Cologne Cathedral, a Renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site

Posted on April 30, 2024 by Jan European Barging & River Cruises

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.

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 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

On 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

Cruise the Rhine in Style with European Barging

Posted on March 29, 2024 by Jan European Barging & River Cruises

While cruising the Rhine River, enjoy a view of the UNESCO Cologne Cathedral. This journey through the heart of Germany combines river cruising on the storied Rhine with a visit to the magnificent Gothic Cologne Cathedral. With fairytale castles, charming riverside villages, and stunning scenery, this is a Rhine River cruise vacation not to be missed!

Cruise on a River Cruise

Our cruise ship carry up to 174 passengers for a relaxed, personalized cruising experience. Guests can expect sophisticated, elegant decor and exceptional service from our friendly crew catering to your every need. After days filled with sightseeing, retire to your finely appointed cabin or relax on the spacious sun deck under panoramic blue skies.

Marvel at the Cologne Cathedral

The magnificent Cologne Cathedral amazes all who enter. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it boasts soaring vaulted ceilings, stunning stained glass windows, and artistic treasures galore. Our expert guides reveal tales of its long construction and religious relics that will deepen your appreciation of this Gothic wonder – one of Europe’s most impressive cathedrals.

Relax on Deck with Panoramic River Views

There’s no better place to unwind with a glass of Riesling and admire the passing scenery than on the open-air sun deck. As we sail through the Rhine Gorge, take in spectacular panoramas of vineyards marching up hillsides and historic castles perched on high. Picturesque villages with medieval charm drift by. Our ships offer front-row views of the river’s constantly changing vistas.

Learn from Expert Guides

Our guided excursions are led by knowledgeable locals who provide insider perspectives. Hear intriguing stories about the Cologne Cathedral on an in-depth tour. In riverside towns, guides suggest the best cafés to try and share tales that reveal the destination’s heritage. We’ll take you behind the scenes through the eyes of real local experts.

Bike and Hike Along the River

For active guests, we offer opportunities to bike and hike right from the ship to explore riverside trails. Guests can hike through vine-covered hills above Rudesheim and bike along the Rhine from Bacharach to Kaub. Guided biking tours also travel through the Rhine gorge countryside. With options to get outdoors, our cruises appeal to travelers’ adventurous side.

Savor Sunset from the Rhine Deck

As dusk falls, join us on the sun deck with a glass of Riesling in hand. Soak up the magic of sunset over the river, as the water turns molten gold. Watch the sun sink over vineyard-blanketed hills and the glittering lights of medieval castles come alive. Sunsets from our sundeck create memories to last a lifetime.

River Cruises Visiting the Cologne Cathedral

AmaWaterways offers 7-night Captivating Rhine, Enchanting Rhine, Rhine Castles and Swiss Alps, Vineyards of the Rhine and Moselle and 11-night Rhine and Moselle Fairytales .

Croisi Europe offer 7-night cruise on the Rhine between Amsterdam and Basel, 6 and 7-night cruises between Strasbourg and Amsterdam. There is also a 5-day Rhine and Dutch Christmas cruise between Strasbourg and Amsterdam.

Join us for the journey of a lifetime on the legendary Rhine! Contact European Barging to book your Cologne Cathedral – Rhine River cruise and unlock castles, cathedrals, villages, and more. 713-240-6753 / 888-869-7907 jan@europeanbarging.com

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

Posted on July 9, 2023 by Jan European Barging & River Cruises

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.

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

Discover the Beauty of Holland

Posted on January 20, 2023 by Jan European Barging & River Cruises

Holland is a small country in Europe. Its modern name is the Netherlands. It is a country where many world-famous icons came from. Visiting this beautiful country allows you to discover its windmills, bulb fields, wooden shoes, masterpieces of the Old Masters, the canals of Amsterdam, the many Spring Gardens of Holland, the famous Holland tulips, and many more. If you are planning for that Holland tour as your next travel destination, here are some of the events and places that are not to be missed:

Spring time Tulips in Holland

BOLLENSTREEK’ Flower Parade

Holland tulips and other beautiful flowers are in bloom in springtime, usually from March through May. The parade is usually scheduled in April. This big flower festival draws almost one million spectators every year.

