London – July 2, 2007 – TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel community, today announced the top 10 attractions in Europe according to traveller popularity and TripAdvisor editors.
1. London Eye, London, United Kingdom
To see London from a new perspective, take a ride on the British Airways London Eye, built for the millennium, which provides 360 degree breathtaking views of the city. One hundred thirty-five metres above London, it is the world’s tallest observation wheel.
2. Tower of London, London, United Kingdom
Originally operating as a fortress, royal palace and prison, the Tower of London has since been used as an armory, a mint, a treasury and even a zoo and is also home to the not-to-be-missed Crown Jewels of England.
3. Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel), Paris, France
Constructed for the 1889 Universal Exhibition to mixed reviews, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most visited and adored attractions in Europe with over 200 million visitors to date.
4. Musee du Louvre, Paris, France
Situated in the centre of the city, the Louvre is probably one of the most famous museums and art galleries in the world. The former royal palace houses many well known works of art including the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
5. Colosseum Rome, Italy
The giant amphitheatre of the Colosseum is one of the great landmarks in central Rome. The ruin stands as a monument to Imperial Rome and the fabled gladiatorial entertainment venue is one of the finest architectural icons of its era.
6. Anne Frank House, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
263 Prinsengracht in central Amsterdam was the house in which Anne Frank, her family and four others spent two years trying to escape Nazi persecution during World War II. It was in this house that she wrote her now famous diary chronicling her daily life in hiding. The building is now a museum dedicated to Anne Frank and her diary is among the original artifacts on display.
7. Musee d'Orsay, Paris, France
The Orsay Museum is housed in what was the Orsay railway station on the left bank of the Seine. The museum holds one of the world finest collections of paintings, sculpture and photography including works by masters such as Degas, Cezanne, Monet, Manet, Renoir and Van Gogh. Its collection of impressionist works is considered to be one of the best.
8. State Hermitage Museum and Winter Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia
The State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg is considered to be one of the largest and oldest art galleries and museums of human history and culture. The museum occupies six buildings along the River Neva in central St Petersburg and at its heart is the Winter Palace, one time residence of the Russian Tsars.
9. Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark
Opened in 1843 Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens are home to one of the first ever amusement parks. It is probably best known for its wooden roller coaster which is one of the oldest still operating today. It is also home to the world’s tallest carousel, The Star Flyer, which is 80 metres high.
10. The Alhambra, Granada, Spain
Located on a hill overlooking the city of Granada in Andalucía, Southern Spain, the Alhambra palace and fortress is considered one of the finest examples of Moorish architecture. Famous for its red walls, the Alhambra's designs, gardens and fountains make it one of Spain's top attractions.
Top 10 US Attractions
1. Magical Mecca: Orlando, Florida
2. Circus Atmosphere: Cirque du Soleil, Las Vegas, Nevada
3. Hawaii 6-0: Hana Highway, Maui, Hawaii
4. Grand Plans: Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
5. Park Place: Central Park, New York City, New York
6. Rock Show: Alcatraz, San Francisco, California
7. Perch Above the Peacock: Top of the Rock Observation Deck, New York City, New York
8. Seaing is Believing: Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey Bay, California
9. Water-ful: Bellagio Fountains, Las Vegas, Nevada
10. Animal Kingdom: San Diego Zoo, San Diego, California
Please contact:
Ian Rumgay/Jane Owen
irumgay@tripadvisor.com
jowen@tripadvisor.com
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07803-903602
