Tag Archives: river cruise

Explore the Wonderful Sanssouci Palace

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Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam

A brief hop over from the beautiful Elbe River is one of the most breathtaking historical culture sites in all of Germany. The elegant city of Potsdam is home to the Sanssouci Palace and the grounds of Frederick the Great. This German palace was the summer playground of the Prussian royalty, and has recently been renovated to some of its former glory. Sanssouci is one story tall and is designed in the Frederician Rococo style, so named after Frederick the Great. It is definitely worth taking a short bus ride from your Elbe river cruise to see the palaces, grounds and the nearby town.

894444_sanssouci2Why Sanssouci Palace is “care free”?

Unlike nearby Berlin, Potsdam was spared much of the bombing during World War II, so continues to display the charm and opulence that it has always had. The entire city is worth exploring, and they make sure that their crowning jewel of Sanssouci along with the surrounding grounds and other palace stay immaculate and ready for visitors year round. Every season is beautiful at these culture sites, and you can spend an entire day perusing this German palace and park. It is certain to be a day that you will never forget. Along with the Neue Palais and all the surrounding temples, statues, and unbelievable gardens, you will leave Sanssouci with a complete understanding of why Frederick the Great named this place “care free.” He designed Sanssouci to be a great escape from court life in Berlin, and you too might find it to be an excellent short retreat away from your Elbe River Cruise.

Berlin vs Sanssouci

If you have the time, you should definitely take the short train ride from Potsdam to the amazing capital city of Berlin. In stark contrast to the quiet of Sanssouci, Berlin is a bustling city full of vibrant life in every corner. You can continue with the royal theme by visiting Charlottenburg Palace and wandering around the beautiful gardens there sure to be full of picnickers  if the weather allows. You can travel to the city center and go up in the Television Tower to view the city in its entirety. Take a stroll around the city that has been at the center of so much history, and you are sure to be amazed.

Cruising the Elbe River

By the end of your Berlin and Sanssouci excursions, you will be ready to float away on your Elbe River Cruise once more. Contact us today to learn more about cruising the Elbe River.


Casual Bike and Barge Cruise to the Italian City of Ferrara off the Po River

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lotg_mooredCruise and Casually Bike along the Po River

A casual Bike and Barge cruise is offered along the Po River that includes excursions to the historically and culturally significant city of Ferrara. Located in Northern Italy in Emilia-Romagna, Ferrara is the capital city of the province of Ferrara, and it lies along a branch of the main Po River named the Po di Volano. The cultural attractions of the city have been recognized by UNESCO, and numerous palaces that date from the 14th and 15th centuries– a time during which the city was the home of the court of the House of Este. In recognition of the city’s historical significance, the Italian Hermitage Museum began using the location for its headquarters in 2006. A barge cruise on the Po River is a perfect way to explore this fascinating city.

Enjoy Italian Culture Cruising the Po River

The cultural resources featured around the city mainly consist of a variety of architectural landmarks. The city wall itself, which was constructed in the 15th and 16th centuries, still stands and is in fact one of the best preserved Renaissance walls in all of Italy.

One of the most important structures to visit in the city is the Castello Estense. This building is found in the absolute center of town, and its construction began in the late 14th century. The Castello Estense is a brick building that is surrounded by a moat and four impressive bastions.

Another must-see building is the City Hall. The City Hall was at one point a residence of the Este family, and it is found near another important architectural landmark, the former Cathedral of St. George. This cathedral is an interesting combination of several different architectural styles– Romanesque, Baroque, and Renaissance– that were incorporated as additions were made to the cathedral over the years.

Italian culture is reflected in the many palazzi that are found in and around the city. Some possible places to visit when wishing to view a typical Italian Renaissance palazzo are the Palazzo dei Diamanti, the Palazzo Schifanoia, and the Casa Romei.

Barge Cruise on the Po River 

There is no better way to take in all of these sites and enjoy the landscape of the areas surrounding the Po River than by barge. Contact us today to book a casual bike and barge cruise in Italy.

