BridgeClimb Sydney - BridgeClimb Express

From your starting point by Edinburgh Castle, you head out of the city to the charming village of Roslin, making your first stop at one of Scotland’s most extraordinary buildings - Rosslyn Chapel*. The Chapel’s worldwide fame increased thanks to Dan Brown’s bestselling novel ‘The Da Vinci Code’. Described as the “Library in Stone”, the inside walls of Rosslyn Chapel are adorned with thousands of ancient carvings, each with a story of its own. You can also learn of the myths and legends surrounding the chapel, including tales of the Knights Templar.  Leaving Rosslyn you will continue into the heart of the Scottish Borders, an area rich in hills, valleys, rivers and moorland, as well as being the traditional home to Scottish rugby. Next travel to the historic town of Melrose, birthplace of the game of Rugby Sevens and location of Melrose Abbey, founded in 660 AD, and said to be the burial place of the casket containing the heart of Robert the Bruce. Here you stop for lunch and have free time to explore Melrose and its Abbey*.  On your return journey, you will travel via the village of St. Boswells and pause for a photo stop at Scott’s View, where you can enjoy glorious scenic views overlooking the valley of the River Tweed, reputed to be one of the favourite beauty spots of the famous Scottish author, Sir Walter Scott. The journey north takes you to Pencaitland, where you will visit the charming Glenkinchie Distillery*, one of the few Lowland whisky distilleries in Scotland.  Here you can enjoy “a tour and a taste”, learn more about “the water of life” and sample some of Glenkinchie’s finest malts. You will then return to Edinburgh. *OPTIONAL EXTRA. Mon, Thu & Sat | ALL YEAR  Departs: 09:30 Returns: 17:15

EXEMPTIONS The following groups are eligible for free access to the Grands Appartements tour, on presentation of the relevant ID : - under 18s ;  - long-term EU residents of any nationality, aged 18 to 25 ;  - registered disabled persons or war veterans (plus personal assistant) ;  - those receiving minimum pension payments, single parent benefit, unemployment allowance or similar welfare payments ;  - Pass Education holders ;  - university and art school students ;  - public museum conservation and research staff, Ministry of Culture and INHA (Institut national d’histoire de l’art) staff ;  - journalists with a valid press pass ;  - conference speakers and tour guides ;  - ICOM and ICOMOS members ;  - bus drivers accompanying groups ;  - school tour guides/assistants (limited to one per seven students)  - members of the Société des amis et mécènes du château de Fontainebleau (SAMCF).

Depart Edinburgh 09.15 and travel northwest through the historic area of Linlithgowshire, close to the historic palace. The tragic Mary Queen of Scots was born at Linlithgow palace, and became Queen when she was only 6 days old. According to legend her father James V died of a broken heart when he discovered his wife had given birth to a daughter and not the son he was hoping for! Your route along the Forth Valley is one which has been used for thousands of years by invading armies, it was the northernmost frontier of the Roman empire and was later used by the English King Edward I as he marched proudly towards Stirling (only to be sent homewards to think again!). Nowadays it’s at the centre of one of Scotland’s most important industries with huge oil refineries dominating the area. As you approach Stirling the magnificent castle dominates your view and you make your way up towards the high volcanic rock where it imposes itself upon the surrounding land. Known as the ‘Key to Scotland’, for centuries this was the most important castle in Scotland and the views from the top make it easy to see why. To the north is the 220ft high tower of the National Wallace Monument commemorating Scotland’s great hero William Wallace, played by Mel Gibson in the Oscar-winning movie Braveheart. From the castle you can look down over the scene of Wallace’s greatest triumph, the battle of Stirling Bridge, where he defeated the English army in 1297. To the south is Bannockburn where, in 1314, the great Scottish warrior-king Robert the Bruce defeated the English army of Edward II. The battle was fought for possession of Stirling Castle but eventually led to a far greater prize for Scotland – the restoration of independence. It’s an area alive with history and you stop at the castle to give you time to soak up the history and heritage of this great site. From Stirling you head into the Highlands and an area known as the Trossachs. Known as ‘The Highlands in Miniature’, it marks the point where the Lowlands meet the Highlands and entering this beautifully picturesque area feels like going into a different country. With its shimmering lochs, rugged mountain tops and forest-filled glens it’s easy to forget that this was once thought of as a dangerous frontier fought over by the fiercely territorial Highland clans. You stop here for lunch in the village of Aberfoyle, made popular in Victorian times due to its great location. After lunch you ‘take the high road’ or back-road to Loch Lomond, Scotland’s largest lochs at over 22 miles long, passing Lochs Ard, Chon and Arklet along the way as you travel through the protected lands of Scotland’s first National Park. The route you take was described by the famous Scots comedian Billy Connolly as his favourite road in Scotland, and you can discover why – it’s stunning!! You stop at Inversnaid on the secluded north-east of the loch, making it the perfect place to enjoy a walk along the ‘bonny banks’, up to a viewpoint for a fantastic view of the loch and the mountain it’s named after, Ben Lomond. This tranquil setting was once the home of Scotland’s famous highland folk hero, Rob Roy MacGregor. Made popular by many books and films Rob Roy lived an incredible life as a soldier, businessman, cattle-rustler and outlaw. By spending time on the trails by the loch you will undoubtedly be walking in the footsteps of one of Scotland’s great legends. There is also an alternative option to take a boat cruise around the north of the loch (Summer only) or merely enjoy a drink at the local hotel and sample the views. Leaving Loch Lomond you return to Edinburgh passing Scotland’s only lake – the Lake of Mentieth (although we have around 3000 freshwater lochs!). The legend states that after William Wallace was betrayed by his great friend the Earl of Mentieth and executed in London the name was changed from the Loch of Mentieth to the Lake of Mentieth so that nobody would ever forget the traitorous part the Earl played in his death.

