Europeanbarging Introduces the Viva Tiara for 2020 River Cruises

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We are pleased to introduce a new European river cruise line – VIVA.
The Viva line is a mid range priced cruise line with beautiful ships and great service. The parent company has been leasing and chartering their ships since 1973 and has one of the largest fleets in Europe.

Viva Tiara Ship

The first reflagged ship will be the 153 passenger Viva Tiara, who will go thru a total remodel in January and February of 2020 (though she had a remodel in 2018).  She will have a new color scheme and furnishing in a restful teal and white theme.

 

Upon entering the ship, there is a beautiful 2 story atrium with sweeping wrought iron and wood staircase to the upper level (a lift is located to the side of the stairs), chandeliers, reception desk and customer service desk and on-board boutique are on the upper Diamond deck.  There is also a stylish lounge with panoramic bar and dance floor, the comfortable Bistro Bar with Internet corner in the rear.

The Panorama restaurant is situated on the Ruby Deck and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Breakfast is a buffet, lunch is a buffet salad bar and served entree and dessert, dinner is fully served.  Main entree choices will consist of a seafood, meat and vegetarian choice.  Afternoon tea consists of cakes and sandwiches.

On the Emerald deck the guest can enjoy relaxing moments in the wellness area with fitness equipment, whirlpool, sauna, steam bath and solarium. The decks are connected by a lift (not going to the Emerald deck).

Sundeck of the Viva Tiara

The sun deck features lounge chairs for guests, a putting green, jacuzzi, walking track and weather permitting – fitness equipment for use.

New Viva Tiara cabin colorsAll cabins on the Diamond and the Ruby deck have French balconies. The outward-facing cabins are equipped with flat-screen TV, radio, stocked minibar, safe, hair dryer, air-conditioning, shower and WC.

 

“I am very excited about this cruise line and the new destinations in their itineraries – many of which I have not visited yet.”        Jan Baumgartner, Europeanbarging

The ship features English and German language.

Unique Itineraries

As mentioned above, the Viva Tiara has some interesting ports on the Rhine and Dutch cruise itineraries – both are round trip Dusseldorf).  On the 5 night Dutch and Rhine itinerary, in addition to Amsterdam and Nijmegen, there are stops in Emmerich, Deventer, Kampen, Enkhuizen and Rees (Germany).  The 7 night also features stops in Hoorn, Rotterdam and Dordricht.

The 5 night Rhine River itinerary features the towns of Niederlahnstein,  and Oestrich-Winkel, in addition to Cologne, Mainz, Frankfurt, Boppard.  The 7 night also includes Koblenz, Mannheim, Speyer and Strasbourg.

On the Danube River, the 5 night cruises include round trip Passau with stops in Vienna (overnight), Bratislava and Linz. The 7 night itinerary  additionally includes Budapest,

For Advent season, there are lovely 4 and 5 night cruises on the Rhine and Danube Rivers, where you visit the heart of Europe and experience the delight of its traditional holiday markets.

Affordable Pricing

What’s the greatest thing about this cruise trip? You’ll get to enjoy the above mentioned perks all for an affordable price. Visit your dream European destinations aboard a luxury ship starting from less than $1,000. This all-inclusive trip ensures you’ll be getting your money’s worth.  Cruise rates start $714 for a 5 night cruise in early spring on the lower deck – $1535 for a Jr suite on the upper deck, a 7 night cruise in spring and summer on the lower deck $1995 – $2725 for a Jr suite on the upper deck.  Cruise rates on the Viva Tiara include the cruise, port taxes, Gratuities, all meals, wine, and a beverage package – Soft Drinks, as well as tea and coffee, Beer, wine, throughout the day and evening between 10am and midnight. Sightseeing excursions are not included and can be booked onboard.

We are offering a 20% discount off the rates for 2020 departures booked and paid in full by Dec 30th, 2019.

Book your European river cruise now – 888-869-7907  or jan@europeanbarging.com.

