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Europe 2016
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Europe 2016

A 53-day adventure by We are Living the Dream Read more
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  • We are Living the DreamEurope 2016Traveler

    Walking around Weikersheim

    June 21, 2016 in Germany ⋅ 16 °C

    The scenery is beautiful as we cruise towards Rothenberg along the Main River. Today we docked in Kitzingen for a full day of sightseeing in Rothenberg and Weikersheim.

    Weikersheim’s historical old town is only quite small, but it is beautifully laid out.

    In the square there are a number of cute houses including the Baroque styled town hall which is now the tourist information office.

    The town also had some interesting life like statues scattered around the square. They look so real in a photo it is hard to tell real or still life.

    During our day of sightseeing the River Duchess will move to Schweinfurt.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamEurope 2016Traveler

    Weikersheim Castle

    June 21, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Weikersheim Palace lies at the heart of the small town of Weikersheim. With its beautiful garden, the palace embodies the Renaissance ideal of a country estate.

    In 1586, Count Wolfgang of Hohenlohe took up residence in the former moated castle, and promptly ordered the construction of a new palace. With an unusual three-sided floorplan, the palace reflected the Renaissance style of the time.

    The richly decorated knights' hall is a highlight of Renaissance architecture. Dating from 1600, it is one of the best preserved halls from the era. The vast panelled ceiling has colourful hunting scenes.

    Our tour guide was certainly in character of the period she was a little scary. All things modern were witchcraft and therefore no photos were allowed. I actually was reprimanded for trying to sneak a photo.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamEurope 2016Traveler

    Weikersheim Castle Gardens

    June 21, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    A fabulous garden with some unusual residents.

    Count Carl Ludwig of Hohenlohe 1674–1756 inhabited the palace for over fifty years, gave the palace and garden the form that they have retained to this day. The eye catching garden was designed on his instructions.

    The most distinctive feature of the palace grounds is the many Baroque statues that populate the garden. Of these, the whimsical Weikersheimer Zwerge (Weikersheim dwarfs) are the best-known Count Carl Ludwig had the members of his court preserved for posterity in this unusual ensemble. While grotesque creatures lurk at the edge of the garden, the elegant statues in the parterre portray classical figures such Apollo and Diana. There are also representations of the Planets including Mercury, Saturn, Venus and Mars, the Seasons and the Elements.

    I now know where garden gnomes originated.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamEurope 2016Traveler

    Rothenberg

    June 21, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Rothenberg is a charming walled medieval town like no other. A walk through town is an unforgettable encounter of bygone centuries. The imposing building's like the Town Hall, towers, massive fortifications, churches and patrician houses are a sight to be seen.

    An imperial castle dating back to 1142 represents the beginning of the town. Elevated to a Free Imperial City in 1274, Rothenburg became one of the most important cities during the Middle Ages. In 1631, during the Thirty Years War, Rothenburg was taken by imperial troops. Ex-Mayor Nusch saved the town by drinking nearly 13 cups of wine in a single gulp.

    Losing its importance in the following centuries, Rothenburg’s medieval centre remained untouched. In the Romantic era, the town was discovered by painters and poets and became a symbol of the Middle Ages in Germany.

    Rothenberg situated in Western Franconia is one of the most visited towns in Europe due to its richness of old medieval buildings and museums.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamEurope 2016Traveler

    Rothenburg Clock Tower

    June 21, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    The building’s clock tower chimes every hour on the hour between 10 am and 10 pm, two doors open on either side of the clock face to reenact the legendary story of the brave mayor who drank nearly a gallon of wine in order to save his city.

    The famous “Legend of the Master Draught” is said to have occurred in 1631, during the Thirty Years’ War. The protestant town of Rothenburg was seized by the imperial army led by a man named Count Tilly, a Catholic. Count Tilly was going to destroy the town, plunder the citizens, and execute many of the residents. The town tried to placate Count Tilly. They begged him for mercy. They tried to bribe him. All pleas fell on deaf ears. Finally, at the Ratstrinkstube, the town offered him a huge tankard of the best local wine. This succeeded in changing his mood. As Count Tilly drank from the tankard, which held 3.25 litres of wine, he thought it would be funny to toy with people and challenged the townsfolk that if they could drink the entire tankard all in one drink without stopping, he would spare the town but he would execute anyone who failed.

