The Musee De Louvre
The Louvre is one of the world's most immense and awe-inspiring museums in the world. It currently holds over 350,000 objects, including paintings, and artifacts. It has three major floors. Some of the most famous works of art in the establishment include the Mona Lisa, which was painted by Leonardo Da Vinci, The Venus de Milo, which is a Hellenistic statue, and the glass pyramid, which was constructed in 1989.

Sacre-Couer
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart, known in France as the Sacre Couer, is a beautiful church. It was built as a memorial to the french soldiers killed in the Franco-Prussian War. It has a crypt and a dome. This dome is the second highest point in Paris, following only the Eifel-Tower.

The Eifel Tower
The Eifel Tower is a very touristy sight. It was built by Gustav Eifel in 1889. It stands tall at 1,050 ft. There are stages in the tower. The 1st stage holds a restaurant, the second stage holds an observation deck, and the third stage offers beautiful views of the city, if it is not raining. But here is a tip: If you have vertigo, dont go to the top.

Jardin de Luxembourg
The gardens of Luxembourg is a 60-acre park on the left-bank of the Seine. Its highlight is the Fountaine de Medicis, which is a grand fountain where the Parisians lay lazily in the sun and drift off to sleep. There are many stautes along the grounds and mini art exhibits.

Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe was constructed by Napolean in 1805. It is a 164 ft arch that stands at the base of one of the most famous streets in the world, The Champse-Elysee. It has a viewing platform, and an eternal flame that burns at the foot of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.When Napolean died, his funeral procession passed beneath the Arc de Triomphe.

Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris is located a little farther from the city center than many of the top Parisian activities. There are proffesional stunt shows and many rides. It takes technology to the next level with its Pirates of the Caribbean and ite Haunted Mansion ride.

London suburb
Kew Gardens A spectacular site laid out over acres in a pleasant and wealthy London suburb, it's a great place for a sunny afternoon - it doesn't work so well in bad weather as the various hothouses and exhibits are somewhat spread out over the site. Kew house, in the grounds, is smallest of the London Royal Palaces, its 'English' garden and the herb garden are excellent.
The Physic garden in Chelsea is also worth a visit, if you don't have the time or inclination to leave the centre of London. If it's wet the Barbican has a large hothouse conservatory on its roof (see our City Walks section). Kew can be combined with a visit to Marble Hill and Ham Houses - see our trips page for details.

London Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge experience We like Tower Bridge, it's a real achievement of Victorian engineering, and looks great, especially at night when it's well illuminated. We don't think it's necessary to go inside to appreciate it, though the engines that lift the two drawbridges are a miracle. The bridge is opened on average once a week - it's timetabled and you can find out when in advance - which is quite spectacular. If there's a large yacht moored next to HMS Belfast then it's probable that it'll have to go out through the raised bridge soon - check at the ticket office or on their website.

London British Library
The British Library Competes with its Parisian rival for ugliness - before this monstrosity was born the collection was housed in the British Museum, and the reading room where Marx wrote Das Kapital was a hushed place where you could actually read without being disturbed by tourists. However the new site has brought convenience and more of its wonderful collection to the public gaze. They've got everything you could want to see manuscript-wise (from the Magna Carta to handwritten Beatles lyrics) - several people tell us it was a highlight of their visit, but we are too phased by the architecture. Our advice is to close your eyes until you're well inside - or feast your fill on the wonderful St Pancras Station (right) with its wonderful Pre-Raphaelite interiors - as seen in the film Richard III which is now a hotel. The (original) interior decoration is breath taking Website

Venice
Venice (Venezia) really needs no introduction. The Serenissima has been a fabled destination for centuries. Just the name Venice is enough to conjure up a host of images, even for those who have not yet set foot in Italy: gondoliers in striped jerseys, the Rialto and the Bridge of Sighs, masked balls, golden barges, courtesans in gondolas and crumbling palaces facing streets made of water. The western world's most famous figures visited Venice, marvelled at the gold mosaics of St Mark's, admired art in churches, explored the city's maze of canals (or, in Byron's case, swam in them), and then proceeded to preach Venice's wonders to those unable to make the journey. In these days of budget airlines, however, Venice really is open to anyone. Both Ryanair and Easyjet run flights to Venice, so the city of lions and doges has never been so accessible.

Venice history
For centuries Venice was a republic of immense power; controlling trade routes in the Adriatic, and waging successful wars with rival states. Ruled by a doge, who had his powers controlled by a cabinet, Venice was a proud and rich republic, known as la Serenissima, the most serene. Every year the Doge would take part in a symbolic ceremony, the Marriage of the Sea, to celebrate Venice's mastery over the ocean. Like most great powers, however, Venice's glory was followed by a decline. La Serenissima lost her chattels in wars, and the city's trade routes declined in importance. By the eighteenth century, Venetians was already seeking profits from the tourist trade, leasing fine palazzi to foreign travellers.