Arc de Triomphe, Paris Tourist Attractions

The Arc de Triomphe Paris, the most monumental of all triumphal arches, was built between 1806 and 1836. Even though there were many modifications from the original plans, reflecting political changes and power struggles, the Arch still retains the essence of the original concept which was a powerful, unified ensemble. 

The arch was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate his victories, but he was ousted before the arch was completed. In fact, it wasn't completed until 1836 during the reign of Louis-Philippe. The Arc de Triomphe is engraved with names of generals who commanded French troops during Napoleon's regime.

The triumphal arch is in honor of those who fought for France, in particular, those who fought during the Napoleonic Wars. Engraved on the inside and at the top of the arch are all of the names of the generals and wars fought. There are inscriptions in the ground underneath the vault of the arch which include the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I where  the Memorial Flame burns and have made the Arc de Triomphe Paris a revered patriotic site. 

The Arc de Triomphe stands 49.5 m (162 ft) tall, 45 m (150 ft) wide and 22 m (72 ft) deep. The vault is 29.19 m (95.8 ft) high and 14.62 m (48.0 ft) wide. The smaller vault is 18.68 m (61.3 ft) high and 8.44 m (27.7 ft) wide.

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Thames river cruise Top London Tourist Attractions

City Cruises operates sightseeing cruises, lunch cruises and evening dinner & dance cruises on London's River Thames - all year round.


At City Cruises they have a dedication to excellence and are proud of our international reputation for quality, reliability and value for funds. The winner of numerous awards, including Best Inland Canal & River Boat Operator in the Group Travel Organiser annual awards ten times in the last 13 years, they wish you to experience the magic of the River Thames and for your cruise with us to be your best memory of London.


A Thames river cruise is without doubt of the best ways to see London, weaving through the heart of the city and past so plenty of of its most famous attractions. See and experience the sights and splendour of this great city from the relaxed comfort of a City Cruises modern, all-weather boats with open upper decks and spacious lower saloons with panoramic windows 




Highlights of a Thames river cruise include the site of the Cutty Sark, Canary Quay, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the retired battle-cruiser - HMS Belfast; St Paul's Cathedral, Shakespeare's Globe and the Tate Modern. From the boat you receive a closer view at Millennium Footbridge, controversially built for the turn of the new century; and naturally Westminster Abbey and Giant Ben, both recognized worldwide as iconic buildings of London.

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Forbidden City, China One of Top Tourist Attractions

The Forbidden City is the best preserved imperial palace in China and the largest ancient palatial structure in the world.

The splendid architecture of the Forbidden City represents the essence and culmination of traditional Chinese architectural accomplishment.

The Forbidden City, situated in the very heart of Beijing, was home to 24 emperors of the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) Dynasties. The construction of the grand palace started in the fourth year of Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty (1406), and ended in 1420. In ancient times, the emperor claimed to be the son of Heaven, and therefore Heaven’s supreme power was bestowed upon him. The emperors’ residence on earth was built as a replica of the Purple Palace where God was thought to live in Heaven. Such a divine place was certainly forbidden to ordinary people and that is why the Forbidden City is so named. Originally called Zijin Cheng ('Purple Forbidden City'), in China now it is usually called Gugong (故宫 /goo-gong), the 'Former/Old Palace'.

It is recognized as one of the most important five palaces in the world (the other four are the Palace of Versailles in France, Buckingham Palace in the UK, the White House in the US and the Kremlin in Russia).

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