Author Archives: Jan European Barging & River Cruises

The Pilgrimage Site of Vézelay- Meanderer Barge Cruise

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Meanderer Barge- The Pilgrimage Site of Vezelay

Meanderer Barge CruiseVezelay is a small town in the Burgundy region of France. This hill town is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites from the Medieval Age. It is located in an area of prominent pre-Christian sanctity. Though there is no information about the date of the original settlement of the town, its Les Fontaines Salées mineral springs have been favored for their therapeutic qualities since at least the 3rd millennium BC. Celtic presence is evident from the sixth century B.C., and Romans had constructed temples and thermal baths by the second century B.C.

The village of Vezelay was one of Europe’s most sacred places In the Middle Ages. Somewhere near 1050, local monks claimed they had acquired the miracle-working bones of St. Mary Magdalene. The announcement had such a fast and strong effect that, overnight, pilgrims from across Europe flocked to Vezelay to pray at St. Mary’s shrine. Vezelay obviously reaped huge benefits from the sudden influx of pilgrims who brought plenty of money.

Presently, Vezelay is visited by hundred of pilgrims desiring to pray at the Basilica of St. Mary Magdalene, and that number is increasing every year. This Basilica is one of the most magnificent masterpieces of Burgundian Romanesque art and architecture in France. It was listed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites in 1979. The site is also called Vézelay Abbey, Basilique Ste. Madeleine, La Madeleine, Basilique de Vézelay, and Vézelay Basilica.

The dominant Basilica, to which all paths lead, is situated on the highest point of the city. It is a great monument to piety, where St. Mary’s relics are held in a darkened underground crypt honed from the rock. These are not the original relics that pulled thousands of Medieval pilgrims to Vézelay, as those were burned by French Calvinists during the 16th century Wars of Religion. The present relics were given in 1876 by the Archbishop of Sens. These relics were actually a gift from Pope Martin IV to the Diocese of Sens in 1281.

In addition to being the holy home of St. Mary’s relics, Vezelay was also witness to the launch of the Second and Third Crusades.

Six Passenger Meanderer Barge Cruise

Our six-passenger meanderer barge cruise offers an excursion to Vezelay on its Upper Loire Valley itineraries. Contact us for more details! Europeanbarging 888-869-7907

The Dutch Windmills of Kinderdijk

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The Dutch WindmillsThe Dutch Windmills of Kinderdijk On The Holland Barge Cruise

Kinderdijk is a village in the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. It is situated in a low lying area at the conflux of the Lek and Noord rivers. Around 1740, a system of 19 windmills was created in order to drain the polder (a tract of land surrounded by dikes). This particular group of windmills is the largest concentration of old windmills in the Netherlands.

The windmills of Kinderdijk are one of the most renowned Dutch tourist sites. They have been listed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites since 1997.

A traditional windmill (called windmolen) is possibly the most exemplary Dutch symbol. As you travel about the Netherlands, you can find usually one or probably two Dutch windmills dispersed in the landscape, set apart in the fields. However, you can seldom find the great sails moving, as many are no longer operational. It’s sad but true that there are only about a thousand or so windmills left in the entire country. A source claims there are about 1,150 windmills left, but the fact is that the Dutch will only “count” a windmill if it is fully operational. So, the display of several spectacular windmills, sails rotating in the wind, such as these at Kinderdijk, is indeed a sight to enthrall a tourist’s heart.

For centuries, the use of windmills to pump out excess groundwater, dikes, sluices and canals has been part of the Dutch culture and survival. The 19 remaining windmills at Kinderdijk are actually still operational, although now modern technology does most of the pumping and land reclamation throughout the modern Netherlands. But the fact remains that, for centuries, the windmills played an important role in pumping water from the polders into the canals from ground water overloads, flood waters, and, in the area nearest to the North Sea, high tide waters.

Take A Holland Barge Cruise to The Dutch Windmills

Though Kinderdijk is particularly famous for its windmills, it is also a recreational area, drawing many hikers and bikers to the miles of paths topping the hundreds of dikes in this great polder.

