Free
Support
Description: Your guide meets you at St. Mark’s Square. Through thrilling anecdotes and swash-buckling stories, learn about the history of Venice and St. Mark’s Basilica—like how it received its precious relics via a 9th-century kidnapping! But then comes the real treat. All of the passersby will wonder where you’re going as a custodian unlocks the basilica’s doors for you and Walks of Italy’s small groups of maximum 15 clients... And walks you right in. Inside, take a deep breath. You’re experiencing St. Mark’s Basilica as almost nobody else does, or ever has ever been able to (aside from the Doge himself)—empty! No standing elbow-to-elbow with other tourists, no seeing the church as if through a strobe light from hundreds of popping flashbulbs, no noise from the crowds. In-stead, you’re alone with your guide and the custodian. So you can experience the ba-silica as it should be experienced: in tranquility and peace. Of course, you’ll also be able to skip all the lines—not only into the basilica, but also to see the Pala d’Oro, the spectacular, Byzantine altarpiece that uses more than 1,900 gems! During the day, there’s a line to see this, but now? You have it almost all to yourself. Since you’re alone in the basilica with Walks of Italy groups only, you can even go where others, visiting during the day, can’t. Like the crypt, which the custodian un-locks for you: This is where the bones of St. Mark are said to actually be kept. Plus, you can see the stained walls here from the past floods that have devastated Ven-ice—the crypt used to be flooded every time the high tide hit the city! Aside from the emptiness of the basilica, nighttime is the best time to visit because that’s when the mosaics are at their most beautiful. All 43,000 square feet are lit up, glimmering and sparkling in the dark! If just seeing the basilica this way weren’t entrancing enough, there’s also your guide, an expert who’s passionate about Venetian art and history—and about shar-ing it with you in the most fun way possible. You’ll hear the tale of how St. Mark’s became St. Mark’s, a story that pivots on a kidnapping and and a dangerous sea voy-age! You’ll learn where the precious marbles decorating St. Mark’s really come from... A one-hour tour that will give you memories which will last a lifetime! Important Notes: Please remember that the basilica is a holy place and attire must be appropriate: Both men and women are asked to wear clothing that covers at least the shoulders and knees. Walks of Italy cannot be held responsible for denied entry due to im-proper dress. Backpacks are prohibited inside of St. Mark's Basilica. This tour runs rain or shine.
Start your day trip to the East Algarve with a hotel pickup, and then travel by air-conditioned coach to the pretty town of Almancil, roughly 8 miles (13km) northwest of Faro. Head inside the town’s crowning glory, the beautiful Church of St Lourenço (Igreja de São Lourenço de Matos), and marvel at its stunning blue-and-white wall tiles while exploring. The tiles depict the story of St Lourenço who used money from the Catholic Church to pay for the poor until he was caught by the Romans. Continue to Faro, the Algarve’s capital, for a walking tour of its elegant Old Town. Amble around the charming cobblestone streets and see the Arc da Vila, a monument that was commissioned to mark the entrance to the Old Town after a devastating earthquake in 1755. After exploring the streets, enjoy some free time to sightsee independently or shop for souvenirs to take home. Meet back up with your guide and travel to the nearby town of Olhão with its bustling fishing port and Moorish-esque neighborhoods and cube-shaped houses. Stretch your legs on a walk around with your guide, and then take a break for lunch at your own expense; your guide will have plenty of restaurant recommendations if you need them. Your last stop of the day is the beautiful city of Tavira, a town often called the 'Venice of the Algarve' after its location that straddles the River Gilão. Steeped in history, Tavira is home to Roman bridges, Renaissance churches and historical monuments aplenty, but it’s Tavira Castle — a structure thought to date to Neolithic days — that is the town’s most intriguing sight. Pay your entrance fee and then head inside the site to explore the castle's ramparts and ruins. Leave Tavira in the late afternoon and travel back to your Algarve hotel where your day trip finishes.
