Christmas Archives - Unique Journeys LLC

THE REASONS TO LOVE VISITING VIENNA

Sep 6, 2021

Let’s talk about the reasons to love visiting Vienna. It’s a city with a rich historical and cultural history, but also one that loves to have fun. Just enter one of the excellent coffee houses, experience great art, or go to one of the many and varied festivals. I have visited this historic city many times and I still find a host of things to love.

MUSIC, HISTORY, FOOD-ALL REASONS TO LOVE VISITING VIENNA

Music

If you love classical music, you know that Vienna has been synonymous with music and was home to Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Johann Strauss. This outstanding musical heritage has been preserved right to the present day. There are many opportunities to experience the music made famous by these composers all over the city in classic venues.

Vienna is a city steeped in tradition and one of the most well-known is the Vienna Boys Choir. It is one of the oldest musical organizations and performs regularly in Vienna. If they have concerts scheduled when you are there, it’s a must see.

History

The history of Vienna is on display throughout the city and easily accessible. It includes historic building, statues and monuments and even the iconic coffee houses. History is alive here and waiting for you to discover it.

Lippizaners – These are the magnificent white stallions who, along with their riders perform in one of the most beautiful setting you can imagine. If you visit Vienna, you can experience this wonderful performance for yourself.

I promise you will be spellbound at the magical experience and it’s one you won’t forget. They are part of the Spanish Riding School based in Vienna. These beautiful horses have a rich history, not only of memorable performances, but how they were saved in World War II.

You can also take various tours to give you a full picture of the historic institution. The training schedules are open to the public and you can take a backstage tour which includes the stable area. Here you can see the horses up close and personal. I have done this tour several times and learn something new each time. What a fun way to spend time before a performance.

Beautiful home of the Spanish Riding School

St. Stephens Cathedral – Consecrated in 1147, this church has seen many triumphs and tragedies, but continues to be a beacon for the faithful and is a beautiful testament to the resilience and perseverance of Austria and the citizens of Vienna.

Ringstrasse – This is considered the most beautiful boulevard in the world and is home not only to many of Vienna’s best-known sights, such as the Imperial Palace, the Kunst historisches Museum and the Natural History Museum, the Vienna State Opera and Parliament. Magnificent palaces, extensive parks and important monuments also line the “display window” of the former Danube monarchy.

Statues and Monuments – The people of Austria and Vienna don’t shy away from the unpleasant aspects of their history. There is one statue of particular note I was shown on a tour of the city which highlights this. It acknowledges that all history is worth noting. It relates to the Holocaust and serves as a reminder to all generations that some things must be remembered and avoided at all costs.

Vienna respects all of their history

Mozart Statue in Vienna’s central cemetery

Food

All that history, sightseeing and culture will most assuredly give you an appetite and this is the city for you.

Vienna is a city steeped in their own “coffee culture”. A description from the website for Cafe Central, one of the most famous and beautiful of the coffee houses in Vienna. seems to say it all:

Can you speak the language of coffee?

Any Viennese coffeehouse worth its salt, won’t serve you a pot of coffee and there certainly won’t be a frappuccino in sight. The Austrian capital has a coffee culture all of its own, with a few rather unusual creations. First things first: When a native of the city talks about “Obers” they mean cream. “Schlagobers” is fluffy whipped cream. It is served in a dollop known locally as a “Gupf”. “Schlag”, which also means a punch, is the Viennese word for whipped cream, so if the waiter asks if you want “Kaffee mit Schlag”, you don’t need to worry about getting a black eye. A “Grosser Mokka” (large mocha) is topped with a proper “Gupf” of whipped cream.

Christmas and Christmas Markets-One of the Best Reasons to Visit Vienna

As beautiful as Vienna is the rest of the year, Christmas is a magical time and one of the best reasons to love visiting Vienna. There are Christmas Markets galore and each one has a distinct character. One thing they all have in common, however, are the Gluhwein booths. Each vendor has their own “secret” recipe. Each year also features an original design for their mugs. You can keep your souvenir mug or return it and receive a refund on your purchase.

Enjoying a cup of Gluhwein with friends

Thus fortified with a hot mug of Gluhwein, you can wander among stalls loaded with great homemade gift ideas, delicious sweets and hearty sausages. What more could you ask for. This isn’t just a tourist attraction; it’s a family tradition among the locals and you will see families and their wide-eyed children taking in the sights just as you are.

NOW IS NOT TOO SOON to begin planning a cruise to include visiting Vienna. Unique Journeys is a valuable asset to make certain you get the right cruise at the right time and for the right price. Don’t go it alone and risk not having the best experience possible. Contact me and together we will give you the vacation you deserve.

