Sunday, June 16, 2013

Barcelona Tourist Card - Barcelona Card: Freedom of Movement

Free transportation all around the city. Discounts in main tourist attractions such as museums, restaurants, shops, leisure activities, facilities... Everything is easer with Barcelona Card, the best way to visit, taste and enjoy the city.

The Barcelona Tourist Card gives you discounts in museums, attractions, shops, ...and free travel by public transport. You decide whether you want a card that is valid for 2, 3, 4 o 5 days. The card will not be valid until it is stamped with the time and date the first time you use it. The card is valid once per attraction and entitles you to unlimited travel by metro, bus and tram.

The Barcelona Tourist Card can be bought in many hotels, tobacconists and newspaper stands, and the establishments that offer discounts on presentation of the Barcelona Card are identified with a sticker.

What advantages does it have?
2, 3, 4 or 5 consecutive days card.
Free public transport: metro, city buses (day and night) and FGC city and suburban train network, trams, train to the airport and Renfe trains zone 1.
Over 80 discounts at museums, culture venues, entertainment, leisure attractions, night-time venues, shops, restaurants, other services and unusual means of transport.
Includes free offers at Las Golondrinas, CosmoCaixa, Torre de Collserola, Mirador de Colom and 12 museums.
With the purchase of your Barcelona Card, you will receive a guide in three languages (català/spanish/english o french/german/italian) which includes:
Information about the discounts and the free offers.
Information about Barcelona's main sightseeing areas.
General map of the city.
Map of the metro network.
Prices
Barcelona Card. 2 days child - 25.00€
Barcelona Card. 2 days adult - 29.00€
Barcelona Card. 3 days child - 30.00€
Barcelona Card. 3 days adult - 35.00€
Barcelona Card. 4 days child - 32.50€
Barcelona Card. 4 days adult - 40.50€
Barcelona Card. 5 days child - 37.50€
Barcelona Card. 5 days adult - 47.00€

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Dubai Travel Guide Hotels Restaurants

A relatively new tourist destination, Dubai was gaining popularity in recent years until the global economic crash of 2008. Dubai is essentially a desert city with superb infrastructure, liberal policies (by regional standards), that became popular for its excellent tourist amenities. Just 5 h from Europe and 3 h from most parts of the Middle East, the Near East, and the subcontinent of India, Dubai makes a great short break for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining, sporting events, and even a few sinful pleasures. It is a city of superlatives: for the fastest, biggest, tallest, largest and highest, Dubai is the destination. It has the largest immigrant population in the world. The weekly day off is on Friday. Note that, since September 2006, a harmonised weekend of Friday and Saturday has been adopted for the public sector and schools.

Dubai's main airport is the Dubai International Airport. You can also enter Dubai by using Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) in the nearby emirate of Sharjah and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) in nearby Abu Dhabi. Frequent visitors from countries granted automatic visa on entry may wish to purchase an e-gate card to speed up immigration formalities and save passport pages. The e-gate card office is situated in the upstairs foodcourt area of the terminal 1 departures concourse. The card will cost AED 200. Note: If you intend to buy an e-gate card in Dubai, you must have entered UAE via Dubai airport.

Terminals 1 and 3 are directly connected to each other via the airside (no immigration needed for transfer), while Terminal 2 is located at the other end of the airport. Terminals 1 and 3 are models of modern airport design, but Terminal 2, despite the recent renovations, is still reminiscent of developing world airports, with long check-in lines, queue-jumping and every other passenger checking in 70 kg of luggage. Shuttle buses between the three run every 20-30 min. However shuttles to Terminal 2 are sporadic at best, so a 30 min taxi ride may be your only option. A low-cost option for traveling to Terminal 2 is to catch the metro to a nearby station, such as GGICO metro station, and from there catch a taxi to Terminal 2.

