Rhine River

Scenic Cruises is part of Scenic Tours, which provides its clients award-winning, all-inclusive escorted tours in Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and other popular destinations.

An exciting new cruise has been added to the Scenic Cruises “France River Cruising” program for 2013 – an incredible 14-night cruise from Amsterdam to Nice. This sailing combines the popular seven-night Amsterdam-to-Basel cruise followed by a new seven-night Chalon-sur-Saône-to-Arles cruise.

This is an amazing opportunity to discover the treasures of France, in addition to Germany. Cruise highlights includes – dinner in the home of a local French family near Tournon, learning about their everyday life and foods; a visit with local vintner and wine tasting in the Beaujolais village of Oignt; taking electric-assist bicycles out for a spin on the well-developed paths along the Rhine River near Koblenz; and visiting the Hockenheim Formula 1 track, including entry to the museum and an insider tour of the circuit.

The European cruise itinerary begins with one night in the canal city of Amsterdam prior to setting sail along the scenic Rhine River, which is about 600-kilometer in length. Cruise passengers end the Rhine portion in the beautiful Swiss city of Basel. Also enjoy the local charm and beauty of historic Cologne; the 2,000-year-old city of Koblenz; romantic Rüdesheim, the “city of the squares’; Mannheim; and Breisach, the German town with the Celtic name that translates into “breakwater.”

Numerous shore excursions include Cologne’s historic section; Germany’s most beautiful medieval castle, Burg Eltz; and Siegfrieds Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rudesheim, including guided tours of many of the museum’s treasured rooms.

Cruise prices for trip departures in either March, April and September range from $6,290 to $10,140 per person, double including free flights to Europe for guests booking standard staterooms (D&E category) if booked by Sept. 30, 2012.

Scenic Tours also offers three extended versions with you wan to take more time to enjoy Europe: a 20-night version, adding three nights in Paris and three in Monaco’s glamorous Monte Carlo – which includes visits to Cannes and Nice (starting at $9,930); 18 nights, from Paris to Nice (fare starting at $8,285); and 18 nights, from Amsterdam to Monte Carlo (priced from $7,935).

Please contact us to learn more or book your cruise:

Castle Philipsruhe – Hanau, Germany

2012 is the year of music in Germany.  Frankfurt Rhine-Main region is celebrating the spirit of music with a German Choir Festival.  From June 7^th through the 12^th, thousands of singers will gather at Frankfurt into on majestic stage.   Joined by individual concert sponsors and churches, the eclectic fusion of music ranges from classical to hip-hop and experimental.  With over 400 ensembles of over 20,000 singers will participate in this choral event.

For Jazz lovers, there are three jazz festivals to choose from: the annual Jazz Festival in Bingen located in the famed UNESCO World Hertiage Site “Upper Middle Rhine Valley,” taking place from June 22^nd to the 24^th; swing, boogie, blues and jazz surrounded by the romantic atmosphere of local vineyards and gardens; Jazz Week in Oestrich Winkel from July 20^th to the 29^th; and open-air music festival known as Idstein JazzFestival from June 15^th through the 17^th at the rustic, romantic city center.

No music festival is complete without this one genre: rock and roll.  Feeding your inner Rock n’ Roll is the four-day European Elvis Festival from August 16^th to the 19^th.  Concerts, exhibitions, parades, guided tours will be offered to commemorate the life and art of Elvis.  Other concerts taking place is the Rheingau Music Festival and the Bach Festival in nearby Aschaffenburg.

Coinciding with the music festivals are culinary events with gourmet cuisine and wine tasting.  Internationally known art exhibitions and museums such as the “dOCUMENTA,” Städel Museum, Jugendstil Festival, and Castle Philippsruhe in Hanau, the Fairy Tale City will also be available to satisfy your artistic desires.

Scenic Tours – Rhine River

When people think romance, Paris and Venice tend to be the first destinations that pop into most people’s heads.  But the splendor of Amsterdam can definitely give Paris and Venice and run for their money.  Rhine and Moselle River Cruise is offering a 15-day scenic cruise that takes passengers through the picturesque canals.  The liveliness of the vibrant city centers, small towns with rustic cobblestone streets and historic seaports are all part of the itinerary of the luxury ship known as the scenic “Space Ship”.

Ports visited include Venlo and its once-a-decade World Floriade Exposition; the fairytale town of Cochem; Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace wine region of France; and Luxembourg, one of Europe’s smallest and most prosperous countries.

