by Ron Largent | Dec 19, 2017 | Austria, Bavaria, Budapest. Hungary, Cruise Line Deals, Danube Canal at Nuremberg, Danube River, Danube River and Viking River, Eastern Europe, Eastern Germany, European Travel, Germany, Nuremberg, Travel, Travel the World, Vienna, Viking Cruises, Viking River, Viking River Cruises, Vikings
Nuremberg is much larger than what I expected, and a center of commerce and industry for this area of Bavaria. It is right on the Danube Canal, which is a major transportation resource…..and then the city itself historically has been a major rail city.
We took the included tour of the City….as well as the walking…but suffice it to say that the city has put the Nazi movement in perspective, clearly indicating the size and power of Hitler and the party. The huge Nazi HQ building is still in place, as is the Congress Hall area, which is only 2/3rds completed…then we saw the area where Hitler would hold the rallies, which were attended by upwards of 300,000 party faithful.
The Old Town, for the most part, survived the bombings in WW II…and the Castle is a Medieval marvel. We had a great tour of the area, with a very knowledgeable tour guide that did college work in Oregon. It was an afternoon tour, so our final couple of hours was at the Christmas Market, which is the largest in Germany, and may be in Europe. There are a total of 4 large Christmas markets, but we were at the largest at the Old Town town hall,,,right in the square in front of the Catholic Cathedral, which was not very impressive, and near to the Lutheran Church, which was very impressive. The market itself was jammed with probably 10,000 folks doing their shopping, and this was a big day, as the last Saturday before Christmas.
The day ended with the Captains Dinner…..a full and fun day…Nuremberg is a must to see to fully understand the nature of the Nazi Party, and Hitler, and how Germany was learned and rebuilt from the War.
More to come…
by Ron Largent | Dec 13, 2017 | Alaska, Alborg, alpine, Asian Travel, Austria, Bavaria, Bella Russe, Bergen, Bern, Budapest. Hungary, Bullet Train, Copenhagen, Cruise Line Deals, Danube River, Danube River and Viking River, Denmark, Eastern Europe, Eastern Germany, Eidfjord, European Travel, Finland, Fjords, Gdansk, Geneva, Germany, Gstaad, Hapsburg Dynasty, Helsinki, Holland America Cruise Lines, Hungary, Hungary food, International Travel, Latvia, Lausanne, Leipzig, Lenin Square, lucerne, Maria Theresa, Matthias Church, Munich, Northern Europe Cruise, Norway, Poland, Russia, Russian Market, Salzburg, Sitka, Ski The Alps, South Sawyer Glacier, Special Events Travel Deals, Special travel deals, St Stephens Basilica, St. Petersburg, Stockholm, Stuttgart, Sweden, Switzerland, Tallin, The Alps, The Fjords, Tracy Arn Fjord, Travel, Travel the World, Ultimate Sports Events., Uncategorized, US Open, Vienna, Viking ATLA River Cruise Ship., Viking Cruises, Viking River, Viking River Cruises, Vikings, Volcano Island, Warnemunde, Warsaw, Wimbledon, Zurich
Vienna, Austria……ship was delayed in the locks leading into Vienna on Monday night…and we first heard about it early Tuesday morning with the daily announcements. Apparently late Monday night the winds picked up on the Danube and by the time we got to the locks….too high to go through….so we were put on hold in the River for about 2 hours….there were then additional delays and finally cleared the locks at 5 AM…which made us about an hour late to get into Vienna. In that it was a full day, plans were changed and we proceeded to dock at another town about an hour drive away from Vienna. We then boarded Viking buses…and off we went into Vienna, through beautiful farm lands and small towns…arriving about 10 into Vienna.We then had the included panorama tour of Vienna, as well as the walking tour of the Old City….a magnificent old city with gorgeous buildings….just a beautiful place to see and walk through, etc.
Being late, Viking decided to give us a 25 Euro credit per person for lunch….and we ate behind St Stephens church at a great restaurant….finishing up by 2 when we met up again, and then went on the optional tour to the Schonbrunn Palace.
The Palace is a showplace for Emperoress Maria Theresa and the Hapsburg Dynasty….and I cannot say enough in this blog about her and her reign…and I bought a book at says it all, including her 16 children. A powerful woman like Queen Victoria in England……Maria Theresa being the daughter of Charles VI. The Hapsburg Dynasty in Central Europe in itself is a Masters Thesis…what a fascinating story of reign for 650 years. This is a MUST visit….