The Bloemencorso Bollentsreek is a big flower event that happens every year. Dozens of floats are creatively decorated with tulips, hyacinths, narcissi, and other flowers to represent a variety of themes annually.

Aside from dressed-up floats, many participants parade their own cars decorated with different flower bouquets.

The parade spans 42 kilometers, from Noordwijk to Haarlem.

Gardens of Appeltern

This is a 23-hectare park, the largest garden idea park in the Netherlands. People come here to find inspiration for their own gardens. Visitors will see the latest gardening trends and innovations that they can use to build or improve their gardens at home. The highlight of your visit to this beautiful park is a walk around the park, called the Appeltern Whisper Tour.

They have over 200 inspiring gardens. Inside the park is the Discovery Island where the young and old can play and discover nature.

Every year they have different activities. They even offer workshops.

Het Loo Palace and Gardens

This sprawling palace and gardens are found at Koninkiij Park in Apeldorn. The Paleis Het Loo gardens were reconstructed to their 17^th-century original design by Queen Mary II and King-stadtholder William III. They were known as the first residents and the founders of the Het Loo Palace.

The garden screams of a Dutch Baroque design. There are symmetrical parterres, historical planting, and amazing fountains.

The main purpose of the gardens was to give prestige, impress visitors, and establish the status of both William and Mary.

During the 19^th century, the garden was filled with sand and later transformed into a landscape park. The park has different kinds of trees and shrubs. During the 1980’s it was remodeled back to its original Baroque style.

Different contemporary and historical flowers are in bloom each season. The Het Loo Palace and Gardens has already been officially recognized as a botanic garden, it is a reward to acknowledge its decades-long dedication to horticultural professionalism.

From the months of April to October, visitors get to enjoy the fountains in the palace. In comparison to the gardens of Versailles, the garden at Het Loo is thought to be more modest in terms of scale. The fountains are a different story, though. The fountains at Paleis Het Loo constantly spout fresh water because of the high level of the groundwater which actually surpasses the French varieties. The King’s Leap (Koningssprong) was considered to be the highest spouting fountain in the whole of Europe at 13 meters.

Visitors will find sculptures of the goddesses and gods from Greek mythology, in the center of the garden, such as Venus, the goddess of love.

Keukenhof Gardens

The Garden of Europe is also referred to as the Keukenhof Gardens. It is recognized as among the world’s biggest flower gardens. It is located in the beautiful town of Lisse. It is in the province of South Holland, just south of Haarlem and in the southwest area of Amsterdam. This whole space is known as the “Dune of Bulb Region”. The park actually covers an area of about 32 hectares, housing almost 7 million flower bulbs yearly.

The sprawling garden is popular for its colorful tulips. Aside from tulips, other flowers are featured in the park, like daffodils, roses, irises, hyacinths, lilies, and carnations.

The Keukenhof Gardens is open all year round, featuring Different activities that take place like festivals and private affairs.

Tulip Land

Holland is popular for its tulips. Keukenhof Gardens is home to 7 million flower bulbs that bloom from March to April. Crocus season starts in March, followed by hyacinths and daffodils. Then by mid-April to early May gorgeous tulips are in full bloom, creating a sea of amazing beauty.

Holland may very well be called the Tulip Land with the many different tulip farms. There are tulip farms in Noordoostpolder, Flevoland. Tulips may also be found along the coast of The Hague and Leiuden.

Sights and Events in Belgium

Nearby Belgium also has interesting places to visit too.

