View from The Shard + Thames Clippers River Roamer

When you arrive at One World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, hop in a Sky Pod and arrive on the 102nd floor in less than a minute. The Sky Pod provides a virtual time-lapse experience so you can see how New York City has changed over the centuries. If you thought the elevator ride was cool, you'll be blown away by the One World Observatory's vantage point, which on a clear day, provides a sight line of about 50 miles. Look out at the most stunning view of New York City you have ever seen. Watch a video about the making of the 1,776-foot-tall skyscraper, and then look out the panoramic windows for one-of-a-kind New York City views. At the See Forever Theater, see time-lapse photos and aerial imagery during a unique 2-minute video presentation. Guests need to check out the Main Observatory on the 100th floor, where you can step onto a 14-foot-wide disc in the floor and look down for an incredible perspective of real-time, high-definition footage of Manhattan's streets. Don't leave without stopping by City Pulse, an interactive experience that connects visitors with New York's landmarks and neighborhoods. One World Observatory™ ONE offers three distinct dining options on the 101st floor. Access to the curated eateries are available to Guests with Observatory tickets. ONE CAFE - Serving up a selection fo handcrafted, made-to-order menu items to fuel any appetite. (No advanced reservations accepted). ONE MIX - Handcrafted small plates and cocktails celebrating New York. (No advanced reservations accepted). ONE DINE - Extraordinary food, wine, and skyline views. (Requires advanced reservations).
Languages Available with the One World Explorer - Add on ticket : English, Japanese, Chinese, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Hindi THE ONE WORLD EXPLORER adds a unique view-enhancing with an iPad experience, offering virtual helicopter tours of New York’s most iconic landmarks. The spectacular view seen from the observatory is brought up-close in an interactive sight and sound experience where users simply scan the skyline and choose what they wish to explore. Over forty of New York’s most important and interesting sights are highlighted for video content, including a section of special interest to kids. Touch one of the landmarks and be flown there for an up close and personal vantage point to learn about what makes New York City so unique and amazing.

The new Acropolis museum is consider one of the most important archaelogical museums in Athens and ranks among the most important museums of the world. For the first time ever all the surviving treasures of the Acropolis will be seen together in one place. Works currently held in storage or in other museum in Greece and all over the world are now together in one brand new museum close to their original location.  The Acropolis museum main attractions such as votives, artifacts of every day life, statues from archaic period, Caryatids, and of course the Parthenon hall with the metopes, the pediments and the frieze will impress you. Another major exhibit is the remains of the ancient Athenian city that revealed by archaeological excavations on the site of the museum.

Departing Edinburgh, you travel north-west for your first stop of the day at magnificent Stirling Castle*, one of Scotland’s most historically significant castles, sitting high on volcanic rock and offering wonderful views of the surrounding landscape. You will have time to visit the castle and learn of the exploits of key historic figures including William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots. With lots of interesting things to see and do here, the Stirling Castle experience is a must for any visitor to Scotland.  You then continue on, past medieval Doune Castle, to the pretty town of Callander, situated on the banks of the River Teith in Stirlingshire, where you will have a chance to stop to enjoy some lunch. From here we enter The Trossachs National Park, also known as “The Highlands in miniature” for its abundance of lochs, mountains and forests, and famous as the homeland of legendary outlaw, Rob Roy MacGregor.  You will then reach the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, one of the prettiest and largest lochs in the whole of Scotland. Here you can enjoy an hour long cruise* taking in spectacular views of the loch’s many islands and the surrounding mountains. Alternatively, take a stroll through the picturesque loch-side conservation village of Luss, with its quaint houses, cafes and stunning views across the loch’s western shoreline. You will then travel back to Edinburgh.  *OPTIONAL EXTRA.  Daily | ALL YEAR  Departs: 09:15 Returns: 18:30

What you will see Čech Bridge Rudolfinum Mánes Bridge Charles Bridge Prague Castle Kampa Island Legion Bridge National Theatre River Locks Malostranská Water Tower Jirásek Bridge Dancing House Palacký Bridge Emmaus Monastery Railway Bridge Vyšehrad Podolí Waterworks Straka Academy Civic Swimming Pool Prague Metronome Na Františku Hospital   The cruise departs from the dock at Čech Bridge, pier No. 5 (recommended arrival 20 mins. before departure). You will be welcomed with a typical Czech aperitif during boarding. After the departure, the buffet-style lunch will be opened; you can select from typical Czech or International cuisine and enjoy the lunch while viewing Prague's sights. You can order from a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during the cruise. Entertainment on the deck will be provided by a music band. First the cruise will head upstream the Vltava River around the Rudolfinum and the Old Town. Then the boat will float under Charles Bridge and you will have a spectacular view of Prague Castle. Your cruise will continue around Kampa Island to the old river locks. On the other side of the river you can see the National Theatre. When entering the river locks, you can count how many penguins are there – a sculpture by an art group. On the other side of the locks you will see the famous Dancing House and the cruise will then continue under several Prague bridges, around the Emmaus Monastery up to Vyšehrad and the Podolí Waterworks. Here the boat turns back and sails past the Straka Academy, the Civic Swimming Pool and the Prague Metronome back to the dock. There you will see the Na Františku Hospital on the other side of the Vltava River.

