Schonbrunn Palace is Culture to the World

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The Beautiful Schonbrunn Palace

schonbrunn_palace_by_seelederzukunft-d58ruvuSchönbrunn Palace is a former imperial 1,441-room Rococo summer residence in modern Vienna, Austria. One of the most important cultural monuments in the country, since the 1960s it has been one of the major tourist attractions in Vienna. In addition to the Palace, there are beautiful gardens featuring formal flowerbeds, fountains and statues. In 1996, the Palace and Gardens were listed in the UNESCO World Culture Site.

Schonbrunn Palace, in additional to being a world famous culture site is also still used for political meetings and state dinners. The splendor of the Habsburgs property draws in tourist and keeps them coming back time after time.

During the summer, there are many concerts held at the Palace, including the Schonbrunn Palace Orchestra and the Schoenbrunn Palace Ensemble with concerts in the Orangerie. The Vienna Philharmonic Free Summer Night Concert will be held at Schonbrunn May 29, 2014 with special guest performer Lang Lang and conducted by Christoph Eschenbach.
In the winter, there is an Art and Christmas Market in front of the Palace, between Nov 22 – Dec 1, 2014. The Christmas Market will run from Dec 2 – Dec 26, 2014.

Bring the Kids to the Children’s Museum

The palace offers tours that take visitors through the original family rooms, showing the lifestyle of the past. The ceremonial and residential rooms are fully furnished within the palace giving off the feeling that someone could still reside in the monuments. The gardens feature a labyrinth and a maze. The palace also features a children’s museum that is a great experience for children.

Cruise to the Schonbrunn Palace

Many Danube River Cruises offer excursions to the Hapsburg Summer Palace – Schonbrunn. Known as the resident of Empress Sisi and Emperor Ferdinand II, the palace is one of Europe’s most impressive Baroque palace complexes. We offer 5 – 8 night Danube River Cruises, many of which offer an excursion to Schonbrunn Palace. If you are interested in exploring on your own, the Palace offers several tours themselves.

For more information contact: Europeanbarging, 888-869-7907, jan@europeanbarging.com

Romanian Capital of Bucharest

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 Romanian Capital of Bucharest

Romanian capital of bucharestRomanian Capital of Bucharest is known for its large boulevards lined with trees. Bucharest is also well known for the night life. The elegance of the town has been nicknamed “Little Paris” and has lived up to the hype by being Romania’s largest city and surviving as a metropolis. Paris is known for its elegance so with the nick name “little Paris” many tourist are enticed to take a trip to Bucharest.

The months, May until September presents the nicest weather in Bucharest. The transportation in Bucharest is good for visitors – there is good bus system, taxis and metros are available as well.

Bucharest features several outstanding buildings and many museums and art galleries, which highlight the lifestyle of Romania. Popular sites include: Patriachs Church dominates the Bucharest skyline, Patriarchs Palace, Royal Palace Square, the Village Museum and one of the largest buildings in the world (largest civilian building in the world) – the Parliament Building. The structure combines elements and motifs from multiple sources, in an eclectic neoclassical architectural style. The building is constructed almost entirely of materials of Romanian origin.

Romanian Legend and Capital of Bucharest

Bucur is the name of the Shepard that is known to have founded Bucharest. It is said that he founded the beautiful town on the river, the Dambovita River. Bucur name actually means “joy”. Bucur played the flute and gained the attention of many whom he brought joy to and his wine allowed him to trade with the most profound locals.

Danube River Cruise

Exploring this timely town from the lower Danube cruise on an AMA Waterways, “Black Sea Voyage” may be the best idea yet. The Danube river makes for a great way to view this incredible town.

For more information contact: Europeanbarging, 888-869-7907, jan@europeanbarging.com

Fortified City of Carcassonne

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Southern France City of Carcassonne

Carcassonne_by_AndreLeVattepMany architects try to simulate the Fortified City of Carcassonne such as those who built the castles of Disneyland and any other amusement park. The fortified walled city of Carcassonne is located in Southern France and is a top sight to see while traveling on any Canal du Midi barge cruise.

Known for its durability and the will of the times to keep this fortress standing tall, people from all over the world are in awe to see such a site. The protection and defenses that took great pride in protecting this Fortress embodies the history of the Medieval times and brings others back to a place where they can feel the energy of the battles. Famous people like Pierre Vidal have visited and stayed at this beautiful Southern France castle. This Medieval Fortress is a World Heritage UNESCO Site and features lovely winding streets and local shops in addition to the fort. Find your souvenirs and historical pieces at these shops and sites when visiting Carcassonne.

