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Buckingham Palace serves as both the office and London residence of Her Majesty The Queen, as well as the administrative headquarters of the Royal Household. It is one of the few working royal palaces remaining in the world today. Today the Buckingham Palace State Rooms are used extensively by Her Majesty The Queen and Members of the Royal Family to receive and entertain their guests on State, ceremonial and official occasions. During August and September when The Queen makes her annual visit to Scotland, the Palace's nineteen state rooms are open to visitors. What there is to see? The Buckingham Palace State Rooms form the heart of the working palace and are lavishly furnished with some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection - paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin and Canaletto; sculpture by Canova; exquisite examples of Sèvres porcelain; and some of the finest English and French furniture. In celebration of The Queen's 90th birthday, a special exhibition will be staged across each of Her Majesty's official residences during 2016. Fashioning a Reign: 90 Years of Style from The Queen's Wardrobe (23 July – 2 October 2016) The Garden Described as a 'walled oasis in the middle of London', the Palace's garden is home to thirty different species of bird and more than 350 different wild flowers, some extremely rare. Visitors end their tour with a walk along the south side of the garden, with splendid views of the west front of the Palace and the famous lake. Audio Guide An audio guide is included in the ticket price and is available in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Japanese, Russian and Mandarin. There is also a family audio guide (in English only) and accompanying activity trail, suitable for children 7-11 years. Changing of the Guard The Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place at 11:30 daily from April until the end of July and on alternate days for the rest of the year, weather permitting. The new guards arrive at the forecourt of the Palace at 11:30 from Wellington Barracks. The journey takes about 5 minutes and the soldiers are accompanied by a band. The ceremony is conducted on the Palace forecourt and takes approximately forty minutes to complete. [The Army have not yet released the schedule for July, August or September.] Wheelchair Access If you require wheelchair access or the use of the lift, you should not book with 365 Tickets.com and should pre-book tickets directly with Buckingham Palace. Access booking line: 020 7766 7324 www.royalcollection.org.uk or email [email protected] Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, is one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen. The Castle's dramatic site encapsulates 900 years of British history. It covers an area of 26 acres and contains, as well as a royal palace, a magnificent chapel and the homes and workplaces of a large number of people. Kew Gardens Kew Gardens, is a World Heritage Site located in 121 hectares of stunning vistas with six magnificent glasshouses set in a beautiful landscape beside the River Thames between Richmond and KEW in south-west London. Kew Gardens represents more than 250 years of historical gardens. It is home to a remarkable collection of over 30,000 types of plants from all over the world that range from the decorative to the peculiar. Kew Gardens provide opportunities for public enjoyment and enrichment and the behind-the-scenes scientific work helps ensure a sustainable future for plants and people. In the summer of 2004, Kew's determination to make serious botany great fun for children was demonstrated with the opening of 'Climbers and Creepers'. Bringing a new use to an old cycad house by White Peaks, Climbers and Creepers engages children from around 3-9 years in the pleasures of learning more about plants and their relationships with animals and people. Apart from the sheer beauty and tranquillity of the garden's landscapes Kew offers a wonderful day out for all, whether horticulturally, historically or botanically inclined. Botanical Highlights The dates below are approximate, and flowering can vary by three to four weeks, depending on the weather. Image Credits: Image 1:  Photographer: Derry Moore, Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2013 Image 2 : Photographer: Peter Smith, Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2013 Image 3 : Photographer: Andrew Holt, Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2013 Image 4: Photographer: Derry Moore, Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2013

The Sainte-Chapelle Be dazzled by the 1,113 stained glass windows at this jewel of the Rayonnant Gothic period. The first of the Holy Chapels to be decorated with exceptional stained-glass windows. Known for having housed Christ’s Crown of Thorns, it has spectacular stained-glass windows. Veritable walls of light that make the Sainte-Chapelle the jewel of French Gothic.   The Conciergerie Discover this Medieval royal palace that became a revolutionary tribunal and Marie-Antoinette’s prison. Discover on the Île de la Cité, the exceptional Gothic rooms of the first royal palace of Paris and the reproduction of the prison cells of the revolutionary tribunal. At the end of the 17th century, numerous people were imprisoned in the prison of the Conciergerie, including Marie-Antoinette. The Conciergerie is also listed as a historical building by the Unesco. Pantheon On Montagne Sainte-Geneviève in Paris, visit the Panthéon, masterpiece of the architect Soufflot. Come and learn all about the Pantheon, this incredible building by Soufflot who's ambition was to outdo the churches of St. Peter's in Rome and St. Paul’s in London. Observe the style of this building, inspired by the Pantheon commissioned by Agrippa in Rome.    From 1874 onwards, the sanctuary was decorated with paintings on canvas illustrating the life of Saint Geneviève and the epic story of the beginnings of both Christianity and the monarchy in France.    Make the most of the Pantheon with a visit into the Crypt, get to see the tombs of the eminent personalities who shaped France's national identity. A permanent exhibition gives details about the lives and works of those who are buried here, from Voltaire and Rousseau to Alexandre Dumas.    You'll also have the chance to see the Foucault’s pendulum*, first installed in 1851 and removed then reinstalled in 1995, this device demonstrated the Earth's rotation.

