'Arrete! C'est ici l'empire de la mort" (Stop! here is the empire of death) is the sign that greets you as you enter the underground chambers. Descend deep into the tunnels of Paris underground and explore over one kilometre of Catacombs that are decorated with human skulls and bones. Discover the extraordinary history that is responsible for the present conditions of the Catacombs, and listen to the haunting stories and legends that embody these galleries of skeletons. These ancient limestone quarries dating back to 2 B.C. were originally mined for the construction of many of the most famous buildings and bridges in Paris. Yet the quarries would soon become host to a more ghastly history. In the late 1700's the overcrowded cemeteries throughout the city were the cause of disease and infection and so it was necessary to relocate millions of decaying bodies. The bodies were exhumed and transported to the underground quarries during the midnight hours. The bones were then stacked neatly in various rooms creating kilometres of walls composed entirely of human remains. At the end of the visit the guide will accompany you to Avenue du General Leclerc where the tour ends and the guide will explain how to reach the closest metro stop.
Jump in a Songthaew, an iconic public bus, and take a scenic drive along Suthep Road. On the way stop by Kad Ton Payom, a flea market well known for its northern Thai cuisine. Afterwards, offer alms to monks to 'make merit' and enjoy a traditional style breakfast.
The next stop is Wat U-mong a 600 year-old temple famed for its large painted pagoda and underground tunnel. Soak up the peaceful atmosphere and perhaps take the opportunity to talk with the abbot about Buddhism and Dharma.
Visit Wat Suan Dok and mingle with monks to learn about their way of life. Take some time out to learn basic meditation. Finish the adventure making an offering to the Sangkha
After being picked up from your hotel by the local representative we will firstly visit The Longmen Grottoes. They are located 12 km south of Luoyang, spanning a length of over 1,000 m on the hillsides along the Yi River together with the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang (Gansu Province) and the Yungang Grottoes (Shannxi Province) which are considered to be the three greatest stone sculpture treasure housed in China. In 2000, Longmen Grottoes were listed by UNESCO. The grottoes and niches of Longmen contain the largest and most impressive collection of Chinese art of the late Northern Wei and Tang Dynasties (316-907). Construction lasted 400 Years. Longmen landscape is acclaimed as the best of the Eight Sights of Luoyang. There are more than 2,100 grotto niches, 3,600 tablets and more than 100,000 statues, of which the biggest stands 17.14 meters tall and the smallest is only 2 centimeters.
Lourdes is a small and beautiful market town lying in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Famous for the Marian apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes that are reported to have occurred in 1858 to Bernadette Soubirous.
On arrival in Lourdes the tour starts by the visit of the sanctuaries. You will then head to the grotto and also visit the three churches that were built on site, one on top of the other. After some free time for lunch, your guide take you on the footsteps of Bernadette. First discover the house of the family where the father ran a mill and then on to the Cachot, a tiny cell in which the family lived during harder times.
An excursion to the ever popular summer and winter resort in the heart of Central Switzerland. Engelberg (Angel Mountain) was originally founded by the Benedictine monks and the imposing monastery dominates the centre of the village. The Baroque style monastery church, which houses the largest organ in Switzerland, is open for visits to the public. Enjoy 3 hour independent visit to this lovely mountain village to relax or stroll. On our return journey we stop in Lucerne (approx. 1 hour). Enjoy a short stroll and cross the famous Chapel bridge the landmark of Lucerne.