WestCoast Sightseeing - Karaoke Christmas Lights Tour

Bletchley Park, formerly top-secret home of the British and Allied Forces World War Two Codebreakers, is now a vibrant heritage attraction.  Ticket Includes: Codebreaking huts - where Enigma messages were decrypted interactive activities & projected images World War I & 2 exhibitions interactive, modern Cyber Security exhibition historic buildings & mansion adult & family-friendly multimedia tours access to the beautiful grounds outdoor walking tours with a knowledgeable live guide National Radio Centre exhibition some temporary, seasonal exhibitions & performances ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Summer Shuttle Bus - 21st July to 2nd September 2018 During the summer holidays ZSL Whipsnade Zoo will be operating a direct shuttle bus from Luton Railway station directly to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. A direct bus service from Luton Railway station / Interchange to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo (via Dunstable, West Street) will be available every day in the summer school holidays. The fares for the subsidised service will be £2.50 return & £2.00 single. The 30-minute journey on the 200 bus route will drop you at the zoo at either 10.28am or 11.28am, and pick you up at 16.45pm or 17.45pm. For more information contact 0844 351 1120, [email protected] or visit the Centrebus website. Escape the urban jungle and head for Whipsnade for the perfect family day out. Escape on an adventure across acres of beautiful English countryside with fantastic views across the Chiltern Downs and watch lions, tigers, elephants, hippos and giraffes out and about in huge outdoor enclosures. Hop aboard the Jumbo Express train adventure or take a free Safari Bus as you make your way around the scenic Zoo,one of Europe's largest conservation centres. Travel back to a time when wild beats walked this land. Where bison herds grazed on England’s verdant pastures and wolf packs and bears hunted in our forests. This land was their home before it was ours and now they’re back!. Meet the bears, European bison, wolves, lynx and moose that were once commonplace in Britain, along with the mystical wolverine at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo this Easter. Wild Wild Whipsnade takes you on a journey of discovery and immerses you in a spell-binding story where you can experience the sights, sounds and awe-inspiring animals that once free roamed this country. Wild Wild Whipsnade allows you to escape to nature, re-live the mood of myths and legends and be confronted with some of weirdest, wildest and most wondrous beasts on earth. Please Note: Children under 16 will not be admitted without an adult.

The day begins with a hotel pick-up between 06:15 and 07:00. Heading east across the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge offers great views of the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz Island, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Golden Gate Bridge. En Route to the park we cross through the Central Valley, where we will stop at a fruit stand for some local produce. Famous for its rich volcanic soil, the Central Valley is the largest agricultural region in the United States. The section we drive through is best known for specialty fruits and nuts such as almonds, walnuts, cherries, and strawberries. After this quick rest stop, we enter the rolling foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Continuing into the mountains brings us to California gold country and the gold rush town of Groveland before we wind our way into Yosemite National Park. Maps in hand, we begin with a one and a half hour in-coach narrated tour of Yosemite's glaciated valley. You will see famous waterfalls and rock formations including Yosemite Falls - the tallest waterfall in North America - El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridalveil Falls, Sentinel Dome, and much more. During the tour you will see Yosemite Valley from a number of great vantage points, the best of which is perhaps Inspiration Point. At 4,500 feet above sea level, this viewpoint gives you a commanding view east up the valley. Yosemite is a mecca for rock climbers, and the sight of people climbing El Capitan's 3,200 ft. (1000m) sheer rock face is quite amazing. Because of our small group size, we can incorporate multiple photo stops into our tour so you can better enjoy your time in the park. After the tour, we stop for the afternoon near the base of Yosemite Falls, where there are a variety of options for lunch (not included). After eating, you will have 3-4 hours of free time to explore the valley as you choose. You can walk to the base of Yosemite Falls, check out the visitor center, visit the Ansel Adams Gallery, stop in at the Ahwahnee Hotel, rent a cruiser bike, or hike some of the trails that originate from the valley. Although you could spend three weeks in Yosemite, the three hours you get on your own is enough time to understand why Yosemite is one of America's most popular national parks. Regrouping again in the late afternoon, we head for San Francisco, stopping for a short break before arriving back in the city and dropping you at your lodging between 8:30 and 9:00pm. Highlights: See El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls, Inspiration Point (aka Tunnel View), and Yosemite Village Free time in Yosemite Valley to explore/hike Eco-friendly transport in biodiesel mini-coaches   Inclusions: Complimentary pickup/dropoff from your San Francisco hotel Full-time professional, knowledgeable guide Narrated in-coach tour of Yosemite (1.5 hrs) 3 hours of free time in the Valley Yosemite Park entrance fee Transportation to/from Yosemite in biofuel mini-coach ​ Not Included: Meals (stops will be made to purchase food) Guide gratuity (optional)   Gear List:  May-Oct: Camera & charger Small bag that can fit under seat Spending money for incidentals and lunch Sneakers or hiking boots Swimwear, towel, sandals (optional) Bug spray Sun protection Water bottle   Nov-Apr** - Additional items recommended are: Warm clothing, coat Knit hat, gloves **Winter temperatures in Yosemite are on average 50 F/10 C, but can be as low as 28 F/-2 C. 

