Arc de Triomphe

The Queen's Gallery was built in the shell of the former Holyrood Free Church and Duchess of Gordon’s School at the entrance to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The buildings were constructed in the 1840s with funds from the Duchess of Gordon, but fell into disuse in the late 19th century. Benjamin Tindall Architects were appointed project architects for the new Queen’s Gallery in October 1999. Their central visual theme was a celebration of The Queen’s Golden Jubilee, expressed through a series of arches and screens that lead visitors from the Gallery entrance to the exhibition spaces beyond. Their design complements the original 19th-century architecture, elements of which were incorporated into the new spaces. Unsympathetic later internal alterations were removed, and a new exposed steel and concrete floor inserted to reflect the original ‘gallery’ of the Church.   A new stone arched entrance was created at the centre of the Horse Wynd frontage, opposite the new Scottish Parliament building. The use of a stone archway, with a courtyard beyond, is a traditional entrance device in Scottish architecture. The main walling is of Catcastle stone, the dressed work and lettering is of Stainton stone and the base is of Kenmay granite. ‘THE QUEEN’S GALLERY’ lettering above the entrance is the work of John Neilson, a calligrapher and carver. The letters were cut from single pieces of stone. Above sits Scotland’s heraldic lion, designed by Jill Watson. The lion sedant is based on a small red lion that sits at the feet of Mary, Queen of Scots on her tomb in Westminster Abbey. (The Palace of Holyroodhouse was once home to Mary, Queen of Scots.)   The monumental entrance doors of oak have gilded bronze hinges by Jill Watson. Continuing the heraldic theme, the main hinges are decorated with the Scottish lion and unicorn. The beasts are set against the adjacent urban scene of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and the rural scene of Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags. The upper hinges are made as golden boughs of flowering native trees – chestnut and laburnum, oak, rowan and hawthorn. The stone archway is decorated with a carved and gilded garland of Scottish flowers, including daisies and thistles, created by Graciela Ainsworth, an Edinburgh-based sculptor, carver and conservator. Over the old entrance to the former church is a stained-glass window by Christian Shaw.  The design shows a perspective drawing of the interior of a gallery. At night, the shape of the archway is reflected by the glass lights by Keiko Mukaide set into the paving. The artist has given the tiles a water flow pattern, mirroring the stream of visitors walking in and out of the Gallery. Inside, the reception desk by Hamid van Koten is made from curved pieces of Scottish elm with kilned glass and patinated copper. The pendant lights were designed and made in Edinburgh by Ingrid Phillips. Dividing the reception from the main Gallery area is a patterned glass screen by Jacqueline Poncelet. The screen’s bronze handles by Jill Watson incorporate figures looking at art in a gallery.   The dramatic central stair of native timber leads to the Gallery spaces above. The complex shape was designed by the architects with Charles Taylor Woodwork, who were responsible for the construction. Lights set into the first floor illuminate the curved balustrading.  

What attractions are included? Aquarium of the Bay General admission Redeem at Aquarium of the Bay main entrance (2nd floor) Hours: 10am-6pm daily (closed on Christmas Day) Ripley’s Believe It or Not! General admission Benefits redeemable only at Aquarium of the Bay from 10am – 6pm daily (closed on Christmas Day) Hours: 10am-10pm daily Asian Art Museum General admission (surcharge for special exhibitions) Hours: 10am-5pm (closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas and New Year’s Day) Bay City Bike Rentals & Tours Comfort Bike Rental – full day (until store closes) Redeem at 501 Bay Street (cable car turnaround) Bike deposit / insurance waiver required Hours: 8am-8pm daily (closed on Christmas Day) de Young Museum General admission only (surcharge for special exhibitions) General same day admission granted at the Legion of Honor and de Young Museum Hours: Tue-Sun 9:30am-5:15pm (closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas) Legion of Honor General admission only (surcharge for special exhibitions) Retail: Adult $15 17 and under free admission General same day admission granted at the Legion of Honor and de Young Museum Hours: Tue-Sun 9:30am-5:15pm (closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas) GoCar Tours One-hour rental 431 Beach Street - Pre-booking required $30 supplement payable to operator for single adult - For 2 riders, just one supplemental fee, but both riders need two iVenture Cards Hours: 9am-8pm daily (closed on Christmas Day) Bay Cruise – Gray Line of San Francisco Bay Cruise 60 minutes Redeem at Gray Line Retail Centers at PIER 41 or 2627 Taylor St Customers will be issued Blue & Gold Fleet ticket from Gray Line of San Francisco stock Hours: 9am-4pm daily (closed on Christmas Day) City Tour San Francisco Benefit: 48 Hours Hop on Hop Off (San Francisco loop, Sausalito tour loop, and Scenic Night Tour) Redeem at Gray Line Retail Centers at Pier 41 or 2627 Taylor St or Outside sales agents Departure times: Union Square: 9am–4:30pm  Fisherman’s Wharf: 9:30am–4:30pm Grand City Tour - Gray Line of San Francisco Benefit: Single day tour Supplement fee:  A $30 supplement payable to the operator. Reservations required Duration: 3.5 hours Departure times: 9am and 2pm daily Monterey and Carmel – Gray Line of San Francisco Benefit: Single day tour Supplement fee: $30 Adult/$15 Child (payable directly to operator) Reservations required Duration: 11 hours Departure times: 9am daily (Apr-Oct); 9am Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun (Nov-Mar) Muir Woods & Sausalito – Gray Line of San Francisco Single day tour Supplement fee: $30 Adult/$15 Child (payable directly to operator) Reservations required Duration: 4 hours Departure times: 9am and 2pm daily Wine Country – Gray Line of San Francisco Single day tour Supplement fee: $30 Adult/$15 Child (payable directly to operator) Reservations required Duration: 8 hours Departure times: 9am daily Yosemite National Park – Gray Line of San Francisco Single day tour Supplement fee: $60 Adult/$30 Child (payable directly to operator) Reservations required Duration: 13.5 hours Departure times: 7am daily (Apr-Oct); 7am Thu, Fri, Sat, and Sun (Nov-Mar) You can also view the included attractions and get contact information to make reservations where necessary.