We invite you to visit the Casa Batlló which has transcended the concept of a building to become a legendary icon of art, architecture and art nouveau. Here, light, colour and shapes interact with wood, glass, ceramics and quarried stone in Gaudí's characteristic fantastic and breathtaking style. Pick up your audioguide and begin your tour of 20 different points. You'll discover a whole host of details that are hard to spot at first glance, with metaphors and depictions of nature, particularly the undersea world, which will inspire and stimulate your senses and emotions. And if you prefer, you can hire the innovative augmented reality video guide which will take you to a magical world that is normally hidden from view. Both guides are available in 10 languages.  You'll visit the legendary mezzanine, where the Batlló family once lived; the attic, where the storerooms and laundries were located; the rooftop, with its iconic chimneys and the amazing light well which houses the staircase once used by the privileged neighbours. And you can't leave without seeing the magnificent hall and main staircase. You're sure to be impressed!

Your next stop will be at the village of Prades and here you will have 1 hour 15 minutes to stroll around the village and take a break for lunch. You can bring your own packed lunch and have a picnic or you can buy a menu of 3 courses and a drink for just 12 euros, 2 euros less than the normal price. You will notice you are surrounded by the red colour of the sharp stones used to build the walls, the church and many of the houses. In the Plaza Mayor, you will see the Spherical renaissance fountain, where once a year it is filled with cava and the locals spend the day and night drinking from it. You can also see the Gothic Church of Santa Maria. Then onto another picturesque village, Siurana, where you will be taken back in time as you walk on the cobbled streets and pass the old stone houses. Here there is a small shop where you can but local produce, ice creams and postcards. There are spectacular views of the mountains and surrounding landscapes and you can look down to the lake of Siurana which will be your next stop. This really is one of the most beautiful villages you could hope to visit. Your last stop will be to the water for another dip or swim and a good chance to cool off. Then, after a great day out you will be taken back to your hotel and you will be given a present of a bottle of wine to take back with the rest of the lovely memories you will have. 

Get a taste of life on the ocean waves, including the chance to take the ship's wheel and learn how to steer 963 tons of Victorian tea clipper through storms and high seas Learn the story of one of the most famous and magnificent ships in the world Take in epic views of the London skyline.   Initially built for the China tea trade and launched in 1869, Cutty Sark’s original wooden planks and iron frames have been meticulously conserved. As part of an ambitious six-year conservation project, the ship was raised over three metres, giving visitors the unique opportunity to stand directly underneath this world wonder and see her elegant lines and ground-breaking design. It has now been developed into an  award-winning museum and visitor experience.   Located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Maritime Greenwich, the National Maritime Museum and the Queen’s House are both located within a short walking distance from Cutty Sark and are free to visit. The Royal Observatory is another must-see attraction when visiting Greenwich; it’s the home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian.

This is the text for the Frequently Asked Questions that applies to this specific tour. (Q) Do tours run all year round? (A) Yes, from November to March we will run tours on a reduced schedule at 11am from Thursdays to Mondays, inclusive. Please see the tour page for full details. (Q) Where is the meeting point for the tour? (A) Directly outside Queensway tube station, which is on the central line (the red line cutting across the map from east to west). 15 minutes before the start of the tour, one of our guides will be standing by the red phone boxes holding a Fat Tyre sign. (Q) Is the tour difficult? (A) No. Most of the time is spent on bike lanes within the Royal Parks. There is a bit of road riding and a few crossings so a basic level of cycling proficiency is required. (Q) What happens if it rains? (A) We run tours rain or shine and have plenty of rain ponchos. We find tours in the rain to be a different kind of fun and an even more fun memory! If you have a reservation and the weather is really bad, you are welcome to reschedule the tour for any other day for up to year. (Q) Do we stop for lunch? (A) Yes. We usually stop near Trafalgar Square where there are plenty of options for lunch including to join your guide at a traditional English pub. Otherwise, we may stop in St James park next to a cafe. (Q) Where does the tour end? (A) Both tours finish at the same place they start. (Q) Do we go inside the sites? (A) No, the bike tours are an overview of the sites and more about getting a feel for the city. However, on private tours you can arrange to take extra time at the sites if you'd like to go inside. (Q) Will we be able to take photos? (A) Yes. There will be a chance to take many photos at the designated stops. (Q)Is there a space to store bags or luggage? (A)Yes. You are welcome to leave bags, luggage or unwanted family members in our garages. Someone is usually in the office and it will be locked up if they have to leave. While we have never had a single case of theft or loss of items, you do leave them at your own risk. (Q) Do you provide the bikes? (A) Absolutely. (Q) Can I supply my own bike? (A) You are welcome to bring your own bicycle. Our insurance only covers the theft of our own bicycles, so please do bring your own lock for the lunch stop. (Q) Can an adult ride on the tandem? (A) No. Our tandems are known as tag-alongs which attach to adult bikes and are designed for children up to about the age of five years old.. (Q) Are helmets provided? (A) Yes. You are not compelled by law to wear helmets in the UK, but we have more than enough for everyone so the choice is entirely yours.