Tag Archives: European River Cruise

Cologne Cathedral, a Renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site

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Situated in the vibrant city of Cologne, Germany along the banks of the Rhine River is the Cologne Cathedral, a High Gothic five-aisled basilica that is considered a masterpiece of world architecture. Its immense twin spires soar to 157 meters, making this renowned cathedral visible from many parts of the city.

 

Cologne Cathedral at Night

Construction first began on this iconic church in 1248 in order to house the purported relics of the Biblical Three Kings. However, it was not officially completed until 1880, over 600 years later! Despite this lengthy construction timeline, Cologne Cathedral remains largely unchanged since medieval times and provides visitors with an authentic look into Gothic architecture and design.

In 1996, this magnificent cathedral gained recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its exceptional universal value as an outstanding example of Gothic cathedral design.

Key reasons this site earned its prestigious status include:

Architectural History: As the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe, the Cologne Cathedral gives profound insights into medieval design practices with features that influenced many other churches in the region.

Religious Importance: The Cathedral has been a renowned pilgrimage destination since the alleged relics of the Three Kings arrived in 1164. To this day, the church remains highly significant to the Catholic faith.

Landmark Status: Its immense size and striking twin towers established the cathedral as a tangible icon of Cologne’s identity, even inspired folklore that attributed magical protection to the city.

 

What to See at the Cologne Cathedral

A tour of the Cologne Cathedral allows visitors to take in elements from over seven centuries of design:

Impressive Exterior: The cathedral’s facade stretches almost 160 meters long and features soaring pointed arches, flying buttresses, and pinnacles. The design epitomizes classic Gothic style.

Elaborate Interior Treasures: Inside, flickering candlelight illuminates the fantastic stained glass, gilded sarcophagi of past archbishops, and glittering choir stalls.

Treasures of the Three Kings: In the famous Shrine of the Three Kings, visitors can glimpse the ornate sarcophagus said to hold the relics that have made this cathedral so significant to religious pilgrims.

Views from the South Tower: After climbing over 500 steps up endless medieval staircases, visitors who brave the South Tower are rewarded with sweeping views over Cologne’s majestic spires and rooftops.

 

Legacy as an Architectural Wonder

As one of Europe’s most acclaimed cathedrals renowned for its size, beauty, and completeness, Cologne Cathedral leaves a lasting imprint. The soaring Gothic towers rising dramatically over the Rhine River skyline serve as testaments to visionary medieval architects who designed one of history’s architectural wonders.

 

A-Rosa Clea out door lounge

A-ROSA Cruises
When booking an A-ROSA Rhine River cruise, the cruises start and end in Cologne, so you have time to explore this great Cathedral.  The pick up and drop off point for the cruise line is the Cologne Train Station, which is next to the Cathedral.  A-ROSA offers 5-night, 7-night and 9-night cruises, offering such itineraries as:

Amsterdam and Rotterdam on the A-ROSA Sena
Holland on the A-ROSA Alea, Clea, and Aqua
Rhine and Mosel Rivers aboard the A-ROSA Alea, Clea, Silva,  and Aqua

 

 

A-ROSA Sena Family CabinOn most cruises, children 15 and under cruise free with at least 1 adult.  During the summer there are several dates that the ships offer a children’s program with activities.  All ships (except Alea and Clea), feature really relaxing spa services with hot tub/jacuzzi and treatment rooms.

From May 1 – May 31st, 2024, if you book one of the Rhine A-Rosa cruises, you will receive a 14% discount.  Rate includes, beverages, all meals, Wi-Fi and 1 excursion on a 7 night cruise or longer.

For more information on the A-ROSA Cruise line, please contact us at  europeanbarginging.com  or 713-240-6753  /  888-869-7907  or jan@europeanbarging.com

EXPERIENCE THE FAMED CHRISTMAS MARKETS OF EUROPE WITH EUROPEANBARGING.COM CHRISTMAS CRUISES

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If you are in the mood for a traditional Christmas, visit the Christmas markets of Europe with Europeanbarging.com’s European Christmas market cruises. These street markets are a holiday tradition that dates back centuries and draw visitors to the continent from all over the world.

Christmas markets are held during the four weeks of Advent, and signal the start of the holiday season. They usually start in the last week of November and last until the third week of December. Some markets, however, may stay open until New Year’s.

The first Christmas markets were held during the Late Middle Ages in what is now Germany. Today, you can find Christmas markets not only all over Europe, but in many other parts of the world as well. They are known by various names, including Christkindlmarkt and Weihnachtsmarkt.

Guests not only can enjoy seasonal food and drinks but also shop for traditional crafts to take home as souvenirs or gifts. There is no better way to experience Europe than by wandering through the various markets, enjoying foods such as roasted chestnuts and warm stollen and sipping hot cups of mulled wine.

These markets also feature open-air entertainment from stages scattered throughout the site. You can enjoy performances ranging from gospel music to modern and traditional Christmas tunes. There may also be rides and other things to do such as skating.

Europeanbarging.com offers several cruise itineraries, which go down the Danube River or the Rhine River. These cruises allow you to visit multiple Christmas markets over the course of the cruise.

Its four-night Rhine South cruise starts in Cologne, Germany, where the biggest Christmas market is held in front of its historic Cathedral. You can also visit the Medieval Christmas Market, which is held on the banks of the Rhine and features jesters, minstrels and other forms of traditional entertainment.

