Author Archives: Jan European Barging & River Cruises

Strasbourg

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Strasbourg – A Starting Point for Short River Cruises

After the excitement of the holidays have settled down, start planning your get away with  our marvelous Rhine River cruise!  One of Europe’s major rivers, the Rhine flows through Switzerland, Germany, France and Holland. The area around the river – Rhineland – has a natural beauty that is simply stunning.  Picturesque mountain ranges, enchanting forests, mysterious castles and traditional vineyards provide a wonderful backdrop to a river cruise.

Strasbourg is one of the various beautiful destinations on Rhine River. The city is a starting point for various short river cruises such as Strasbourg to Koblenz etc. The port of Strasbourg is the second largest on the Rhine River.

Situated in the north-east of France, Strasbourg is the ultimate European city. It is a great metropolis and very cosmopolitan. Strasbourg is located on the border of France and Germany and absorbs the flavor of both the countries.  A unique thing about the city is that residents have mixed feelings of being French or German and they often agree that they are not totally either French or German, but a mix of both. As you visit this city, you too will be amused to see that the signs are in both languages and find it hard to decide which country you are visiting- France or Germany!

The intellectual and cultural capital of Alsace, and the official seat of the European Parliament, Strasbourg is famous throughout the world for its sandstone Gothic Cathedral with its renowned astronomical clock and nearby one of the finest collections of museums anywhere in France. The medieval cityscape of Rhineland with black and white timber-framed buildings is truly captivating.

Strasbourg also has the distinction of being famous for its beautiful historical Centre – the Grande Île – which was the first city center to be classified entirely as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.  And not only this, the place is the best area in France when it comes to delicious cuisine as the dishes here have a boldness that originates from its German roots. You’ll find there is always attention to quality and detail that is the essence of the French food. Visitors will also have a wonderful time shopping here.  There is a wide range of markets and great shopping venues such as the new shopping Centre Rivetoile at Place d’.Etoile that was opened at the end of 2008.

Being so unique, beautiful and amazing, Strasbourg is a must visit destination. Your trip to Strasbourg will be an experience for a lifetime!

Cruising on the Moselle

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http://www.europeanbarging.com – 713-240-6753 / 888-869-7907  The Moselle Valley has a splendid countryside. The cool and delicious wines, the picturesque little towns with rich histories, and the excellent conditions for cycling are a few of the high points of this area. Here you can enjoy your vacation whether you want it to be simply onboard a barge or a combination of bike and barge.

 

Cochem on the Mosel River

Your cruise takes you on a tour of this wonderful region where you come across several interesting places. Metz is designated a ‘town of art and history’ because of its rich historical and cultural background. Contact European Barging and River Cruises to book your amazing cruise on the Moselle today!

For years the Mosel River was vital for commerce and transport, with many settlements, such as the town of Cochem, springing up on its banks.  Along with Reichsburg Castle.

Castles such as Burg Eltz near Koblenz were built for both protection and as a sign of wealth and power.

During the Industrial Revolution, The Mosel region underwent significant changes when became more connected with rail and roads.  During WW2  the region suffered from heavy bombing.

Post-war reconstruction and modernization have brought prosperity. Today, the Mosel River region is known for its wine production, beautiful landscapes, and rich historical heritage.

 

Porta Negra Gates in Trier Germany on the Mosel River

In Roman times Trier had thermal baths, places of assembly, and an amphitheater today the colossal Porta Negra town gate, the imperial baths, and the impressive basilica keep that history alive. Trier is also the largest Roman city north of the Alps.

