The Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty National Monument officially celebrated her 100th birthday on October 28, 1986. The people of France gave the Statue to the people of the United States over one hundred years ago in recognition of the friendship established during the American Revolution. Over the years, the Statue of Liberty's symbolism has grown to include freedom and democracy as well as this international friendship.

The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, designed by Frédéric Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886. The statue, a gift to the United States from the people of France, is of a robed female figure representing Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom, who bears a torch and a tabula ansata (a tablet evoking the law) upon which is inscribed the date of the American Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776. A broken chain lies at her feet. The statue is an icon of freedom and of the United States: a welcoming signal to immigrants arriving from abroad

Sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi was commissioned to design a sculpture with the year 1876 in mind for completion, to commemorate the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence. The Statue was a joint effort between America and France and it was agreed upon that the American people were to build the pedestal, and the French people were responsible for the Statue and its assembly here in the United States. However, lack of funds was a problem on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. In France, public fees, various forms of entertainment, and a lottery were among the methods used to raise funds. In the United States, benefit theatrical events, art exhibitions, auctions and prize fights assisted in providing needed funds.

Financing for the pedestal was completed in August 1885, and pedestal construction was finished in April of 1886. The Statue was completed in France in July, 1884 and arrived in New York Harbor in June of 1885 on board the French frigate "Isere" which transported the Statue of Liberty from France to the United States. In transit, the Statue was reduced to 350 individual pieces and packed in 214 crates. The Statue was re-assembled on her new pedestal in four months time. On October 28th 1886, the dedication of the Statue of Liberty took place in front of thousands of spectators. She was a centennial gift ten years late.

Meanwhile in France, Bartholdi required the assistance of an engineer to address structural issues associated with designing such a colossal copper sculpture. Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (designer of the Eiffel Tower) was commissioned to design the massive iron pylon and secondary skeletal framework which allows the Statue's copper skin to move independently yet stand upright. Back in America, fund raising for the pedestal was going particularly slowly, so Joseph Pulitzer (noted for the Pulitzer Prize) opened up the editorial pages of his newspaper, "The World" to support the fund raising effort. Pulitzer used his newspaper to criticize both the rich who had failed to finance the pedestal construction and the middle class who were content to rely upon the wealthy to provide the funds. Pulitzer's campaign of harsh criticism was successful in motivating the people of America to donate.

The Tower of London

The Tower of London

The Tower of London is one of the world’s most famous fortresses and has seen service as royal palace, prison, armoury and even a zoo. The ancient stones reverberate with dark secrets, priceless jewels glint in fortified vaults and pampered ravens strut the grounds.Other ghosts of the Tower include those of Henry VI, Thomas a Becket and Sir Walter Raleigh. One of the most gruesome ghost stories connected with the Tower of London describes death of the Countess of Salisbury. According to one account, "the Countess was sentenced to death in 1541 following her alleged involvement in criminal activities (although it is now widely believed that she was probably innocent). After being sent struggling to the scaffold, she ran from the block and was pursued until she was hacked to death by the axe man." Her execution ceremony has been seen re-enacted by spirits on Tower Green.

The Tower of London, one of the most famous and well-preserved historical buildings in the world, may also be one of the most haunted. This is due, no doubt, to the scores of executions, murders and tortures that have taken place within its walls over the last 1,000 years. Dozens upon dozens of ghost sightings have been reported in and around the Tower. On one winter day in 1957 at 3 a.m., a guard was disturbed by something striking the top of his guardhouse. When he stepped outside to investigate, he saw a shapeless white figure on top of the tower. It was then realized that on that very same date, February 12, Lady Jane Grey was beheaded in 1554.

The White Tower is the huge and beautiful stone building in the middle of the sight. Currently it hosts the exhibition of Tudor, Stuart, Hanoverian and Windsor arms and armour “Fit for a King”. This vast collection begins by exploring armour created for both the battle and sports fields with an un-missable chance to see Henry VIII’s and Charles 1’s spectacular armour.

