Paris: Le Marais
Le Marais is a Parisian neighborhood in the conveniently-located 3rd and 4th of Paris’ twenty districts, or arrondissments, that is known for its architectural style.
Read MoreNymphenburg Palace, Munich, Germany
Bavarian Elector Ferdinand Maria built this Italian villa style country estate on 600 acres west of Munich for his wife, the Italian princess Henriette Adelaide of Savoy…
Read MoreBMW World and the BMW Museum, Munich, Germany
Anyone who has admired BMW’s innovative roadsters and design will want to tour the BMW Museum’s 43,000 square feet and nine decades of automobiles, motorcycles, and engines, past and future.
Read MoreThe glockenspiel at Marienplatz, Munich, Germany
Munich’s two-story glockenspiel has 32 nearly life-size figures that reenact 16th century events. The upper level depicts part of local Duke Wilhelm V and Renata of Lorraine’s lavish three week wedding celebration in 1568.
Read MoreThe best of Munich in 48 hours
While a visit to the capital of Bavaria is not complete without sausages, pretzels, beer and some oom-pah music, Munich is much more than its celebrated beer halls, beer gardens and even the world-renowned Oktoberfest.
Read MoreGarmisch-Partenkirchen: a peak experience even in the rain
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a sport and resort town in the Bavarian Alps, is one of Germany’s most popular vacation destinations.
Read MoreTop attractions in Austria: Swarovski Crystal Worlds
Daniel Swarovski was born in Bohemia to a family with a small glass cutting factory. He invented a machine for cutting and polishing crystal jewelry stones and chose Wattens, then a village of 500 inhabitants, for his crystal jewelry production facility because it had a train connection and water resources.
Read MoreMaximilian I lives on in Innsbruck, Austria
The architecture and narrow streets of Innsbruck’s Old Town are reminiscent of fairy tales. The landmark “Goldenes Dachl”, the Golden Roof, is its hub, a symbol of Innsbruck, and a legacy of its political and cultural history.
Read MoreGrassmayr Bell Foundry and Museum, Innsbruck, Austria
The Grassmayr family has been casting bells since 1599 — for churches, cows, houses, clocks, horses, holidays and special occasions — that ring in over a hundred countries throughout the world.
Read MoreTop attractions in Austria: Ambras Castle, Innsbruck, Austria
Ambras Castle is high on a hill above the Innsbruck. This Renaissance castle built by Archduke Ferdinand II for the woman he secretly married, Philippine Welser…
Read MoreTop attractions in Austria: Nordkettenbahnen, Innsbruck, Austria
From Innsbruck’s city center it takes just twenty minutes on the new Nordkettenbahnen to ascend 1000’ by funicular to Hungerburg.
Read MoreThe Grand Hotel Europa, Innsbruck
Innsbruck, Austria, renowned for its alpine scenery and recreation, gained international recognition as the site of the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympic Games and 2012 inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games.
Read MoreSalzburg : the sounds of music
Salzburg, or “salt castle,” gets its name and medieval prosperity from the gold and “white gold” mined here for over 3,000 years. A wooden barrel of salt was once worth as much as a house.
Read MoreThe Imperial City: the grandeur of Vienna
Austria is one of the most prosperous countries in the European Union, and the quality of life in Vienna, its capital and largest city, consistently ranks #1 globally in the Mercer Quality of Living Rankings. The Imperial City is also one of the most beautiful in the world…
Read MoreThrough the Heart of Europe in a Viking Longship: The Romantic Danube
Viking River Cruises’ longship Njord is named for the Norse god of the wind and sea. The voyage, called The Romantic Danube, was along some of the river’s most scenic stretches.
Read MoreQueen of the Danube: Budapest, Hungary
Budapest was a capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and its architecture reflects those glorious days.
Read MoreThe Splendor of Paris
Little wonder Paris is the #1 tourist destination in the world. There are 6,500 years of history, 455 parks and gardens, 200 churches, 141 museums, and 120 statues in the Tuileries gardens alone.
Read MoreGloucester, Massachusetts: Fish and ships and so much more
Gloucester attracts visitors from spring through fal for its oceanside setting, renowned whale watches, harbor cruises, deep-sea fishing trips, and seafood fresh from the dock.
Read MoreA day in port in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is Spanish for “rich coast”, an appropriate name for a country with such biodiversity.
Read MoreNova Scotia: Peggy of the Cove with Ivan Fraser
Our most unforgettable stop during our day in the Halifax region was our visit to Ivan Fraser’s family home while en route to Peggy’s Cove
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