Dubai's only international road border is with Oman at Al Wajajah. Expatriate residents of Oman will require an official permit to exit Oman by road. Visitors do not require the permit. There is an OMR 3.000 charge per vehicle to exit Oman and, if returning, retain the charge receipt as it will be required to reenter. Ensure that insurance is valid for the UAE (preferably before commencing the journey). Temporary UAE insurance can be purchased at the border for a premium price.
There are also road borders between the neighbouring Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Oman at the Al Burami Oasis which divides the sister cites of Al Ain and Al Burami, Oman.

Giorgio Armani's first hotel opened in 2010 in the world's tallest tower, Dubai's 828-metre Burj Khalifa, amid much fanfare. Built on the first 39 floors of the dart-shaped skyscraper, the resort is part-residences, part-hotel - although the same brooding style underpins everything. Sharp lines, neutral tones, stone and mahogany predominate: you can almost smell the masculinity. The best rooms have vast balconies overlooking the Dubai Fountain, another record-breaker with water that shoots as high as 150 metres into the air.

The hotel sits at the furthest point of the islands' outer frond (accessible via a long drive or a shorter boat ride), lending it an air of honeymoon-friendly seclusion. This despite its large size: 64 rooms, 26 suites and four villas in large Moorish-stylemansions. But One&Only The Palm is best known for its restaurants, fronted by chef Yannick Alléno of three-Michelin-starred Le Meurice in Paris. They are STAY (the acronym for Simple Table Alléno Yannick), which aims to show that fine food need not be pretentious; the international restaurant Zest; and 101, a bar-restaurant-lounge that simply sings St Tropez. Price rating: 5/5

Italy Travel Guide Hotels Restaurants


While you can visit most tourist attractions and museums in Italy without a reservation, there are a few that you will want to book in advance to avoid long waits and a few where reservations are mandatory. These are the top sites and museums that you should buy tickets ahead for and where to buy them. By clicking on the link you'll find out more about each attraction. Most museum tickets can be bought on Select Italy.

Uffizi Gallery in Florence
The Uffizi is one of the most important museums in the world for Italian art, especially the art of the Renaissance. It's one of Florence's most visited attractions and visitors without ticket reservations can spend a long time in line. See Uffizi Information and How to Buy Tickets or buy Uffizi Gallery tickets from Select Italy.

Palazzo Vecchio in Florence
Palazzo Vecchio, Florence's city hall, is one of the city's most famous sights. Most of the medieval building is now a museum. Reservations to visit the interior of Palazzo Vecchio are mandatroy. Palazzo Vecchio Museum Information

Palazzo Vecchio can also be visited on a guided tour through Select Italy.

Roman Colosseum
Rome's ancient Colosseum is one of the most visited sites in Rome and ticket lines can be very long. There are several ways to avoid the ticket line - see our Tips for Buying Rome Colosseum Tickets or buy a Colosseum and Forum pass in advance from Select Italy.

Borghese Gallery in Rome
Rome's Borghese Museum is housed in the gorgeous Villa Borghese mansion in the Borghese Gardens. It houses masterful marble sculptures by Bernini among other treasures. To visit the museum, reservations are mandatory. See Museum and Ticket Information or buy Borghese Gallery tickets in advance through Select Italy.

Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums, in Vatican City outside Rome, are a top attraction for visitors to Rome and Vatican City and entrance lines can be very long. The vast complex is the largest museum complex in the world and includes the famous Sistine Chapel. By buying tickets in advance or booking a tour you can skip the ticket line and get in quickly. Here's how to book tickets and tours for the Vatican Museums or buy advance tickets for the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel through Select Italy.

Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of Tuscany's top tourist attractions and it can be crowded, especially in summer when the wait to climb the tower can be as long as four hours. You can avoid the line by booking tickets ahead from Leaning Tower of Pisa online ticket office.

Last Supper in Milan
If you want to see DaVinci's famous masterpiece, the Last Supper, in Santa Maria della Grazie church in Milan you'll need to book two to three months ahead. To help preserve the painting, a limited number of visitors are allowed to enter for a time period of 15 minutes only. Here's how to see the Last Supper. Last Supper tickets or guided tours can also be booked through Select Italy.

