The State Rooms + The Queen's Gallery + The Royal Mews

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.

Duration is 1 hr and 30 mins. If you have any dietary requirements please contact us at [email protected] as soon as you make your booking.  

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 beautiful landscape of the Montserrat mountains isn't far from Barcelona. Breath taking views await you when you take a ride on the rack railway.   Once you've arrived, you'll be able to enjoy a full guided tour which will take you to the Benedictine Monastery and the statue of the Virgin of Montserrat, popularly known as the Moreneta, or Black Madonna. During your visit you'll be serenaded by the magical voices of the world-renowned boys' choir, the Escolania de Montserrat. 

Stops Line A Piazza Bra Corso Porta Nuova Stazione FS Prota Nuova Basilica San Zeno Castelvecchio Via Diaz Prota Borsari Teatro Romano Porta Leoni   Line B Piazza Bra Via Pallone Tomba Giulietta Via G. Giusti S. Stefano Teatro Romano Castel S. Pietro Panorama Duomo Piazza Erbe Casa Giulietta Castelvecchio

New Itinerary : Opéra - Place Vendôme - Concorde Square - Champs-Elysées Avenue - Arch of Triumph - Eiffel Tower - Invalides - Orsay Museum - The Grand Louvre Museum - Notre-Dame Cathedral - Sorbonne - Pantheon Church - Saint-Germain-des-Prés - Place des Pyramides (bus terminal). Departures: Tour departs daily at 09:00, 10:30, 12:00 and 14:45 Duration: 1 Hours 45 Minutes approx.  Pick Up/Drop Off Paris Vision, 214 rue de Rivoli, 75001, Paris Includes: Tour in a luxury, air-conditioned coach Recorded commentary with individual headphones Information: 4 departures a day 11 available languages Suited to clients (first time, return and short stay) looking for an overall glimpse or orientation Suitable to families. No stop during the tour.