|
 When
Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code" was published in 2003, it
quickly became a best-seller. One of the most
fascinating things about the book is how it weaves real
historic objects, places and clues into its tale -
driving the reader to want to follow along and solve
ancient mysteries along side the books main characters;
Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu. Since the books
publication, there have been many books, films, lectures
and specialists that offer their version of what is
truth and what is fiction in the Da Vinci Code.
Most agree that the book is a "page turner"
filled with murder and intrigue and it explores some
fascinating theories about the secrets of the Holy Grail
by looking at clues that could exist in real ancient objects.
It is this
mystery and search for discovery in the cities of Paris,
London and Edinburgh
 that
has created our Secrets of the Da Vinci Code
tour. To explore these theories and ancient
objects we will
be guided by local expert historians and guides in all
three cities to really dive into the mystery.
Starting in
Paris, we will
begin our exploration into the Da Vinci Code history
inside the famous Louvre museum. Our guide will
tour us through its
amazing artwork pointing out both Da Vinci Code
mentioned pieces and other highlights including the the Mona Lisa, the Madonna(Virgin) of the Rocks and other symbols of the
sacred feminine. Along with the Louvre, we
 will
visit other major sites used in the book; the Louvre
pyramids, the Tuileries, St. Sulpice Church, the Gnomon
("Rose
Line"), St. Germain des Pres and other sites in the
Latin Quarter.
In all of these places, our guide
will be reminding us of events in the book, comparing to
what we see and letting us draw our own conclusions.
Our Paris guide is from Paris Walks.
They have been giving historic tours of Paris for over
20 years and its owner, Peter Caine, has since written a best
selling handbook for walking the Da Vinci Code sites in
Paris. This book is included as part of your material and we will be using it on
our tour.
After Paris
we jet off to London (via the chunnel train) where we will bask in the history and pageantry of this
cosmopolitan
city. With our London expert guide, we will
continue our quest for knowledge and clues starting with
the 1000 year old Westminster Abbey and the clues in Sir
Isaac Newton's tomb and the scenes in the Chapter House.
After the abbey we will make our way through St. James
Park, scene of Reme's murder, to the Temple Church and
Fleet street. Temple Church is a small tucked away
church built by the Knights Templar and dates to 1185.
We will finish at Trafalgar Square and the National
Gallery which houses the second painting of Da Vinci's the Virgin
of the Rocks.
As our last
stop, we will take the train to Edinburgh Scotland.
This is also the final last stop in Robert and Sophies'
journey
to solve the Holy Grail mystery - Rosslyn Chapel.
Founded in 1446 it is often referred to as the
"Cathedral of Codes" and "Tapestry of Stone". Even
without the Da Vinci Code novel, it has always claimed a
mysterious past and association with the Grail. We
will join a tour given by the Chapel Trust Staff
to reveal some of its secrets, its history with the
Knights Templar and the St Clair family and view its
amazing stone work.
Paris,
London and Edinburgh are three of Europe's most
beautiful and historic cities so we will be exploring
many other historic and famous places in addition to the
Da Vinci Code mentioned sites. Last but not least,
you will also have a complete free Discovery Day in each
city to make your own discoveries and the tour unique.
Another fun
thing about this tour is the fact that there is a Da
Vinci Code Movie that uses many of the places that we
visit as filming locations. What fun to see the
real thing and then see the movie again; DVD released in November of 2006. In our tour our
guides also talk about what it was like during the
filming as they were there. There are many
things in the Da Vinci
Code novel that have their basis in fact, many that
could be true but not proved or disproved, and some that
have historical contradictions to what the book claims. Our guides will
give us the real scoop and you can "seek the truth".
Come join us for an exciting and historic Da Vinci Code vacation
by calling to reserve your spot today! |
