I’m obsessed with skyline views. I’m not sure what sparked it but I just can’t get enough of them. Any chance I can get to see the world from above I jump on it.
My most memorable skyline view of London was on the London Eye. The London Eye, for those of you who are unfamiliar, is a giant ferris wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames. The Eye is about 450 feet tall and has a diameter of about 400 feet. It takes about half an hour for the Eye to circle around once. There are 32 passenger capsules that hold up to 25 people each. Even though these little pods look small from afar, they’re not!
I was fortunate enough to go on the London Eye twice (click here for ticket pricing). Once when my boyfriend visited and another time when my family visited — it’s one of those underrated tourist traps that is worth it! Part of the reason why it was so amazing was the “4D Experience” they offered to my group before we went on the ferris wheel. My family and I shuffled into a room with about 40 other people, stood in different elevated rows, put on 3D glasses, and followed a video of a bird’s journey through the different seasons in and around London. I won’t indulge too much – I want you to experience it for yourself!
This is one of my favorite pictures from the Eye, when the sun was setting perfectly behind Parliament. Big Ben was so beautiful with the light glistening all around it. It is a moment I will never forget. It looked so magical from above.
Another favorite London view was of St. Paul’s Cathedral. St. Paul’s is one of the most famous and oldest sights in London. At 365 feet tall, it’s dome is among the highest in the world. The Cathedral is known for being a national identity of the English population. One of the most popular services held was the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer (Princess Diana).
After walking up 259 stairs from the ground level, I reached the dome. The painted dome is so beautiful; I remember being able to put my ear up against the wall, and listen to the murmurs of my friends speaking into the wall on the opposite side of the dome. It is known as the “Whispering Gallery” because of its acoustic properties. How awesome is that? Here is a picture from the top:
My other memorable moments from the top: Have you been to any of these?
- Duomo – Florence, Italy
- Piazza Michelangelo – Florence, Italy
- Eiffel Tower – Paris, France
- Sacre Coeur – Paris, France
- Empire State Building – NYC, USA
- Arthur’s Seat – Edinburgh, Scotland
- Mount Masada – Israel
- Great Wall of China – Beijing, China
- Flying over the Swiss Alps from London to Italy
Till next time,