National World War II Museum: This museum is ranked by Trip Adviser as the #1 Attraction in New Orleans, placed #2 in America and the World. The National WWII Museum features a multitude of artifacts that portray America's WWII past. Explore the American experience in the war that changed the world. From D-Day galleries to the soaring US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center to the groundbreaking Campaigns of Courage, this world-renowned history museum was created to inspire visitors of all ages educating them on the heroism, tragedy and liberation of WWII. Come experience these unique and amazing Exhibits:
The Arsenal Of Democracy - Telling the story of how the war was won is at the heart of The National WWII Museum’s mission, and The Arsenal of Democracy: The Herman and George R. Brown Salute to the Home Front—the Museum's newest permanent exhibit, located on the second level of the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion, the Museum’s original building—literally brings that story home.
Road To Tokyo - Richard C. Adkerson & Freeport-McMoRan Foundation Road to Tokyo: Pacific Theater Galleries retraces the grueling trail that led from Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay by way of New Guinea and Southeast Asia, the Himalayas, Burma, the islands of the Pacific, China, India, and Alaska.
Road To Berlin -The Duchossois Family Road to Berlin: European Theater Galleries brings to life the drama, sacrifices, personal stories, and strategies of America’s campaign to defeat the Axis powers and preserve freedom.
Beyond All Boundaries - Beyond All Boundaries, showing exclusively in The National WWII Museum’s Solomon Victory Theater, is a 4D journey through the war that changed the world.-Not included with ticket
The D-Day Invasion Of Normandy - The Museum's original exhibit, located on the third floor of Louisiana Memorial Pavilion, helps you understand what the Allies faced in Normandy, from the comprehensive preparations beforehand to the daunting challenges once troops landed on Normandy beaches.
US Merchant Marine Gallery - Situated at the end of the Horatio Alger Association American Spirit Bridge, this gallery honors the civilian merchant mariners who risked their lives transporting weapons, men, and material to US troops overseas.
Final Mission: USS Tang Submarine Experience - places visitors aboard the most successful submarine in World War II for its fifth and final war patrol on October 25, 1944.-Not included with ticket
Manufacturing Victory - Follow the industrial journey that took the United States from a nation perilously unprepared for war to a global superpower that led the Allies to victory in World War II.
Special Exhibit Gallery - The Joe W. and Dorothy D. Brown Foundation Special Exhibit Gallery features rotating exhibits that draw on the Museum’s own collections, as well as relevant traveling exhibits from leading institutions around the world.
City Sightseeing New Orleans: Hop-On Hop-Off Unlimited Tickets Valid for 24 Hours of Sightseeing Tour at Your Own Pace - Enjoy unlimited hop-on hop-off privileges! Spend as much time as you desire at each stop. Live Guide Narration - Local Tour Guides on each bus offer colorful entertaining historic commentary.. Every 30 Minutes! Buses Visit each Stop! - Stay as long as YOU like at each location. You can always catch the next bus! 7 Days a Week - 09:30 - 17:30 - Continuous Loop tour so YOU can decide what time your tour begins and ends. Tour Loop is 2 hours. Restaurant and Attraction Deals along the Way - Hop-Off and present your ticket to receive deals and discounts at various attractions, restaurants, and gift shops all along the route! Cemetery Walking Tour - Self guided tour of Lafayette Cemetery #1 included for all.

