Category Archives: General

Bastogne War Museum Opening in 2014

Posted on by

The Bastogne War Museum is Expected to Open in the Spring of 2014.

You can travel by river cruise to visit this new innovative museum located next to the Bastogne Historical Center, one of the current WWII museums, and see other Belgium culture sites while you are there in the vicinity. Bastogne, a modern town in the Belgian Ardennes, is still primarily dedicated to the battles that were fought in the region and to preserving them in the local WWII museums.

743535_battle_of_the_bulgeThe new Bastogne War Museum will be a brand new modern building with unusual and bold architecture. There will be multi-sensory history scenes in 3D, three scenovisions, interactive activities, a cafe, a museum shop, a terrace and an area for temporary exhibitions and events. Visitors are able to go back in time and understand what the Battle of the Bulge and other skirmishes were all about. There will be a reconstruction of a German and an allied headquarters and also show what life was like for the soldiers and civilians.

The Bastogne War Museum Exhibits Battle of the Bulge

These sites mostly include those involved in the famous Battle of the Bulge, a German offensive which took place from December 1944 to January 1945 and where many thousands of civilians and soldiers died during that bloody time, as well as the Second World War in general. You can visit these important historical sites during your river cruise.

The current Bastogne Historical Center and adjoining American Memorial

At the Center you will find an amazing collection of items and exhibits from the Battle of the Bulge along with authentic uniforms and artifacts, an American M10 Tank Destroyer based on the M4 Sherman tank chassis, a tank gun turret and other vehicles. There is a film with shots taken during the battles between the Germans and Americans at the Bastogne War Museum. From the top of the Mardasson Memorial you get a good view of the battlegrounds. In the form of the five-pointed American star, the Memorial honors the 76,890 American soldiers who were killed, missing or wounded in the Battle of the Bulge.

For more information and to book your River Cruise, contact us today.

Majestic Jewel of the Mosel River Valley

Posted on by

COCHEM’S Reichsburg Castle- Majestic Jewel of the Mosel River Valley 

There is perhaps no better way to tour the historically rich, scenic towns of Rhineland Germany than by river cruise. The cruises usually feature relatively small cruising vessels that have limited passenger capacity but are large on amenities, style, and service. ID-100163279Quaint villages and conspicuous German castles are thoroughly enjoyed by the 360 degree views provided on the sun decks of most river cruise ships and barges. A favorite tour among discerning travelers is the Mosel River cruise which meanders past beautiful Cochem Germany. These unique trips often climax with memorable shore excursions to popular attractions like those found on the Mosel bike and barge cruise.

Mosel River Cruise

The Mosel river or “Moselle” river as the French call it is a peaceful tributary of the Rhine River that flows from France to Germany. The area surrounding the Mosel River in Germany is known as the Mosel River Valley, and the towns located there are reminiscent of storybook tales of the medieval era. For those who find romantic villages complete with cobblestone streets surrounded by lush vineyards and Germany castles appealing, then a Mosel River cruise is an ideal choice for a holiday trip.

Cruising down the Mosel River gives holiday travelers the opportunity to see many of the oldest towns in the heart of Europe in grand style. Depending on the chosen itinerary, passengers get to view the cities of Koblenz, Cochem, and Bernkastel just to name a few.

The cities visited are not the only appeal of this type of holiday choice; the cruises themselves are absolutely exquisite. Many cruises are taken on luxury river or barge vessels that feature five-star dining and stellar service. The all-inclusive travel packages ensure that passengers completely relax while travelling from the time they board until disembarking at the end of the journey.

cochem germany

A popular river cruise itinerary includes a trip to the town of Cochem. The Mosel Bike and Barge cruise allows passengers to conduct a shore excursion that gives them the best of both worlds when it comes to scenic views. After leaving the river cruise barge, active passengers bike to Cochem to explore the popular town.

