Vatican City Tourist Information

The word VATICAN is an ancient place-name of Etruscan origin. In pre-Christian times it was applied to a vast area of swampy land stretching between what is today Trastevere and Monte Mario. During the Imperial age, however, the area was transformed into sprawling parks, with huge arenas built for sporting events. In fact, what is now St.Peter's Square was probably a circus for chariot racing, and the sire where early Christians in the early part of the 4th Century, constructed a great basilica on the site of what is thought to be St. Peter's Tomb. The current St. Peter's, built during the 16th and 17th centuries, replaced that basilica.

For centuries the Popes lived in the area of the right bank of the Tiber that has become the Vatican City, but the Vatican only developed into the Church's governmental center in the 14th Century when Pope Gregory XI returned from exile in Avignon. From the late 16th through the mid-19th centuries, the Popes again neglected the Vatican, preferring to live in a new palace on the Quirinale Hill, where they believed the air was healthier. It was only after 1870 and the political unification of Italy that the Popes permanently returned to the Vatican. And it was not until 1929, when the Lateran Treaty between Italy and the Holy See recognized its sovereignty and defined its boundaries, that the State of the Vatican City was established as the official home of the Pope and the center of the Roman Catholic Church. The Vatican is the smallest sovereign state in the world (its 108 1/2 acres make it one-third the size of Monaco). It has its own currency, postal service, passport, newspapers, radio station and railroad system. Its population of less than 1000 consists almost entirely of Church personnel, Vatican administrators and representatives of international organizations.

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Colosseum in Rome

Rome guide - Get a taste of what you're in for with a unbelievable array of what Rome has to offer in a complete guide to what's on, where to go, what to see, and how to get there, with a guide to 24-hour Rome, theater, sports, kid-friendly attractions, maps, pictures, and don't miss the effective tour of the Borghese Gallery.

The Vatican - The official site with a direct in pictures & text to their surprising art holdings, as well as the Vatican Library, archives, liturgical services, and information on the City State government.

Enjoy Rome City Guide - The online version of the print direct with lots of info on the famed sights, day trips, restaurants, Rome for free, getting around, as well tips and tricks to money, mail, phones, and more.

Christmas in Rome - Good overview of the old customs experiential, with churches vying for the title of best Christmas crib, La Befana creation visits to good boys and girls on Christmas Eve, and a survey of customary dishes including recipes for spumetti, and struffoli.

Rome Explorer - Well-organized link directory to travel essentials, walking tours, accommodation and restaurants, entertainment, shopping, related chats and forums.

Rome Buddy - Billing itself as 'Rome without the hype' and like having a best friend near you - with insider tips on beggars, pickpockets and street crime, to where to find the best bathrooms, what to expect at the grocery store and lots more useful info for the Rome newbie.

Rome Links - Perhaps the easiest to use guide to EVERYTHING Rome - politeness of the Rome Study Center at the University of Washington Seattle, including links to museums and cultural sites, history, art and architecture, general tourist info, hotels and lodging, picture galleries, Internet access, and lots, lots more.

Cafe Life Rome - Excellent reporting in an archived feature in EasyJet In-Flight magazine on where to find the best cappuccino, espresso and gelato (Italian ice cream) in Rome.

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The Top Ten Italy Tourist Attractions

It is the land of arts, traditions and monuments, it is world-famous for its food, it is known for its luxury sports cars and motorcycles, it is the home to some of the most stunning costs, lakes and mountains in the world, and wait, it has got its own style statement Italy, in its true sense, is a heaven for the travelers. No matter what types of destinations you like the most, Italy has got everything in store for you. And this is simply the motive behind the fact that this country is among the top 5 tourist destinations in the world in terms of the number of visitors.

1. Colosseum in Rome

2. Vatican City

3. Leaning Tower of Pisa

4. Pompeii

5. Tuscany attractions

6. Uffizi Gallery

7. The Grand Canal in Venice

8. Rome Attractions

9. Sicily

10. Boating in Venice

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Yellowstone Tourist Attraction

Whilst the endless tourist attractions within the Yellowstone National Park do rather dominate the tourism scene throughout Montana, the town of West Yellowstone does contain its very own sights. Attractions in the town include the IMAX Theater on South Canyon Street, the Bear's Den Cinema on Electric Street, and the historic Playmill Theater on Madison Avenue, where regular musical productions are staged.



Very near to the town is Hebgen Lake, which is located on the northern side of Yellowstone Airport and affords some truly spectacular natural scenery. Tourists will find even more attractions within Henry's Lake State Park, which is on the westerly outskirts of town and just a matter of minutes away.

