Sea Lion Point - Sea Lion Discovery

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.

Desire burns in the shadows, rage blazes in the light. Anne Boleyn won the king’s desire first, his love second, but only an heir could deliver his loyalty. In a court full of secrets and spies, the Tudor Queen’s time is running out. Donizetti’s opera rips the best bits from a bloody time in history to create a thrilling ride through the last days of Anne Boleyn’s marriage to King Henry VIII. Jealous courtiers and scheming royals have the queen caught fast in a tightening trap. And her lady-in-waiting is waiting indeed, consumed with guilt, to take her place on the throne. With ardent melodies, fiery singing and acrobatic coloratura, every minute of Anna Bolena is a masterclass in bel canto opera. It depends on a stellar soprano to throw herself into the role. Ermonela Jaho is that singer, “a fiery angel” (The Economist) renowned for offering her heart and soul up on stage. “Don’t even try to resist,” warns the Financial Times. This starry cast includes Ho-Yoon Chung as Lord Percy and Teddy Tahu Rhodes as the ruthless, passionate king. From the creative team that brought you Aida comes the first of a new trilogy of Donizetti’s Tudor Queen operas. Davide Livermore directs a new production featuring stunning costumes and his signature high-tech sets.

​Choreographed by Bill Goodson, Féerie consists of a cast of 80 artists, including the 60 legendary Doriss Girls that are recruited world-wide and dressed in costumes of 1000's of feathers, rhinestones and sequins, designed by Corrado Collabucci and made in the most famous Parisian workshops. The show features the best outstanding international acts - including the return of the giant Aquarium...all of this set to music by Pierre Porte, using some 80 musicians and a 60 strong chorus. Féerie: The 4 main scenes are created to fulfil the dreams of an international audiences! The Moulin Rouge today and yesterday, the Moulin Rouge forever The theatre lights switch off, the curtain is raised and the entire troupe appears on stage, under the admiring gaze of the audience who find themselves entering the Garden of the Moulin Rouge to discover the magical atmosphere of the place. A touch of nostalgia! The Pirates - Sandokan What kind of adventures can happen to a pirate whose boat is anchored in Indonesia? Dreams? A perfect woman's love? Once on land, we meet priestesses and a Gorgon in her temple surrounded by snakes, women, jewels and.... tigresses... Will Sandokan have the opportunity to offer his treasures to the lady of his dreams or will we be witness to a sacrifice of love? The Circus The circus comes to town with its band of clowns, Siamese twins, pierrots, acrobats, jugglers, weird wild animals and six miniature horses! A colorful scene with beautiful music which ends with the great parade of the Doriss Girls and Doriss Dancers. The Moulin Rouge from 1900 to ... The Moulin Rouge pays a tribute to Parisian women throughout the years: on the 14th of July, for the Liberation of Paris...with Java or Boogie music. Time passes and leaves space for new generations of women, more beautiful and free than ever! At the highlight of this tribute, the Doriss Girls dance the world famous French Cancan!

See Emmy winner Amy Schumer and Tony winner Laura Benanti star in Steve Martin's Meteor Shower about two clashing couples with tickets from ShowTickets.com.