The four walled city has been restored to showcase the history of the medieval times. The towns people wanted to share their Fortress, which their ancestors had fought to preserve. They are proud of what they have to offer and encourage others to visit at all times.

Canal du Midi in Autumn

Festival of Carcassonne

Get some of the best views of Carcassonne traveling along the river on the Canal du Midi barge cruise. The summer time brings a lot of tourist to the area and the small community that resides in the southern France town are sure to have enough entertainment for their guest.  During July, the Festival of Carcassonne is held and features fireworks. The festival takes place during the 2nd half of July.  This is the 2nd largest festival in France.

 

 

Roi Soleil barge

These barges cruise the Canal du Midi and visit Carcassonne – the 6-passenger Roi Soleil; 8 passenger – ultra-deluxe Enchante and the deluxe 8-passenger Anjodi.

For more information contact: Europeanbarging, 713-240-6753 / 888-869-7907, jan@europeanbarging.com

A Highlight of a Provence River Cruise – The Palais des Papes in Avignon

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 Provence River Cruise

Provence river cruiseThere is a great chance that booking a Provence River Cruise guarantees the guest a visit to Palais des Papes also known as the Papal Palace. This historical palace is located in Avignon. Southern France is quite known for its medieval buildings and Palais des Papes fits the description as one of the more important medieval gothic buildings in Europe.

Provence River Cruise and Palais des Papes

Built in two different phases with different segments, the phases of Palais des Papes is given two different names. The old palace is named Palais Vieux and the new palace is named Palais Nuef. Once both stages were completed the palace stretched 2.6 acres. At that time the expensive building held papacy’s riches.

Pierre Poison did the construction of the old palace as instructed by Pope Benedict. The New Palace was constructed by Architect Jean de Louvres who was hired by Pope Clement VI. Pope Innocent VI and Pope Urban V added on two more towers to complete the main courtyard.

The buildings featured incredible decor – the frescos, paintings, tapestries, sculptures, and wooden ceilings were amazing and rich. Once the popes left Avignon in 1377 they returned to Rome. Clement VII and Benedict XIII secured Palais des Papes as their own. Once the latter was imprisoned in the Palais the antipapal had their hands on the building. In 1433 Authority of the Palais des Papes was returned to the legates.

When the French Revolution started in 1789 the buildings were in terrible condition and were also seized by revolutionary forces. Two years later it was known as the scene of a massacre. The building had memories of bodies of counter-revolutionaries that were thrown into the Tour des Latrines in the Palais Vieux.
Because the military has much to do with the latest damage of Napoleonic French state the building has been under constant restoration. In 1906 the building was vacated and became nationally known as a museum. Visit this site that is full of historical conflicts as it is now open to the public. Inside the Palace Museum are lots of historical artifacts and rotating special exhibits.

Go Shopping
Vacations are usually not complete without a little souvenir to pack away and memories of some great food to brag to friends and family about. Around the Palace is a pedestrian square with many outdoor cafes and a few shops – a great place to take a break before going back to your ship.

For more information contact: Europeanbarging, 888-869-7907, jan@europeanbarging.com

The Portuguese UNESCO City of Sintra

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Tourist are Welcomed by Sintra

sintraThe beautiful city of Sintra is just what anyone needs to give them a feel of romanticism and feel refreshed for days to come. This romantic city gives off an aura of uniqueness and individuality. Perhaps, many tourists enjoy returning to Sintra because of these qualities
The Royal Palace is undoubtedly the dominant architectural feature of Sintra, situated in the center of the town. Probably constructed on the site of the Moorish Alcazar, its buildings result from two main periods (15th-16th centuries). The interior contains much painted and tiled decoration, but one of the most important features is the facing with tiles (azulejos ), the finest example of this Mudejar technique on the Iberian Peninsula.

Choose Romantic Features to View

Sintra is well known for its romantic architecture after Ferdinand II decided to transform a ruined monastery into a romantic castle. The castle featured many styles, Renaissance, Moorish, and Egyptian. Ferdinand II is well known for his incredible work and will forever be remembered by the town of Sintra where he put his mark. There is something for every visitor to catch each eye laid on the beautiful masterpiece. The interesting parks took over the scenery with elegant beauty that formed a visual with exotic and local tree species.

Other structures, built along the same lines in the surrounding area, created a unique combination of parks and gardens which influenced the development of landscape architecture throughout Europe.

Duoro Cruise

Located between Lisbon and Oporto, a visit to Sintra can be made as a pre or post Douro Cruise visit. We offer several cruise lines with cruises ranging from 5 – 7 nights on the Douro River.

For more information contact: Europeanbarging, 888-869-7907, jan@europeanbarging.com