The town of Cochem holds a very interesting past as an imperial estate complete with a castle and fortifications that was eventually lost in its entirety to the French during the 1600’s. French troops razed the original Reichsburg Castle to the ground, and the castle was only rebuilt in its current neo-Gothic style architecture in 1868 by a wealthy Berlin business person who used the renovated castle as a summer home for his family. Since 1978, tourists have been able to take tours of the Reichsburg Castle. For more information about booking a cruise to the romantic Reichsburg Castle, contact us.

A Surprising Visit of Stuttgart Germany

Posted on by

 Travel to Stuttgart Germany

Ludwigsburg_Palace_StuttgartOn a recent short visit to Stuttgart I was pleasantly surprised by all the city had to offer.  On my first day in Stuttgart I toured past the Old Palace and the New Palace, built in the 16th century for the Kings of Wurttemberg.  Stuttgart_New_PalaceThe New Palace is a magnificent Baroque palace complex with elaborate gardens and a Palace Square.  The next day I visited an even more splendid palace – Ludwigsburg Palace, known as the “Swabian Versailles”.  Ludwigsburg is Germany’s largest Baroque place complex preserved in its original form.  Our tour was hosted by guides in elaborate period costume.  The palace is fully furnished in beautiful period furnishings.

Then on to the spectacular MercedesBenzMuseum.  Nine levels of the spiral-shaped building featuring the history of Mercedes Benz from conception to now, as well as showing important historical events along the way.  The museum also showcases 127 years of automotive history from the first engines, transportation vehicles and over 160 cars from the beginning to now – with some really beautiful old classic roadsters and sedans.  Finished up the tour with a nice dinner in the museum restaurant.

Mercedes_Sedan_StuttgartMercedesMuseum

The Treats of Stuttgart

Had to sample a few to make sure of my favorite again – dark chocolate hazelnut or milk chocolate coated cookie – both as great as remembered.While in Stuttgart, I reacquainted myself with the Ritter Chocolate bars – and found that they are made just outside of Stuttgart.

I definitely need to go back for a longer visit.  There is the hop on hop off tour of the city – I always try to take one of these tours when I visit any new town as they give me a quick overview of where everything is and they are a great value for money as you can get on and off the bus as many times as you like in a 24 or 48 hour period.   I want to be sure and visit the Stuttgart market hall next time as it looks like a taster’s paradise.  Built in 1914, with 32,000 square feet, this art nouveau styled market is a must visit for “foodies”.  And then there is the wines from the Stuttgart Region.  The Stuttgart Wine Trail is just a short hop from the main train station in Stuttgart.

Stuttgart, is the only German city to have it’s own wine-growing estate.  The city hosts an annual wine festival to be held from August 28 – September 8 in 2013.

Christmas time might be a good time to return as they have 3 different themed Christmas Markets that are reachable by public transportation – Stuttgart Christmas, the Baroque Christmas Market at the Ludwigsburg Palace and the Medieval Market at Esslingen.

With Stuttgart having so much to offer with the many sites and festivals, any time is a good time to go.

Cruises on the Neckar River feature stops in Stuttgart.

Contact us to book your Neckar River Cruise and enjoy the Stuttgart sites when it stops in that remarkable city.

Castles & Wineries of Germany River Cruise – Mosel River Cruise

Posted on by

Winding through the hillsides of France, Luxembourg and Germany, the Mosel (also Moselle) River weaves a watery path for travelers to follow through breathtaking vistas sprinkled with ancient castles, picturesque villages and steep-sloped vineyards.

Enjoy Germany’s Oldest Wine Region on a Mosel River Cruise

Riverbanks lined with black alder and willow trees combine with a carpet of vines to create a magnificent flora for rare animal species to roam through Germany’s oldest wine region. In this charming landscape, passengers on a Mosel River Cruise are transported to a world of cobble-stoned hamlets, legends and wine tastings.