Hebgen Lake


Address: West Yellowstone, Montana (MT), USA, US

The summer months tend to be the busiest, with visitors from West Yellowstone coming to Hebgen Lake to boat, sail, fish, hike and camp, while in the snowy winter months, the area become a hotspot for snowmobiling. In the summer of 1959, a major earthquake (7.3 on the Richter scale) took place here, causing a landslide to dam the Madison River. This seismic activity subsequently created the adjacent 'Quake Lake', which is equally appealing and lies within the Gallatin National Forest.

West Yellowstone tourist attraction open: daily - 24 hours

West Yellowstone tourist attraction admission: free

Buffalo Bus Tours of Yellowstone National Park


Address: West Yellowstone, Montana (MT), USA, US

Tel: +1 800 426 7669

Those staying in town and without a car will find that the Buffalo Bus Tours are the very best way to explore the Yellowstone National Park, as well as the nearby Grand Teton National Park. Buffalo Bus Tours start each day at 08:15, with an early start ensuring a plenty of time for a full day's sightseeing. Expect to see world-class attractions such as Old Faithful and other active geysers, along with the Dunraven Pass, the Grand Canyon, the Obsidian Cliff and the Virginia Cascade, whilst learning more about the park's geothermal and volcanic history from the knowledgeable tour guides.

West Yellowstone tourist attraction open: daily - seasonal variations apply

West Yellowstone tourist attraction admission: charge, concessions.

Henry's Lake State Park

Address: 3489 Green Canyon Road, Island Park, Idaho (ID), USA, US

Tel: +1 208 558 7532

The Henry's Lake State Park is especially close to the town, lying around 14 miles / 23 km to the west. Many breathtaking mountain peaks surround the lake itself, which offers superb fishing, with plenty of cutthroat-rainbow trout awaiting. Other attractions within the Henry's Lake State Park include boating, picnicking and self-guided hiking trails around the wilderness, which lead towards the Targhee Creek Basin. Within the park are no less than 45 different camping sites, many of which come with very comprehensive facilities.

West Yellowstone tourist attraction open: daily - 24 hours

West Yellowstone tourist attraction admission: free

IMAX Theater

Address: 101 South Canyon Street, West Yellowstone, US-59758, Montana (MT), USA, US

Tel: +1 406 646 4100

The town's extremely popular IMAX Theater is much more than simply a state-of-the-art cinema, since it contains a series of different tourist attractions. The lobby itself is home to various historical displays, while the gift shop is amongst the very best that the town has to offer, selling everything from movie-related T-shirts to local arts and crafts. However, most come to the IMAX Theater to enjoy spectacular movies shown on an enormous screen, with the film concentrating on the history of Yellowstone National Park always proving a firm favorite.

West Yellowstone tourist attraction open: daily - hours vary

West Yellowstone tourist attraction admission: charge, concessions available

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New Orleans Tourist Attraction

New Orleans Sightseeing


With a lively atmosphere and near endless tourist attractions that New Orleans has to offer, you'll never get bored during a visit to this fabulous city.



There are attractions to suit all tastes and ages, ranging from the partying and debauchery of Bourbon Street in the French Quarter to the stately homes and gardens of the Garden District, not to mention the zoos, aquariums, museums, art galleries, markets, monuments and historical buildings of various architectural styles that are scattered throughout the city. Here are some of the top tourist attractions in New Orleans.


Aquarium of the Americas


1 Canal Street,

New Orleans,

Louisiana (LA), 70130, USA

Tel: +1 504 861 2537
Located in Uptown right on the Mississippi River, the Aquarium of the Americas is home to a stunning array of aquatic wildlife from various habitats, including the Amazon and the Mississippi Delta. Among the more than 7,000 marine species you will see sharks and dolphins, sea otters, sea lions, jellyfish, eels and turtles.

New Orleans tourist attraction open: Sunday to Thursday - 09:30 to 18:00, Friday to Saturday - 09:30 to 19:00

New Orleans tourist attraction admission: charge, discounts available for children and senior citizens, members free. Combination tickets available for the Aquarium, Zoo and IMAX Theater.
Audubon Zoo


6500 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana (LA), 70118, USA

Tel: +1 504 861 2537.

Audubon Zoo consistently ranks as one of the best zoos in the country and features a wide array of animals from around the world including a number of endangered species. Interactive exhibits are also on offer at Audubon Zoo, as well as scheduled animal shows.

New Orleans tourist attraction open: April to November, Monday to Friday - 09:30 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 09:30 to 18:00, November to April, daily - 09:30 to 17:00

New Orleans tourist attraction admission: charge, discounts available for children and senior citizens, members free. Combination tickets available for the Aquarium, Zoo and IMAX Theater
Entergy Imax Theater
1 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana (LA), 70130, USA

Tel: +1 504 581 IMAX
The Entergy Imax Theater is located next door to the Aquarium of the Americas and is one of only a handful in the world boasting a flat screen, single projection with high definition 3D capabilities. The theater specializes in nature documentaries, with spectacular, real-life images exploding on a screen over five stories in height.