Madame Tussauds Sydney Down Under at Madame Tussauds Sydney you can say "G'Day" to Aussie stars and meet iconic legends who call Australia home. Without realising, you’ll throw yourself in the history of our beautiful sunburnt country as you rub shoulders with the fair-dinkum people who helped shape our laidback land. Meet past Australian Prime Ministers Bob Hawke, Julia Gillard and John Howard and celebrate Australia’s sporting greats including Mark Webber, Ian Thorpe, Rob Laver and Sir. Donald Bradman. Sing your heart out with Australian pop icon Delta Goodrem and music greats Jimmy Barnes, Olivia Newton-John and Michael Hutchence. Take a trip to Summer Bay and Ramsay Street to meet Alf Stewart and Ian Smith before stepping on the set of the “Crocodile Hunter” with great conservationist and family man Steve Irwin. Hit the catwalk with Elle Macpherson and Miranda Kerr before meeting A-List stars Nicole Kidman and Kylie Minogue. This is only the beginning of the Aussie legends and international stars you’ll meet at Madame Tussauds Sydney. Embrace the Spirit of Australia and book a trip to Madame Tussauds Sydney today! SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium EXPERIENCE SHARK REEF SNORKEL SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium's brand new, one-of-a-kind experience will bring guests face-to-fin with some of the ocean's most amazing creatures, including various reef sharks, sawfish and an array of tropical fish that call the Great Barrier Reef home. A thrilling and fully immersive underwater adventure, participants will be submerged in a safe and see-through enclosure as fascinating creatures like the Maori Wrasse and White-Tip Reef Shark swim just metres away. With no diving experience required this ultimate reef adventure can be enjoyed individually or with the entire family! As Sydney's leading family and tourist attraction, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium offers entertainment for young and old alike. WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo Find yourself on an amazing animal adventure as you journey into Australia's most famous locations. Walk through iconic Aussie habitats and encounter some of the most loved and feared animals that call Australia home. Meet Rex, the huge 5 metre crocodile in Kakadu Gorge, see creatures of the night in the Nightfall habitat, cuddle up to koalas at Koala Encounters and much, much more - there's so much to see and do! WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo features interactive displays, inspiring and entertaining daily shows, captivating daily feeding sessions and enhanced walk-through habitats including Koala Encounters, Kangaroo Walk-About, and Butterfly Tropics. WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo is Australia's most unique and best wildlife park and it's conveniently located right in the heart of Sydney on Darling Harbour. Sydney Tower Eye Don't miss the chance to see Sydney from the amazing 309 meter Sydney Tower. An iconic part of the Sydney cityscape, the Sydney Tower has a breathtaking observation deck, two levels of restaurants and a coffee lounge for you to enjoy. Included in your ticket is the incredible 4D Cinema Experience at the Sydney Tower Eye. You will see Sydney through a whole new perspective with spectacular footage transporting you across Sydney Harbour, its famous coastline, iconic landmarks and events that are integral to the city. The engaging film experience is taken to the fourth dimension with evocative in-theatre effects including wind, bubbles and fire - a perfect way to get to know the inspiring city of Sydney.