Included optional excursions give guests the option of sightseeing according to their interests, whether it is a visit to a German home for Kaffeklatsch (“coffee and conversation”) or a wine tasting in the French countryside of Barr Fares for the April 2, April 4 and Aug. 20, Oct 8 and 15 departure dates – and the reverse itinerary departures on April 18, July 23 and Sept. 3, Oct 22 and 29.

Scenic Tours – Rhine River

Guided tours include the Anne Frank House, bike tour or a sightseeing canal cruise.  For the engineer-minded, the Middleburg’s Delta Works offers insiders’ look into the complex structure of dams, locks and barriers, built to protect a large area from the sea and declared one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Engineers.  For offers on Scenic Tours’ other European, Russia, and Egypt destinations, please visit their website, http://www.scenictoursus.com.

Courtesy of: Mandarin Oriental Hotel – Munich

Mandarin Oriental Munich Hotel is a hotel of quiet luxury, tucked away in a side street, yet centrally located near the famed Maximilianstrasse, in Munich Germany.

Spending time at this luxury hotel is truly a tourist’s heaven. The Mandarin Oriental is located in Munich’s historic area. Since it’s location is off the beaten path, it offers a quiet and peaceful setting.

This German lxuury hotel offers wonderful personalized VIP service and sincere know how to treat a customer right.

Travel + Leisure voted the Mandarin Oriental Munich Hotel as one of their top 10 of the World’s Best Hotels. You will find an elegant gem of Neo-Renaissance charm, which has been entirely renovated, and the highest levels of personalized service in the city.

With just 73 rooms and suites, the amazing Mandarin Oriental Munich Hotel promises the most personalized of services. What’s more, the beautifully redesigned rooms are some of the largest in the city, so you can lounge in the lap of luxury.

Courtesy of: Mandarin Oriental Hotel – Munich

All the rooms exude understated luxury and unapologetic comfort. Each has state-of-the art technology, including wireless LAN connectivity, flat-screen televisions in the bathrooms and surprising touches of luxury, such as exclusively designed bed linens, paintings by celebrated artist Wong Kee Chee and heated mirrors that stay mist-free.

The hotel’s restaurant is a place that everyone needs to experience at least once in their life. The atmosphere is beautiful and so romantic. The chef Mario Corti did an amazing job.The restaurant also offers over 400 wines from all over the world.

Berlin is the capital of Germany and one of the most fascinating cities in all of Europe. A visit to Berlin will provide exciting sightseeing, superb gourmet food, the newest in modern art, and a fantastic nightlife.

During the many years World War II, many of Berlin’s buildings where heavily damaged. After the reunification process, almost all were rebuilt.

As World War II ended, the Allies had Berlin divided up into four different sectors. In West Berlin, the Americans, the British and the French controlled this sector.  In the Eastern part of Berlin, the USSR had control.

Since the fall of the infamous Berlin Wall in 1989, the city was incredibly merged together. Now, the united Berlin is once again the capital of all of Germany.

The landmark Brandenburger Tor, at 85 feet (26 meters) in height, was originally the main gate to Berlin. During the bleak years of the Cold War, the Brandenburger Tor was a forgotten icon in run-down East Berlin. Now it proudly represents the symbol of German reunification.

Another very important historical building is the German Parliament Building, also named the Reichstag Building.

After a 1933 fire destroyed the dome, Adolph Hitler used the accident to declare a state of emergency in Germany. But 12 years later the Red Army showed their victory by planting a flag on the roof.

After a major renovation, the building reopened in 1999. Significant improvements included a brand new, spectacular glass dome.

Visitors will find man many remains of the Cold War in Berlin. For one, Check Point Charlie is great example.

Originally, Check Point Charlie was a primary crossing point between East and West Berlin. Its museum showcases a reminder of difficult time in Berlin’s history.

In the Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, view photos, and various memorabilia from the Berlin Wall and an assortment of devices that were used by citizens to escape from the East to the West.

Berlin boasts a variety of fine shopping. Here you can find Europe’s largest department store, called KaDeWe.

Make a trip to the sixth floor, where the food and beverage department is located. Gourmet lovers can rejoice and find approximately 1700 different cheeses, 1000 different sausages and 800 types of bread.

Berlin hosts a multitude of weekend markets. Several of the best ones include: Grosser Berliner Trdel- und Kunstmarkt at Strasse de 17. Juni in Tiergarten, Kunst-und Nostalgiemarkt at the Museumsinsel and Flohmarkt am Arkonaplatz.

At Christmas time, indulge in the taste of sausages, waffles and the popular German Gluhwein at one of the many festive, Weihnachtsmarkt events around the city.