Park and Castle of Beloeil – this 25-hectare park and castle are one of the most popular places in Belgium. Real ancient furniture still adorns each room of the castle. The rich history of the place is also showcased by one-of-a-kind collectible pieces still found all throughout the castle. The French garden is a marriage of water and greens. Activities are suspended as of this writing because of the global pandemic.

Castle and Gardens of Freyr – this castle and gardens are located 50km from Brussels South Airport. The Dukes of Beaufort-Spontin used this castle as their summerhouse. This place is rich in history as 20 generations have lived there. Marvel at the different fountains and the 300-year-old orange trees all around the garden. Be amazed by the 6-kilometer hedged small mazes.

Fernelmont – The Castle of Franc-Waret and its Natural Gardens – the Fernelmont castle farm is the last remaining original medieval building in Franc-Waret in Fernelmont, Namur, Belgium. A moat surrounds the castle which is adorned by beautiful French gardens. An English-style garden covers more than 120 hectares of the palace. This castle built around the 1300s has an imposing porch dungeon. This is a huge limestone structure that features a central arched entrance which is located between two hemispherical projecting parts. It is recognized as an exceptional heritage site of Wallonia.

The Royal Greenhouses in Laeken – this is open for three weeks each year starting from mid-April to the first week of May. This is in time for springtime wherein a lot of colorful flowers are in bloom. The Greenhouses are part of the Royal Park, hence it is closed to the public for most of the year.

Europeanbarging offers short river cruises through Holland and Belgium on Arosa and Croisi Cruise lines as well as 7-night cruises on AmaWaterways. A Holland Tulip river cruise is a great way to see more of Holland and Belgium and their gardens. Some of the gardens would need to be visited as a pre or post-cruise trip as they are not on the rivers or canals. For more information or to check availability, contact Jan at 888-869-7907 or jan@europeanbarging.com.

EUROPEANBARGING IS OFFERING 20% OFF FALL 2021 EUROPE RHINE AND MOSEL RIVER CRUISE

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Posted on June 18, 2021 by Jan European Barging & River Cruises

Save 20% on a European Rhine, Neckar, Sarre and Mosel river cruise featuring the ports of Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Rudesheim, Cochem, Trier, Saarburg and Remich, departing Oct 5, 11 (R), and 17, 2021. Rates start at $1300 for a 7 day cruise.

Rate based on double occupancy and includes the cruise, all meals, beverage package of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and Wi-Fi. The excursion package is additional but may be pre booked at a discount or individual excursions can be pre purchased.

“This Four River Cruise visits 4 countries and cruises by historic castles, charming villages and beautiful vineyards. Catch a view of the famous Lorelei as your cruise to Rudesheim; walk among the ruins of the famous Heidelberg Castle, visit the 4h century ruins of Trier – the oldest city in Germany; tour Cochem Castle.” Jan Baumgartner of Europeanbarging

Strasbourg Canal

You will want to arrive a day early so you can experience the wonderful city of Strasburg with her Cathedral and Alsatian architecture and canals.

DAY 1: Strasbourg
You’ll board our ship at 6 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail reception. Our ship will cast off at 7:00 p.m. for Mannheim. Join us for an evening of entertainment.

Heidelberg Castle

DAY 2: Mannheim – Heidelberg -Rudesheim
We’ll arrive in Mannheim early in the morning. This will be our starting point for the optional excursion to Heidelberg. Known as the most romantic city in Germany, it has inspired many painters and poets by its beauty. You will have the opportunity to visit the partially ruined, red sandstone castle that sits majestically above the city, overlooking the Neckar River. Up to the Thirty Years’ War, Heidelberg boasted one of the most notable ensembles of buildings in the Holy Roman Empire. While time has taken its toll, this castle’s fame lives on to this day. The giant wine barrel is one of the most popular attractions. There is also time to explore the historical town of Heidelberg.