Now that you are perusing river cruises to make the perfect choice, here is a must read article on avoiding river cruise booking mistakes. For the best river cruise experience you will want to contact expert Nancy at Unique Journeys. I will assistance you in finding the perfect cruise experience where you will create memories for a lifetime. Here is an article on why you need a travel agent. You are welcome to find additional information at AMA Waterways regarding the luxury river cruise experience.

WHY SHOULD YOU TAKE A RIVER CRUISE?

Dec 11, 2019

DO YOU NEED A REASON TO CONSIDER TAKING A RIVER CRUISE? You’re in luck because I can supply you with some of the top reasons a river cruise makes sense for you, your family and friends.

1. ALLERGIC TO CROWDS?

If you have taken a cruise on an ocean cruise line, you have an idea of what a crowd is like. Most ocean-going ships today hold several thousand people. Not so with river cruises. The ships are designed to fit through the locks of Europe and consequently are much smaller and more intimate. This lends itself to an overall quieter and more relaxed atmosphere. Many travelers use this as an opportunity to get to know their fellow explorers and make new friends.

Taking a river cruise is an opportunity to experience wonderful regional specialities

Great German beer and pretzels

2. LET’S TRY REGIONAL SPECIALTIES

Dining on a River Cruise is one of the highlights of your trip. Instead of mass produced food, there is often a five-star chef onboard preparing local cuisine with the freshest ingredients, which he has shopped for while in port. Imagine apple strudel in Austria, sausages, beer and pretzels while sailing through Germany and the great pastries of France. Along with the great regional cuisine, you will also be treated to the wines of the regions you are sailing through.

3. HOW ABOUT MORE TIME TO EXPLORE!

Sailing along a river has many benefits. The ride is often smoother, and there is always land in sight. Since distances are shorter, you spend more time exploring the towns and cities on your journey.

Along with the fact that you spend less time cruising, you also dock in most instances in the heart of the city, meaning you can start exploring just by going down the gangplank. Many of these towns are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites, so you will be see not only beautiful sites, but historically significant ones as well. There are always complimentary shore excursions provided with local guides, and in some ports you have the option to take longer trips further from the ship for a fee.

4. GREAT NEW SHIPS

River cruising is the fastest growing segment of the cruise market and all the major cruise lines are launching new and innovative ships every year. This is great for you as a traveler, since you have so many choices of cruise lines, dates and itineraries. AMA Waterways has launched the largest river cruise ship in the AMA Magna. Even though it is wider and longer, than most other ships, it still only accommodates 196 passengers. You can check out all the ships with AMA Waterways here: https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/uniquejourneys

5. ARE YOU A SOLO TRAVELER? TRY A RIVER CRUISE

Since most of the river ships carry under 200 passengers, you won’t feel left out if you are travelling alone. Dining is open seating and you are sure to be welcomed to join your fellow passengers for a meal. The lounge is also a great way to meet people. It is always open with people relaxing and enjoying the view out the large windows. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and join in the conversations.

6. WHAT DO WINE, FLOWERS AND CHRISTMAS HAVE IN COMMON?

YOU GUESSED IT – THERE’S A CRUISE FOR THAT

You like wine, but have never experienced where the grapes are grown, the process of turning those grapes into the wine you enjoy. Now is your chance to see the whole process. There are wine-themed cruises on the Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Rhone and even the Douro in Spain.

Flowers make everybody happy and you can’t get happier than the cruises through Holland during tulip time. Tulips as far as the eye can see, plus a day spent at the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens where the tulips are spread over 70 acres. A feast for the eyes. As a bonus, you can indulge in some authentic beers, great cheeses and chocolates. You will also be mesmerized by the iconic windmills that have helped The Netherlands stay above water for centuries.

MAGICAL – that is the word to describe the Christmas Market cruises. The cities and towns on the Danube and Rhine rivers put on their shows at this time of year. You will be immersed in the rich culture and traditions and see families celebrating this holiday as they have done for generations. You can be part of this as you stroll through the booths, drinking Gluhwein and eating treats such as pretzels, sausages and gingerbread.

Enjoy time with friends on a Christmas Market river cruise

Enjoy your time on a river cruise ship

8. YOU ENJOY THE TIME ON THE SHIP

Unlike large ocean-going vessels, a river cruise ship travels at a slower pace and is never out of sight of land. This means you will always have great scenery to admire. Whether it’s a hillside filled with grape vines, the many castles which were built along the great rivers of Europe or the charming towns you will pass, you will always have photo opportunities and conversation starters. At various points along the way, your hotel manager will inform you of sights and history of the places you are gliding by.