Royal Albert Hall - Grand Tour  Did you know? There are 13,000 “A”s for Albert around Hall The Hall is home to the world's largest single woven carpet design, made of 326,666 sheep fleeces and 49 million tufts getting it into the Guinness World Records The world’s biggest Christmas pudding was made at the Hall and weighed ten tonnes The first ever body-building contest and Sumo wrestling tournament outside Japan took place in the main auditorium The Elgar Room used to be home to the Central School of Speech & Drama, giving a stage to names including Sir Lawrence Olivier and Dame Judy Dench 5,500 bottles of champagne and 1,800 bottles of gin are drunk at the Hall every year Afternoon Tea was introduced to Britain by Queen Victoria. The first tea party was held at the Hall in 1912. The tradition continues today in the Hall's Verdi Restaurant The Royal Albert Hall Grand Tour is fully accessible.  Some time slots and/or dates are unavailable due to events taking place in the auditorium. The Royal Albert Hall was built to fulfil the vision of Prince Albert (Queen Victoria's consort) of a 'Central Hall' that would be used to promote understanding and appreciation of the Arts and Sciences and would stand at the heart of the South Kensington estate, surrounded by museums and places of learning. The Hall is a Grade I Listed building; and has been in continuous use since it was opened in March 1871. It was always conceived as a multipurpose building to host not only concerts of music but exhibitions, public meetings, scientific conversations and award ceremonies. It is a registered charity held in trust for the nation and is financially self sufficient, receiving no funding from central or local government. Kensington Palace and the Diana Exhibition Kensington Palace unveils a palace of secret stories and public lives. Visitors arrive through beautiful landscaped gardens evoking a past when Kensington was countryside. From the entrance hall start your journey through the magnificent Kings and Queen’s State Apartments. Filled with stories of two royal courts; the Stuarts and the Hanoverians, learn what you would have worn, how you should behave and how to succeed in the heady atmosphere of the palace state apartments. The Queen's State Apartments Explore these intimate, private rooms created for Queen Mary II, who ruled jointly with her husband, King William III, in the 17th century.  The Queen’s rooms The Queen's Staircase, little changed since its construction in 1690, is deliberately plainer than the King's. Mary would have glided down its steps to reach her beloved gardens, created in the Dutch style, through the door at its foot. Diana: Her Fashion Story ‘Diana: Her Fashion Story’ will trace the evolution of the Princess’s style, from the demure, romantic outfits of her first public appearances, to the glamour, elegance and confidence of her later life. From her earliest royal engagements, everything Diana wore was closely scrutinised, and the exhibition will explore how she navigated her unique position in the public eye: learning to use her image to engage and inspire people, and to champion the causes she cared about. Discover exquisite and celebrated outfits from throughout the Princess’s public life. The exhibition will bring together an extraordinary collection of garments, ranging from the glamorous evening gowns worn on engagements in the 1980s, to the chic Catherine Walker suits that made up Diana’s ‘working wardrobe’ in the 1990s. The Princess’s relationship with her favourite designers will be explored through a display of some of their original fashion sketches, created for her during the design process. Exhibition highlights will include the pale pink Emanuel blouse worn for Diana’s engagement portrait by Lord Snowdon in 1981, and Victor Edelstein’s iconic ink blue velvet gown, famously worn at the White House when the Princess danced with John Travolta. A blue tartan Emanuel suit, worn for an official visit to Venice in the 1980s, will go on display in public for the first time. The suit, a rare survival of the Princess’s daywear, was only recently rediscovered and acquired by Historic Royal Palaces – the charity responsible for Kensington Palace - at auction.  * Please note, this exhibit is due to be very popular, queues are to be expected.

We leave the central office of Cityrama on the Rue de Rivoli and drive via the Place de la Concorde, Champs Elysées as far as the Arc de Triomphe. You then drive towards the 16th district, known as one of the most prestigious areas in Paris. The first stop is at the quai de la Bourdonnais and you board your Bateaux Parisiens boat for a cruise with audio-commentary available in 12 languages along the River Seine. (Duration : 1 hour). On leaving the cruise you catch the famous Eiffel Tower lift as far as the 2nd floor. The tour ends at the Eiffel Tower. Included Highlights: Guided tour of Paris in a luxury panoramic air-conditioned coach Audio-guides in your language to understand Paris history Bateaux Parisiens Seine Cruise of one hour to see the famous buildings of Paris Visit the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower where you will get a unique view of all Paris Service of a multilingual guide/hostess Tour Departs: In winter 10:00, 12:00, 15:00 - In summer 09.00 / 10.00 / 12.00 / 13:00 / 15.00 Duration: 4 Hours approx.  Important Operation Information :  In 2018, Eiffel Tower will renovate its lifts. The renovation will last at least 12 months and implies that one lift will be out of service during this period. Well will keep you informed of any fusther notice.

Information: Suitable for families. No stops. Romantic Paris with illuminated monuments. See the famous monuments with a panoramic view from a double decker bus.    Commentary available in 11 languages: French, English, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin), Dutch, Russian, and Korean End of the tour at Pyramides, Opera or Châtelet