Ripley's Believe It or Not! + Empire State Building

Description: Your guide meets you at St. Mark’s Square. Through thrilling anecdotes and swash-buckling stories, learn about the history of Venice and St. Mark’s Basilica—like how it received its precious relics via a 9th-century kidnapping! But then comes the real treat. All of the passersby will wonder where you’re going as a custodian unlocks the basilica’s doors for you and Walks of Italy’s small groups of maximum 15 clients... And walks you right in. Inside, take a deep breath. You’re experiencing St. Mark’s Basilica as almost nobody else does, or ever has ever been able to (aside from the Doge himself)—empty! No standing elbow-to-elbow with other tourists, no seeing the church as if through a strobe light from hundreds of popping flashbulbs, no noise from the crowds. In-stead, you’re alone with your guide and the custodian. So you can experience the ba-silica as it should be experienced: in tranquility and peace. Of course, you’ll also be able to skip all the lines—not only into the basilica, but also to see the Pala d’Oro, the spectacular, Byzantine altarpiece that uses more than 1,900 gems! During the day, there’s a line to see this, but now? You have it almost all to yourself. Since you’re alone in the basilica with Walks of Italy groups only, you can even go where others, visiting during the day, can’t. Like the crypt, which the custodian un-locks for you: This is where the bones of St. Mark are said to actually be kept. Plus, you can see the stained walls here from the past floods that have devastated Ven-ice—the crypt used to be flooded every time the high tide hit the city! Aside from the emptiness of the basilica, nighttime is the best time to visit because that’s when the mosaics are at their most beautiful. All 43,000 square feet are lit up, glimmering and sparkling in the dark! If just seeing the basilica this way weren’t entrancing enough, there’s also your guide, an expert who’s passionate about Venetian art and history—and about shar-ing it with you in the most fun way possible. You’ll hear the tale of how St. Mark’s became St. Mark’s, a story that pivots on a kidnapping and and a dangerous sea voy-age! You’ll learn where the precious marbles decorating St. Mark’s really come from... A one-hour tour that will give you memories which will last a lifetime!  Important Notes: Please remember that the basilica is a holy place and attire must be appropriate: Both men and women are asked to wear clothing that covers at least the shoulders and knees. Walks of Italy cannot be held responsible for denied entry due to im-proper dress. Backpacks are prohibited inside of St. Mark's Basilica. This tour runs rain or shine.

Join us on our exclusive Premium Cliffs of Moher day tour to some of Ireland’s most visited sites. Includes access to Doolin Cave (only by Hidden Dublin Tours), a boat trip beneath the cliffs, the Burren, and Galway City! Make a quick photo stop at St.Brigid’s Well - said to visited by a fish (a symbol of Christianity that predates the cross). Passing down a cleft in the rock is a little like passing through time to a more ancient faith, to a purity of prayerful expression. This vale of solace is a far cry from the exposure of the cliffs we are making our way towards! We reach Doolin harbour at approx 11.30am where you can soak up the atmosphere and grab yourself a coffee before boarding our vessel for the 12pm boat trip. The boat trip will take approx 1 hour. This stunning cruise is an unmissable part of your trip to Ireland and position you with the best views of the Cliffs of Moher from sea level. They are made up of various types of perpendicular or overhanging rocks including sandstone, siltstone and shale.  These cliffs have been broken into the most fantastic forms, and eroded into hundreds of caves by the relentless pounding of the Atlantic waves. Lunch stop at McGann's pub where you can Enjoy some home-made soups, light meals, cakes and desserts, as well as a wide selection of hot and cold drinks if you desire in the picturesque village of Doolin We make our way to Doolin Cave for the 2pm Tour. You'll never see anything else like it.... Oh, and did we mention, your Driver and his father built the very tunnel you went down in today - did you spot his picture on the wall? After the Cave, we make our way to The Burren - a region of County Clare in the southwest of Ireland. It’s a karst landscape of bedrock incorporating a vast cracked pavement of glacial-era limestone, with cliffs and caves, fossils, rock formations and archaeological sites.  After the Burren, we make our way to Galway City. The city’s hub is 18th-century Eyre Square, a popular meeting spot surrounded by shops, traditional pubs, stone-clad cafes, boutiques and art galleries within winding lanes and medieval city walls. We then make our way back to Dublin. You have achieved A LOT today! *** route schedule may change depending on weather, traffic or other unforseen circumstances               

Recently voted Visitor Attraction of the Year. Jameson Visitor centre's welcome over 360,000 visitors each year providing a world class Irish Whiskey experience. Jameson Distillery, Midleton has something for everyone; which the locals will testify; The Jameson Bar serves tasty Irish coffees and Jameson cocktails. The Malt House Restaurant is as popular with locals as it is with visitors. Make a day of it!  

Make your own way to the castle in the village of Aldea Blanca, just before San Miguel. Once at the castle you will be given a coloured bib to show where you will be seated and which knight you will be supporting during the show. Your meal will be served in your area but don't expect cutlery after all you are in Mediaeval times! So you can slurp your soup and eat your food with your fingers, but it fits in with your environment and you get quite used to it. You cheer on your knight as they joust and take part in battles. The well trained horses are the stars of the show and while this is going on the red and white wine and water flow freely. The show, food and drinks are all included in your ticket price and with children half price it is good value. Let yourself go and be part of a fun filled evening. A fantastic  KNIGHT to remember! When the show is finished you are moved into another room where you can dance to the sound of a band. There is a bar in this room where you can buy drinks if you are still thirsty after all that wine. The castle closes around midnight after a great night's entertainment. After your own dancing you are treated to a Flamenco Show which finishes the night off perfectly, then make your way home after a great knight out!

Barcelona is known as the capital of Modernism and the place where the famous architect Antoni Gaudí worked and lived. Gaudi, one of the greatest innovators of his time, has left behind numerous treasures for the discerning tourist to discover in Barcelona. The Sagrada Familia is one of the most visited buildings in the world. Discover this magnificent modernist building in the guided tour inside the basilica. We will visit the astonishing interior of this church, where vaults reach seventy meters. Antoni Gaudí designed a Latin cross plan with five aisles, extremely rich in ornamentation and symbolism. We will also visit the Sagrada Familia museum, where you will see drawings, plaster models and pictures about the history and development of this basilica from its early beginnings to the present day. The museum will also give valuable information about Antoni Gaudi´s life and career. At the end of the museum visit, the guide will leave you at the entrance of the elevator to the Passion facade Towers, you have admission included. Take the elevator up the tower to admire the astonishing views of the city from there.

There is a free bar on this trip for throughout the cruise. Pirate animation in English