Rothenberg Germany

Germany is a land of extremes. In this ancient land, you’ll find geographic wonders ranging from the sand dunes of the North Friesian Islands to the towering Alps to idyllic pastoral land dotted with enchanting villages. You can visit castles, sample some of the world’s best beer and wine, explore historic sites and so much more.

Of course, you’ll want to visit Bavaria, home to Munich with its many unique towns and villages, of which Neuschwanstein is perhaps the most famous. The castle, by the same name, was the inspiration for Disney’s signature Sleeping Beauty castle.

There are plenty more interesting destinations, so consider planning a trip other regions, as well. You might want to journey to Germany’s most northerly province, Schleswig Holstein, and visit Hamburg and the surrounding area. Another idea would be to explore the Black Forest, which boasts picturesque scenery, relaxing spas and even casinos.

If you cannot make up your mind as to where to travel, let prolific travel writer Karen Brown do the work for you. On her popular website, Karen Brown’s World of Travel, she has created several different itineraries for travelers to Germany. Her suggestions include places of interest, maps, regional tips and excellent places to stay. The following hotels and inns were chosen by her readers as the top lodging choices in Germany.

Built in 1730, the Hotel Bulow Residenz in Dresden is a charming Baroque relic painted a sunny shade of yellow. Hotel Bulow is across the river from the city center, so it offers close access to Dresden’s many attractions, but is located in a quiet, peaceful setting. Elegant guest rooms range from cozier single rooms to more spacious suites decorated with antiques. Breakfasts are often served in a vine-covered courtyard. The hotel has a formal restaurant as well as an intimate piano bar in the wine cellar. The hotel was chosen by Karen Brown readers as Germany’s “Most Romantic” lodging.

A trip to Rothenberg is a bit like waking up in the middle of a fairy tale — you almost expect to see Hansel or Gretel skipping down the streets of this medieval village. A stay at the Romantik Hotel Markusturm is all part of the enjoyment of a visit to this magical town. The guest rooms, decorated by host Lilo Berger, are welcoming, comfortable and eclectic. Lilo’s husband, Stephan, creates the wonderful dinners; his wine soup and homemade beer are among the highlights. Karen Brown readers have chosen this delightful hotel as the winner of the “Warmest Welcome” award for Germany.

The Gasthaus Die Krone in the Black Forest town of Staufen is a delight. This family-run hotel is located in a pedestrian-only area, so it enjoys a quiet and peaceful spot. The exterior of the building is charming with shuttered windows, window boxes bursting with color and a mural depicting the Revolution of 1848. Guest rooms are simple and pleasing with light pine furnishings and beds topped with white duvets and fluffy pillows. The hosts are friendly and welcoming and in addition to the guest rooms, there is a restaurant where dinner is served nightly. The hotel won the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for “Greatest Value” in Germany.

The Romantik Hotel Benen-Diken-Hof is an excellent spot for every type of traveler. Its location is unusual, located on a sand-dune island in Germany’s northernmost spot; the hotel is surrounded by acres of prairie land. There is a wellness center where guests can enjoy a relaxing spa treatment, as well as a sauna and swimming pool. The inn’s restaurant serves breakfast far longer than traditional breakfast hours, so you need not rise early and rush to get in the morning meal. Children will adore the hotel as there is plenty of room to run and play, and the hotel has a children’s program, baby sitting services and a room filled with toys. Hiking, fishing and golf are among the many local activities available. Karen Brown readers have chosen Hotel Benen-Diken-Hof as Germany’s best “Splendid Splurge.

Author:Tess Kirkpatrick loves writing about boutique hotels in Germany and other travel destinations.

It’s hard to be believe it’s been 20 years since the fall of the mighty Berlin Wall in Germany.  The wall that divided East versus West and divergent ideologies is gearing up for a huge celebration.

Arguably the most moving historic moment of the 20th century, was the ultimate fall of the Berlin Wall. 2009 will mark 20 years ago this year– was an unforgettable triumph.

Not hard to imagine that Germany is scaling up for a huge celebration and is planning an array of exciting events to commemorate this momentous occasion.

Berlin, now country’s capital, is a haven of creative design and hip cultural delights – is throwing a year-long party for the world to enjoy.

In May, visit the launch of an open-air exhibit on Alexanderplatz (formerly in East Berlin) about the fall of East Germany’s communist government. From November 7 to 9, a three-day “Festival of Freedom” will take place at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. This historic event will be “culminating in a multimedia recreation of the wall coming down.”