Perhaps the most well-known ghostly resident of the Tower is the spirit of Ann Boleyn, one of the wives of Henry VIII, who was also beheaded in the Tower in 1536. Her ghost has been spotted on many occasions, sometimes carrying her head, on Tower Green and in the Tower Chapel Royal.

Constructed over 900 years ago by William the Conqueror, the Tower of London is steeped in a rich history. This fortress was expanded by many medieval kings and is a grand structure used by Royals through the years as a refuge and powerbase.The Tower is still home to her majesty's Crown Jewels, on display for visitors to see, and the infamous Beefeaters tasked with the job of guarding them as well as showing visitors some of the attractions highlights.

The Science Museum London

The Science Museum

The Science Museum is one of the three major museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The museum is a major London tourist attraction, attracting 2.7 million visitors annually.The Science Museum has many highlights; some of its most prominent features include ‘The Secret Life of the Home’, where a technological guide to domestic advances is given; ‘Making The Modern World’, a stunning chronological gallery of technological advancements from 1750 to the year 2000; The Theatre, where short films on science are shown; the ‘Energy Hall’, which tells the story of how energy helped Britain’s industrial advancement; ‘Exploring Space’, where the Solar System is discussed; the ‘Measuring Time’ exhibition; the Computing exhibition, which charts the history of this world-dominating technology; and ‘Health Matters’, an exploration of medical-health advancements.

  Like other publicly funded national museums in the United Kingdom, the Science Museum does not charge for admission. Temporary exhibitions, however, do usually incur an admission fee. It is part of the National Museum of Science and Industry, having merged with the Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester in 2012.

The Science Museum in west London’s South Kensington district is one of the most popular and well-known London attractions and one of the top free things to do in London. The Science Museum (which is part of the National Museum of Science and Industry) covers a wide range of scientific areas, although those tourists with a specific interest in biology are advised to also visit the Natural History Museum, which is located just yards away and also offers free admission.  

The Science Museum is a very interesting and must visit museums in London. Visitors of Hotel specials London say that it is a museum which is also a major tourist attraction. The Science museum in London is one of the three major museums on Exhibition Road and south Kensington London. It is also a part of the National Museum of Science and Industry. In 1857 this beautiful museum was founded under Bennet Woodcroft from the collection of the Royal Society of Arts. In this museum you can visit its collection which has over 300,000 items, which includes Stephenson's Rocket, Puffing Billy, the first jet engine, a reconstruction of Francis Crick and James Watson's model of DNA.

A museum was founded in 1857 under Bennet Woodcroft from the collection of the Royal Society of Arts and surplus items from the Great Exhibition as part of the South Kensington Museum, together with what is now the Victoria and Albert Museum. It included a collection of machinery which became the Museum of Patents in 1858, and the Patent Office Museum in 1863. This collection contained many of the most famous exhibits of what is now the Science Museum. In 1883, the contents of the Patent Office Museum were transferred to the South Kensington Museum. In 1885, the Science Collections were renamed the Science Museum and in 1893 a separate director was appointed. The Art Collections were renamed the Art Museum, which eventually became the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The London Eye

The London Eye

The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel situated on the banks of the River Thames in London, England. The entire structure is 135 metres (443 ft) tall and the wheel has a diameter of 120 metres (394 ft).

It is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe, and the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, visited by over 3.5 million people annually. When erected in 1999 it was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, until surpassed first by the 160 m (520 ft) Star of Nanchang in 2006 and then the 165 m (541 ft)Singapore Flyer in 2008. Supported by an A-frame on one side only, unlike the taller Nanchang and Singapore wheels, the Eye is described by its operators as "the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel". It provides the highest public viewing point, and is the 20th tallest structure, in London.A recent but already very popular tourist attraction is the London Eye, a giant observation wheel located in the Jubilee Gardens on the South Bank. The 135 meter (443ft) tall structure was built as part of London's millennium celebrations.