You may have seen New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art before, but you've never seen it like this.  Travel through 6,000 years and across the globe in just a few hours, to gain a greater understanding of the length and breadth of this world-class collection.  In small groups of 15 people or fewer, you’ll delve into the history and art of the Met, seeing works come to life through the stories of your expert guide. We start our tour in the ancient world, with a visit to Ancient Egyptian tomb models.  Incredibly well preserved, these pieces were a more important discovery than they seem, as they offered pictorial insight into what life in Ancient Egypt was like. This insight continues at the incredible Temple of Dendur, fully intact and surreally displayed inside a naturally lit atrium, nestled in Central Park.  Our world tour returns to New York for stained glass by Tiffany and then hops over to Britain to size up the armor of notorious King Henry VIII.  We then head east for the Antioch Chalice, believed by some to be the Holy Grail itself, the cup from which Jesus drank on the night he was betrayed.  Believe the story?  You’ll have time to debate its merits with your expert guide.  For historians our next few stops are a true delight – the Greek and Roman wing contain elegant statues, imperial Roman busts, and intact frescos buried along with those at Pompeii. Off to exotic Oceania to see boldly carved Bisj poles from Papua New Guinea, for which a Rockefeller gave his life.  We’ll then move to the second floor to admire Water Lilies by Monet, a Thinker by Rodin, and the swirling strokes of van Gogh. It’s break time inside the museum or atop the rooftop garden (May-October only, weather permitting) for verdant vistas of Central Park.  If you’ve booked the extended version, the tour continues to the Golden Age of Dutch painting, perusing portraits by Rembrandt and marveling at the virtuosity of Vermeer.  After a brief passage through Italy, it’s off to Spain to see El Greco and to  France for Jacques-Louis David’s famous Death of Socrates.  A little scandal is in store, as your guide gives the inside story of John Singer Sargent’s infamous Madame X.   You’ll then be dwarfed by the immense iconic Washington Crossing the Delaware – one of the most recognized paintings in the United States.  Besides from what’s listed here, you’ll see little surprises and quirks of the collection as you tour.  Our small group and expert guides will allow you to ask questions, be engaged, and take the most from your Met experience! Inclusions: Pre-arranged Met Museum tickets, with donation included  Expert local tour guide Small groups of only 15 people or fewer *Rooftop garden (early May-October, weather permitting) Exclusions: Gratuities for guide Hotel pick-up/drop-off Food/Beverages Sites Visited: Ancient Egyptian Tomb Models (original and perfectly preserved) Temple of Dendur Egyptian mummies Armor of King Henry VIII Antioch Chalice a.k.a. the "Holy Grail" Greek and Roman Statuary Ancient Roman Frescoes Tiffany glass and mosaics Rodin sculptures Bisj Poles from New Guinea Claude Monet – Water Lillies Vincent van Gogh - Selected Works Auguste Rodin - Sculptures Rembrandt van Rijn - Portraits Johannes Vermeer - Selected Paintings Jacques-Louis David's Death of Socrates Madame X by John Singer Sargent Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emmanuele Leutze Rooftop Garden (May–October only, weather permitting) Please note, this tour is in English only.

From Edinburgh you will travel west, passing the imposing Stirling Castle, high on its volcanic rock, and on to a visit at Doune Castle* (which featured in the cult movie ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’). From there journey into the Highlands, past Loch Lubnaig and up through impressive Glen Ogle, a steep glen that stretches for 7 miles, stopping nearby for lunch and beautiful views of the surrounding scenery.  After lunch venture further into the Highlands, stopping to view one of the most photographed castles in Scotland, Kilchurn Castle, nestled on the banks of beautiful Loch Awe and stunningly framed by the surrounding mountains. You will then journey to Inveraray, a small quaint town built in the mid-18th century on the shore of Loch Fyne.  Here we have time to explore the town and pick up some Highland souvenirs or pay an optional visit to Inveraray Castle*, the historic home of the Duke of Argyll, chief of the Clan Campbell, which is set in large beautiful gardens overlooking Loch Fyne.  You then start your homeward journey, driving over the Arrochar Alps, an attractive range of mountains, with a brief pause near the top of the Rest and Be Thankful Pass. A little later we reach enchanting Loch Lomond, where you can stop at the pretty lochside village of Luss before returning to Edinburgh.  *OPTIONAL EXTRA. PLEASE NOTE: Inveraray Castle open April-Oct, Doune Castle closed on Thursdays and Fridays from 1st October - 31st March. Alternatives will be offered.  Daily | ALL YEAR  Departs: 09:15 Returns: 19:00