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Category Topics: Europe Travel | Europe Destinations |Best Value Travel | Travel Planning | Ocean Cruise | Veterans
Europe Travel
I have always been fascinated with the castles of Europe. Anne will tell you, we have gone to some unusual lengths to see some, as often they are in the more remote parts of Europe.
So, I thought you might enjoy hearing my thoughts and seeing 47 pictures about what I consider my 15 favorite castles of Europe.
Don’t expect any real rationale for my selections—I have organized them by regions of Europe; there is not one favorite castle over another; and my only rationale is that I liked them—something was cool in my mind.
So, let me defend my thoughts—I’ll tell you a little about them, maybe some history, but the real criteria is why they appeal to me.
Ready for my personal castle tour?—Let’s go!
End of the Great War—A Flanders Fields Tour
By Hank Schrader, USMA ’71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert
www.dreamdestinations.com
On 27 December 2018, along with 2 traveling companions. I went on a fascinating Flanders Fields Tour. We were guided by Johan Serpierters, who will guide our 2019 75th Anniversary of D Day Tour. To say he did an outstanding job is an understatement—incredibly knowledgeable, he is not overbearing with facts—he has the rare talent of making the history of the war come to life.
Most of us really do not know much about the war in terms of battles fought over a 100 years ago, so, let’s learn some about what caused the war, who were the key participants, and (the real reason for this blog) a little more about the northern part of the Western Front, which is nicknamed Flanders Fields, after the famous poem from that era.
On 6 June 2019, we will be in Ste. Mere Eglise, leading some wonderful folks to witness a great festival as part of our 75th Anniversary of D Day tour.
This village played a key role in the D Day invasion for the airborne forces. Due to its location, it was important that Ste. Mere Eglise was taken from the German occupiers.
So, let’s learn about the airborne operations of the D Day invasion and a little about Ste. Mere Eglise.
Europe Destinations
![800px-TallinnCityWalls[1].jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5918854fcd0f68c07c377c68/87e0cf0d-4ba9-412b-b5e2-63568661aae5/800px-TallinnCityWalls%5B1%5D.jpg)
The Best Europe Cities to Visit Before and After Your Europe River Cruise
By Hank Schrader, USMA ’71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert
I write all the time about Europe river cruising and its value. One aspect that is often very confusing for many, is how best to extend their trip and visit some of Europe’s great cities. This blog covers the key extension cities on the Rhine and Upper Danube.
Almost all major cruise lines offer extensions and they can be a great value in simplifying your trip planning but are they always the best choice for you?
I know you would like a definitive answer but my response is it depends on several factors. To me these factors are 1) what is included? (to include the quality of the tours and guides), 2) transportation to the desired place, 3) security and ease of mind (how well do you handle unfamiliar places) and 4) cost—is the price worth what is included in the cruise line’s package?
I should also mention that each cruise lines has different offerings, so it really is impossible in this short blog to adequately cover exactly what they offer. To help remedy this, my approach will be to tell you about the key cities, perhaps some pitfalls to really see the sights on your own, and then you can use the 4 factors I provide you to see if it is a good value for you.
We will start north to south in Europe. So, let me defend my thoughts—use the cruise line packages, do it yourself or better yet let us plan it for you.
Sights in Normandy—Pictures from 2 D Day Anniversary Trips
By Hank Schrader, USMA ’71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert
www.dreamdestinations.com
75 years ago today, the Allies invaded France in the Normandy region to start the defeat of Germany. We have been lucky to led 2 Anniversary Trips (the 70th and 75th) to Normandy.
I could tell about the massive effort to assemble and train the invading force, the detailed planning and super human effort of the soldiers involved, but perhaps we should see the results of their sweat, blood, sacrifice of these soldiers by looking at Normandy in two Anniversary Celebrations from some of our pictures. Normandy is free today and they have never forgot the cost to make them free.
The soldier’s deeds on that day allowed Normandy to be reborn. In Europe, the best concentration of museums, memorials and preserved sites from WW II are in Normandy. When you add in the re-enactors and equipment displays, it is almost overwhelming how good this festival celebration is—I can’t tell how much I recommend a trip here.
The other part of this is a question we are often asked--why go back a second time or more on a trip or river cruise in Europe?—I think our pictures will show you how easy it is to really miss an important aspect of a site or experience and why we keep returning to learn and see more.
So, let’s take a journey through our pictures of 5 years past and this year’s celebration to see a festival that no one will forget!
Utah Beach on 5 June 2019
By Hank Schrader, USMA ’71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert
www.dreamdestinations.com
During our recent D Day trip for the 75th Anniversary of D Day, where we led 33 wonderful folks on a week-long trip (35 total counting Anne & I), we got to visit Utah Beach on a very busy day on 5 June 2019.
So, I thought I’d tell you about Utah Beach in the Normandy Invasion and let you see some of our pictures of this hallowed ground as it looks today.
What Country in 2018 had the Most Google Searches for “Trip to”?
By Hank Schrader, USMA ’71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert
In 2018, do you know what destination had the most Google searches for “Trip to”?
According to Google Trends, the answer is . . .
Zurich, Switzerland
By Hank Schrader, USMA ’71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert
www.dreamdestinations.com
In December, 2018, we got the chance to visit Zurich, Switzerland. It was the first visit for both Anne and I. We really enjoyed our 2 days in this Alpine City.
So, I thought I would tell you a little about Zurich and what you might consider doing there if you decide to visit this wonderful Swiss city.
I have always found castles interesting. Many times in our history, landowners had to protect their turf from invaders and they built castles to defend and impress. A castle is both a residence and a fort, and they have evolved as weapons and lifestyles changed.
Let’s take a trip together in the misty land of Scotland and see some cool castles and their gardens.
Best Value Travel
Travel Planning
I am amazed at the number of folks who think they can plan travel better than we can.
“Oh, I’ll save money and everything I need to make a decision is on the internet”—this is some variation of the responses I have heard.
Another—“I didn’t realize travel agents still exist—don’t they cost more money to use?”
So, let me defend my thoughts—why you should not buy online and use us?
You Need Our Tenacity, Especially from Anne!
By Hank Schrader, USMA ’71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert
Tenacity—perseverance, determination, diligence—call it what you like, my wife Anne has it.
She is relentless in her search for the best possible trip for you. A while back during this year, I witnessed her staying on hold for over an hour to get a client a great deal on a flight and hotels in Europe because the online reservation system wasn’t working correctly. It became part of the inspiration for this blog, and when I witness her actions on our D Day trip, I knew I had to write something about her tenacity.
Why should you care? The reason is simple—our goal on every trip is to get you the best possible value for your vacation and tenacious folks like Anne, who are not afraid to put forth an extra effort, do get results that benefit you.
So, with your permission, let me give you some examples of tenacity from our business that have benefited others and about Anne’s amazing research abilities.
Ocean Cruise
Veterans
A couple of times a year, I get to write something very personal. It usually is about veterans or my family or relatives—these are the experiences that have dominated my life.
But nothing has had as much an impact on my life as serving in the military, attending West Point, and have members of my family serve in the military.
Since about 1940 or so, someone related to me has served our country and help keep it safe.
To all of you who read this and served in the military, thank you for your service—most will never know how much you contributed to the well-being of our country and keeping it safe.
So, I thought I’d tell you a little about the folks who keep our country safe and send my humble thanks to them in recognition of Veterans Day 2019.