Construction of the observation wheel took more than a year and a half to complete. In the process over 1700 tonnes of steel were used for the structure and more than 3000 tonnes of concrete were used for the foundations. 

The futuristic looking capsules, accommodating up to 25 passengers, were transported all the way from France by train through the chunnel. Each egg-shaped capsule is 8 meters long and weighs 500kg. The 25 meter (82 ft) long spindle was built in the Czech Republic. The rim has a diameter of 122m (400ft), about 200 times the size of a bicycle wheel. 80 Spokes connect the rim with the spindle.

It's hard to remember what London looked like before the landmark London Eye (officially the EDF Energy Lon-don Eye) began twirling at the southwestern end of Jubilee Gardens in 2000. Not only has it fundamentally altered the South Bank skyline but, standing 135m tall in a fairly flat city, it is visible from many surprising parts of the city (eg Kennington, Mayfair or Honor Oak Park). A ride – or 'flight', as it is called here – in one of the wheel's 32 glass-enclosed eye pods holding up to 28 people draws 3.5 million visitors annually. At peak times (July, August and school holidays) it may seem like they are all in the queue with you; save money and shorten queues by buying tickets online, or cough up an extra #10 to showcase your fast-track swagger. Alternatively, visit before 11am or after 3pm to avoid peak density. It takes a gracefully slow 30 minutes and, weather permitting, you can see 25 miles in every direction from the top of the western hemisphere's tallest Ferris wheel. Together with its 23m-tall spindle, the hub of the London Eye weighs 330 tonnes, more than 20 times the weight of Big Ben.

Natural History Museum

Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, England (the others are the Science Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum). Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road. The museum is an exempt charity, and a non-departmental public bodysponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

The museum is home to life and earth science specimens comprising some 70 million items within five main collections: Botany, Entomology, Mineralogy,Palaeontology and Zoology. The museum is a world-renowned centre of research, specialising in taxonomy, identification and conservation. Given the age of the institution, many of the collections have great historical as well as scientific value, such as specimens collected by Darwin. The Natural History Museum Library contains extensive books, journals, manuscripts, and artwork collections linked to the work and research of the scientific departments. Access to the library is by appointment only.

Hundreds of exciting, interactive exhibits in one of London’s most beautiful landmark buildings. Highlights include the popular Dinosaurs gallery, Mammals with its unforgettable model blue whale and the spectacular Central Hall, home to the Museum’s iconic Diplodocus skeleton. Don’t miss the state-of-the-art Cocoon where, on a self-guided tour, you can see hundreds of fascinating specimens and look into laboratories where you can see scientists at work.

This name was formally acquired in 1992. It was formerly named 'British Museum (Natural History)' and commonly referred to as the "British Museum of Natural History", or now the "Natural History Museum of London".The Museum offers a wide-ranging programme of temporary exhibitions and events including chances to join experts, in the Darwin Centre’s high-tech Attenborough Studio, in topical discussions about science and nature.

Tate Modern

Tate Modern

Tate Modern is a modern art gallery located in London, England. It is Britain's national gallery of international modern art and forms part of the Tate group (together with Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool, Tate St Ives and Tate Online). It is the most-visited modern art gallery in the world, with around 4.7 million visitors per year. It is based in the former Bankside Power Station, in the Bankside area of Central London. Tate holds the national collection of British art from 1500 to the present day and international modern and contemporary art.

TATE Modern is the United Kingdom’s national museum of modern art. TATE Modern opened in 2000 and fast became one of the most celebrated London attractions with art enthusiasts. There is no admission fee to the gallery, making it one of the most popular free attractions in London. The gallery is based at Bankside on the Thames’ southbank, just yards from the Shakespeare Globe Theatre.   

The galleries are housed in the former Bankside Power Station, which was originally designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the architect of Battersea Power Station, and built in two stages between 1947 and 1963. The power station closed in 1981. The building was converted by architects Herzog & de Meuron and contractors Carillion,after which it stood at 99m tall. The history of the site as well as information about the conversion was the basis for a 2008 documentary Architects Herzog and de Meuron: Alchemy of Building & Tate Modern.

