous seven-colored sands under their bare feet. One of the natural attractions of the island is dedicated to the royal family - Princess Margaret Cave.
You can get to know the fauna of Mauritius better in La Vanille Nature Park, with flora - in the Pamplemousses Botanic Garden. Dunes with seven-colored sands and the stunningly beautiful Chamarel Waterfall are located in the national park of the same name. You can feel the full power of the ocean at Gris Gris Cape. Walking alongside tigers and lions is possible in Casela Nature Parks.
The main town of the island is Mahebourg. That's where most of the historical sights are located, among them are the Dutch churches of the 18th century.
In order to travel the world, you don't have to belong to the royal family and live in a palace. What used to be a luxury is now available to everyone, you just need to buy a ticket and go towards adventure.
