The world is full of interesting monuments and ancient structures, each with their own distinct origins and back-stories. And as many of the world’s largest and most prominent cities – which tend to be home to some of the world’s largest and most prominent landmarks – are often found on the coast, there are countless monuments out there to see. From historic buildings to majestic towers, this blog will take a look at where you should cruise in order to say; I’ve been there and seen that!
Statue of Liberty
An iconic symbol of American freedom, the Statue of Liberty stands proudly on Liberty Island in New York Harbour, Manhattan. The statue was presented to the city by the French in 1886 and has welcomed immigrants to America’s shores ever since. Here skyward-thrust torch and cascading robe has been an emblem of American liberty for well over a century and has been truly ingrained in popular culture.
This world-famous monument can be seen on cruises across North America calling in New York City. New York is also home to a plethora of other well-known building and monuments, including the Empire State Building and Madison Square Garden.
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a bustling multi-purpose venue, used for hosting classical performances and exhibitions. Designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon and officially opened in 1973, this famous building, with its unique and intriguing architecture, is home to four resident companies, namely; the Sydney Theatre Company, the Australian Ballet, Opera Australia and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
An Australian voyage will likely call in the natural bay of Sydney, passing under the iconic Harbour Bridge as the Opera House comes into sight. Some cruise lines operate tours of the city, including helicopter flights to see the local landmarks from a unique perspective.
Great Wall of China
Built from east to west across China’s vast northern border and constructed using brick, stone, rammed earth and wood amongst other building materials, the Great Wall of China has been a symbol of Chinese military history and heritage for centuries. Construction of certain sections of the wall began during the 7th century but the structure has been painstakingly renovated and maintained over the years to preserve as much as possible.
Cruise travellers can reach the Great Wall of China on shore excursions from Beijing, which are usually operated by the majority of the main ocean cruise lines. A walk along the Great Wall is a wonderful experience, offering an insight in China’s illustrious past.
Eiffel Tower
Perhaps one of Europe’s most iconic monuments, the Eiffel Tower overlooks the enchanting city of Paris from its position on Champ de Mars. Designed and built by renowned engineer Gustave Eiffel, the tower was erected in 1889 as the entrance to the World’s Fair. Although it was condemned by many leading artists and architects at the time, the Eiffel Tower quickly became an icon of France. At 324 metres tall, it was the tallest building on earth for 41 years, only surpassed by the Chrysler Building in New York in 1930.
Cruises calling at Le Havre on France’s scenic coastline will usually offer excursions to the city of Paris, providing guests with the chance to tour this iconic city and see the Eiffel Tower for themselves – or perhaps even climb to the top!
The Colosseum
As the centrepiece of the ancient city of Rome, the Colosseum has become a famous symbol of the city’s renowned imperial heritage. The construction of the landmark began during the reign of Emperor Vespasian in 70AD and was completed under Vespasian’s heir – Emperor Titus – in 80AD. In its heyday, it is believed to have held between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators and was used for public spectacles such as gladiator battles and executions.
From the port of Civitavecchia, cruise ship guests can easily reach the historic city of Rome and take time to explore the city in depth. A trip to the Colosseum is an essential part of any tour of Rome, so be sure to include it within your schedule for the day.
If you would like to see any of these iconic landmarks for yourself on a luxury cruise, call our Cruise Concierge team on 0808 202 6105 and talk to them about the range of voyages currently available with SixStarCruises.co.uk.
Images courtesy of Florencia Lewis, Photopin/Flickr; Luigi Crespo, Photopin/Flickr; Pavel, Photopin/Flickr; Richard Thomas, Photopin/Flickr; Yann Caradec, Photopin/Flickr; Hjjanisch, Photopin/Flickr.