Tag Archives: European River Cruise

The Northern Dutch City of Hoorn

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Europeanbarging presents Arosa Cruises to Hoorn on the Arosa Flora and Silva

Hoorn is a town in North Holland and was once the capital of West Friesland. It features many beautiful houses from the Golden Age, when the Dutch East India and the West India Companies had offices here. Cape Horn, is the the most southerly point of the Americas and was discovered by Willem Schouten  The cape was named after his home town.  Another famous explorer from Hoorn was Jan Coen, who founded Jakarta in Indonesia.

Dutch City of Hoorn

Enjoy a stroll along the Hoorn Harbor and see the diversity of ships in the harbor. There are some very old sailing vessels that are still sailed today.  As you walk into town there is a fortified gate from 1532 that was originally a defense tower. It was named Hoofdtoren, In front of Hoofdtoren stands a wooden landing made in 1464 named the Houten Hoofd.  In 1651 a bell tower was constructed on top of the tower. The lock to the main harbor dates back to 1778. There are several canals leading from the main town and many shops and bars at the harbor.  Walking along the cobbled and brick streets and along the canals you will find lots of interesting architecture and shops.  While we were in Hoorn there was a world soccer game going on and I think the whole town was in a bar at the harbor so we had the whole town to explore mostly on our own.  Everyone started coming out of the bar as we headed back to our ship and they were in good spirits leading us to think their team won.

Sites of interest include Staten Parliament, built in 1632 and located in the town square – Rode Steen.  It is now the Westfries Museum.  The museum has an extensive collection of paintings, silver objects, porcelain, historic firearms etc. The exhibition of this vast collection covers 25 rooms, one of which is a style-room. In 1953, 15th century cellars were discovered under the building. These cellars are now part of the exhibition for archaeological objects from Hoorn and its surroundings.

St. Jans Gasthuis museum holds temporary exhibits.  Near this museum is  the Bossehuizen  which is a collection of 3 houses built in 1612 and featuring friezes depicting the defeat of the Spanish Admiral Bossu in 1573.

Arosa offers 2 Northern Rhine itineraries that stop in Hoorn. The 7 night Experience the Northern Rhine cruising Holland and Belgium, and  the 9 night Experience the Rhine and the Sea, which cruises northern Holland as well and Holland and Belgium.  April departures on these North Rhine River cruise itineraries include Amsterdam and the Keukenhof Gardens. Rates from $1484 for 7 night.  Rates include all meals, beverage package, Wi-Fi and use of the ship’s fitness and spa facilities.

Taking in this fabulous city of historical and architectural wonders will be a great delight. Book your trip with us today!  Europeanbarging.com  888-869-7907

 

Visiting Miltenberg on a Main River Cruise

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The medieval town of Miltenberg, along the Main River,  has the most enchanting medieval charm around every cobblestone street, narrow alleys, and half-timbered houses, window baskets overflowing with fresh petunia flowers add to the flavor of the town.   Tourism plays  a major part in the local economy. In the Old Market Square is surrounded  by half timbered buildings, restaurants, bratwurst stalls, local handcraft stalls and the Old Town Hall as well. These structures are still in remarkable shape in spite of having been built in the 16th and 17th centuries.   The town also has 2 surviving gates from the Middle Ages – The Wurzburg Gate and the Mainz Gate.

Referred to as “The Pearl of the Main River”, today the city has a population of 9,000 – It was originally settled in  pre-Roman times and has enjoyed a rich and lively past. Being located near the Main River, it was a major trading location between Frankfurt and Nuremberg

A popular destination in Miltenberg is the famous hotel Gasrhaus zum Riesen.  Maybe the oldest hotel in all of Germany, originally built about 1411. Rebuilt nearly 200 years later in the half-timbered, Renaissance style. The hotel has since been renovated to include some more modern amenities.

Main attractions  in Miltenberg are: Miltenberg Castle (built in 11th century, the castle is now used as a museum of old and modern art work – Museum.Stadt.Miltenberg),  Fraenkischer Rotwein Wanderweg (medieval architecture), Brauhaus Faust (brewery), Mainbrucke, (a beautiful Bridge),  St. Kilian Kellerei, (Wine cellar).