 

Pre Douro River Cruise City of Madrid

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Pre Duoro River CruisePre Douro River Cruise Is A City of Madrid

Madrid is not only the capital of Spain, but is also the largest city in the country. It’s also the capital of the autonomous community of the same name (Comunidad de Madrid) and is located on the Manzanares River in the center of both the country and the Community of Madrid. Madrid is a globally important city with a great reputation for having the most modern infrastructures and is an economic, financial, administrative, and service center of the country. Madrid provides a multitude of opportunities for sightseeing and boasts of some world-class restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.

Madrid is renowned throughout the world for its great cultural and artistic heritage and has many Spain Culture Sites. The culture of this city is deeply influenced by its Royal history as the center of the Spanish Empire. Madrid has several landmark sites dating back to the times of Spanish Monarchy such as the Royal Palace, enormous cathedrals, and churches. The city boasts a rare level of medieval architecture and has a unique blend of historical and modern blends, comparable to what’s seen in London and Berlin.

Attractions in Madrid include Prado Museum Royal, Palace Plaza Mayor Sun Gate, Parque del Retiro, Torres KIO (Puerta de Europa) Cibeles, Plaza Santiago, Bernabeu Stadium and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum Galería 57.

Explore A Spectacular Pre Douro River Cruise

Madrid also takes pride in being one of the top European art destinations, including the Golden Triangle of Art, located along the Paseo del Prado.
The Thyssen Bornemisza Museum is another great museum which was established from a mixed private collection of artwork. Reina Sofía Museum is a one of a kind display where Pablo Picasso’s Guernica hangs, returning to Spain from New York after more than two decades.

An abode of history, art, and culture, Madrid is a must visit location. Our Pre Douro River cruise offers an optional 3 night land program in Madrid! Book your holiday on one of our Douro River cruises and make a trip to the amazing city of Madrid!

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.

The Gardens at the Dutch Summer Palace of Het Loo

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Palace Het Loo – A Holland and Belgium River Cruise Destination

Palace Het Loo, built over three hundred years ago near the town of Apeldoorn, is the most stunning palace in Holland. The decorations inside the palace are as amazing as the gardens outside the palace. In fact, the Het Loo palace gardens are a great highlight of the palace and add a lot to its beauty and charm.

Strict symmetry of the layout is the characteristic feature of the formal 17th-century Het Loo garden. The idea behind designing the garden is as unique as the experience the visitors have on seeing the gardens every time. William and Mary have their private gardens on each side of the palace which have been rightly named the King’s garden and the Queen’s garden. There is a serious collection of centuries-old citrus trees in Mary’s garden which are on display in tubs between May and October. The fruit and blossoms borne on these citrus trees, collectively, represent a symbol of the House of Orange.

Fountains are a big attraction in Het Loo Gardens. Though these gardens were of modest proportions in comparison to those of Versailles, the waterworks were greatly famous for permanently spouting fresh groundwater diverted from the surrounding higher-lying hills. In addition to this, the King’s Fountain at the rear of the Upper Garden which rose to 13 meters was the highest spouting fountain in Europe. The fountains run from April to October.

Garden statues are yet another integral and distinctive part of the Het Loo garden. These statues, from Greek mythology, of Greek gods and goddesses play an important role in the growth and flourishing of the garden. They are fully devoted to reveling in the achievement of creating such a spectacular view in what was actually an arid heathland. Venus, the goddess of love, has the central role as a driving force behind the statue phenomenon.

Het Loo is a garden for all seasons. Some of the plants in the garden change every year, in the summer and spring, with a purpose to attain the most accurate possible reconstruction of the original garden. One pleasing delight to the eye is the splendid color of the flowers in the spring and summer and often in the autumn as well. In the winter, the snow contrasting with the decorative patterns of the box-lined parterres has a marvelous effect.  If you want to have the best view of the garden, you should look at it from the small surrounding banks and, of course, from the palace roof; a view that can only be enjoyed on Wednesdays in June, July, and August.

The Het Loo Palace gardens can be booked as a day tour from Amsterdam, while on a Holland cruise or a Holland and Belgium river cruise a special and unforgettable experience as you breathe in the atmosphere of their seventeenth-century origin with their fountains, statues, and elegantly box-lined parterres!

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