Doge's Palace Secret Itinerary Tour
Visitors to the Doge's Palace in Venice can see more by booking the Secret Itineraries Tour, Itinerari Segreti, that includes parts of the palace that are off limits during the regular tour. On the tour, you'll enter secret passageways, prisons, and the Bridge of Sighs. The Secret Itineraries Tour is available only with a reservation. There are currently 3 English language tours a day. Tour and booking information or book Secret Itineraries of the Doge's Palace through Select Italy.

Barcelona Travel Guide Hotels Restaurants

All the essential Barcelona tourist guide and travel information to arrange your trip is on this one website. www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com was born out of a personal love for the city and a desire to share 20 years worth of knowledge of Barcelona Spain with you. In doing so, we've concentrated on answering your most important questions on transport, activities and attractions, and accommodation.In addition to essential Barcelona tourism information, you will also find dozens of time and money saving tips from local people - information hard to find anywhere else. These special tips will make your Barcelona city break that much more special.

Barcelona Spain - location in Europe
To help you find your answers as quickly as possible your Barcelona tourist information has been grouped into 2 main categories:

1) If you've already made your decision to come to Barcelona then I recommend you go to the top of the page and type in your question into the search bar. This search bar will search every page on our site (of which we have several thousand pages) and present you with the answers to your questions. This is the single quickest and easiest way for you to find answers to your questions. Alternatively you can search through our menu on the left hand side. Please be aware however that we have many more thousands of pages that we can't put links to on the left menu and you are more than likely going to miss what you are searching for this way.
2) If you need help in making your decision whether Barcelona is the right destination for you we recommend you visit our photo Barcelona map that has over 500 photos of the top Barcelona tourism attractions linked directly to the map. Using the interactive map will show you first hand the most important landmarks and attractions - it's almost as if you were walking around the locations for yourself. I've also included guide notes to give you information on each of the sites and areas.Barcelona Tourist Guide - "The Easy Way To Plan Your Trip"

Page Content
All the essential Barcelona tourist guide and travel information to arrange your trip is on this one website. www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com was born out of a personal love for the city and a desire to share 20 years worth of knowledge of Barcelona Spain with you. In doing so, we've concentrated on answering your most important questions on transport, activities and attractions, and accommodation.

In addition to essential Barcelona tourism information, you will also find dozens of time and money saving tips from local people - information hard to find anywhere else. These special tips will make your Barcelona city break that much more special.


Barcelona Spain - location in Europe
To help you find your answers as quickly as possible your Barcelona tourist information has been grouped into 2 main categories:

1) If you've already made your decision to come to Barcelona then I recommend you go to the top of the page and type in your question into the search bar. This search bar will search every page on our site (of which we have several thousand pages) and present you with the answers to your questions. This is the single quickest and easiest way for you to find answers to your questions. Alternatively you can search through our menu on the left hand side. Please be aware however that we have many more thousands of pages that we can't put links to on the left menu and you are more than likely going to miss what you are searching for this way.

2) If you need help in making your decision whether Barcelona is the right destination for you we recommend you visit our photo Barcelona map that has over 500 photos of the top Barcelona tourism attractions linked directly to the map. Using the interactive map will show you first hand the most important landmarks and attractions - it's almost as if you were walking around the locations for yourself. I've also included guide notes to give you information on each of the sites and areas.

This Barcelona tourism and travel information is updated daily and includes money and time saving tips from people living in Barcelona city so check back frequently for valuable updates.

If you have any questions about your trip take a look at our frequently asked questions section (FAQ) with hundreds of popular questions already answered it can help you quickly find the answers you need.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Skip-the-Line Eiffel Tower Ticket in Paris


Skip the line at the Eiffel Tower in Paris with this fast-track entrance ticket, and explore the different levels at leisure! After meeting a host to hear some fun facts and history about the tower, walk to the priority entranceway and then head straight up the elevator independently. Skip-the-line access to the attraction’s 1st and 2nd levels is included, as well as standard access to the Eiffel Tower’s summit.