Main festivals include –  the first weekend in July, the Town Festival (Stadtfest) is held;  In late July, the Mildenburger Theatertage (“Theatre Days”) takes place; beginning on the last weekend in August and for ten days, the Michaelismesse (“St Michael’s Fair”), the biggest fair on the Bavarian Lower Main (Bayerischer Untermain), is held (despite the similarity in names, it is not Michaelmas, which falls on 29 September, a month later).

One of the best ways to visit Miltenberg is from a Rhine/Main/Danube River Cruise. Check out our video on Miltenberg.  We have cruises available on AmaWaterways, Arosa, CroisiEurope and Amadeus Cruises and can assist in finding the perfect cruise for you.  Europeanbarging.com  888-869-7907

Cruising the Danube on AmaWaterways

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We invite you to take one of our Danube river cruises and see the world in luxury and comfort. River cruises in Europe are an excellent way to explore a destination. Discover local tourist  sights on included tours, and then arrive back on your luxurious river cruise ship and sail to the next city or village.  Included in the price of our river cruises are shore excursions in every port, all dining on board, fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner are included as well as a daily happy hour; Wi-fi and internet access are included and there are bicycles that you can use to explore the countryside  or you may decide to join one of the guided bike tours.

In Europe, one of our most popular itineraries is a Danube river cruise.  A typical itinerary for a Danube river  cruise would include destinations such as: Vienna, Austria;  Regensburg, Germany;  Belgrade, Serbia and  Budapest, Hungary.

Cruise the Danube, one of Europe’s most beautiful  rivers, as you travel from Nuremberg through the Main-Danube Canal and across the Continental Divide. Visit centuries-old towns and marvel at the beautiful scenery slowly gliding past. In  Austria you will  cruise through the lush Wachau wine region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  At either end of the Wachau Valley are two grand capitals, Vienna and Budapest.

On our cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In most ports, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and special interest tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.

Europeanbarging.com   888-869-7907

Save 20% on Normandy Beaches and Seine River Cruise on Amawaterways Nov 4, 2016.

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HonfleuerRates start at $2798. Book by May 15th and receive a FREE pre cruise hotel stay in central Paris.

For travelers looking to spend a few days in Paris and also see the French countryside, tour Monet’s Giverny, stroll through Honfleur or Rouen, and see the Normandy Beaches, a Seine River cruise is a perfect way to experience the region.

“A cruise on the Seine River is a great cruise itinerary for any cruiser, with the added bonus of the history of WWII and earlier Norman times, famous scenery painted by great impressionist artists as well as wine enthusiasts.” Jan Baumgartner of Europeanbarging.

As Amawaterways offers multiple included excursions in most ports (at no additional costs), there is a tour for most every interest – including independent and escorted bicycle touring.

From Vernon, the first port, the excursion is to Monet’s Giverny gardens – a site that does not have enough words for description. The expected lilies and bridge are there but so much more, including the house he lived in as well as a splendid combination of flowers.

There are two days spent docked in Caudebec-en-Caux. The first day offers a choice of two different tours. (1) The first option is to visit Honfleur, a historic and picturesque port with pastel-colored houses that was a favorite subject of artists such as Courbet, Boudin and Monet. The town’s medieval Sainte-Catherine church, with its separate bell tower, is the largest wooden church in France. (2) As an alternative, choose the “Routes des Abbayes” excursion spotlighting Normandy’s famous abbeys, more than 100 of which once covered this region. You will visit the ruined abbey in Jumièges as well as St. Wandrille, still a working monastery.

From Caudebec-en-Caux, on the second day, there are three different excursions. (1) “D-Day Remembered” is a full day excursion to the US sector. Your first stop will be the village of Arromanches, where the remains of the floating harbor used during the WWII landings can be seen. You will have free time to see the museums before visiting the US Cemetery and Omaha Beach at St. Laurent-sur-Mer. Your last stop is the artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer before returning to the ship in Caudebec. (2) As an alternative, you can tour the Gold and Juno beaches in the British and Canadian sectors. Your first stop will be the Pegasus Monument in Ranville followed by Canadian cemetery at Beny-sur-Mer. You will also have the chance to visit the Juno Beach Centre, Canada’s WWII museum, with a final stop at Arromanches. (3) A third option is an excursion to rural Normandy, which includes a visit to the Pays d’Auge and “Routes du Cidre” (the Cider Road). You will visit beautiful Norman towns and villages, such as Beuvron-en-Auge, Crevecoeur-en-Auge and Cambremer, and tour a Calvados distillery where you may sample apple cider and apple brandy.

