Vienna River Cruises, European River Cruises

A European river cruise down the Danube would not be complete without a visit to the historic and romantic city of Vienna, the capital of Austria. An even better cruise down the Danube starts in this historic city. Several cruise ship sail from Vienna and have packages that feature two or three day stays in the city at the start of the trip.

Avalalon Waterways has a fabulous 14-day cruise sailing from Vienna that includes a 2 ½ day stay in Vienna to allow for visiting the city and its sites. This cruise goes from the Blue Danube to the Black Sea, departing in Vienna and arriving in Bucharest.

Arrival
After arriving in Vienna by plane the City is open to exploration for the next 2 ½ days before embarking on the cruise. Vienna offers a vast array of culture, music, arts, and architecture to enjoy.

 

Tour the City

While in the City there are numerous sights that should be considered a must see. The Anchor Clock is one. The Anchor Clock is located in the oldest square of the Vienna “Hoher Markt’. The clock was built between 1911 and 1917 based on the plans of painter Franz von Matsch.

Read more

Vacation to Amsterdam, 10 Things to do in Amsterdam, Best Tourist Destination in Europe

Known as the Venice of the North because of its many canals, Amsterdam is as avant garde as it is old fashioned. Amsterdam is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, located in the province of North Holland in the west of the country. The city has many attractions for visitors. Amsterdam is the 5th busiest tourist destination in Europe, receiving more than 4.2 million international visitors annually.

Being part of the province North-Holland, Amsterdam is located in the northwest of the Netherlands next to the provinces Utrecht and Flevoland. The river Amstel terminates in the city center into a large number of canals that eventually terminate in the IJ. The town’s most famous sight is the system of canals, that spreads over the whole city centre.

Cobbled streets are cheek by jowl with glittering night clubs. Here are 10 experiences you should take home with you from the capital of the Netherlands.

1. Amsterdam’s cafes
Known for providing customers with more than just coffee, Amsterdam’s coffee houses abound. It won’t be difficult to find one: there are around 1500 in the city! In Amsterdam, the words “cafe” and “bar” are nearly interchangeable. Dutch pea soup, called erwtensoep, is a specialty made with ham, smoked sausage, thyme, and cloves. It is served with rye bread spread with mustard. Read more

Italy Travel Guide, Best Italian Vacations, Top Vacation Destinations in Italy

First, the dry facts; Italy covers 116,303 square miles and has a population of almost 57,000,000. You probably already know that Rome is the capital, with a population of 2,775,000. Milan and Naples also have populations of over 1 million.

The Alps and the Apennines are two mountain chains that dominate the geography of Italy. The foothills of the Alps are where world famous lakes such as Lake Como and Lake Maggiore are located. Though the Alps run east to west across the northern part of Italy, the Apennines trace the “backbone” of the Italian peninsula.

Off the southwest coast of Italy are the principal islands of Sardinia and Sicily, home to the great volcanic Mt. Etna, which rises 10,860 feet. Additional island chains include the Tremiti Islands, the Tuscan Archipelago, and the Pontine Islands, among others.

If you go shopping in Italy, look for men’s and women’s clothing, particularly shoes, gloves, and ties. Additional specialties include lace, jewels, leather handbags and luggage, gold and silver, glass and crystal.

One of the biggest “problems” in visiting Italy is having to choose among a huge array of cultural offerings. Not only the big cities, but most provincial cities and even small towns have museums that are well worth your time. How could you go wrong in a country that produced Raffaello, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio? Read more

Top 10 Things to do in Barcelona, Barcelona Best Destinations, Best Europan Cities for Vacation

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is the second largest city in Spain. Barcelona’s magnificent architecture is dominated by the work of the great Antonio Gaudi. Shopping, art, dining, and entertainment also feature prominently in this lively city. Here are 10 things not to miss in Barcelona. If you plan to European cities as a holiday destination, the capital of Catalonia and Spain’s second city should be on the top of the list of your visit.

1    Sagrada Familia Church
With its soaring, expressionist towers, Sagrada Familia is Antonio Gaudi’s most famous creation. And it is not yet finished! Begun in 1882, construction on the church continues, and is funded by Barcelona’s tourism industry.

2    Casa-Museu Gaudi
In his later years, Gaudi lived with his niece in this pink house that looks like something straight out of a fairy tale. The rooms in the house are themed, containing furniture, drawing, and portraits made by Gaudi himself.

3    Bishop’s Palace
A new structure begun in 1889 to replace the original palace, which had been destroyed by a fire, the Bishop’s Palace had a storied history during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Gaudi abandoned the work after the Bishop Juan Bautista Grau i Vallespinós died, and the palace was not occupied until 1961. Read more

Discover Lanzarote, Top Destinations in Spain, Best Island Vacations in Spain

The small Canary Island of Lanzarote is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Spain.  Attracting over 1.5 million foreign tourists every year.  The bulk of them from Britain and Eire – who account for well over 60% of all tourist visits made to the island.

The key to Lanzarote´s popularity as a holiday destination lies in the fact that this island located just seventy miles off the coast of Africa enjoys a great climate all year round.  So even in the depths of winter when Northern Europe is shivering, visitors are able to enjoy a beach holiday in the sun here.  As temperatures average 20 Celsius all year round – even during December and January.

Lanzarote was first conquered by the Spanish in the early 1400´s – and rapidly became an important strategic trading post between the New World and the Old.  As Spanish galleons crossed the Atlantic with Inca silver and returned with African slaves.  Stopping off at Lanzarote and the other Canary Islands to refuel and restock. Read more

10 Experiences to Savor in Monte Carlo, Best Europe Vacations, Europe Tourist Destinations

Monte Carlo is perhaps the most famous of Monaco’s administrative areas. With a permanent population of only 3,000, this tiny geographical gem is known as a jet setters’ and gamblers’ paradise. The best way to explore this affluent and chic city is on foot. You’ll experience not only the best of city living, but also beautiful beaches on the Mediterranean. Here are 10 things any trip to Monte Carlo should include. Monte Carlo is known for its casinos, gambling, glamour, and for sightings of famous people.

1. Monte Carlo Casino
Charles Garnier designed the magnificent gold and marble atrium in this famous casino, which was built in 1863. Overlooking the Mediterranean, the Monte Carlo Casino also includes an opera and ballet house called the Grand Théâtre de Monte Carlo, and is the headquarters of the Ballets de Monte Carlo.

2. Cafe de Paris
A visit to Monte Carlo should definitely include a meal at the famous Cafe de Paris. Opened in 1962, the cafe features both indoor and outdoor seating areas, and is conveniently located in Casino Square.

3. Old Town
This is the more traditional part of Monte Carlo, and it features numerous classy bars and restaurants. The traditional Monegasque cuisine you’ll find here includes dishes like Stocafi, which is dried cod cooked in rich tomato sauce, and Fougasse, a pastry decorated with nuts and aniseed.

Read more

Next Page »