9. DO YOU HAVE FAMILY/FRIENDS? YOU HAVE A GROUP

What can be better than enjoying a fabulous cruise? Enjoying it with your friends and family! Since the ships are smaller, you can create a group with fewer cabins.

Do you knit? Play Bridge? belong to a garden group? Get onboard and enjoy your cruise and your passions at the same time.

Now is the time to book your cruise so that you can get the best price and the cabin categories of your choice. River cruises are the fastest growing segment of the travel industry, so you need to secure your spot now. Call Unique Journeys and let’s get cruisin’

THE MAGIC AND WONDER OF CHRISTMAS MARKETS BY RIVER CRUISE

May 16, 2018

Do you Believe in Magic?

I believe in magic and you will too when you board your river cruise and see it decked out for the holidays. The magic and wonder of a Christmas Markets cruise in Europe is one way to re-capture the Christmas magical feelings of your youth and give it as a gift to your children. Take a river cruise to the Christmas Markets of Europe and you can introduce your children to cultures and traditions different than your own. You can expand their horizons and help them understand other societies. You can watch their eyes light up as you wander the various markets with their array of hand-crafted toys, ornaments and delectable treats. This is the true magic of Christmas.

Christmas is still very much a religious and family-oriented holiday in the countries you will visit. While shopping is a theme of your shore excursions, intertwined with every market are Christmas concerts at the beautiful churches and areas for the children to play and have fun.

You and your children will be exposed to traditions that have been handed down in families for hundreds of years and you will be learning about different cultures while you are having the time of your life.

Caroling

When you board your river cruise ship, you are surrounded by energetic crew members excited to help you enjoy and get the most out of your cruise, a ship that has been transformed into a Christmas fantasy, and the promise of a great experience in some of the most iconic European cities and towns. However, there is one element that is waiting for your special touch – the passengers get to decorate the tree.

WHAT’S A PICKLE GOT TO DO WITH IT?

Another fun activity onboard the ship is the hunt for the pickle. The Legend of the Pickle is hundreds of years old in Germany and your family will learn the legend and will get a chance to “hunt for the pickle”. Will you be the one to find the pickle? Even if you aren’t, it’s a great family activity, that you can take home with you and start your own tradition.

LET’S TALK ABOUT THE INTRIGING CITIES YOU CAN VISIT

Your floating hotel will enable you to see many of the cities you have always heard about at a magical time of year when they are decked out for the Holidays. Some of the greatest cities in Europe are on the rivers, such as Vienna, Budapest, Strasbourg, Amsterdam and many others.

FEAR NOT FOODIES AND PICKY EATERS – YOU ALL CAN “HAVE IT YOUR WAY”

Breakfast and lunch can both be buffets or you can order off the menu. At lunch, you just want something quick so you can make that afternoon shore excursion? There is a shortened lunch menu in the lounge. Tired from all that shopping, exploring and absorbing history, how about a small assortment of sandwiches and desserts to keep your strength up until dinner. While you have been enjoying family time, your chef and his group of talented cooks has been creating food almost too good to eat. I managed and I’m sure you will too. Now, go rest up for dinner – where you have lots of menu choices.

While every city and town is celebrating Christmas, there will be regional specialties in each destination which are steeped in the history of the area. You and your family will learn the traditions that have been practiced for hundreds of years and handed down from generation to generation. Take Regensburg for example. It is the oldest town on the Danube and home to one of the oldest sausage shops, Wurstkuchl. This is a must stop before you start to explore this town which has over 1,000 historic buildings.

DO YOU HAVE A SWEET TOOTH?

Along with the wonderful treats created onboard your ship, you will find great regional specialties in each city. Take Nuremberg for example. Along with one of the largest Christmas markets in Europe, they are famous for their gingerbread. Smelling it is almost as much fun as tasting it, but not quite. And, you will get to taste it everywhere.

While in Vienna, you can taste Sacher Torte. While not a Christmas specialty, you can learn how it originated at the Sacher Hotel. Pull up a chair and you can enjoy it where it was first served. You should also order one of my favorites while there, hot chocolate MIT SCHLAG. This is one of my special treats. In German, Mit Schlag means with cream and in Austria, you get a lot of Schlag when you ask for it.

HOW TO EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC AND WONDER OF A CHRISTMAS CRUISE

If you want your family to experience the magic and wonder of a Christmas Market cruise this year, you need to call me. The earlier the better to insure your family get the perfect accommodations on your first choice of dates. Many times the early you book the better the price. The first step is up to you. I’ll await your phone call.