Your Mosel River Cruise Explores German Winemaking

Mosel River CruiseWinemaking in the Mosel River Valley began more than 2,000 years ago, when the Romans planted vineyards to provide a local source of wine for their troops. Viticulture thrived in the region, and throughout the Middles Ages villages grew up around the winemaking industry.

Early Roman offerings were described as light-bodied and austere, but the grape that would make the region famous arrived in the 15th century. Count John VI of Katzenelnbogen documented the first known reference to the Riesling grape when he listed an entry of “22 shillings for ‘Rieslingen’ vine cuttings for the vineyard” in his storage inventory log. Thus, began the tradition of the crisp, sweet liquid gold that dominates the territory to this day.

Vineyards in the Mosel Wine Region face south or southwest to maximize on the 1,370 hours of sunshine each year that produces what top wine experts consider the best white wine grapes in the world.

Through this 75-mile stretch of the Mosel River, known as the Mosel Wine Region, passengers on the “Castles & Wineries of Germany” Mosel River Cruise can enjoy wine tastings at the many exclusive, family-owned wineries along the riverbanks and tour the area’s impressive ancient castles.

Len and Marisa Crispino of Foreign Affairs Winery will serve as hosts on this wine-themed cruise through Mosel’s endless loops and bends. After living as ex-pats in Italy in the early 1990s, Len and Marisa returned to Ontario and planted their first vines. Inspired by the Italian wine-making process, they use a unique grape drying process known as appassimento (or the Reduction method).

During this Germany wine cruise, Len and Marisa will share their knowledge of wine and tales from the land’s storied past, as passengers enjoy a leisurely cruising pace that lends to the Mosel region’s hypnotic charm.

Departing from Nuremburg on Oct. 31, this Mosel River Cruise will wind its way through quaint riverside villages, among the most notable, Bernkastel, home to the famous Bergweiler Winery, and the charming village of Cochem-Zell, where the majestic Reichsburg Cochem Castle rises more than 300 feet above the river.

Prices for this enchanted tour start at $2,599 per person, with an additional 5-night land program available for $3,839.

Perfect for wine-enthusiast groups and organizations as well as individual wine lovers, this Germany wine cruise fills up quickly, so please call and book your expedition through the famed Mosel Wine Region today.

The Historical Elbe River Cruise Will Give You A Life Changing Experience

Posted on by

Elbe River Cruise Visit The Historical Elbe River Cruise

One of the major waterways of Central Europe, the Elbe River rises in the Krkonose Mountains of the north-western Czech Republic. It is located in the former Eastern Europe region of Germany after crossing Bohemia and finally flows into the North Sea at Cuxhaven which is 110 km northwest of Hamburg.

The Elbe River acts as a gateway to Eastern Europe. There is an exciting mix of medieval cities and towns from the Bohemian capital Prague, to Hamburg and through the sensational hovering sandstone mountains of Saxon Switzerland as you cruise along the Elbe to indulge in a breathtaking scenic journey.

Aboard your Elbe River Cruise, you can find many treasures on the banks of Elbe such as Dresden, the “Florence of the Elbe”, the pottery of Meissen, the gardens and palaces of Worlitz, the cradle of the Reformation, 18th century Pillnitz Castle, Luther’s Wittenberg which is a UNECSO World Heritage Site and Magdeberg and its Gothic Cathedral.

The embarking and disembarking cities range from Prague, Decin, Hamburg or Magdeburg – all have much to offer as pre or post cruise stays. Elbe is a great way to explore Prague and ideal for discovering the unspoiled beauty of former East Germany’s fascinating landscape.

What Has More To Offer Than The Historical Elbe River Cruise

Elbe has so much to offer in addition to the contrasting array of sights, ranging from splendid palaces and modern architecture to mountains and beautifully landscaped gardens, with medieval cities and contemporary culture all in between! No other river in Europe can come close to Elbe in offering such a diverse order of sights and places.

As the Elbe River often has low and high water levels, the cruising period is short. Contact us for more details on this lovely scenic cruise!