Visit Istanbul in 2020 on a Gem’s of the Southeast Danube Cruise

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Europeanbarging is pleased to announce, that with the 2020 departures of AmaWaterways Gem’s of the Southeast Europe, clients have the chance to experience Istanbul with a 3 night pre or post cruise land program.

Gems of the Southeast river cruise itinerary covers the lower Danube cruising between Budapest Hungary and Giurgiu Romania and includes 5 countries.  In addition to Hungary and Romania, guests will visit Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria on the cruise and Turkey and Austria for pre or post cruise programs

Blue Mosque in Instanbul

Istanbul, once known as Constantinople is a city rich in cultures and history with much to offer.  It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited spots of the world, it’s exotic architecture including mosques, colorful basilicas, cathedrals and centuries old  ancient bazaars. Istanbul is located on the Bosphorus peninsula and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Istanbul lies at the crossroads between the East and the West, Istanbul is Turkey’s largest city and a city with vibrant mix of cultures

Some of the sites to experience in Istanbul during your land program include:

 Visit the great sites including the iconic Blue Mosque and beautiful Hagia Sophia (cathedral-turned-museum) it was the center of the  Roman and Byzantine city and is a great place to begin exploring Istanbul. At the Hippodrome, see the Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius  (the oldest monument of Constantinople) and the Serpent Column from the Delphi oracle remain, having been in this same location since the 4th century.  The four bronze horses that used to be on top of the emperor’s box  were looted during the crusades at this ancient chariot-racing arena.  They are now on the façade of Saint Mark’s Basilica in Venice.

The Old City reminds one of the ancient times of the Roman Empire. The centuries-old city walls stand out. Extending for nearly 14 miles (22 kilometers) and stretching from the Sea of Marmara to the Golden Horn, these walls have stood for centuries.  They were demolished twice in their history: first, by the Latin Crusaders who intended to head toward the Holy Land in 1204 and again in 1453 by the Ottoman Turks in their attempts to conquer the city.

The Valens Aqueduct (located within the old walls), was once part of the Roman aqueduct. It was the single longest ancient aqueduct system ever to be built – nearly 270,000 square feet (250,000 meters). Completed by Roman Emperor Valens in the late 4th century AD, it was used by the Byzantines and later the Ottomans, and was operational until the end of the 19th century.

Topkapi Palace, dating back to the 15th century, is rich in the history of the Ottoman Empire. Overlooking the ocean, from it’s hillside location, its 27 towers and three miles of stone wall were at one time an official royal residence of the Ottoman sultans and the seat of the Turkish government. It is a museum now and considered the largest and oldest palace in the world. Inside, take a look at the harem’s quarters, and the seat of government.  Some of the artifacts inside the museum include:  collection of old weapons used by the sultans, palace kitchens with their huge porcelain collections, and the treasury with its collection of jewels and clocks, including the Topkapi Dagger and the stunning 86 carat Spoonmaker’s diamond.

With the 3 night land program in Istanbul, guests will embark on a walking tour that will visit the Hagia Sophia, formerly a church, then a mosque before becoming a museum;  the Blue Mosque and for those interested a guide will take you to the Grand Bazaar.  The second day spend at the spectacular Ottoman Sultans’ Grand Palace of Topkapi, home to every Sultan from the 15 – 19th centuries.

Cruise departures start in March and conclude in November.  March 22, November 1 and 8 are also Wine Themed itineraries.  Cruise rates start at $2899 per person and include the 7 night cruise, all meals, wine with meals, daily happy hour, multi choice excursions and Wi-Fi.

Experience Istanbul in all its splendor as part of your pre- or post-cruise hotel/land extension on 2020  Gems of the Southeast cruises!

For more information contact Europeanbarging.com at 888-869-7907 or jan@europeanbarging.com

 

Explore the Moselle River on a 5 night cruise

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Spring, TX – Europeanbarging has been in the travel business since 1998 specializing in European barge and river cruises. It represents most of the well-known companies in Europe offering simple to luxurious cruises and recommend the most appropriate based on the traveler’s interests.

