Barcelona Card - 3 / 4 / 5 Days

Historic setting: The Household Cavalry Museum sits within Horse Guards in Whitehall, central London, one of the city’s most historic buildings. Dating from 1750, it is still the headquarters of the Household Division, in which the Household Cavalry has performed the Queen’s Life Guard in a daily ceremony that has remained broadly unchanged for over 350 years. The Household Cavalry: The Household Cavalry was formed in 1661 under the direct order of King Charles II and now consists of the two senior regiments of the British Army – The Life Guards and the Blues and Royals. We have two roles: as a mounted regiment (on horseback), we guard Her Majesty The Queen on ceremonial occasions in London and across the UK and are a key part of the Royal pageantry; as an operational regiment we serve around the world in armoured fighting vehicles. We currently have units deployed on active service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our fighting capacity is matched by our strategic role in international peace keeping and humanitarian operations. Collections: Over the centuries we have amassed an outstanding collection of rare and unique treasures from ceremonial uniforms, royal standards and gallantry awards to musical instruments, horse furniture and silverware by Fabergé. Each exhibit has its own compelling story to tell and many are on display for the very first time. You can see two silver kettledrums given to the regiment in 1831 by William IV; the pistol ball that wounded Sir Robert Hill at Waterloo and the cork leg which belonged to the first Marquess of Anglesy, who, as the Earl of Uxbridge, lost his real one at Waterloo. Modern additions to the collection include Jacky Charlton’s football cap – he did his national service with the regiment and Sefton’s bridle – the horse that was injured in the 1982 Hyde Park bombings. Much of the collection has resulted from the close association that has existed between the Household Cavalry and Royalty. We have, after all, protected successive kings and queens from rebels, rioters and assassins for nearly 350 years. Working Stable Block: Visitors can gain a unique behind-the-scenes look at our working stable block. All the horses here are on duty and at different times of the day you will see something going on - you might see the horses being brought in, groomed, fed and watered, their hooves oiled and shoes checked, their saddles adjusted ready to go on guard or just see the stables themselves being cleaned. Both our horses and riders go through a rigorous and demanding training. In the Museum's many interactive and multimedia presentations, you will hear first hand accounts of what this training is like and the techniques our soldiers use to master their horses and complete the gruelling preparations for regimental inspections.

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. The Queen’s Gallery was opened by Her Majesty The Queen on 29 November 2002, as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations. It hosts a programme of changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection.

Then you  can try one of the latest water sports of paddle boarding, either stand up, or, if you prefer, you can kneel on the board as you look down into the waters at the many fish swimming beneath you. The adventure continues with kayaking and exploring the coves with your helpful guide who will help you get the most from the tour. You will get to enjoy a light snack and drinks before heading back to your hotel and all you need to bring is: swimwear, a change of clothes, sunsreen, a camera and a very big, sense of adventure! 

Departs from Central Wharf in Boston New England Aquarium UNFORGETTABLE CRUISES  Whale Watch Nobody offers more departures or gets you to the whales faster to watch them longer.The World Wildlife Fund named Massachusetts one of the top 10 whale-watching spots in the world, saying, “The "wow factor" here is huge, as minke, finback, and humpback whales regularly glide through the waters, and glimpses of them spouting and breaching are practically guaranteed.”

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.               

Discover the romantic town of Paris in only 40 minutes ! The Little Train of Paris Montmartre offers a tour in the heart of Montmartre, with a return from la Place du Tertre. It also includes a full commentary with music.  This is a lovely way to go up Montmartre if you get on the train at Place Blanche and use it to go up to Place du Tertre. It is a steep way up to Montmartre and this is a great, and fun, alternative!   The Circuit:

Place Blanche Place du Tertre Place Constantin Pecqueur
Moulin Rouge Espace Dali La Halle et le Marché Saint-Pierre
Basilique du Sacré Coeur Musée Montmartre Anvers
Amphithéâtre / Arènes Le Lapin Agile Retour Place Blanche
Église Saint-Pierre Cimetière Saint-Vincent  
  The Highlights: Charming way to discover the famous district of Montmartre Circuit of 14 stages to make your tour as detailed as possible Please note that the ticket for the Paris Montmartre Little Train is valid from December 1st 2018 until 12/31/2019