Following Caudebec-en-Caux, a visit to the medieval town of Rouen – with it’s imposing Notre Dame Cathedral and the square where Joan of Arc was martyred. The next morning cruising to Les Andelys (known for Chateau Gaillard – the former strong hold of Richard the Lionheart) for a brief stop then continue on to Conflans.

Conflans offers a choice of two excursions. (1) The first option is to visit Château Malmaison, former home of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine. Your tour includes the Château’s interior, gardens and museum. (2) Alternatively, travel to Auvers-sur-Oise, a town famous for the Impressionist painters who lived there in the 19th century, such as Paul Cézanne and Camille Pissarro. Your “Artists’ Walk” tour will include many sites associated with their work, including the Auberge Ravoux, former home of Vincent van Gogh. The upstairs room where Van Gogh died has been meticulously preserved. He and his brother Theo are both buried in the nearby town cemetery. The ship departs this afternoon for Paris, arriving in the evening.

Discounted rates for the Seine River Cruise, start as low as $2,798 per person for a 7 night cruise when booked through Europeanbarging, departing Nov 4 – 11, 2016. Book by May 15th and receive 1 pre night hotel stay in central Paris before the cruise. If guests would like to extend their trip in Paris, Amawaterways offers a 2 night post hotel stay in Paris including breakfast daily and a city tour for $600 per person. Otherwise, Europeanbarging can assist in putting together a land tour of interest for guest. For more information: 888-869-7907 http://www.europeanbarging.com/AMA/AMAPARPAR.htm 

Choosing the Right European River Cruise

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If you’re up for a romantic getaway or perhaps a unique and wonderful vacation, you might want to consider a European river cruise. A river cruise may be exactly what you need to relax far from your busy and stressful life, away from your job and the hustle of a fast-paced city life. There is nothing more peaceful than floating down a scenic river on a lovely cruise ship.

River Ship on the Elbe River in Dresden Germany

River Ship on the Elbe River in Dresden Germany

A river cruise allows you to see more and do more than touring from a bus, a train or a car. You can see breathtaking landscapes more comfortably, whether you are in your cabin, on the open decks, the lounge or even while dining. Plus, you don’t have to worry about transportation from point to point, packing or unpacking your bags to every place you visit. You get to see a lot of places conveniently and comfortably.

You can be as active as you like on a river cruise as there is a wide range of activities on board and ashore to keep you interested and occupied.
So if you decide to treat yourself to one of the European River Cruises, of course, you will need to consider a lot of things. If you want to end your vacation with pleasant memories and go home satisfied, you have to choose the right travel date, the right ship, and the right itinerary.

Most European river cruising companies provide a high quality experience for the traveler. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the best European river cruise line:

Itinerary. The first thing you should consider would be the itinerary. Which companies offer the itinerary that suits you the best? Which itinerary are you interested the most? One of the most popular European river cruise itinerary is the Danube River Cruise.

Features and Inclusions. Does the company provide entertainment for the guests, like TVs, movies, or music? Does it have a free internet access on board? Does it offer free drinks? Is the food good? Are the cabins conducive for rest and relaxation? Does it have pampering services like a spa or a massage? These are some of the things you would want to consider if you want a relaxing and hassle-free river cruise experience.

Cost. River cruise lines vary in cost, though there are differences in quality of product and services. You should check the fine print and hidden charges. And also check for surcharges on some services and amenities offered. Some companies also offer discounts if you book in advance.

Most European river cruise companies have already built their reputation in offering high quality and wonderful river cruise experiences. AmaWaterways River Cruises is known for its high quality services and extras. You can enjoy riding a bicycle and multiple choice excursions in each port, free of charge. And not only that, their crew and staffs are friendly, outstanding, efficient, and welcoming to ensure you a great experience on board.

Europeanbarging, with over 20 years experience specializing in European river cruises and luxury barging, can assist in finding the perfect cruise vessel and itinerary. Europeanbarging.com; 888-869-7907