The afternoon will be spent cruising along the Neckar and Rhine Rivers towards Rudesheim, where we’ll arrive in the evening. The famous Drosselgasse with its numerous cafes, bars, and music awaits you tonight!

DAY 3: Rudesheim – Cochem
This morning, join us for an optional guided tour of Rudesheim.
Featured in the optional guided tour is a tour of the local vineyards on a tourist train. Then, you will participate in a wine tasting in the historic rooms of the Bassenheimer Hof. Then head to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum, located in a lovely, 15th-century building. This museum holds a collection of fascinating musical instruments ranging from tiny, delicate music boxes to an enormous orchestrion. This museum is really worth a visit. This is a cute town with lots of little wine tasting shops and souvenir shops. Several streets behind the main river front street are some streets with great gelato and more shops.

This afternoon, we’ll pass through the beautiful and romantic Rhine Valley. We will arrive in Cochem during the evening. Join us for an evening of entertainment.

DAY 4: Cochem – The Mosel Valley
This morning, Take part in our optional guided tour of Cochem Castle. There is a mini bus to take up to the castle or you can walk up – same for the return. The Imperial Castle sits on a mighty crag over the Mosel River. We’ll enjoy a guided tour of this magnificent building that dates back to 1000. After being destroyed by the French in the 17th century, it was rebuilt from scratch in a Neo-Gothic style by a local German businessman. There is time to explore this cute town.

We’ll spend the afternoon cruising to Trier.

Porta Negra in Trier

DAY 5: Trier – Saarburg – Remich
Arrive in Trier during the night. This morning, join us for an optional guided tour of Trier. Discover the Roman vestiges and heritage in Trier, the splendid view the city offers of the Mosel, and its magnificent landscape. Trier is known for its well-preserved Roman and medieval buildings, but it is also home to some impressive churches as well. We’ll have a look at the amphitheater, the imperial baths, the Roman basilica, and the Porta Nigra, one of the best-preserved Roman city gates. After our visit, you’ll have some free time to sight see on your own before heading back to the ship in Saarburg.

The afternoon will be spent cruising along the Sarre and the Mosel towards Remich. Join us for an evening of entertainment.

DAY 6: Remich – Luxembourg – Remich
This morning, join us for an optional visit to a winery complete with a tasting. Seven pioneering men of the region recognized the magic of the huge calcareous rock downstream from Remich. They cultivated the first vineyards now infamous for its sparkling wines. In 1919, in the aftermath of World War I, they set up the Caves St. Martin. You’ll discover the secrets to wine making while strolling through the underground passages that seem to go on for miles. After our tour, we’ll go to the historical center of Remich where you can enjoy some free time on your own. Also called the “Pearl of the Mosel,” this charming city is surrounded by an outstanding panorama of vineyards and forests. Take a stroll along the several miles of promenade in the shade of the trees along the Mosel or sit back on a cozy terrace for some more wine.

This afternoon, Join us for an optional guided tour of Luxembourg. Leave from Remich for Luxembourg by coach. Luxembourg is a real mix of styles and cultures. We’ll set out on a guided tour on foot to get a closer look at some of the sites, including the Place des Armes, Place de la Constitution, capital buildings, Corniche, old city, Grand Ducal Palace (exterior), and Place Guillaume II. After our tour, enjoy some free time before returning to the ship in Remich.

After our excursion, we’ll return on board our ship. Tonight is our festive gala evening.

DAY 7: Remich
Buffet breakfast on board. Disembark at 9:00 a.m

River cruises in Europe offers a great opportunity to see so much more of Europe than on your own and with a river cruise, most of your costs are includes – such as food, transportation, accommodations and touring. You travel with others that you can share this wonderful experience with and have staff that can assist in independent exploring if you want to go off on your own.

We have many cruise itineraries to offer on the many rivers of Europe – from 3 night to more than 14 nights. We have promotions throughout the year on various cruises – so check with us for the perfect cruise. 888-869-7907 jan@europeanbarging.com

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