All visitors (including members and visitors 18 and under, who always receive free admission) require a ticket so we can ensure the museum does not exceed capacity. Order tickets in advance for all members of your party so everyone can enter the galleries at the same time. No eating, drinking, smoking, or sleeping is permitted in the Museum. Eating and drinking are permitted in designated areas only (Café 5, Sightglass at SFMOMA, and In Situ). Sealed food and drink containers are allowed if they are packed away inside a bag. Backpacks may not be carried on your back; they must be carried or worn on your front at all times.  

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.

Your day begins with pick up will be from your Las Vegas Hotel in a luxury motor coach.   Make the trek east passing through the Mojave Desert and the Black Mountains and Grand Wash Cliffs of Arizona on the way.   En route to the Grand Canyon, your tour guide will provide you with expert narration of the area’s most historical and interesting facts about the Spanish explorers, numerous native cultures, and the early Western Settlers of northern Arizona.  Upon arrival to the Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center, enjoy a delicious lunch and some souvenir shopping.   Then onto the Grand Canyon National Park for several hours of sightseeing and exploring.  See a number of different panoramic views from various lookout locations while learning about the history and geology of the canyon from the expert tour guide. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: Hotel Pick-Up And Drop-Off Service For Most Major Hotels On The Strip And Downtown Lunch Served At The National Geographic Visitor's Center And IMAX Theater Grand Canyon And Visitor’s Center Admission Rest Stops Included In Kingman AZ Fully narrated bus tour to the Grand Canyon South Rim and National Geographic Visitors Center from Las Vegas A stop at the Hoover Dam Bridge! - a marvel of engineering.  Enjoy at 20 minute stop and great photo opportunity.    See the extinct volcano 'Fortification Hill' Visit the widest and deepest point at Grand Canyon's South rim (over 8400 ft. deep and 21 miles across). Starting 12/15/16 all vehicles offer WI-FI on all tours: 15 minutes - free up to 25MB 1 hour - $2.95  up to 255MB 3 hours - $4.95  up to 655 MB 24 hours - $14.95 up to 1000 MB

List of included attractions Bar Convent Barley Hall Cliffords Tower DIG Fairfax House Goddards Henry VII Experience Jorvik Merchant Adventurers' Hall National RM Road Train Richard III Roman Bath Treasurers House York Army Museum York Art Gallery York Boat York Brewery York Castle Museum York City Sightseeing York Cold War Bunker York Dungeon York Minster York's Chocolate Story Yorkshire Museum Beningbrough Hall Birds of Prey Centre Byland Abbey Captain Cook Castle Howard Eden Camp Helmsley Castle Helmsley Walled Garden Maze Murton Park North Yorkshire Moors Railws Reivaulx Abbey Scampston Walled garden