Save big with the Luxembourg Card

In Luxembourg, that small and expensive Grand Duchy situated next to Belgium, France, and Germany, families can save a bundle with the Luxembourg Card.

The card features include unlimited FREE use of trains and buses, along with FREE admission to 56 tourist attractions, including museums, castles, sightseeing trips, and more.

The Luxembourg Card is priced depending on the number of days that it is good for.  You can buy it in advance, and validate it on your first use.  The more people in your family, the more you’ll save.  And with the Euro vs. Dollar valuation right now, you’ve got to save whenever and wherever you can!

A card valid for one person costs €10 (about $14) for one day, €17 for two days, and €24 for three days.  A card valid for 2-5 people costs €20, €34, and €48 respectively.  This means that you’re paying for two adults and the kids get in or ride FREE.  That will save some serious coin on your vacation.

You can buy the Luxembourg Card online.  They are also available at tourist offices, hotels, hostels, and train stations, as well as most participating attractions.

Photo credit:  Luxembourg National Tourist Office

Post from: Blisstree

Big Savings with Luxembourg Card

Based on the very popular CSI television show (and all of its spin-offs), this interactive attraction opens in its new permanent location – the MGM Grand Las Vegas – on September 13th.  This challenging and multi-sensory attraction challenges you to be assume the roll of crime scene investigator and solve one of three true-to-life mysteries by reviewing crime scene re-creations and using two state-of-the-art crime labs.

The 12,000 square foot exhibit is part entertainment based on the television show, and part real-life crime scene investigation techniques.  An introductory video will help guide visitors, but ultimately it is up to the individual to determine the perpetrator.  Visitors will investigate one of three crime scenes:

• A House Collided – a car and its driver appear to have crashed through the living room of a quiet suburban residence
• Who Got Served – a body of a young woman is found behind a motel
• No Bones About It – human remains are uncovered in the desert

CSI:  The experiences is location along MGM Grand’s Studio Walk and is open daily from 10 am – 10 pm.  The typical visit will range between 60-90 minutes.

Admission is $30 per person, and re-entries (for a new crime scene) are $26.  The attraction is designed for visitors 10 years of age and older, but parents should consider whether a crime scene (even a fake one) will be disturbing to their child.

Although I think I’m one of the few people who haven’t been caught up in CSI mania, this exhibit intrigues.  I’d like to see just how honed my powers of observation and analysis are.  I like to see if I can figure it out.

I’ve got several trips to Las Vegas planned over the next couple of months, and I’m putting CSI:  The Experience on my to-visit list.  I’ll be sure to fill you in on all the details then.  But don’t worry, I won’t be giving away any real secrets – you’ll still want to experience it for yourself!

Photo credit:  Courtesy of MGM Grand

Post from: Blisstree

CSI: The Experience Debuts in Las Vegas

The building is located at Fifth Avenue at 34th, and is a popular spot for tremendous views of the city.  It’s been featured in numerous movies, including the classic An Affair to Remember and the more recent Sleepless in Seattle.

Beneath its art deco facade, the building houses floors and floors of offices, a 3-story lobby, shops, restaurants, a variety of services, and one of the most popular outdoor observation decks in the world.  Located on the 86th floor, the observation deck offers 360-degree views of the city.  The observation deck is open 365 days a year, from 8 am – 2 pm.  The last elevator goes to the top at 1:15 am.  Scheduling a romantic rendezvous at midnight at the top of the Empire State Building is as much a reality as a theme from the movies, and the view at night is just as spectacular as during the day.

An additional observation deck is located on the 102nd floor as well, but it is enclosed and much smaller than the lower one.  It is open daily, 8 am – midnight, with the last elevator going up at 11:15 pm.

On the 2nd floor, you’ll find the NY Skyride, a simulated aerial tour over the city of New York, that has become nearly as popular as the observation deck.

Tickets for the observation deck are $18.45 for adults (ages 18-61), $12.92 for children (ages 6-12), and $16.51 for seniors (62+).  Prices do not include tax or a $2 surcharges.   An express pass, which allows you to go to the front of the line (and the lines can get lengthy), an observatory and skyride combo package, and a ticket to the 102nd floor observatory are also available.  Purchase Empire State Building tickets online to help cut down on line time.

Because lines and wait time can be lengthy, plan to visit on a day when you have time to get through the queue and enjoy the spectacular views.  After all, you haven’t really seen the city till you’ve seen it from the top of the Empire State Building.

Photo credit: wikimedia

Post from: Blisstree

Happy Birthday to the Empire State Building

CityPass offers ticket booklets that slash admission prices to major attractions by nearly 50%.  The booklets contain the actual admission ticket (not a coupon or voucher), and if you plan on seeing a number of attractions around town, the savings starts adding up fast.  For the price of one or two attractions, you may be able to see the whole city full!  And you’ll save time (and frustration) by avoiding ticket purchase lines.  Spending vacation time waiting in line is never fun!