Our Holland Barge Cruises and Holland Tulip River Cruises offer excursions to Kinderdijk. Call us for more information about these cruises and book one of them to see the spectacular beauty of the windmills at Kinderdijk! Europeanbarging 888-869-7907

The Wonder of the Main Danube Canal

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http://www.europeanbarging.com ~ (888) 869-7907 ~ If you are enchanted by the sights and sounds of southern Germany, the Main-Danube Canal is a unique and culturally rich destination to consider. One of the best ways to make the most of the Canal experience is by taking a Danube Continue reading →

Chateau De Rully In Burgundy France: Visit the Medieval Castle

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CastleExplore France in Another Light- Chateau de Rully

Chateau de Rully is a medieval fortress situated in the midst of vineyards in the commune of Rully, Saône-et-Loire département of France. The castle comes under the Burgundy region of eastern France. It stands on the side of a hill and dominates the whole region, facing the plain leading to the Saône. In the west, it commands the valley towards Nantoux and Chassey-le-Camp.

The castle was built around a 12th century square keep (i.e. Donjon), the oldest part of the chateau that remains. It shows some interesting features of medieval military architecture with its parapet walk, battlements, machicoulis and loopholes.

The present look of the castle was designed in the 15th century with the addition of a small courtyard and north and east wings, turning the fortress into a manor house. Outbuildings and the great and lower courtyards were added in the 18th century. An 18th century building takes pride as Burgundy’s largest stone roof.

Medieval Castle Is An Historical Monument in France

The castle is listed as a historical monument on the supplementary inventory of the French Ministry of Culture and is open to the visitors. Your visit to the castle will take you on a journey through French history from the Middle Ages to today.

Since the castle came into existence, it has been kept in the same family. The current owner will nicely guide you through his home, showing the history of his ancestors. The fact that the castle is private property and not a museum brings about a unique and authentic experience.

Enjoy Wine Tasting at Chateau Rully in Burgundy France

Your trip to Rully becomes more exciting with wonderful wine tastings. Its vineyards expand up to 32 hectares (approximately 79 acres), of which a third are classified as Premier Cru sites. Rully is known for its red and white Rully wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, respectively. Around two-thirds of the production consists of white wine, and around one-third is red.

Our France barge cruise is a perfect option for you to visit the Chateau de Rully and indulge in some excellent wine tastings, as well as touring this Medieval castle. Call us for more information about our France barge cruise! Europeanbarging.com 888-869-7907

Genzano di Roma Flower Italy Festival Held in June 2014

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A Famous Festival Full of Flowers

Italy FestivalItaly is famous for holding “infiorata”, which means “decorated with flowers.” Infiorata is a traditional flower festival that is observed all across Italy during May and June. During infiorata, the streets are carpeted with stunning works of art created by flower petals. Flower carpets are everywhere; in abbeys, buildings, stores, homes and cover the city in true beauty. Infiorata varies from place to place and in the level of complexity around the country. In certain places, the infiorata is a simple flower-petal design in front of the church. In a more elaborate infiorata, many different tapestries are created, each with a different picture, but usually inspired by a certain theme.

Infiorata is one of the most important events related to Italian culture. In order to create the flower design, the design is first sketched with chalk on the pavement. Then usually soil is used to outline the design and after that it’s filled in with thousands of petals and seeds, quite like the making of mosaics or tapestries. The whole beautiful task takes two or three days to complete. Once the flower design is complete, usually a religious procession takes place on the flower carpets.

Though the infiorata takes place in many Italian towns, it is particularly stunning in the town of Genzano di Roma where the entire street of Via Italo Belardi is covered with allegorical carpets of flowers and a masked parade walks the street wearing medieval and traditional clothes crafted by local women.

For more than 2 centuries (from 1778), the display has covered the streets of Genzano on Sunday and Monday following the Corpus Christus feast. The theme for infiorata is decided well in advance and each year local artists must conform to the previously agreed upon theme, such as The Colours of Michelangelo, or The Designs of Bernini. During spring, it has recently become a tradition to have a “mini Infiorata” made by the children from the local schools. Here are the flowers like you’ve never seen before! This amazing Italy festival is so captivating and alluring you can’t afford to miss it.

Holiday Goodness at the Italy Festival

Book your holiday on our Po river cruise and behold the so picturesque, so attractive and so artistic Genzano di Roma Flower Italy Festival!