There are many options for families and groups. This includes a Cologne to Cologne 5-night Rhine and Moselle River Cruise on an Arosa cruise, one of the leading short river cruise companies.

Ships docked on the Moselle River

Enjoy the picturesque scenery while having a Moselle river cruise and have a chance to taste the well-known Moselle wines.  The Moselle valley is the third largest region in Germany for wine production. Guests get to visit famous wine estates in the Moselle area that produce some of the most quality brands in the market.

Guests also get to see one of the great cities in Germany – Cologne. Famous for its Kölner Dom or Cologne Cathedral, seat of the Cologne’s Catholic Archbishop. It is a Gothic church and appointed a UNESCO  World Heritage site. It is believed that it holds the relics of the Three Kings who were mentioned in the Bible.

Other sites in Cologne are Cologne city hall which is the oldest city hall in Germany that is still in use, Malakoff Tower a monument built to be an observatory gateway for navy arsenals, The Great St. Martin’s Church which might have been a sacred temple for the ancient Romans, and the old abbeys that will take guests back in time.

Guests will visit the majestic castles in Cochem one of which is Reichsburg Cochem. King Konrad III once occupied the Reichsburg Cochem, also known as the Imperial Castle of Cochem. It was ruined during the Nine Years’ War. Louis Fréderic Jacques Ravené later bought and reconstructed it. The castle is now owned by the town of Cochem.

Guests can go shopping at the medieval marketplace with houses made of timber frames and visit the St. Michael’s Parish Church in Bernkastel and Keus. A bridge was built to join the once separated places in 1905. Dr. Loosen’s Wine Estate, one of the well-known wine producers is also located here.  If you visit at the end of August, you can look forward to the Bernkastel-Kues Middle Moselle Wine Festival.  From the crowning of a wine queen to a wine tasting evening to a parade and crafts, this is one of the best wine festivals in Germany.

During the tour, guests will be brought to popular sites in Trier, such as the High Cathedral of Trier, the largest roman city gate, Porta Nigra a UNESCO World Heritage site. Trier features 9 of the 35 UNESCO World Heritage sites found in Germany.  Travelers can also experience the Trier traditional wine festival in the Olewig district and enjoy the music, wine, and food.

Another ancient city included in the tour is the city of Koblenz. Guests get to visit the monument of Emperor William I at the Deutsches Eck, also referred to as the German Corner. See Alte Burg or Old Castle, which has a unique history of construction. Guests get to experience the traditional wine festival of Koblenz in the district of Lay.

The itinerary is subject to change and rates may vary depending on the chosen cabin or suite of the guests. Cruise and port taxes are included for regular rates, which start at $1040 per person. Also included on the Arosa cruises, are Wi-Fi,  all meals and a beverage package. Wine, cocktails and long drinks are available throughout the day and evening as well as soft drinks, juices, coffee and tea. Excluded are sightseeing excursions that can be booked on board.

For more information contact Europeanbarging.com at 888-869-7907 or jan@europeanbarging.com

Enjoy an All-Inclusive 9 Day Elbe River Cruise From $3000 Per Person

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Europeanbarging Presents a special promotion on the Elbe River of Germany for October 2019

Spring, TX, July 20, 2019— Europeanbarging, a Texas based cruise company offering barge and river cruises in Europe, today announced a special promotion of 3 departures of their 9 day Elbe River cruise.

Elbe River in Dresden

The Elbe River cruise itinerary, is offered on the 80 passenger Croisi Europe Elbe Princess I and II river cruise ships. The available 2019 dates are:  October 12th and 20th between Prague and Berlin and October 20th from Berlin to Prague.   The 9 day cruise itinerary features 2 nights in Berlin seeing the sites, then 4 nights cruising to Prague (or visa versa) on the Elbe and spending 2 nights visiting the sites of Prague.  Cruise ports include Magdeburg, Lutherstadt,  Wittenberg, Meissen, Dresden, Bad Schandan and Litomerice.

