Montserrat Morning Tour - Barcelona

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.

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.

National World War II Museum: This museum is ranked by Trip Adviser as the #1 Attraction in New Orleans, placed #2 in America and the World. The National WWII Museum features a multitude of artifacts that portray America's WWII past. Explore the American experience in the war that changed the world. From D-Day galleries to the soaring US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center to the groundbreaking Campaigns of Courage, this world-renowned history museum was created to inspire visitors of all ages educating them on the heroism, tragedy and liberation of WWII. Come experience these unique and amazing Exhibits:
The Arsenal Of Democracy - Telling the story of how the war was won is at the heart of The National WWII Museum’s mission, and The Arsenal of Democracy: The Herman and George R. Brown Salute to the Home Front—the Museum's newest permanent exhibit, located on the second level of the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion, the Museum’s original building—literally brings that story home.
Road To Tokyo - Richard C. Adkerson & Freeport-McMoRan Foundation Road to Tokyo: Pacific Theater Galleries retraces the grueling trail that led from Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay by way of New Guinea and Southeast Asia, the Himalayas, Burma, the islands of the Pacific, China, India, and Alaska.
Road To Berlin -The Duchossois Family Road to Berlin: European Theater Galleries brings to life the drama, sacrifices, personal stories, and strategies of America’s campaign to defeat the Axis powers and preserve freedom.
Beyond All Boundaries - Beyond All Boundaries, showing exclusively in The National WWII Museum’s Solomon Victory Theater, is a 4D journey through the war that changed the world.-Not included with ticket
The D-Day Invasion Of Normandy - The Museum's original exhibit, located on the third floor of Louisiana Memorial Pavilion, helps you understand what the Allies faced in Normandy, from the comprehensive preparations beforehand to the daunting challenges once troops landed on Normandy beaches.
US Merchant Marine Gallery - Situated at the end of the Horatio Alger Association American Spirit Bridge, this gallery honors the civilian merchant mariners who risked their lives transporting weapons, men, and material to US troops overseas.
Final Mission: USS Tang Submarine Experience - places visitors aboard the most successful submarine in World War II for its fifth and final war patrol on October 25, 1944.-Not included with ticket
Manufacturing Victory - Follow the industrial journey that took the United States from a nation perilously unprepared for war to a global superpower that led the Allies to victory in World War II.
Special Exhibit Gallery - The Joe W. and Dorothy D. Brown Foundation Special Exhibit Gallery features rotating exhibits that draw on the Museum’s own collections, as well as relevant traveling exhibits from leading institutions around the world.
City Sightseeing New Orleans: Hop-On Hop-Off Unlimited Tickets Valid for 24 Hours of Sightseeing Tour at Your Own Pace - Enjoy unlimited hop-on hop-off privileges! Spend as much time as you desire at each stop. Live Guide Narration - Local Tour Guides on each bus offer colorful entertaining historic commentary.. Every 30 Minutes! Buses Visit each Stop! - Stay as long as YOU like at each location. You can always catch the next bus! 7 Days a Week - 09:30 - 17:30 - Continuous Loop tour so YOU can decide what time your tour begins and ends. Tour Loop is 2 hours. Restaurant and Attraction Deals along the Way - Hop-Off and present your ticket to receive deals and discounts at various attractions, restaurants, and gift shops all along the route! Cemetery Walking Tour - Self guided tour of Lafayette Cemetery #1 included for all. Garden District - Escorted Walking Tour- Enjoy the splendor and elegance of New Orleans' most sophisticated neighborhood. French Quarter - Escorted Walking Tour - Marvel at the history and architecture of America's most historic neighborhood.

Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, is one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen. The Castle's dramatic site encapsulates 900 years of British history. It covers an area of 26 acres and contains, as well as a royal palace, a magnificent chapel and the homes and workplaces of a large number of people. What there is to see: The magnificent State Apartments are furnished with some of the finest works of art from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto, Gainsborough and the famous triple portrait of Charles I by Sir Anthony van Dyck.  In 1992 fire destroyed or damaged more than 100 rooms at the Castle. By good fortune the rooms worst affected were empty at the time, and as a result, few of the Castle's artistic treasures were destroyed.  The highly acclaimed restoration work, completed in 1997, is a testament to the extraordinary skills of some of the finest craftsmen in Europe. From October to March visitors can also enjoy George IV's private apartments (the Semi-State Rooms), among the most richly decorated interiors in the Castle. St George's Chapel is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England. It is the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, the senior order of British Chivalry established in 1348 by Edward III. Within the chapel are the tombs of ten sovereigns, including Henry VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour, and Charles I. Among the highlights of a visit to Windsor is Queen Mary's Dolls' House, the most famous dolls' house in the world. The Drawings Gallery shows changing exhibitions of material from the Royal Library at Windsor Castle. The special display below is shown alongside a selection of treasures from the Royal Library.   Photographer Credits: Image 1: Photographer: Mark Fiennes, Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2013 Image 2: Photographer: Dennis Gilbert, Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2013 Image 3: Photographer: Ian Jones, Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2013 Image 4: Photographer: John Freeman, Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2013   Hampton Court Palace Hampton Court Palace has provided a luxurious retreat for many of Britain's most famous Kings and Queens. Henry VIII was so inspired by it that he spent three of his honeymoons here. And visitors continue to escape to Britain's greatest palace to experience its history, splendour and stunning scale. Discover what it was really like to live and work at Hampton Court Palace. Take a fascinating journey through 500 years of royal history. Marvel at the impressive architecture and opulent interiors of the State Apartments and see the vast Tudor Kitchens in full swing. Enjoy the breathtaking Great Hall and Chapel Royal, and see how Sir Christopher Wren transformed the palace to rival Versailles. Take time to appreciate one of the finest collections of Renaissance paintings in Europe, and listen to tales of intrigue at the royal court from expert guides dressed in full historical costume. Or enjoy an audio tour, available in 9 languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Korean and Japanese. They can be collected from the Information Centre in Clock Court. And that's before you've even begun to explore the stunning riverside gardens where you'll find the famous Maze and one of the world's oldest vines. ‘Top Ten’ things to see and do at Hampton Court. These sights are 'unmissable' Access to these sights is included in your admission ticket, unless otherwise stated. Henry VIII's Great Hall The Great Hall is England’s greatest medieval hall and one of Britain’s oldest theatres. William Shakespeare’s company performed there in 1603-4. Young Henry VIII exhibition Meet the 'pin-up' prince, before he became fat old Henry VIII, at our Young Henry VIII exhibition (included in your admission ticket). The exhibition includes paintings and interactive displays. The world famous Maze Test yourself and get enjoyably lost in 'the most famous Maze in the history of the world'. Entry is included in your ‘All Palace and Gardens’ admission ticket. A 'Maze only' entry is also available. Tudor kitchens  Built to feed the Court of Henry VIII, the kitchens were expected to provide meals for 600 people twice a day. See the kitchens today and experience the sights and smells of a real Tudor kitchen! Beautiful gardens Wander through over 60 acres of beautifully maintained and internationally celebrated gardens at Hampton Court Palace. Entry is included in your ‘All Palace and Gardens’ admission ticket. Henry VIII: Heads and Hearts Join Henry for his wedding celebrations and see surprising portraits and personal objects of his wives. Family fun activities We have a wide range of activities and tours to entertain families. Choose from family trails, our world-famous maze, costumed guided tours, live Tudor cookery and much much more.  The Chapel Royal This beautiful chapel has been in continuous use for over 450 years. Visitors are welcome to attend religious services at The Chapel Royal. Tiltyard café - kids' meal deal! History makes you hungry! At the Tiltyard café, choose from any kid's hot meal with lemonade or milk and a fairy cake for just £3.95. Deliciously great value.