Validity Your tickets are valid for 2 days, redeemable anytime before the end of the year. You may enter as you wish, within operating hours.

Tour Details Sailing Season: Every day, mid-March to end October Travel time from Doolin port to Inis Oirr: 30 mins Pick up Point Doolin Pier, Co. Clare       Inis Oirr Inis Oírr (translates from Oirthir meaning “Eastern Island”) – the smallest of the three Aran Islands Size: 3km by 2km Population: 300 approx The island enjoys a good tourist trade, mainly from Doolin, as it is only a 30 minute ferry across from here. There are many attractions here for both day-trippers and people who want to visit for longer. Transport Options Inis Oirr also has a good selection of transport options: Mini-bus guided tour Pony and trap guided tour Hire a bicycle Eat & Stay Inis Oirr has a number of places for it’s visitors to enjoy good local food, from locally caught and sourced seafood, to the freshly baked brown bread made each and every day. There is also a good number of Bed & Breakfasts on the island, as well as a hotel, guesthouse, campsite and hostel. If you would like more information on accomodation on Inis Oirr, please contact us and we will be happy to help. Historical Sites Stone Fort – Dun Formna, built near the highest point on the island, contains O’Brien’s Castle within it’s wall Churches – Cill Gobnait, Cill na n-Seacht Inion and St. Caomhan (St.Kevin’s) Church, the latter is a spectacular ruin, located in the graveyard on Inis Oirr. Over the years, sand has been blown in and around the church to make it appear as if it has sunk into the ground. Recent History – The Plassey Shipwreck is a famous landmark on Inis Oirr, she wrecked here in March 1960. Read more about in in our Blog. Arts Centre – Aras Eanna is the only Arts Centre in the Gaeltacht. Throughout the year therare exhibitions and workshops hosted here. See their comprehensive website for more information.               

Set off for a full day excursion to Normandy from Paris with an official guide. Set off from your Paris accommodation at 06:30 for our central Paris agency. Relax during the journey by luxury air-conditioned coach before arriving at the Caen Memorial Museum at around 10:15. The Caen Memorial Museum retraces the various stages of the conflict that took place during the Second World War. Your guided tour will give you the chance to see everyday objects from life during occupation, maps, and models of military vehicles, as well as film screenings that recreate the emotions of D-Day and the Battle for Normandy. The visit continues with an included lunch at the restaurant in the Caen Memorial Museum. Menu* Starter Buffet: Légumes crus de saison et leur vinaigrette(tomates, concombres, carottes) Salades composées Charcuterie *** Table served hot dish Fondant de poulet farci aux cèpes Galette de pommes de terre / Julienne de légumes *** ​Chesse and Dessert Buffet: Fromages normands (Pont l’Evêque et Camembert) Tarte normande Salade de fruits Tarte au chocolat Teurgoule ** Pain de campagne (farmhouse bread) *** Drinks: Bordeaux wine (1 bottle for 4) Eau de source Coffee * Example of menu, subject to modification without any notice            In the afternoon, your tour will continue to several of the iconic landmarks that played a part in the landings. Your first stop will be at the Pointe du Hoc, overlooking the hundred-foot-high cliffs. Stormed by the American Rangers on D-Day, it was one of the key German fortified sites along the Normandy coast and was equipped, at that time, with a number of heavy artillery posts.  You will then visit the famous American Cemetery at Saint Laurent, located just above Omaha Beach. This 170-acre site is home to 9,387 perfectly aligned white marble headstones, a memorial, chapel, and the Garden of the Missing. It pays tribute to all the American soldiers who died during the Second World War. A small trail leads down the hill to Omaha Beach, giving you the opportunity to walk across the sand. You will have one hour to spend here. Following this visit, you will stop at Arromanches, a historic town known for its artificial port, which was built as part of the Normandy landings. The harbour saw the unloading of almost 10,000 tons of equipment. You can still make out the floating reinforced concrete "Phoenix" constructions in the water.  Finally, you will make a short photo-stop near Juno Beach and its cemetery, one of the key D-Day landing beaches for Canadian troops.  Return to your Paris accommodation is scheduled for around 21:30.