Highlights
Choice of several departures throughout the day
Enjoy fantastic aerial views
Skip the line
Meet your host near the Eiffel Tower and listen to a brief introduction about this fascinating landmark– its history, architecture and views – before heading to the base of the tower with your skip-the-line ticket and fact sheet. Queues in the peak summer months can sometimes last up to two hours; fortunately, you’ll bypass those lines by heading through the priority entranceway and then up the elevator independently.

Your ticket includes entry to the tower’s 1st and 2nd levels, as well as its summit, and you can spend as little or as long as you like at each point. Walk around independently, soaking up unforgettable views from this iconic architectural marvel, and reading about the tower’s history from your fact sheet. Completed in 1889, the Eiffel Tower took precisely two years, two months and five days to make. While it wasn’t loved by the locals originally, it wasn’t long before it won over the hearts of Parisians and visitors alike.

On the 1st level, look down at the pin-like people lined up below you, and gaze at the Champ des Mars -- Paris’ famous green park -- stretching out toward Montparnasse Tower. The best vistas are arguably seen from the 2nd level, where you’re high enough to soak up the city skyline, but still close enough to see famous landmarks (like Notre Dame Cathedral) without needing a map.

For jaw-dropping views, continue to the summit! The skip-the-line access you get for the first two levels does not include the 3rd level; everyone must wait for one elevator, but the line doesn't usually last longer than 30 minutes – a short time to wait to stand at the top of the Eiffel Tower!

Normandy D-Day Battlefields and Beaches Day Trip


Take a poignant, memorable day trip from Paris to visit the Normandy battlefields and landing beaches of World War II. You'll visit famous wartime sites and the American cemetery, spend time on the historic beaches and gain invaluable insights into the wartime experience of the Allied soldiers and the French citizens they liberated.

Highlights
Fully narrated tour
Comprehensive tour by bus/coach
All entrance fees included
Lunch included
Your drive through the picturesque Normandy countryside takes you to the Caen Memorial, devoted to illustrations and films about the Second World War and the Normandy landings of June 1944.

After lunch at the Memorial, visit the Pointe du Hoc, a German defense position that was heroically taken by US soldiers during World War II. Continue to the American cemetery of Saint-Laurent, the final resting place of almost 10,000 soldiers. You will also have free time at Omaha Beach to reflect on the site's moving history and visit the Omaha Beach Visitor Center, which describes the American soldiers' operations on the famous beach in June 1944.

Before returning to Paris, stop at the Canadian Memorial at Juno beach and Arromanches to see the remains of the artificial landing harbor that was built by the Allies in less than 15 days.

Versailles Small Group Day Trip from Paris

Experience the grandeur of Versailles Palace and Gardens on a small group tour from Paris. With a maximum of only eight per group, this small group trip to Versailles ensures a more intimate experience. Hotel pickup from centrally located Paris hotels is included, taking all the guess work out of your trip. You can choose from a half-day tour (independent tour), either in the morning or afternoon, or a full-day tour (guided tour). On both the half-day and full-day tours you'll also be able to wander around the garden's groves and pools. If you visit Versailles on a Saturday or Sunday during April to October, you can see the famous fountain show in the gardens. The display is accompanied by music composed at the time of Louis XIV's court. Highlights Free hotel pickup and drop-off included Small-group tour by minibus Choice of morning or afternoon departure Recorded commentary by audio headphones All entrance fees included Half-day: Choose from a morning or afternoon departure from Paris. Your hostess will provide advice to help you plan your time at Versailles. An audio guide is available in 8 languages. Your tour of the Palace of Versailles will be independent without a tour guide. It includes free time to explore Louis XIV's fabulous suite of rooms, the grand Hall of Mirrors and the apartments of the Dauphin and Dauphine. Full-day: Your full day tour begins with a fully-guided tour of Versailles (1-hour) including the Royal Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Queen's Bedroom and the Gallery of Battles. Enjoy lunch at La Petite Venise Restaurant. After lunch, it's time to explore the palace gardens and take a visit to the Queen's Hamlet, where Marie-Antoinette played at being a shepherdess in the 1780s. You'll then take a guided tour of the Grand Trianon (1 hour), a mini palace where Louis XV and Louis XVI liked to lead a quiet life outside the court of Versailles.