Most passes are valid for 9 days from the day of first use, and have no black-out dates.  Some attractions also offer special complimentary upgrades (onsite) to CityPass users.

Here’s what CityPass if offering (valid April 1st, 2009 through March 31st, 2010):

• Atlanta:  Admission to Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Zoo Atlanta, Inside CNN Atlanta Studio Tour, a choice between the Fernbank Museum of Natural History or Atlanta Botanical Garden, and a choice between the High Museum of Art of the Atlanta History Center.  Adults $69, children $49, representing a savings of at least $39.61.
• Boston:  Admission to Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science, New England Aquarium, Skywalk Observatory, and a choice between the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum or the Harvard Museum of Natural History.  Adults $44, children $28, representing a savings of at least $20.45.
• Chicago:  Admission to Shedd Aquarium, The Field Museum of Natural History, Museum of Science and Industry, Adler Planetarium, and a choice between The Sears Tower Skydeck or Hancock Observatory.  Adults $69, Children $59, representing a savings of at least $51.50.
• Hollywood:  Admission to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Walk of Fame with Red Line Tours, Starline Tours of Hollywood movie star’ homes tour, a choice between the Hollywood Museum (in the historic Max Factor Building) or a guided tour of the Kodak Theater, and a choice between the Hollywood Wax Museum or Madame Tussauds Hollywood (opens in August).  Adults $50, children $40, representing a savings of at least $36.95.
• Houston:  Admission to NASA’s Space Center Houston, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Downtown Aquarium and the Houston Zoo, a choice between Texas living history at George Ranch or the Health Museum, and a choice between the Museum of Fine Arts or the Children’s Museum of Houston.  Adults $39, children $29, representing a savings of at least $21.72.
• New York City:  Admission to Empire State Building Observatory, American Museum of Natural History, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), a choice between a 2-hour day or cocktail cruise aboard Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise or a visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Immigration Museum.  Adults $79, children $61, representing a savings of at least $42.
• Philadelphia:  Admission to National Constitution Center, The Franklin, Philadelphia Zoo, Adventure Aquarium, and a choice between the Academy of Natural Sciences or the Eastern State Penitentiary.  Adults $58, children $39, representing a savings of at least $32.57.
• San Francisco:  Admission to the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39, Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise Adventure, and a choice between the deYoung Museum (which includes the California Legion of Honor, if visited on the same day) or the Exploratorium science museum.  Also included is a 7-day MUNI public transportation pass that includes cable cars, light rail, and the entire city bus system.  Adults $59, children $39, representing a savings of at least $32.95.
• Seattle:  Admission to Space Needle (day/night ticket), Seattle Aquarium, Woodland Park Zoo, Pacific Science Center, a bay cruise aboard Argosy Cruises, and a choice of either the Museum or Flight or a combo admission to the Experience Music Project (EMP) and the Science Fiction Museum.  Adults $54, children $39, representing a savings of at least $29.38.
• Southern California:  Includes six days of park admission, and is valid for 14 days from time of first use, including Disneyland (3-Day Park Hopper Bonus ticket for Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure Park), Universal Studios Hollywood, SeaWorld (in nearby San Diego), and a choice between the San Diego Zoo or the Zoo’s Wild Animal Park.  Adults $259, children $219, representing a savings of at least $87.
• Toronto:  Admission to CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Zoo, and Casa Loma.  Adults $59, children $39, representing a savings of at least $32.38.  (Prices listed for Toronto are in CAD).

You can purchase a CityPass and any of the covered attractions, or directly from CityPass online (where you can also take a more in depth look at each attraction offered). You can have ticket books sent to your home, office, local hotel, or go with an e-ticket voucher option and save on shipping.  Along with the CityPass booklet, you’ll get a map, public transportation routes, and some insider tips.

Image credit:  CityPass

Post from: Blisstree

CityPass Can Save You Money in 11 Cities

Location: The London Eye
Destination: London
Country: United Kingdom
Year Taken: 2008

Photographer: Francesca Smith

At 443 feet (135 meters) tall, the London Eye is the world’s third tallest Ferris wheel. 

Located along south bank of the River Thames, it opened on New Year’s Eve in 1999 and is enjoyed by roughly 3 million visitors annually.

This photo was taken on an early October evening, when it clouds  of a coming storm created what looked like the “eye” of a storm.  The setting sun cast a glow on the scattered clouds and illuminated the wheel. 

To submit your destination or travel photo for consideration, please add your photos to the Flickr Travel Photo Daily group.  _______________________________________________

Post from: Blisstree

The London Eye Before a Storm