    The mayor of the town, a man named Bürgermeister Nusch, bravely agreed to the challenge and successfully drank the entire tankard in one draught. Count Tilly was sufficiently impressed and good to his word he left the town unharmed. The town was saved! The townsfolk were clearly so proud of the drinking capabilities of their mayor they continued to tell the legend. In 1881, a play was written based on the story, and every year since the town has held a reenactment of the proud event during the local festival, in which hundreds of citizens dress up and celebrate the Master Draught.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamEurope 2016Traveler

    Schneeball Pastry and Deli

    June 21, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    For afternoon tea we had Schneeball, the local powdered doughnut like snowball in one of the many bakeries. Schneeballs originated as a way to get more mileage out of leftover pastry. Nowadays these historic pastries are pitched to the tourists in caramel, chocolate, and flavors which was unknown in feudal times.

    They were huge and very messy but yummy. The deli also had some incredible meats and cheeses, such a shame Australia does not have Deli's like they do in Europe.

    Time to leave this wonderful Medieval town of Rothenberg.

    The days are incredible so much to see and do.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamEurope 2016Traveler

    Bamberg

    June 22, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    The day started with a walking tour of Bamburg. Bamburg is larger than the towns we have visited over the last few days.

    It had a number of interesting buildings including a castle which is now a Retirement Village. What an interesting concept Michael and Melissa. You could put us in this home and we would be living in Bamburg Castle or Camperdown Castle. Hmmm what a decision.Read more

  • We are Living the DreamEurope 2016Traveler

    Old Town Bamburg

    June 22, 2016 in Germany ⋅ 22 °C

    Bamberg's well preserved old town comprises three historical districts, the episcopal town, the island town and the market gardener's town. All three are part of the UNESCO World Heritage site and provide a fascinating example of how central European towns were built up around the basic layouts established in the early Middle Ages.

    Bamberg was given special status in 1007, when Heinrich II was building the town into a centre of episcopal and sovereign power, making it the centre of the newly founded diocese and turning it into a second Rome. Five churches in the form of a Latin cross mark the layout of the town. The historical townscape features numerous monuments from the 11th to the 18th century and some 1,200 architectural monuments. With its four towers, the imperial cathedral of St. Peter and St. George is the most prominent building.

    Other highlights include the the rose garden with a view of the old town, the tanners' cottages by the old canal, the mill district and the fisherman's village known as Little Venice.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamEurope 2016Traveler

    Bamberg

    June 22, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Bamburg was governed by Bishops and Imperialism for almost a thousand years, and often referred to as the Rome of Franconia.

    Bamberg stands on seven hills surrounded by beautiful countryside. Dominated by its imperial cathedral, the town is a unique and superbly maintained masterpiece of urban design, uniting medieval and baroque architecture.Read more

  • We are Living the DreamEurope 2016Traveler

    Franconian Farm

    June 22, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Next stop a small farming village where we took a tractor ride through the woods and vineyard finishing with wine tasting.

    The days are interesting and long and my head is getting close to exploding with all the facts from each tour guide at every place we visit.Read more

  • We are Living the DreamEurope 2016Traveler

    Locks entering Danube Canal

    June 22, 2016 in Germany ⋅ 29 °C

    End of the day. Everyone out on deck this afternoon watching as the Captain takes us through the locks leaving the Main and entering The Danube.

    Total of 16 locks Bamburg to Nuremberg across the continental water divide to Kelheim and the Danube. The locks are the really high locks some go as far up as 25 meters. Watching the Captain go through the very narrow locks is fascinating.Read more

  • We are Living the DreamEurope 2016Traveler

    Nuremburg

    June 23, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Todays port call of Nuremburg in the German state of Bavaria was quite short and it was more about the Nazi History than a historical view of the city. We found today was very informative but also horrifying and sad as we went on a WW ll tour which covered the Nazi history and Nuremberg's role.

    Nuremberg had been the site of annual Nazi propaganda rallies holding the post war trials there marked the symbolic end of Hitler’s government, the Third Reich.

    The Photo's of John are probably politically incorrect but we know John does not really care about correctness and will be the star of any photo he chooses.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamEurope 2016Traveler

    Courtroom 600

    June 23, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    The city of Nuremberg was selected as the location for the trials because its Palace of Justice was relatively undamaged by the war and included a large prison area.

    We could not enter court room 600 the scene of the Nuremberg trial but we could view it from above.

    Held for the purpose of bringing Nazi war criminals to justice, the Nuremberg trials were a series of 13 trials carried out in Nuremberg, Germany, between 1945 and 1949.