  The southern third of the building was retained by the French power companyEDF Energy as an electrical substation (in 2006, the company released half of this holding).TATE Modern houses a wonderful range of modern art, dating from the year 1900 up to today. The gallery’s main areas are the following: ‘Material Gestures’, devoted to abstract works of the 1940s and '50s; ‘Poetry and Dream’, a celebration of surrealistic works; ‘Scale’, which examines the practice of using scale to alter perception; ‘Energy and Process’, which looks at artists’ fascination with transformation and natural forces, and focuses on 1960s sculptural pieces; and ‘States of Flux’, which is devoted to early 20th-century art movements, such as pop art. TATE Modern's permanent exhibitions include works by such iconic 20th-century figures as Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali.

The British Museum

British Museum

The British Museum is a museum in London dedicated to human history and culture. Its permanent collection, numbering some eight million works,is amongst the largest and most comprehensive in existence and originates from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present.

The British Museum was established in 1753, largely based on the collections of the physician and scientist Sir Hans Sloane. The museum first opened to the public on 15 January 1759 in Montagu House in Bloomsbury, on the site of the current museum building. Its expansion over the following two and a half centuries was largely a result of an expanding British colonial footprint and has resulted in the creation of several branch institutions, the first being the British Museum (Natural History) in South Kensington in 1887. Some objects in the collection, most notably the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon, are the objects of intense controversy and of calls for restitution to their countries of origin.

The world-famous British Museum exhibits the works of man from prehistoric to modern times from around the world. Highlights include the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, and the mummies in the Ancient Egypt collection. Entry is free but special exhibitions require tickets.

'By the 1970s, there was an active programme of gallery refurbishments and an education service and publishing company had been established. Additional public facilities were provided in a series of building works. These included the Duveen Gallery, built to house the Parthenon Sculptures (1939/62).

In 1973 the library became part of a new organisation, the British Library. This organisation remained at the Museum until 1997, when the books left Bloomsbury for a new building at St Pancras.The Queen Elizabeth II Great Court, built in the space vacated by the library, reflects the most recent public expansion at the Museum. At two acres, it is the largest covered public space in Europe. In the centre is the restored Reading Room, while around and beneath it new galleries and an education centre were built.

Eiffil Tower

Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe and for good reason. It boasts a plethora of fascinating historical and cultural attractions, as well as an enchanting atmosphere. Whether you only have a few hours or a few weeks to spend in Paris, take a look at our list of Paris’s must see attractions.

The Eiffel Tower, an icon of Paris, is a wonder of design and structure, and an impressive sight worth getting close to. Lie in the grass at the Champs de mars and gaze up. Ascend the tower for spectacular views of Paris. Return at night with a bottle of Merlot to watch the spectacular light display. The Eiffel Tower tops out at over 1,000 feet, containing 2 restaurants, a souvenir shop, a post 

office (for that one of a kind postmark), snack bar, and a viewing area.

A trip to Paris isn’t complete without visiting its most recognized landmark, the Eiffel Tower. Most tourists climb to the second storey, which offers an unparalleled panoramic view of Paris.

If you’re not afraid of heights, why not visit the top storey where you can indulge in a glass of chilled champagne or rosé? Or for a magical experience, consider visiting the tower in the evening, as each night it illuminates for a special light show.

Fifty tons of paint are used every 5 years to repaint the structure. A permanent light display goes off every hour in the evenings. Skate 187 feet above the Earth, during the winter, as the Eiffel Tower Paris turns the first floor into a rink. The tower has two restaurants, Altitude 95, located on the first floor 95 meters above sea level, and "reminiscent of an airship moored above Paris" according to the Eiffel Tower website. Also on the first deck are a souvenir shop, exhibit on the Paris tower, snack bar, and the post office. On the second floor, a specialty food shop, the restaurant Le Jules Verne, some historical panels, and another snack bar (in case you're using the stairs instead of the elevator). At the top level, along with panoramic views, is a replica of Gustave Eiffel's office, complete with wax figures of the man himself.