Your Journey: Departing from Queenstown, a knowledgeable driver will provide an informative commentary on the points of interest along one of the world’s most picturesque drives – The Milford Road. Stop for some great photo opportunities along the way, before enjoying a two hour cruise aboard one of our specially designed small boats in Milford Sound. Sit back and relax as you cruise the length of the 16km fiord, out past St Annes Point Lighthouse, while skipper highlights points of interest along the way, including the mighty Lady Bowen Falls, Lion Mountain, Copper Point, Seal Rock and Stirling Falls. Keep an eye out for local wildlife that can be found in the fiord, with New Zealand fur seals and dolphins spotted regularly, while occasionally the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin makes an appearance when in season. During the return journey we will have a brief refreshment break in the lakeside town of Te Anau. Once back on board you can sit back, relax and enjoy a NZ made movie on the in-coach DVD system. What to bring: Waterproof Jacket Sunscreen Warm Clothing Insect Repellent
Explore Madame Tussuads Blackpool. Highlights include: 1. Big Night In Join the cast of your favourite TV shows in the Big Night In! 2. Lifestyle TV Stylish room makeovers, the perfect garden and a fabulous dinner? 3. Crime Drama Snoop around and find all of the Crime Drama stars 4. Docu Drama 'Hang out' with Bear Grylls and other documentary drama stars 5. I'm a Celebrity Test your survivor skills and enter the jungle. Do you have what it takes to pass the creepy crawly challenge? 6. Football Locker Room Line up next to your favourite football heroes 7. Sports In our interactive sports world you can show your skills and compete with your favourite sport stars! 8. Coronation Street Stroll down the cobbles of Coronation street and enjoy a nice cold pint in the fully licensed Rovers Return bar 9. Music Take centre stage with your favourite pop and rock stars 10. Authentic History Learn all about how Madame Tussauds create wax figures 11. Best of British Take your place amongst royalty and a whole host of British greats 12. Family Favourites Join the family favourites from children's TV to movie heroes 13. Comedy Have a laugh with comedy stars from past and present
The world-famous 86th and 102nd floor Observatories offer unmatched views of New York City and on a clear day one can see to New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Delaware. 1,050 feet above the city’s bustling streets, the 86th floor Observatory offers panoramic views from within a glass-enclosed pavilion and from the surrounding open-air promenade. 200 feet higher, our 102nd floor Observatory is a private and serene perch in the middle of the greatest city in the world.
The Observatories have been a “must visit” for millions each year since it opened to the public in 1931. Each year approximately four million people are whisked to our 86th and 102nd floors, consistently one of New York City’s top tourist attractions. Visit the Observatories 365 days per year, day and night, rain or shine, for magnificent views of Manhattan and beyond.
The Empire State Building embodies the feeling and spirit of New York City. It is recognized not only as an iconic landmark offering some of the most spectacular views on earth, but also as an international symbol of shared hopes, dreams, and accomplishment.
Accessibility: The Empire State Building is fully ADA compliant. We have handicapped restrooms on the 86th Floor Observatory and also have lowered viewing walls and binoculars. Service dogs are allowed throughout the building. Motorized and non-motorized wheelchairs are permitted. The 86th Floor has ramps to make getting around easier and lowered viewing walls so that visitors in chairs can still take in the view.
Additional Options:
102nd Floor Observatory: Upgrade available at Observatory ticket office (2nd floor) or 86th floor kiosk for an additional $20.00.
Express Pass: Purchase exclusively from the official Empire State Building onsite ticket office on the day of arrival to move to the front the line.
Dining: State Grill and Bar offers a prix fixe dinner package to observatory guests with fresh locally sourced foods prepared in our glass enclosed kitchen and unique, local craft beers and cocktails. There are also two Starbucks, a café, Chipotle, Sushi-teria, and the budget minded Heartland Brewery.
Building Information
1,050 feet to the 86th floor Observatory
1,250 feet to the 102nd floor Observatory
1,453 feet, 8 9/16 inches to the tip of the broadcast tower
Broadcast tower adds 203 feet 8 9/16 inches
103 floors
1,872 steps to the 103rd floor
Sits on 79,288 square feet, approximately 2 acres
Weighs 365,000 tons
Volume is 37 million cubic feet
200,000 cubic feet of Indiana limestone & granite exterior cladding
An estimated ten million bricks were used in construction
730 tons of aluminum and stainless steel were used in construction
57,000 tons of steel were used in construction
Contains 473 miles of electrical wiring and 70 miles of pipe
6,514 windows
210 columns at the base support the entire weight of the building
Construction was completed in one year and 45 days
Seven million man-hours went into constructing the Empire State Building
Final cost of property and construction was $41 million
73 elevators
Five entrances
2.85 million rentable square feet
After Seeing the New York Skyline from above why not see it below with a sightseeing open top bus tour
Take a further 20% off using the code 'ESB15' in the basket
Included: All park entrance fees inc. 3 Parks Pass BBQ Lunch Tea / coffee / biscuits Friendly & informative tour guide