Cruises on the Moselle River, include:

BARGE CRUISES:

8 passenger L’Nouvelle Etoile

SHORT RIVER CRUISES

A-ROSA offers 5-night and 7-night cruises
Croisi River Cruise offers 4-night cruises

7-NIGHT RIVER CRUISES

AmaWaterways

Contact European Barging and River Cruises to book your amazing cruise on the Moselle today! Europeanbarging.com  713-240-6753  jan@europeanbarging.com

 

Louvre Museum

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A destination in France that should not be missed

The Louvre, the world’s most famous museum, was originally a royal palace. The greatness and popularity of this museum can be easily understood from the fact that it is the most visited museum in the world. So, no doubt, it is a must see destination for anyone who visits Paris and particularly for those interested in art and history. A visit to the Louvre after a French barge cruise is a great way to see famous artist’s renderings of some of the sites you have seen on your while on your cruise.   So, get on board a Paris river cruise and discover the wonders of artistic expression both inside and out.

Though the Louvre Museum is house to countless number of works, the most celebrated ones include the Mona Lisa and the Venus of Milo. One of the finest art galleries in the world, the Louvre takes pride in a collection of over one million classic and modern masterpieces. However, about 35 000 are on display, spread out over three wings of the former palace. The works include Near Eastern Antiquities, Egyptian Antiquities, Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities, Islamic Art, Sculptures, Decorative Arts, Paintings, Prints and Drawings. This is a jewel in the crown of French culture and a grand celebration of European history and civilization.

Some of the greatest works of art in the museum are the Venus of Milo, the Nike of Samothrake, the Dying Slave by Michelangelo and of course Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.

The Louvre Museum put up its first exhibition of works in the 16th century as the private collection of King Francis I. He purchased some of the works of art, one of which was the now famous Mona Lisa painting.

You enter the museum through the Louvre Pyramid or via the Carrousel du Louvre, thereon you have access to three large wings: Sully, Richelieu and Denon. As you walk through the museum, you feel as if you are walking through the history of France and into the minds of kings and revolutionaries. The major contribution towards making this museum what it is today is attributed to the reigns of Louis XIII and Louis XIV. During their reigns, there was major expansion and a linking of the palaces and halls.

The iconic pyramid building of the Louvre Museum is surrounded by Carrousel gardens. These gardens are enchanting and are a fascinating area in France to relevant to discuss Paris art and reflect on the wonders of the great Louvre Museum!

 

AMA Douro Wine Themed River Cruises

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Europe has an extensive wine region, very scenic and captivating. The travel enthusiasts have always felt the allure to visit this beautiful and exciting region. AMA Waterways is well aware of people’s fascination with the wine region and has made wine trips an essential part of its cruises ever since the company was founded in 2002.

AMA Waterways offers special wine cruises as “In Celebration of Wine” cruises” which have been quite popular for some time. The latest wine cruise series offered by AMA is more extensive than ever with new excursions like Portugal’s Douro river cruise and the Seine River in France. And, the cruises that have already been established will remain as before.

The Douro River is one of the most renowned wine rivers in Europe comparable with the Rhine, the Loire and the Mosel. The river begins in Spain where it is known as “Duero”, and the Ribera del Duero wine region stretches along its banks and for over 200 kilometers into Portugal where is exits out into the Atlantic Ocean from the city of Oporto. The most beautiful part of the Douro is the Portuguese stretch between Mesão Frio and Pinhão, where you have an awesome view of vineyards clinging to the steep terraces on either side of the river.

Wine lovers will have a great time aboard our luxurious Douro river cruise and can immerse themselves in the wine culture and traditions of one of Europe’s top grape-growing regions.   Cruise through one of the wildest and unexplored regions of Europe, filled with vineyards, dramatic gorges and steeply terraced hillsides. Visit the small town of Pinhão, a Mecca for wine lovers; then travel on to the beautiful region of Tras-os-Montes and the village of Bitetos with its 11th-century monastery.

On our deluxe wine cruise, you will also have insightful and entertaining lectures and discussions with renowned wine experts. You will have a wonderful time enjoying inspired wine and food pairings featuring unique regional dishes and carefully selected local wines. Sit back and savor your favorite vintage of the moment on your wine cruise as you gaze out at the picturesque wine villages of Portugal!