Back to the ship for dinner…then on to our Optional Concert of Mozart and Strauss by the Vienna Residence Orchestra. This is a small chamber orchestra obviously hand picked as they put on quite a show of music and humor to this private concert. Just a thrilling and fun performance with soloists, ballet dancers, and a great orchestra….a fun evening and well worth it…even for non-music lovers.
Back to the bus by 11…a great day in Vienna…one of the World’s Great Cities…and the 2nd one we have been part of on this trip…the other Budapest.
More to come……
by Ron Largent | Nov 11, 2017 | Asian Travel, Cruise Line Deals, European Travel, International Travel, Special Events Travel Deals, Special travel deals, Travel, Travel the World, Uncategorized
Today we have Norwegian Cruise Lines “Norwegian Dawn”…. A beautiful new NCL ship…Southern Caribbean for 7 nights…Starting at $349 with Suites at $879, plus bonuses. This is a very attractive deal on a gorgeous ship. Email me at ron@ronlargenttravel.com for more details.
Highlights:
• 15 dining options including Asian, French, Italian, steakhouses, O’Sheehan’s & more.
• Dazzling entertainment and lively casino, 3 pools and 6 hot tubs.
• 12 fun bars & lounges including Sugarcane Mojito Bar
• The ultimate Freestyle Cruising experience & fun-filled casual atmosphere.
Your Package Includes:
Your package includes shipboard accommodations, ocean transportation, entertainment and daily activities, on-board meals and some beverages. It does not include shore excursions, personal expenses, gratuities, or alcoholic beverages. Government fees and taxes are not included.
by Ron Largent | Nov 11, 2017 | Asian Travel, Cruise Line Deals, European Travel, International Travel, Special Events Travel Deals, Special travel deals, Travel, Travel the World, Uncategorized
Starting today I will be adding a “Travel Special” page to my website. These will be specials for sports, entertainment, culture, and adventure events, but I will also add other travel specials that come to me through the partnership. From unbelievable deals on the Cruise lines, to very good deals on event packages….as soon as I know I will enter the event on this page as well as put it on Facebook….Ron Largent Travel. So, stay tuned for travel specials. Visit us at. wwww.ronlargenttravel.com Thanks.
by Ron Largent | Sep 21, 2017 | Alborg, Asian Travel, Bergen, Copenhagen, Cruise Line Deals, Denmark, Eidfjord, European Travel, Finland, Fjords, Gdansk, Germany, Helsinki, Iceland, Iceland Hiking, Iceland Tours, Icelandair, International Travel, Latvia, Northern Europe Cruise, Norway, Poland, Russia, Special Events Travel Deals, Special travel deals, St. Petersburg, Stockholm, Sweden, Tallin, The Fjords, Travel, Travel the World, Uncategorized, Viking Cruises, Vikings, Volcano Island, Warnemunde
Located in the middle of these giant mountains, the fjords, which are bodies of sea water that flows in to the inner part of Norway (kind of like our bays)….Eidfjord is a little tiny place literally dwarfed by the soaring mountains around it. Breathtaking is an understatement…. We have never seen anything like it, including the glacier areas of Alaska. The mountains soar 4000 feet almost straight up ….. With sheer cliffs coming down to the water. We went to the museum….saw a video, and then got one, as it is the best way to show this incredible area. Not many of the cruise ships come in here as they can only handle one at a time..but well worth it if only for the natural beauty.
A bit cloudy and colder today as we are getting closer to the North Pole…..but a great day to just enjoy this incredible beauty.
By the day, becoming more impressed with Norway. Very clean, …..very, very progressive, and very industrious…..which is so key to surviving in these cold areas. By the way, leading country in the world for electric cars…all over the place..and all models…
Off to Bergen…the 2nd largest city in Norway and former capital….more later.
Located in the middle of these giant mountains, the fjords, which are bodies of sea water that flows in to the inner part of Norway (kind of like our bays)….Eidfjord is a little tiny place literally dwarfed by the soaring mountains around it. Breathtaking is an understatement…. We have never seen anything like it, including the glacier areas of Alaska. The mountains soar 4000 feet almost straight up ….. With sheer cliffs coming down to the water. We went to the museum….saw a video, and then got one, as it is the best way to show this incredible area. Not many of the cruise ships come in here as they can only handle one at a time..but well worth it if only for the natural beauty.