Also important to mention in a Paris travel guide are some of the world famous museums Paris is home to including the gigantic Louvre, which houses the Mona Lisa; the Musee d'Orsay, with artists such as Renoir, Monet, and van Gogh; and the National d'Art et de Culture Georges Pompidou, home to a modern art collection.The Eiffel Tower Paris, still a marvel of structure and design, is a must see stop on any Paris itinerary. Constructed for the World's Exhibition of 1889, the Eiffel Tower Paris was slow to be embraced, but is now a beloved symbol of Paris, and one of Europe, if not the world's most recognizable.

Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir

The Shirdi Saibaba Temple, located at Shirdi, Maharashtra, India attracts millions of devotees of all religions, castes and creed who come to pay homage to Shri Sai Baba. The temple is a beautiful shrine that was built over the Samadhi of Shri Sai Baba. Shirdi is not only the famous place in Maharashtra but in India and pilgrims come to Shirdi to worship the Sai Baba. The temple is a huge one and is recently renovated in 1998-99. The temple including premises is around 200 Sq.mtrs. Sai Baba lived here till the last minute of his life. Sai Baba took personal interest in looking after the local temples. Sai Baba personally took interest in the construction of Maruti Temple and Shani Temple .

Samadhi Mandir of Shri Sai Baba was actually owned by a millionaire from Nagpur, a famous Sai devotee Shreemant Gopalrao. Gopalrao wanted to keep an idol of Murlidhar here. However, Baba himself became Murlidhar and the Mandir became the Samadhi Mandir of Baba. The Mandir is built with stones and Baba's Samadhi is built with white marble stones.A railing is built in marble around the Samadhi and is full of ornamental decorations. In front of the Samadhi are two silver pillars full of decorative designs. Just behind the Samadhi is Sai Baba's marvelous statue made of Italian marble, which shows him seated on a throne. This idol was made by the late Shri Balaji Vasant. This statue was installed on 7th October 1954. Above the statue is an open, silver umbrella. The front of the Mandir has an assembly hall where about 600 devotees can be accomadated. Here is a showcase where various things handled by Baba are kept. On the first floor of the Mandir are pictures that depict Baba’s life.The daily routine of the temple starts at 5 o'clock in the morning with Bhoopali, a morning song, and closes at 10 o'clock in the night after the Shejarati is sung. Only on three occasions the temple is kept open overnight i.e. on Gurupoornima, Dassera, and Ramnavmi. Every Thursday and on each festival, a Palakhi with Baba's photo is taken out from the temple.

Sai Baba were known to many people around the period of 1913. Sai Baba laid down his body on Dashera 15th October 1918 here. Samadhi - The place where sacred body of Baba is resting. A beautiful statue of Shri Sai Baba was installed in 1954 , replacing a photograph of Shri Sai Baba. This is the main temple of Shri Sai Baba and also known as "Buttiwada". The holy place of Shri Sai Baba's Samadhi and a large statue of Shri Sai Baba can be seen in this main temple. The main attraction here is all such things handled by him are on display here. The main temple is the Samadhi Temple ,the Samadhi place of Shri Sai Baba. While visiting here some instructions are to be followed by the devotees.

Some important places to visit here are:

1.Dwarkamai Temple : This is the place where Shri Sai Baba used to spent much of his time. All the things from His time are still kept as they were used to. It includes, Dhuni (lighted by Shri Sai Baba), Chul (clay stove), Bathing Stone, Jata (Grinding Stone), and the stone on which Baba used to sit.

2.Lendi Baug : : Baba used to stroll daily at this place - of dense shrubs and bushes. Baba used to come here to get some rest and isolation. Baba himself had planted a "Pimpal Tree" at this place. A beautiful "Datta Temple" is located here. "Baba's Shiwadi"(a well) is also located in this place. A light named Nandadeep is kept lightened all the time, near the "Pimpal Tree".

