Attractions

London:

As one of the most influential capitals in the world, with hundreds of years of history under its belt, London has literally thousands of things to see and do. Here are a few of our favorites:

Windsor Castle is one of the oldest inhabited strongholds in the world. First built in 1070 by William the Conqueror, Windsor Castle has been a home to the Sovereign for over 900 years, and today is one of the three official residences of the Queen.  Touring the castle is one of the most popular things to do in England.

Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the Queen of England and a massive palace to boot. You'll see a flag outside when the Queen is in residence. Buckingham Palace first became the official royal residence in the 19th century, and the changing of the guard happens here daily.

Big Ben: Famous around the world for keeping impeccable time, the Big Ben Clock Tower was fully operational on September 7th, 1859.  The Big Ben Clock is used to ring in the London New Year and is a rallying point for the New Year's celebration of the entire country of England.

Hyde Park: The largest of the parks in London that make up the "green lung" system of London city parks, Hyde Park London covers an area of 608 acres, and over the years has hosted everyone from the boisterous hunting parties of King Henry VIII in the 16th century, to the raucous Rolling Stones in 1969.  Although Hyde Park London has a myriad of things to see and do, tourists will be delighted to find that most of the beauty of the park can be enjoyed completely free of charge.

The London Eye: Sometimes referred to as the Millennium Wheel, the London Eye offers patrons one of the best views of the city of London to be found.  Officially opened by Prime Minister Tony Blair on December 31st, 1999 to celebrate the Millennium, the London Eye is the largest effort on the part of the British government to offer a vantage point for views of the city. 

Trafalgar Square: Trafalgar Square is the most famous square in London, England.  Featuring statues at all four square corners, it was originally constructed to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar which was a victory in the war against Napoleon.

Paris:

There's so much to do in Paris compiling a list of top things to do is difficult. From outdoor activities, to historic monuments, to great food and wine, Paris is a historic and cultural center, with hundreds of top things to do and see.

Eiffel Tower: Ascend the Eiffel Tower for spectacular views of Paris. At over 1,000 feet, the massive structure has two restaurants, a souvenir shop, viewing area, and more.

The Louvre: Paris' world famous museum was built in the 12th century and is divided into eight collections. The Mona Lisa, is on display behind a glass case, roped stanchions, and a throng of museum goers.

Notre Dame: Notre Dame Cathedral is an impressive marvel of medieval architecture. Started in 1163 and completed in 1330, Notre Dame Cathedral has a striking gothic exterior, two broad towers, and plenty of sweeping arches.

Arc de Triomphe: Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to honor the French military, Parisians refer to the Arc de Triomphe as L'Etoile, and revere it as a patriotic symbol of France's history. Located in the center of the world's largest traffic roundabout, the Arc de Triomphe towers 164 feet above the ground.

Versailles: Located 13 miles southwest of Paris, the Palace of Versailles was the political capital of France for over a century. No luxury or extravagance was spared. Every corner, ceiling, and wall is detailed with carvings, woodwork, marble, or another exquisite covering. Now the Palace of Versailles is one of the best tourist attractions in France. Visitors come to see the lavish palace, the abundant gardens, and the surrounding sights.

Rome:

Colosseum: The Roman Colosseum is a tremendous amphitheater, the embodiment of both the grandeur and cruelty of the great Roman Empire. Capable of seating 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum hosted spectacular games that included gladiator exhibitions, fights between animals, prisoner executions and - strangely enough - naval battles.

Roman Forum: Towering Ionic columns stretch proud and fragmented into the Italian sky and ancient porticoes stand guard over the empty shells of buildings that were once the centers of commerce, justice and worship for the city.

Pantheon: Of all the great buildings constructed during the crest of the Roman Empire, only this one still stands.  Pantheon history states that the interior of the roof is intended to symbolize the heavens, and the giant hole above is supposedly the eyes of the gods.

Trevi Fountain: The Trevi Fountain dominates a small square in the heart of the city near the Spanish Steps. The fountain entered pop culture thanks to the nighttime bathing scene in the film "La Dolce Vita" by Fellini, or for many Americans, the popular 1954 film “Three Coins in A Fountain.” This huge Baroque construction, inspired by sea mythology, took 30 years to build.

The Sistine Chapel: The piece de resistance of the Vatican museum, the Sistine Chapel is the culmination of Michelangelo's finest work. Frescos detailing the life and times of both Jesus and Moses line the walls beneath the benevolent portraits of former popes.

The Vatican Museum:  Deep in the holy center of Vatican City, the Vatican Museum houses an enormous collection of art collected through its centuries of history, from Egyptian pieces to Etruscan ruins to Renaissance paintings and, of course, the legendary Sistine Chapel. Of all of the museums, not just in Italy but the world over, this one is not to be missed.