Gap of Dunloe -- 5 Top Attractions -- Like Killarney Falconry

Gap of Dunloe

Gap of Dunloe, hidden like a gem in Ireland, is a narrow mountain pass that runs north-south in the county of Kerry, and is one of this county's most popular destinations for tourists because of its beautiful scenery. Here's my list of 5 top must-see attractions in this area:

Killarney National Park

Killarney National Park is home to lovely lakes and oldest woodlands surrounded by the serrated MacGillycuddy's Reeks mountains. Brimming with spectacular natural wonders, the park is historically important due to two structures on-site: Muckross House which is a stately Victorian property and Ross Castle which is a fifteen-century fortress but now a hotel.

Blarney Castle & Gardens

The renowned castle with its gardens is now officially referred to as the Stone of Eloquence, probably because of a legend that claims if you do kiss the stone you'll speak well. In fact, visitors from everywhere to kiss the enchanted stone, but it must be achieved by hanging upside down above a sheer drop from the tower. The fortress hosts fine gardens and many fascinating rock formations called Rock Close.

Ross Castle

Ross Castle was erected as a medieval fortress in the 15th-century for an Irish chieftain called O'Donoghue. It's believed to be one of the last bastions to fall to the merciless English army during the 16th century. No longer in ruins the castle features gorgeous 16th and 17th century furniture.

Torc Waterfall

Visit Torc Water and bask in Kerry's natural beauty. Situated a brief stroll from the Killarney-Kenmare road, part of the River Owengariff, Torc Waterfall flows into Muckross Lake. This area is popular on account of the site's nature-filled hiking routes and drives.

Killarney Falconry  -- Let a Falcon Sit on Your Arm!

It's not a show! Killarney Falconry provides a full summary of falcons, plus their training. You'll learn much about their life rhythm, eating routines, as well as the various phases of training to permit a falcon to be instructed via voice.

The exceptionally professional falcon trainers will next offer live demonstration, and even extremely exciting aerial acrobatics to wow the entire family. 

They then will give you the chance to try it yourself, by inviting a falcon to perch on your gloved hand. This is a special experience that everyone of all ages can try.  

Most Famous Must-See Tourist Attractions in Ireland

Amalienborg Palace -- Facts, History, Key Attractions & Tourist Info

 

Amalienborg Palace, located in northern Copenhagen, has a Rococo style and King Frederik V originally built it.

History of Amalienborg Palace

Comprising four outer similar buildings constructed around a main courtyard, Amalienborg Palace saw completion in 1760. The royals were not its initial residents but rather rich families. However, Amalienborg Slot evolved into a real palace in 1749 following Christiansborg Slot's destruction by a fire when the royal family purchased it from the owner living there. An architect was hired who added colonnades between a few of the palaces.

The four structures include Christian IX’s Palace, Christian VII’s Palace, the Amalienborg Museum, and Frederik VIII’s Palace. The palaces are used today and home to the Danish Royal Family. Royal Life Guards guard it and a switching of the guard ceremony occurs daily like clockwork at noon. 

Amalienborg Palace today

Visitors could now see parts of Amalienborg Palace, reviewing royal objects, collections and admire the palace’s Rococo architecture and ornate Knight’s Chamber. The palace is open to the general public daily from June through September and sporadically the remainder of the year.

The palace's entrance hall is rather fascinating, after being restored to its original 18th-century state. In the main courtyard, stands the sculpture of Frederik V, which must have been as costly to build as Amalienborg Palace was.

Visiting Amalienborg Palace

Amalienborg Palace sits in the heart of Copenhagen, beside the harbor. The closest metro station is Marmorkirken, just a 4 minute walk away, next to Frederikskirke, the Marble Church. 

Or consider the option of going by bike or foot as the most practical and quickest for getting there. Charlottenborg and Nyhavn are a mere 5-minute walk away.

Most Famous Must-See Tourist Attractions in Denmark

Oresund Bridge -- 5 Most Fascinating Facts -- You'll be Amazed

 Oresund Bridge

As Europe's fifth longest bridge, it links not only two Scandinavian nations but also links two of their biggest cities, adding to the structure's supreme significance.

In this post, you’ll learn about the most fascinating facts on the Oresund Bridge and marvel at this engineering feat.

1. It extends across a strait between Sweden & Denmark 

Øresund Bridge is a mega structure spanning the Øresund Strait, lying on the border belonging to Sweden and Denmark. This strait, frequently called in English “The Sound,” boasts a width varying between 2.5 and 17 miles.

The bridge was built in the most ideal site, for it makes the connection between Copenhagen, Denmark's biggest city and the capital, and Malmö, Sweden's third-biggest city.

The bridge comprises a mix of both railway bridge and a road and allows the European route E20 to cross the strait. The railway road, referred to as the Øresund Line, provides a stable connection between the two major cities, Copenhagen and Malmö, in only 40 minutes.

2. A tunnel emerges near Denmark when crossing  

Another fascinating fact on the Øresund Bridge is that the whole crossing is not just a bridge. The area close to Denmark sees its end through the Drogden Tunnel.

The artificial island which was built in the center of the strait named Peberholm, covers a total area of 0.50 square miles and switches from the bridge to the tunnel. The Drogden Tunnel is 2.52 miles long and was built to prevent interference with air traffic coming from Copenhagen Airport. 

3. Many reasons postponed the construction till the 1990s

It was the intention of both Swedish and Danish local governments to construct either a tunnel or bridge across the Øresund strait for the whole 20th century. It was initially proposed to erect a sort of tunnel to handle railway traffic back in 1910.

A network of engineering companies was created and it made the proposal to construct a bridge over the strait in the year 1936; however, World War ll began and the plans had to be shelved. Though several proposals were put forward during the decades following the war, none led to an acceptable plan.

An agreement was eventually reached to erect a connection, signed in 1973, and the engineering firms were thoroughly investigating all possible options at the time, as well as considering the shortest spot of the strait going between Helsingør–Helsingborg.

The last delay came about on account of the Danish Government giving priority to the Great Belt Fixed Link's construction, a project connecting the Danish islands of Funen and Zealand over the Great Belt Strait.

Since the Great Belt crossing saw completion in 1998, Oresund Bridge was completed by 1999 and opened for the public in 2000.

4. The bridge sports astonishing dimensions

The fact this bridge/tunnel project lasted only 4 years is an engineering miracle, which becomes particularly obvious when looking closely at the structure's stunning stats:

• Length: 7,845 meters or 25,738 feet
• Longest span: 490 meters or 1,608 feet
• Width: 23.5 meters or 77.1 feet
• Maximum height: 204 meters or 669 feet
• Deck height: 57 meters or 187 feet

The bridge combines cable and girder elements. The main reason this kind of design was picked was to permit trains to cross the bridge which carries a weighty load across the superstructure.

5. The bridge's construction was expensive

The bridge was not cheap, costing a grand total of 2.6 billion euros, or 19.6 billion DKK and 25.8 billion SEK.

This just makes the project more exceptional as Swedish and Danish taxpayers didn't pay directly, except for the land that was used to erect the structure's approaches. Tolls to be collected from all the drivers wanting to cross it will take about 30 years to pay. But each ticket costs 55 euros; pricely.

Most Famous Must-See Tourist Attractions in Denmark