If you are looking for a luxury hotel during your stay in Berlin, Germany ….. try these favorites:

Hotel de Rome: Housed in a historic bank building (with the bank vault converted into a pool) and boasting panoramic views of the city’s attractions, this hotel is a member of the prestigious Rocco Forte Collection. Enough said.

Hotel Adlon Kempinski: A fixture on the Conde Nast Traveler Gold List, this illustrious hotel is actually offering a special package to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Berlin Wall’s demise, which includes a guided city tour of Berlin’s historic sites.

Kempinski Hotel Bristol: The first five-star hotel to be rebuilt after the war and a symbol of Berlin.

Ritz-Carlton Berlin: The posh hotel features the La Prairie Spa pool. Bathrooms in the guestrooms are just as sumptuous and spa-like.

Radisson SAS: Stocked with 2,500 exotic fish, the enormous lobby AquaDom is the world’s largest cylindrical aquarium.

Hotel Concorde: The sleek hotel is all about design with stylish minimalist interiors with lots of contemporary art.

The Black Forest region is one of Germany’s most popular and scenic tourist destinations.

The Black Forest is one of the most beautiful, most romantic highlands with innumerable hiking trails and opportunities to go for a swim. For more than two hundred years it has been a region of German spas famous for their hospitality.

Like Bavaria to its east, the Black Forest combines great outdoor scenery with unique local customs, products, and fare. The Black Forest is also in the middle of Germany’s timber and woodworking industry. This area contributes much of the region’s economy beyond just tourism.

In this part of Germany, the forest is everything, and therefore the forests are carefully managed. Each year, carefully selected plots of land are cleared of trees and replanted, under the watchful eye of forest rangers. The timber comes from a variety of pine tree that literally grows straight up without creating many branches, so the logs are very well suited for making lumber.

Driving through, it seemed like every town had its own lumberyard and sawmill. In between would be piles upon piles of cut logs being watered down and readied for the mill. Trucks carrying huge loads of logs were commonplace.

Black Forest is also well known for its musical diversity. From the spa concert to chamber music, music played by symphony orchestras to Swing, there is a wide range of concerts which not even every city can offer.

Berlin, the capital city of Germany is the biggest city in the country. It is most famous for its historical places, nightlife, cafes, clubs, bars, museums, palaces, and further sightseeing options.

After the fall of the Berlin War, the city has become a genuine melting pot as far as culture is concerned. It has become a place where all types of art, music, and fashion come together.

The city has numerous museums. Museums managed by the government do not need to be paid for to enter four hours prior to their shutting down each Thursday, and there is also the three day Museum Pass which lets visitors have admission to about 70 museums.

Museumsinsel, also known as Museum Island is famous for housing the Pergamon Museum which has a huge compilation of Greek and Islamic art. Additional museums on the island consist of the Altes Museum with Egyptian collections, the Alte National galleries with mostly German collections, and the Bode Museum with Byzantine art.

You can discover a lot of museums that cover the history of the country, particularly the Holocaust. In addition, Berlin is one of those few cities that do not attempt to conceal the negative sides of its history. You can view remnants of the Berlin Wall as well as Jewish museums that cover the Holocaust.

The Deutches Historisches Museum has an enormous assortment of German history items covering all ages. This museum is extremely huge, so make sure you have sufficient stamina to spend hours looking at the whole thing. The Judisches Museum is the Jewish museum. There are many historical items about Jews in Germany in this museum. In addition there is a Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe which covers one entire block. There is an underground museum with information concerning the Holocaust. This is one of the most visited as well as most striking museums in Berlin.

The Berlin Wall may not be there anymore, but a portion of it is still visible along the river. This has been preserved as a gallery, and there are very nice murals on it. There is also a Berlin War Memorial for those that died crossing the wall. There is a viewing platform that lets you imagine exactly what it must have been like when the wall was still in place. Checkpoint Charlie used to be a crossing point between the two sides of Germany, and is also well worth a visit.

The Tempelhof airport is the airport that was used for the duration of the Berlin Airlift in 1948. There is now a memorial here to remember the airlifts around the blockade. This airport has also been featured in numerous films, and has a matchless architecture. With its countless halls and buildings, it was built to become an entry point to Europe, and is still one of the most enormous buildings in the world.

Berlin is an amazing city to see for tourists, and if you can only go to one city in Germany then you should go to Berlin. Its history will help you connect to it, and you will be haunted the rest of your life by many of the historic sites you see here.  Author: Robert M Freeman