3.Gurusthan : This place of Shri Sai Baba's Guru is famous as "Gurusthan". Sai Baba at the age of 16 was seen here firstly. The well known "Neem Tree" can also be seen here. It is believed that, the devotees can get what they pray for if "Udi" and "Agarbatti" is lightened at this place, every Thursday and Friday.

4.Chawadi : The place next to Dwarkamai is Chawadi where Baba's used to sleep on alternate nights. The cot and chair, used by Shri Sai Baba are kept here. Some more temples which are also located in the Samadhi Temple's premises and must to visit are like Shri Ganesh, Shri Mahadev Mandir and Shri Shani .Maruti Temple was one of the favorite temple of Sai Baba as he regularly visits this temple. 

Golden Temple

The Golden Temple is surrounded by a large man-made lake – a lake which is closely linked to the temple and the surrounding city. In 1573 the construction of the lake started under supervision of the fourth guru of Sikhism; Guru Ram Das Ji. The lake stood complete four years later, in 1577.During this time, a city began to grow around the lake. The name of the city was originally “Ramdaspur” - after the guru - but it was later changed. As the city became associated with the construction of the lake, the city simply took the same name as the lake itself. Therefore, both the city and the lake carry the name Amritsar.

The entrance to the Golden Temple complex is through an ornate archway with intricate inlay work. Verses from the Granth Sahib are inscribed on the doorway. The main north entrance is under a Victorian clock tower. Known as the Darshani Deori, the entrance is up a flight of steps and down again to the temple and holy tank. The temple is a two storey marble structure reached by a causeway known as Guru´s Bridge. The lower storey is in white marble with the walls decorated with inlaid flower and animal motifs in the pietradura style of the Taj Mahal. The architecture of the golden temple is a blend of the Hindu and Muslim styles.

The temple building has four entrances instead of the usual single entry. This is symbolic of the openness of Sikhism and indicates that followers of all faiths are allowed inside. The walls within are decorated with carved wooden panels and elaborate inlay work in silver and gold. The Adi Granth, compiled by Guru Arjan Dev, rests on a throne beneath a jewel-encrusted canopy. Priests conduct continuous recitation of verses from the holy book in 3-hour shifts. A complete reading of the text stakes 48 hours. The original copy of the Guru Granth Sahib is kept under pink shroud in the, Golden Temple during the day and at around 10 p.m. each day is ceremoniously returned to the Akal Takht (Sikh Parliament) building. The morning processional ceremony takes place at 4 a.m. in Summer and at 5 a.m. in Winter, when Sri Guru Granth Sahib is bought from Akal takhat Sahib in a procession to the Sanctum Sanctorum, which is washed with milk.

The majority of these attacks happened during mid 18th century. This was the period when the temple was attacked numerous times by Afgahn raiders. The raiders caused severe damage to the temple complex, which resulted in a restoration of the temple in 1764. Another major assault on the Golden Temple was in 1984 when the Indian army attacked during the so called “Operation Bluestar”. The Indian army had order to move in to the temple area and remove Sikh militants who was believe to amass weapons inside the area. The operation ended in bloody gunfights between the militants and the army, resulting in large casualties on both sides.

The old city, with the Golden Temple and surrounding bazaars along narrow alleys, is encircled by a ring road. Even today, the markets have an ambience of ancient times, when traders bought and sold goods right across from central Asia up to the farthest corners of India. Little light reaches down to the congested streets, which are best negotiated on foot. There are rows upon rows of shops on each street selling specifics goods. Guru Bazaar specialises in gold jewellery shops, while the Bazaar Kesarian is for steel and brass utensils. The smells of Katra Kathian announce its wares before you reach the shops selling papads, warian (crispies made from pulses) murabbas (Indian jams), pickles and ampapad (dried mango candies). The Mishri Bazaar is the place to buy dry fruits, while Katra Mohan Singh offers a colourful kaleidoscope of bridal glass bangles.