The Eiffel Tower, or La Tour Eiffel as it’s known in French, is perhaps the most famous tower in the world. The tower was built the entrance arch to the 1889 World’s Fair. While it is a world-renowned landmark today, that was not always the case. Many roundly criticized the lattice Tower, but views toward the structure have changed over the past 130 years. The Eiffel Tower, located on the Champ de Mars, is the tallest structure in Paris and welcomes more than 6 million visitors per year, making it the most-visited paid monument in the world.
The Finnieston Crane, or Stobcross Crane in the heart of Glasgow, Scotland, is a massive cantilever crane that is no longer used. However, it remains a significant symbol of the city’s engineering history. This crane was mainly used to load cargo, such as steam locomotives, onto ships for global export. Four of five cranes originally situated on the River Clyde remain today, with the fifth being demolished in 2007. Only eleven giant cantilever cranes like this one still exist worldwide.
In many ways, the Fountains of Bellagio are as recognizable as the Las Vegas Strip itself. The choreographed fountains give spectators a one-of-a-kind show, dancing to a range of music, such as Luciano Pavarotti and Frank Sinatra. There is no charge to view the fountains, which are located within an eight-acre manmade lake.
Fremont Street Experience is a five-block entertainment district located in historic downtown Las Vegas. It is home to North America’s largest video screen, measuring 1,500 feet long, 90 feet wide and suspended 90 feet above the urban pedestrian mall. The zone is also home to a trio of states for free nightly concerts and SlotZilla, an 850-foot long Zipline and a 1,750-foot long Zoomline that launch riders from a 12-story slot-machine themed takeoff platform.
The Hato Caves were once located beneath the sea, but as the ocean levels lowered, they emerged from beneath the waves. The caves, made of marine coral limestone, are located on the northern coast of Curaçao. Caiquetio Indians are the first humans to inhabit the area, but they apparently did not venture too far inside the caves. Later, they served as a popular hiding spot for runaway slaves. Interestingly, the caves are hot caves, and the tempature inside is not cooler like many caves.
Though Klein Curaçao is uninhabited, it is one of the most popular destinations for travelers who visit the main island of Curaçao. Today, aside from a few huts on the beach, the only building on the island is an old lighthouse. There are two shipwrecks on the island, including the remains of the Maria Bianca Guidesman. The island is also the final resting place of slaves who did not survive the trip from Africa. Several charter companies offer excursions to the island. But, be warned: The water between Curaçao and Klein Curaçao is quite choppy and many people find themselves sea sick.
The London cable car is a cable car connection that spans the River Thames in London, England. It is also known as the Dangleway and has been officially named the IFS Cloud Cable Car due to sponsorship reasons. The line was constructed by Doppelmayr at an overall cost of £60 million. The service was launched on June 28, 2012, and is run by Transport for London (TfL). Since October 20, 2022, it has been sponsored by the technology company IFS. Before this, from its commencement, the airline Emirates sponsored the line, and it was referred to as the Emirates Air Line until June 28, 2022. The service comprises a 0.62-mile gondola line across the Thames from the Greenwich Peninsula to the Royal Victoria Dock, located west of ExCeL London. In addition to transporting people across the river, the service is marketed as providing “a unique view of London.”
The London Eye, also known as the Millennium Wheel, is a cantilevered observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. It stands 443 feet tall with a diameter of 394 feet, making it the tallest cantilevered observation wheel in Europe. With more than three million visitors annually, it is the United Kingdom’s most popular paid tourist attraction and has made numerous appearances in popular culture. It’s worth noting that the London Eye was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world during its debut.