New Orleans tourist attraction open: daily, except on Mardi Gras day and Christmas Day, first showing 10:00, last show, Sunday to Thursday - 18:00, Friday and Saturday - 20:00

New Orleans tourist attraction admission: charge, discounts available for children, senior citizens and members. Combination tickets available for the Aquarium, Zoo and Imax Theater


French Market
French Market Place, New Orleans, Louisiana (LA), 70116, USA

Tel: +1 504 522 2621.

Located on the banks of the Mississippi from Jackson Square to Barracks Street, the French Market is the oldest continuously operated market in the country, home to buyers and traders since the early 18th century. Today it is a shopper's paradise, with all sorts of weird and wonderful items for sale as well as great food.

New Orleans tourist attraction open: daily - 09:00 to 18:00 (starts to wind down an hour before closing).

New Orleans tourist attraction admission: free, bargaining is encouraged
Jackson Square


French Quarter,

New Orleans,

Louisiana (LA), USA



Jackson Square dates back to 1718, forming the center of the French Quarter, and is where most first time visitors begin their exploration of this lively and fascinating part of New Orleans. Adjacent to the mighty Mississippi River and St. Louis Cathedral, the square is home to an eclectic bunch of street performers, jazz musicians, artists and fortunetellers.

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Washington

Visit the Smithsonian

Start at the Smithsonian Institution Building where you can pick up a map and information on all of the museums. These national treasures cover a wide range of subjects from art to space exploration. Plan to explore those you are most interested in, but don’t try to see everything at once. Be sure to save time to see an IMAX movie at the Natural History Museum or the National Air and Space Museum.

Tour the National Monuments and Memorials

Our national monuments are truly spectacular. The best time to see them is at night when they are illuminated, less crowded and parking is easier. During daytime visits, take a tour bus. Listen to informative park ranger talks and you won’t have to negotiate congested city traffic.

Tour the Three Houses of Government

Explore the U.S. Capitol Building, the White House and the U.S. Supreme Court and you will gain a fuller understanding of the division of power within our democratic government. Plan ahead and note that some tours must be scheduled in advance through your Congressional Representative.

Take a Walk Through Georgetown

Georgetown is the capital’s historic waterfront that today is bustling with activity. The area is a shopper’s paradise and the streets are lined with restaurants of every nationality. Take a tour of historic sites, do some shopping and enjoy a meal at a local restaurant.

 

Ride a Bike Along the C & O Canal

The Washington DC region is lucky to have wonderful bike trails. Jump on a bicycle and you’ll quickly feel a relief from hectic city life. Take the whole family and explore the historic C & O Canal.

See a Show or Concert at the Kennedy Center

Live theatrical productions at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts are entertainment at its finest. Purchase tickets in advance for performances ranging from musicals to concerts by the National Symphony or see a free show at the Millennium Stage.

Attend a Concert at Wolftrap Farm Park

Listen to all types of music at this national park dedicated to the performing arts. Outdoor concerts are featured in the summer and indoor performances are held the rest of the year. The park is located in Vienna, Virginia, just 20 minutes from Washington, DC.

Take a Hike at Great Falls Park

Take a picnic and enjoy spectacular views of the Potomac River at this 800 acre park, located just 14 miles from Washington DC.

Explore Mount Vernon

With the recent addition of the new museum and education center, Mount Vernon is now a full day excursion. Explore the state of the art galleries and theaters, visit the 500-acre estate of George Washington and his family, tour the 14-room mansion that is beautifully restored and furnished with original objects dating back to the 1740's. Be sure to plan enough time to tour the outbuildings, including the kitchen, slave quarters, smokehouse, coach house and stables. The estate is located in Northern Virginia, just minutes from Washington, DC.

Take a Walking Tour of Old Town, Alexandria

Explore a quaint historic town just over the Potomac River from Washington, DC. Visit colonial houses, churches, and museums and shop for antiques.

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Grand Canyon Tourist Attraction

Havasu Canyon

This is a place out of time and of inconceivable beauty, a virtual paradise aqua blue water lies under a waterfall and Native Americans preserving their legacy and language still inhabit and cultivate the land.


Tusayan Ruin


An ancient Puebloean village excavated by canyon archeologists, the Tusayan Ruin offers a look at the life of some of the initial people to inhabit the Grand Canyon.


Phantom Ranch



Designed by the architect of much of the Grand Canyon’s eminent buildings, Mary Colter, apparition Ranch sits at the bottom of the canyon where remnants of early Indians sites dating back to the year 1050 have been found. 


Santa Fe Train Depot


One of the only log train depots left rank in the United States, the Santa Fe Train Depot marks the northern end of the Grand Canyon Railway.

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