    The defendants included Nazi Party officials and high-ranking military officers along with German industrialists, lawyers and doctors. They were indicted on such charges as crimes against peace and crimes against humanity. Although the legal justifications for the trials and their procedural innovations were controversial at the time, the Nuremberg trials are now regarded as a milestone toward the establishment of a permanent international court, and an important precedent for dealing with later instances of genocide and other crimes against humanity.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamEurope 2016Traveler

    Regensburg and 2000 years of History

    June 24, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Next port is Regensburg which means lots of walking and listening to our tour guide explaining the history sounding this city.

    Located on the Danube River, the Old Town of Regensburg is an exceptional example of a central European medieval trading centre, which illustrates an interchange of cultural and architectural influences.

    A notable number of buildings of outstanding quality testify to its political, religious, and economic significance from the 9th century. The historic fabric reflects some two millennia of structural continuity and includes ancient Roman, Romanesque, and Gothic buildings. Regensburg's 11th to 13th century architecture still defines the character of the town marked by tall buildings, dark and narrow lanes, and strong fortifications. The buildings include medieval Patrician houses and towers, a large number of churches and monastic ensembles as well as the 12th century Stone Bridge.

    Regensburg was the capital of Bavaria for about 700 years from the 6th to the 13th century. You can still see remnants as you walk around with its cobble stone laneways and the buildings painted in muted colours.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamEurope 2016Traveler

    Regensburg walking Tour

    June 24, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    The morning started with a 2 hour city walk around Regensburg.

    Regensburg was founded by the Romans in 179 A.D. Today Regensburg is a prosperous city of about 137,000 inhabitants, 3 universities and many landmarks, most dated to the Middle Ages. The main attraction of Regensburg is its preserved medieval city centre with the cathedral and the stone bridge being the highlights. It is one of the few cities in Germany largely undamaged during the Second World War.

    The historic centre lies next to the river Danube and crossing the medieval stone bridge into the town provides a perfect entrance to the city.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamEurope 2016Traveler

    Regensburg Cathedral

    June 24, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    The Regensburg Cathedral is the most important church in the city and is dedicated to St. Peter.

    It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Regensburg and its two tall spires can be seen from all around the city.

    It is one of the best examples of Gothic church architecture in Bavaria. A different looking church was at this location, however, the one we saw today was completed in the early 1300s. Over the centuries the cathedral underwent several renovations including the addition of Baroque elements.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamEurope 2016Traveler

    BMW Factory

    June 24, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Today John was in heaven as we visited the BMW factory where we walked for 2.5 hours around the manufacturing areas. Sorry no photos allowed inside. I thought I would be bored but it was actually quite interesting.

    We then went back to the Old town of Regensburg.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamEurope 2016Traveler

    Regensburg

    June 24, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Back in Regensburg we had some lunch and walked around the old town. These towns along the rivers are so facinating and so many lovely buildings it is always hard to decide on a photo.

    The River Duchess was staying in port a little longer today so there was a Terrace dinner which was lovely. Sitting on the deck eating delicious food and chatting to friends as the sun came down over another great day.Read more

  • We are Living the DreamEurope 2016Traveler

    Passau - The 3 River City

    June 25, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Passau in the southeast of Germany is located at the Austrian border. Situated where the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers meet. Passau is worldwide known as The Three Rivers City.

    The earliest evidence of human settlement dates back to the Neolithic time. Passau was part of the Roman Empire for more than 400 years. The setting of the Old Town, created by Italian baroque masters in the 17th century, shows soaring towers, picturesque places, enchanting promenades and romantic lanes.Read more

  • We are Living the DreamEurope 2016Traveler

    Passau

    June 25, 2016 in Germany ⋅ 29 °C

    In Passau many of the Medevial building's were burnt down in the 17th century so the bishops brought Italian artists to build new buildings which is why the buildings have Italian baroque style, ornamentation and frescoes.Read more

  • We are Living the DreamEurope 2016Traveler

    St Stephan's Cathedral

    June 25, 2016 in Germany ⋅ 30 °C

    In the heart of Passau on the Old Town’s highest point rises St. Stephen’s Cathedral, in which the world’s largest cathedral organ sounds. Sitting high above the rivers, the majestic fortress Veste Oberhaus on the Danube’s side and the Pilgrimage Church Mariahilf on the Inn’s side frame the city's outstanding beauty.Read more

  • We are Living the DreamEurope 2016Traveler

    Cruising the Danube

    June 25, 2016 in Austria ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Leaving Passau for a technical stop at Engelhartzell. The scenery is lovely and so relaxing watching the countryside as we cruise past.

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