Ocean Rafting - Double Deal - Northern & Southern Tours

Itinerary Depart Edinburgh at 08:15 and travel west, past Stirling castle to your first stop at Doune Castle. This area of Scotland has certainly seen its fair share of fighting and warfare. Stirling castle was once known as the 'Key to Scotland', and it was here that William Wallace (immortalised by Mel Gibson in the film Braveheart) defeated the English army in 1297. After William Wallace's death it was Robert the Bruce who continued the fight for independence and you will pass the site of his most famous victory in 1314 at the Battle of Bannockburn. Then you arrive at the fantastic medieval stronghold of Doune castle. Built for Robert Stewart, the Duke of Albany, over 600 years ago the castle is still in great condition and you will have time for photos. You might even have seen the castle before, it was made famous by the film 'Monty Python and The Holy Grail', with many scenes filmed here. You then continue a little further on to Callander. After a short coffee stop you cross the Highland boundary fault line leaving the rolling farms for the wild mountains and forests of the Highlands. You will make a short stop at Loch Luibnaig before you continue over the Braes of Balquhidder, the final resting place of Highland outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor. Made famous by Sir Walter Scott, Rob Roy was a sort of Highland Robin Hood, he stole from the rich, but never quite got round to giving it to the poor! From Balquhidder the tour winds its way through the tough knot of mountains known as Breadalbane (meaning the 'high country of Scotland') before we stop for lunch in a small West Highland village. Shortly after lunch you stop for the short walk out to visit Kilchurn Castle, a magnificent ruin situated in the middle of Loch Awe and former home of the Campbells of Breadalbane. You will continue along the banks of Loch Awe through Campbell country to the picturesque town of Inveraray on the shores of Loch Fyne. Here you can visit the 18th-century castle and home of the Duke of Argyll, chief of the Campbell clan. (castle open Easter to mid-October). The town was built at the same time as the castle and has the air of a classic 18th-century planned village with its straight wide streets and dignified Georgian houses. You can take time to explore the town and maybe call at the Old Jail or the maritime museum, the Arctic Penguin. Leaving Inveraray, you take a drive up through the steep-sided mountains known as the Arrochar Alps to the great viewpoint at 'Rest and Be Thankful'. It was given its name in 1753 by the weary soldiers who had just finished building the old military road up through Glen Croe. From here you skirt around Loch Long and down to the Bonnie, Bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. This is Scotland's largest loch and it takes its name from the mountain Ben Lomond on the eastern shore. You make a short stop at the conservation village of Luss, with its quaint houses and stunning views across the loch. At 17.30 you make your way back to Edinburgh, with a short photo stop underneath Stirling Castle. Return time: 18:30 approx

A fantastic all-day excursion along the beautiful Costa Daurada coastline aboard the most modern luxury catamaran on the Mediterranean, sailing to the traditional village of L' Ametlla de Mar. The food option includes a delicious barbecue prepared by your captain and crew, and also includes sangria and dessert too. On arrival you will have free time to explore the morning market and visit the local shops, where you can buy some local products and souvenirs. Shopping in L´ Ametlla de Mar is a lovely pastime, where you can walk through its narrow and bustling streets, visiting little shops and boutiques. A great way to spend your day, or if you prefer, you can choose to relax on the beautiful sandy beach instead. Filled with lovely coves and blue flag beaches, L’Ametlla de Mar is an unspoilt fishing town on the Costa Daurada, Catalonia. With quaint whitewashed buildings that watch over the sea and its beautiful shades of blue and green waves lapping up against the light golden sand, L´ Ametlla de Mar is a very pretty picture. 

LYONCITYCARD « SEE MORE, SAVE MORE » Culture, leisure activities , entertainment, everything is in the Lyon City Card. INCLUDED Public transportation Unlimited and free access to public transport : Metro, tram and buses. 22 museums and their temporary exhibitions Free admission to the museums : Musée des Confluences, Fine-Arts Museum, Lumiere Cinema. Institute, Textile & Decorative Arts Museum, Modern Art Museum... Contemporary Art Biennial exhibition 2015 Lyon guided tours of Lyon Tourism and Conventions Free access on guided tours. Discover the rich heritage and history of Lyon. The conference guides offer historical, cultural or unusual themes. Leisure activities Make the choice of an unusual charming cruise ! Explore Lyon and its various different facets through a guided river cruise excursion.   DISCOUNTS Leisure activities Hop on hop off bus tour, guided excursions (on foot or by bicycle), electric taxi tricycle... Or other activities such as the Aquarium or an outdoor activity climbing in the trees ! Entertainment Great discounts on evening shows (including Lyon Opera house and Celestins Theatre, Dance house...)   Please CLICK HERE to check what is included in the Lyon City Card.  

YOU SHOULD BRING: Sunglasses Hats Warm clothes during winter periods

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. 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
Madame Tussauds New York Get your selfie sticks ready, because New York City's Madame Tussauds in Times Square is the only place with no ropes or barriers holding you back from getting photos with your favorite stars!  Voted as one of New York's most unique attractions, Madame Tussauds invites you to pose "In  a moment in time" with your famous fun figures of internationally renowned musicians, A-list stars, sports legends, world leaders and more. With over 85,000 square feet of interactive entertainment and several newly renovated spaces, including our new Ghostbusters VR, Project Runway and Kong: Skull Island experience, the world famous wax attraction is bigger and better than ever! Madame Tussauds New York, prominently located in the heart of Times Square, is more than just an interactive wax attraction; it is an iconic “must do” New York experience and the home of the Ghostbusters Hyper – Reality Experience and SKULL Island. There are no velvet ropes or obtrusive barriers to keep guests from interacting with world’s most recognizable and influential icons. The fully immersive, one-of-a-kind attraction is great for families and visitors of any age.

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.