Montserrat Start your full day trip from Barcelona in a comfortable Bus to the mountain of Montserrat which rises majestically to 4,051 feet (1,236 meter) above sea level. The rocks of Montserrat were formed by natural cement of sand during the centuries. The wind and rain shaped the mountain with strange and varied forms. The popular imagination has seen human or animal shapes in some of these peaks, giving those names and inventing legends to explain their fantastic origins. This trip to Montserrat will give you the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful and breathtaking views of the Montserrat Mountain, one of nature’s special creations. You will visit the Royal Basilica of Montserrat, which holds the famous 12th century Romanesque carving of Verge Moreneta (the Black Madonna). You will be able to see this famous statue of the Black Madonna from a distance. The Benedict sanctuary of Montserrat has been founded in 1025 and provides a mystical backdrop for the Virgin of Montserrat, the patron saint of Catalonia who is enshrined in the monastery's Royal Basilica. The little monastery soon began to receive pilgrims and visitors who contributed to the spread of stories of miracles and wonders performed by the Virgin. Today, Montserrat has been modernized to continue attending to the needs to pilgrims, one thousand years after it was originally founded. You will be given some free time to visit the audio visual exhibition about the history and creation of Montserrat. And taste typical liquors of Montserrat. The Escolania of Montserrat is one of the oldest boys choirs in Europe (XIV Century). On some days the children's choir sings in the monastery and so you may be fortunate enough to catch one of their delightful performances. Their timeframe is subjected to the school calendar and special events of the choir and monastery. Our tour to Montserrat will finish in our office at Balmes 5, downtown, where the second part of the tour departs. Artistic Barcelona* Barcelona is known as the capital of Modernism and the place where the famous architect Antoni Gaudí worked and lived. Gaudi, one of the greatest innovators of his time, has left behind numerous treasures for the discerning tourist to discover in Barcelona. This Artistic Tour of Barcelona starts at the Julia Travel Office (Balmes 5), we will take you to the Sagrada Familia (Holy Family) Basilica, Gaudi's unfinished masterpiece which is Barcelona's most famous landmark. The guide will take you on a walking tour of the exterior of the Sagrada Familia, to admire the richly and symbolically decorated facades, where vaults reach up to seventy meters. Next you will discover Gaudi's bizarre Park Güell which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be careful, it's easy to get lost in the whimsical design of this bizarre but compelling public park with a perfect integration of the architectural elements in nature. Our tour continues to Passeig de Gràcia to see Gaudi's famous apartment buildings like Casa Mila “La Pedrera”, Casa Batlló and others modernist buildings. Please Note: Departure at 03:30PM. Check in at 03:15PM in Julià Travel Office, c/Balmes 5 *From 1ST of November to 31st of March we will visit the Park Güell before than Sagrada Familia.

Stirling Castle is a great symbol of Scottish independence & a source of national pride. The Castle's long, turbulent history is associated with great figures from Scotland’s past such as William Wallace & Mary Queen of Scots. The Royal Palace The Palace at Stirling Castle allows visitors to step into the astonishing richness of royal life in the 1500s. James V’s Palace at Stirling is one of the finest and best-preserved Renaissance buildings in Great Britain. Following a major programme of research and re-presentation, it can now be seen by visitors much as it may have looked on completion around 1545. The decoration of the Palace’s six main rooms is overwhelmingly colourful, rich and elaborate. James and his French wife Mary of Guise aimed to present themselves as wealthy, learned and sophisticated. The decorative style belongs to the Renaissance – a great flowering in arts, literature and philosophy that revolutionised Europe in the 1400s and 1500s. Bright colours, expensive fabics and ornate patterns were essential elements. But this was not flamboyance for its own sake. The decorative scheme was filled with messages about power, prosperity and plenty. It was not limited to the interior chambers but also extended to the exterior walls, embellished with hundreds of statues and other stone-carvings. Why not combine your visit to Stirling Castle with other famous attractions and activities in Central, Tayside & Fife such as Discovery Point & RRS Discovery or Loch Lomond Aquarium