A bit cloudy and colder today as we are getting closer to the North Pole…..but a great day to just enjoy this incredible beauty.
By the day, becoming more impressed with Norway. Very clean, …..very, very progressive, and very industrious…..which is so key to surviving in these cold areas. By the way, leading country in the world for electric cars…all over the place..and all models…
Off to Bergen…the 2nd largest city in Norway and former capital….more later.
Day 14–Bergen
The day in Bergen started out cold and windy and continued though the day…..we got on the mid day included excursion….guide was ok but not up to the par of the others….too young and inexperienced. But this was the Panoramic Bergen excursion…so we did get to see this gorgeous city built around the fjords, with the wharf area being the world showplace. The wooden houses in various colors are on the postcards in the Bryggen area right along the harbor, Marina, etc….and it was busy, in spite of the wind and rain. Bergen has over 250 days of rain a year…so thus was a normal day for the locals…in fact they said it was pretty mild. Oil and gas and the related industries are driving this area, and even with the high taxation, is frequently voted the happiest city in the world. After the tour we told a short walk from the hotel, which was the Radisson Blu right downtown..and this was a perfect location so we walked a few doors and had a great snack in a locally owned place…..very nice. We walked for a few minutes more then decided too nasty so returned to the ship ….Audy had a good rest and I decided to explore more….and went back out to see what we had not seen in the downtown area such as the fish markets and other shopping areas. Rain and wind off and on but got to see their main shopping and tourist areas….very impressive. The plan was to stay on the ship this night and then disembark the next morning….and go on another city tour…which we did and this one covers additional parts of the city..well done…and then to the hotel, as we were then on the Bergen to Oslo extension. After lunch locally we walked through the fish market areas and saw the sights as today the weather turned sunny and the area is so beautiful. Got to the food area and, along with the other thousand tourists got to have our Local pancake and ate it standing along the stores and shops….just enjoying the locals, Etc…
After a rest went down the street to a Brew and Bar…and clearly one of the most delicious hamburgers we have ever had, Norwegian style. Back to the hotel and prepared for the early departure from the hotel to the train to Oslo. 68 folks on the extension so we got on the train early for a good seat..so the start of a good day.
In Summary, Bergen is a must, and is a must for many of the Cruise lines…due to the history connections with the Vikings and with the historic trade of the area. Due to its critical location, it was a key player in the Hanseatic League….which established traders the primary reason for being . Bergen was the capital of Norway with the King living here…and being the center of the fishing trade…started out being a wealthy city..and then with the oil discovery in 1969….one very wealthy and affluent place. Well worth the time. Off to Oslo…
by Ron Largent | Sep 20, 2017 | Alborg, Asian Travel, Copenhagen, Cruise Line Deals, Denmark, European Travel, Finland, Gdansk, Germany, Helsinki, Iceland, Iceland Hiking, Iceland Tours, Icelandair, International Travel, Latvia, Poland, Russia, Special Events Travel Deals, Special travel deals, St. Petersburg, Stockholm, Sweden, Tallin, Travel, Travel the World, Uncategorized, Volcano Island, Warnemunde
Copenhagen…..and Denmark……what a place. A very full all day….and it was so impressive. Almost ready to move there…kind of place. Bikes galore…..industrious, super clean….and a lot to see. This is another 2 day minimum place…as there is so much to do and see. The city with its port and huge river and being on the ocean….is oriented around water…..and from the Little Mermaid to the magnificent Cathedral….this place is a must. We came within a few minutes of seeing the Queen off on her yacht….but did get to see the cars and the stuff getting getting ready for her trip. It is a major city, but very easy to walk around so we took the tour bus back to the ship then caught the shuttle back downtown to see the churches. More churches than any other European city we have ever seen….and wonderful organs, etc. It became a very hot day…so we were “bushed” when we got back to the ship. A wonderful city……must come back and spend more time….and we have some great stories to tell about the tour leader on the bus, etc…just a very enjoyable day.
Audy can tell you about getting back on ship….but a great day in a great city…we saw a lot in a short time.
