10 places to bring you closer to the Queen

Elizabeth II doesn't merely live, she resides- most of the time at Buckingham Palace in London. It has 775 rooms, including her private quarters and numerous state rooms. In August and September, while the Queen is on holiday, there are guided tours of these state rooms. In June, the Queen's 90th birthday will be marked by a big celebration, including the annual "Trooping the Color" horse parade.

The Queen tends to spend her weekends at Windsor Castle near London. The castle was built some 1,000 years ago by William the Conqueror and has been lived in ever since. Here tourists can tour the state rooms and St. George's Chapel, where ten monarchs are buried, among them Henry VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour.

Even as a child, Elizabeth II often spent vacations with her parents at Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands. She still spends her summer holidays there today. Her activities include picnicking, meeting with friends and walking with her dogs. From April until July, a small part of the castle is open to visitors, as are the park and garden.

The official residence of the Queen in Scotland is the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. She spends short amounts of time here to hold state ceremonies and official receptions. The palace is best known as the one time residence of Mary, Queen of Scots. Scotland's most famous queen had a turbulent time in office and was eventually executed for high treason in 1587.

Before acceding to the throne Elizabeth lived in Clarence House with her husband near Buckingham Palace in London. Today the house is the official residence of her son Charles and his wife Camilla. Every year in August, five reception rooms on the ground floor are opened for public tours.

Only a few years after Elizabeth moved to Clarence House she acceded the throne. Her coronation was held in Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953. Other world-famous occasions celebrated in this church that attracted world attention were the royal marriages of both her son Charles to Lady Diana and more recently her grandson William to Kate Middleton.

The Tower of London was constructed in 1066 on the orders of William the Conqueror. It has since fulfilled many functions including serving as a residence and a jail. From moving walkways that take people around the display, visitors can admire the crown jewels. The Imperial State Crown, however, is often missing from the high security area. Instead tourists find a sign stating "in use".

The Queen wears the Imperial State Crown each year for the State Opening of Parliament in Westminster Palace. Even though the government building is officially a royal Palace, the Queen is only allowed to enter it for the traditional opening of parliament. Here politicians rule. Westminster Palace on the banks of the river Thames is open to the public, and tourists can even watch public debates.

The Queen loves horses, and she breeds them too. The famous Royal Ascot horse race, a high society event held close to London, is very much an obligatory date in Her Majesty's social calendar. Every year in June, she opens the five day event and watches her horses compete on the race track. Bets at Royal Ascot are on the fastest horse as well as the color of the Queen's hat.

She might be at home in Britain, but she likes to visit around the world. The Queen is the most travelled head of state in history. When she last visited Germany in June 2015, she stopped off in Frankfurt am Main. There she stood on the famous Roman balcony, giving her loyal fans here the chance to cheer her, like her subjects in England.