“For the October 2019 departures listed above, we are offering excursions to the already inclusive drinks package and Wi-Fi, making these cruises all inclusive except  for tipping. ”                                                        Jan Baumgartner, Europeanbarging

The Elbe Princess I and II are 80-90 passenger paddleboats.  With her flat bottom and low draft,  as well as small passenger count, she will be able to cruise the Elbe River for a longer season than the other ships that cruise the Elbe River.  The paddle wheels are located at the back of the ship and the upper deck features twin bedded cabins with French Doors plus 1 accessible cabin and the main deck features cabins with a window.

With the included excursions being offered, guests will get the opportunity to experience  tours of Berlin; Potsdam and the gardens of Sanssouci Palace; Magdeburg and it’s twin spire Cathedral; Wittenberg and Martin Luther’ sites; Meissen – known worldwide for it’s porcelain;  Dresden – historic architecture rebuilt after the war; The scenic Elbe Sandstone Mountains; the scenic royal town of Litomerice; Prague’s old town and Prague’s Castle District.

This is a bi-lingual ship that is both English and French and features an international cruise host on-board.  Rates start at $2700 – $3300 per person and include the cruise, all meals including a beverage package of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages as well as free Wi-Fi.   For the 3 departures listed, excursions will be included as well (a $600 value).

About Europeanbarging

Europeanbarging was founded in 1998 and specializes in European barge and river cruise products. Located in Texas, Europeanbarging is an ARC accredited company.   For more information, visit http://www.europeanbarging.com.

European Barging to Offer 5 Day Rhine River Cruise at 10% Off

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With the 2019 5 day Rhine River Cruise sold out, European Barging is offering a 10% discount for travelers booking a 2020 cruise before August 25th

SPRING, TX, UNITED STATES, July 4, 2019 /EINPresswire.com/ — In its recent website post, European Barging is slashing the $1404 ticket price by 10%, a great deal considering the itinerary for the five-day mini Rhine River cruise.

The five-day cruise begins in Strasbourg, where tourists embark the ship. A welcome cocktail and dinner is served as the ship picks up the route to Breisach, Germany, located along the Rhine River.

La Boheme cruising the Rhine River

The river lends itself to a good view of the Rhine Gorge, a World Heritage Site, and Rhine Valley. But by the second day, the cruise is quickly topped with an excursion through the Automobile Museum in Mulhouse France. A home to the most expensive car displays in the world, the Automobile Museum is also considered the largest of its kind in Europe.

Meanwhile, Day 3 features a trip aboard the Glacier Express Train, from Andermatt to Tiefencastel, before returning to the ship in Basel. The scenery along the route features valley and snow covered mountains and charming villages. Andermatt it’s self is a cute village as well.

The itinerary for Day 4 offers a clear and close view of the Rhine Falls – the biggest in Europe — and Lake Constance. Mid-day is spent at Mainau Island, where tourists eat their lunch and watch birds fly about in the green park.

The cruise ends on Day 5, when tourists are return back to Strasbourg early in the afternoon.

“The UNESCO city of Strasbourg is well worth a day or 2 of exploring. Strasbourg has one of Europe’s largest medieval quarters. Also there is the famous Cathedral, (known as one of the most beautiful gothic cathedrals in Europe), the Alsatian Architecture as well as charming canals and the historical old town known as Petite-France.”
Jan Baumgartner, Europeanbarging

While the description of the cruise already sounds enticing, the prospect of getting a discount for this inclusive cruise is a great deal. The rate includes the 5 day Rhine River cruise, all meals, beverage package, Wi-Fi and listed excursions. European Barging, however, stands out with its great price deal. So long as interested tourists are able to book before August 20th, a ten-percent discount will be in effect. An affordable monthly payment plan is also available.

For more information contact Europeanbarging at 888-869-7907 or jan@europeanbarging.com, River Cruise and Barge specialist since 1998.