Category Archives: General

Louvre-Lens: A New Wing of the Louvre Opened December 2012

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An Exciting Addition to the Louvre

Louvre, a symbol of French culture and art, entered a new phase in its development with a brand new establishment in Lens. With its complete richness and diversity, Louvre-Lens museum officially opened its doors to its first visitors on December 12th, 2012. With the opening of the new Louvre-Lens, formerly a disused coalfield, not only do the most prestigious artworks in the collection will get a new lease on life, but the place where it stands also gets the attention of the public.

This brand new Louvre-Lens made with glass and light in a green setting looks stunning. Designed by the architects from the Japanese firm Sanaa, the transparency and reflection are the integral features of its design. It makes for a perfect setting for the exceptional works which constitute the Louvre’s permanent collection.

Three New Louvre Galleries

The Louvre-Lens hosts three main galleries: the Galerie du Temps, le Pavillon de Verre and La Galerie d’Exposition Temporaire. The Galeries du Temps is 120-meters long and is the master wing of the museum which exhibits masterpieces from the Paris Louvre over a five-year period, showcasing works in chronological and geographic order, initially focusing on the periods of the Antiquity, the Middle Ages and Modern art.

In the beginning, 205 works will be exhibited in this Louvre gallery over the next five years: 70 works for Antiquity, 45 works for the Middle Ages and 90 pieces for Modern Art. Le Pavillon de Verre (Glass Pavilion) is a continuation of the Galerie du Temps, where visitors can view artworks from neighboring museums in the region.

Finally, La Galerie d’Exposition Temporaire houses the museum’s two temporary exhibits per year. Until March 11, 2013, The Renaissance: Revolutions in the arts in Europe 1400-1530 is on display, featuring over 250 artworks that showcase the most innovative themes during this influential period. Among them, the incomplete work by Leonardo da Vinci, The Virgin and Child with St. Anne and the monumental wood carving by Albrecht Dürer, The Triumphal Arch of Maximilian, would be a part of the Louvre-Lens exhibition.

So get aboard our Seine River Cruise and make a visit to the marvelous Louvre museum!

The Musee d’Orsay: An Fine Impressionist Collection at the Museum

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Masterpieces at the Museum

The Musee d’Orsay, is a renowned museum in Paris. It is located on the Left Bank of the Seine. The museum houses an extensive collection of French art dating from 1848 to 1915.  Its collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces is the largest in the world; and includes iconic works by Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, Seurat, Sisley, Gauguin and Van Gogh. Among the paintings on display are many that will seem familiar from your cruise, such as Monet’s series on the Rouen Cathedral and his Blue Water Lilies, and Van Gogh’s The Church at Auvers, Portrait of Dr. Gachet and Bedroom in Arles.

Though largely famous for its collection of impressionist paintings, the museum also exhibits different art forms, including sculptures, engravings, photos, film, architecture and urbanism.

A Museum with an Unusual History

The Musee d’Orsay comes with an unusual history you must know. The museum is housed in the former Gare d’Orsay- a grand railway station built in 1900 and is a masterpiece of industrial architecture. However, in 1939, it stopped operating as a railway station due to its short platforms that were unable to accommodate now much longer trains. It had been totally abandoned in 1961. In 1978, the President Giscard d’Estaing decided to use the Gare d’Orsay as a museum for 19th and 20th century art.

The restoration of the museum started in 1979 and it was inaugurated on November 29th, 1986 by the French president, François Mitterrand.

The museum is a must see destination as you will be mesmerized with countless works of art by great artists. Those interested in art and history will feel particularly delighted at the sight of these works on display. All visitors are thrilled with the experience once they visit the Musee d’Orsay and all it has to offer.

The 2013 Normandy Impressionist Festival is being held from April 27th through September 29th, 2013 highlighting Impressionist works at this museum and others in the area.

A visit to the museum is included in the post cruise land program of the Seine River Cruise on Ama Waterways. Book your trip with us and get ready for a splendid sight!

The April Easter Markets in Vienna

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Easter in Vienna

Easter has a great importance in Austria’s capital Vienna. It will be exciting to start spring in one of the most famous and popular Easter markets. The array of markets is so captivating you will want to return to Vienna in springtime year after year.

These Easter markets remain open for several weeks in April. You will be enticed with the lovely open air stalls at several public places in Vienna during Easter time. These stalls offer various attractive items such as seasonal gifts and traditional crafts along with several culinary treats. A variety of entertainment is also available for the little ones in Vienna.

VIENNA Easter Market Schönbrunn Palace

You will be thrilled to see the magnificent setting on the large square directly in front of the Schönbrunn castle. This particular market is considered to be one of the most romantic Easter markets in Vienna. This market focuses on handicrafts and original gifts such as traditional Easter decorations and various hand-made crafts. Exhibitors from all over Austria display their wares along with different types of culinary delights. You will love the market as you enjoy savoring several seasonal treats from the region while enjoying the historically prominent ambience.

  • Dates and Time- Mar 16th till Apr 1st, 2013, daily 10am to 7pm
  • Venue-1130, Main Entrance Schönbrunn Castle, near U4 Schönbrunn, Vienna

VIENNA Easter Market Am Hof

Am Hof is one of the oldest squares in Vienna. The Easter market set up here focuses on handcrafted goods and contemporary artwork. Here you will find artistically decorated Easter eggs, flowers, candles, ceramics and pottery, knitwear, jewelry, metal objects, wood carvings and much more in a romantic yet artistic and creative environment.

  • Dates and Time- Mar 15th till Apr 1st, 2013, daily 11am to 7pm (weekends 8pm)
  • Venue-Am Hoff Square, Vienna

Enjoy the splendor of the Easter markets in Vienna while vacationing on a short river cruise along the Danube River.

Wine Themed River Cruises on the Rhone and Seine Rivers of France

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Cruise through some of France’s premier wine regions while enjoying the comforts of a deluxe river cruise vessel.

If you want to indulge in the world-renowned Burgundy wines along France’s Rhone River, sip great Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône wines, and explore the wine region of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, our deluxe river cruise vessel is the right choice.  The cruise includes stops in Arles, the city where Vincent Van Gogh lived near the end of his life. From Arles, you cruise to Avignon, where a wine tasting excursion takes you to the renowned Châteanueuf-du-Pape. Continue to Viviers and Tournon, where you will visit the L’Hermitage Winery and enjoy a chocolate tasting.  In Vienne, you will visit the Chateau Rousillion before cruising to Tournon for a Beaujolais evening. The following day you can enjoy a winery visit and tasting.  Your Rhone River cruise comes to an end in Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France.

On the Seine River cruise, begin your voyage in Paris, then cruise to Vernon , for an excursion to Monet’s house at Giverny. Continue to ancient Rouen, where Joan of Arc was martyred. From Rouen, you can visit the Normandy Beaches or choose instead an excursion into Calvados country, to taste the region’s famous apple brandy. The following day, visit the harbor town of Honfleur, immortalized in a number of Impressionist paintings, or travel to Fecamp, home of the famous Benedictine liqueur. Continue your cruise to Les Andelys, site of Richard the Lionhart’s Château Gaillard. Your voyage will conclude in Paris.

Your wine cruise is hosted by a renowned wine or food expert, and your host will present three or four insightful wine-themed lectures that may also address other local specialties, such as the production of sparkling wines, the sampling of French champagnes and the uniqueness of Calvados.