Cologne Christmas Market

The cruise then takes you to other German Christmas markets, including Koblenz, where you can enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride; Rudesheim, where the “Christmas Market of the Nations” has 120 stalls from twelve countries; and Fussen. You then proceed to France, where you visit markets in Strasbourg, Colmar and Mulhouse.

The four-night Danube Cruise allows you to visit Passau; Vienna, where there are more than 25 markets all over the city; Budapest, where one of the oldest markets in Hungary is held; and Bratislava.

Although the major itineraries last around seven days, there are shorter ones available. The five-day Rhine and Dutch cruise starts in Strasbourg, continues to Cologne and ends in Amsterdam. The five-day Seine cruise lets you visit Christmas markets all along the Seine, starting in Paris, and then continuing on to Rouen, Caudebec en Caux and Honfleur.

The inclusions for the seven-day itineraries include the cruise, free Internet on board, use of bicycles on the ship and meals with wine provided during dinner. The shorter itineraries include a beverage package.

There are some offers from Amawaterways and Arosa Cruise lines. Amawaterways is offering $1000 off per person on the Dec 18th departure of the Iconic Christmas Markets and $1000 off per person on the Dec 19th departure of the Christmas Markets on the Rhine. Discounted prices start at $2499 for the 7 night cruise, all meals, wine with dinner as well as a 1 hour daily happy hour, free Wi-Fi and all excursions. Discount offer ends Sept 29th 2023.

Arosa has a 4 night Danube Christmas Markets with 20% off departing Nov 29; Dec 3, 7, 11, 14,15, 18 and 19th. On the Rhine River, there is the 5 night Rhine Christmas Markets departing Nov 23, 28; Dec 3, 8, 13 an 18th. The 5 night Rhine Christmas Markets City Experience is offering cruises on the new Arosa Sena, departing Nov 23, 28; Dec 3, 8, 13 and 18th. Both cruises are offering 20% off. Discounted prices start at $578 for 4 nights and $895 for 5 nights. Discount offer ends Aug 29th 2023.

To learn more about the various European Christmas market cruises available, visit https//www.europeanbarging.com/Christmas_market_cruises.htm or contact us at 888-869-7907 or jan@europeanbarging.com

Exploring Heidelberg and Her Castle

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Heidelberg is a city located in southwestern Germany, along the canals of the Neckar River. It was first recognized in 1196. It was the capital city of the Rhenish Palatinate. Later, it became the place of residence of the electorate counts palatine up to 1720.

The city was devastated during the Thirty Years’ War in 1622. It was almost completely wiped out by the French in 1689 and 1693.

Heidelberg is a university town. Its 2016 census revealed that it has a population of 159,914, with roughly a quarter of that figure are students.

It is the fifth-largest city in Baden-Wurttemberg.

The oldest university in Germany and one of Europe’s most reputable universities is in this city, the Heidelberg University, which was founded in 1386. The university played a leading role in the era of humanism and Reformation.

The city’s library is the oldest existing public library in Germany, it was established in 1421. A few months after announcing his Ninety-five Theses, Martin Luther came to Heidelberg to defend them, that was in April of 1518.

During World War II, the city was the stronghold of the Nazi party. Between 1933 and 1945 was known as the Nazi period.

In 1934-1935 the State Labor Service and students at Heidelberg University built the Thingstätte Amphitheater in the northern part of the town. This amphitheater was where Nazi Party events were held. After just a few months, the sprawling Ehrenfiedhof Memorial Cemetery was opened, which completed the last project of the Nazi Party in the city. It was in the southern part of the old town.

German troops left the city on March 29, 1945, after destroying the old bridge, the city’s valued river crossing. Allied forces penetrated the town the next day and the civilian population voluntarily surrendered.

It was said that the city was not targeted by Allied bombing raids because the U.S. Army wanted to use it as a post-war garrison.

The city is known as the scientific hub in Germany as there are some internationally renowned research labs near Heidelberg University, including Max Planck Institutes and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory.

For centuries it has been an art hub, especially literature. The UNESCO Creative Cities Network even awarded it as a “City of Literature”.

The city is a favorite tourist destination because of its popular romantic cityscape, including The Philosopher’s Walk, the old Baroque town, and the Heidelberg Castle.

 

Heidelberg Castle at Sunset

Heidelberg Castle

The Heidelberg Castle

The popular landmark, Heidelberg Castle ruins are among the most important Renaissance buildings located north of the Alps. it was demolished in the 17th and 18th centuries and has only been rebuilt partially. The castle is a towering figure from the Konigstuhl hillside. Visitors can go there via the Heidelberger Bergbahn funicular railway which runs from Kornmarkt all the way to the summit of the Kongistuhl.

The earliest castle structure was built before 1214. A second structure was built in 1294. In 1537, though, a lightning bolt struck and destroyed the upper castle.

The present structures were improved in 1650, unfortunately, wars and fires destroyed these structures. Portions were rebuilt but another lightning bolt struck in 1764.

You can visit Heidelberg and her castle from most Rhine River Cruises.  We offer from 4 – 15 day cruises.  Checkout our website for  cruise itineraries.   Contact us for more information and current promotions:  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.