Madame Tussauds London Millions and millions of people have flocked through the doors of Madame Tussauds since they first opened over 200 years ago and it remains just as popular as it ever was. There are many reasons for this enduring success, but at the heart of it all is good, old-fashioned curiosity. Today’s visitors are sent on a unique, emotionally-charged journey through the realms of the powerful and famous. The museum-style ropes and poles have gone so guests can truly get up, close and personal with A-list celebrities, sporting legends, political heavyweights and historical icons, reliving the times, events and moments that made the world talk about them…. Filled with 14 exciting, interactive zones and the amazing Marvel Super Heroes 4D movie experience, Madame Tussauds London combines glitz and glamour with incredible history. Walk down the red carpet and strike a pose with Kate Winslet, before challenging your favourite sportstars like David Beckham or Lewis Hamilton.  Start your royal experience with an audience with the Queen, before standing alongside The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. For the brave, get face-to-face with scary serial killers in our live fear experience SCREAM. After a sneaky behind-the-scenes look at how our World-renowned sculptors create the figures, relax in our taxis and relive the rich history of London. Then step up to your favourite Marvel Super Heroes before getting ready to experience the spectacular and exclusive Marvel Super Heroes 4D movie, where our Marvel Super Heroes battle it out to save London from impending doom. So, who do you want to meet? The SEA LIFE London Aqaurium The SEA LIFE London Aquarium is home to one of Europe’s largest collections of global marine life and the jewel in the crown of the 28 SEA LIFE attractions in the UK and Europe. Situated in the heart of London, the experience takes visitors on an immersive and interactive journey along the Great Oceanic Conveyor. The mysterious experience, spread over three floors, starts by taking a submarine style lift to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. Along the journey, a stunning glass tunnel walkway offers guests an unforgettable experience by strolling underneath a Tropical Ocean. There is plenty of interaction along the way, from feeding the stingrays and watching diving displays to touch pools and discovery zones. Other stars of the show include green turtles, seahorses, octopus, zebra sharks and the ever popular clown fish. The true highlight however, commences as guests complete their journey in the deeper darker zone of the Pacific Ocean - take a walk on the wild side and watch 10 species of shark swim beneath your feet from a suspended glass platform. As well as allowing millions of people to discover the marvels of the marine world, the SEA LIFE network has an important role to play in helping safeguard our seas and their inhabitants for the future. The SEA LIFE London Aquarium provides the UK with a leading centre of excellence on marine management, conservation, preservation and education in the heart of the capital. Penguin Point - an expanded state-of-the-art viewing and learning experience complete with a colony of Gentoo penguins. The new Antarctic-themed experience will give visitors a fascinating insight into the habitat and behaviourof penguins. It aims to explain how we can all play our part in conserving their environment whilst providing the opportunity for close range viewing of a delightful colony of resident Gentoo penguins. Ten Gentoo penguins will be resident in the bespoke new enclosure which has been carefully designed to reflect the needs of the species. The significantly enlarged area features two pools, a waterfall, underwater jets, rocks and landing areas and ice flakes. The indoor location of the enclosure will enable SEA LIFE’s expert Penguin Keepers to carefully control temperature, lighting and humidity in line with the Species. Tower Bridge Exhibition Over 100 years ago, the Victorians built a bridge that has become one of London's most famous landmarks. High level walkways were built to allow people to cross the Thames whilst the Bridge was lifted to let tall ships sail past - Tower Bridge Today these Walkways act as viewing galleries, giving visitors the most spectacular views across an ever changing London skyline. Walkways & Exhibition: Tower Bridge Unveils New GLASS FLOOR Across High-Level Walkways Launched in the West Walkway today, the glass floor offers visitors a never-seen-before view of London life, from 42 metres above the River Thames. Look down to spy road and pedestrian life whizzing over the Bridge while river vessels sail under it – and plan your visit in advance for the truly magical experience of the bascules being raised beneath your feet.  The glass floor measures 11 metres long by 1.8 metres wide and comprises of six panels weighing 530 kilograms each. It is made up of five thick layers and can hold the equivalent weight of an elephant and two taxis! The installation took a 20-strong team to construct it over a six week period.  The Walkways also offer stunning panoramic views of London while each of the 20 bridges featured in our popular and refreshed 'New Great Bridges of the World' display showcase a breath-taking feat of engineering. After learning about the history of the Bridge through animations and displays in the Towers, continue to the Victorian Engine Rooms for the beautifully maintained steam engines that were once used to power the bridge lifts. Visitors enter Tower Bridge Exhibition via the North Tower. They are then transported by lift to the top of the Tower (47 metres above the Thames) where they have a unique opportunity to see the Bridge’s steel skeleton from within. A short film explains the history and provenance of the Bridge and then there is the chance to admire the spectacular views – from both covered Walkways. On the east Walkway there are fantastic views of the Docklands and from the west Walkway you can see the new GLA building, the Tower of London, St Paul’s, the city, the Pool of London and Big Ben and the London Eye in the distance. Interactive computerised kiosks and graphic panels explain the significance of the views to visitors, as well as providing more information on the history and building of the Bridge. The interactive material and graphic panels are written in seven languages and an audio loop for the hard of hearing is also in place for the video show. There is another film to view in the South Tower before descending for the short walk to the historical Engine Rooms, included in your ticket price. Victorian Engine Rooms: These provide a fascinating insight into late 19th century engineering. Installed for the completion of Tower Bridge in 1894, these huge, and beautifully maintained, coal-driven engines were used to power the thousands of bascule Bridge lifts performed until 1976. Although lifts are now operated by electricity, the original steam engines are still in place. The Engine Rooms give visitors a chance to experiment with models demonstrating the technology behind the Bridge. There are also some amazing photographs of  Tower BridgeTthroughout its lifetime – including a revealing picture of the heavy steel structure of the Bridge as the stone cladding was installed over it.