11 Notable European Gardens

11 Notable European Gardens

By Hank Schrader, USMA ’71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

www.dreamdestinations.com

Anne loves gardens.  There are many great gardens in Europe, so I thought I’d tell about 11 really good gardens that you might want to visit during your travels.

She uses great terms to describe these wonderful places—relaxing, lush, easy to stroll through, beautiful and memorable among others.

So, let’s learn about 11 notable gardens in Europe.

Versailles

The gardens at Versailles are simply magnificent.  Starting in 1661, the gardens, fountains and statues took 40 years to create.  This was a huge task—thousands of workers created this area from the marsh lands of the original terrain.  To maintain the original appearance, the gardens have to be replanted about every 100 years.

There are 55 fountains in the gardens and 155 statues.  The area is so vast, that Louie XIV, the Sun King, actually wrote a guide how to visit these gardens, with a walk of 4 to 8 Km to see the entire grandeur of the gardens.

Kuekenhof Gardens

Only open for about 6 weeks each year, these gardens always make lists of the most beautiful gardens in Europe.  In 2021 they will be open from 20 March to 9 May.  There are over 7 million bulbs planted in autumn to bloom in the spring.  You can see 800 different versions of tulips. 

Along with the massive rows of tulips, there are pavilions with flowers displays.  Bring your good walking shoes, because there are 10 miles (15 Km) of hiking paths in these gardens.

Royal Gardens at Wisey

We visited this wonderful exhibition in 2011.  Located in Surrey, south of London, this is the second most visited gardens requiring a paid entrance fee in England.

It covers 240 acres and has formal and informal gardens along with model gardens intended to show how a visitor might create a small garden of their own. 

One of our favorite areas were the different glasshouses with desert, tropical and temperate climate flora and fauna.

Alhambra

The gardens here are unique.  They are called the Generalife Gardens.  “Generalife” means garden of the architect. 

These are amazing examples of Arab gardening.  Since water was so important in the Arab world, most of the gardens feature striking plants with water features that dance and constantly interplay with the lush shrubs and flowers.

Cawdor Castle Gardens

The 3 gardens areas of Cawdor Castle are fun to visit.  They are named the Flower Garden, the Walled Garden and the Wild Garden.

The Walled Garden is a fine example of a Victorian Garden.  Over half the garden is a maze.  It also has an orchard of fruit trees.

The Flower Garden has a French influence and is a more formal garden layout that bursts with color.

The Wild Garden is an untamed area of 750 acres.  It has azaleas, rhododendrons, primulas, daffodils, willows and bamboos in a natural setting

Residenz, Wurzburg

The gardens here are whimsical, and colorful.  These gardens were built when the Residenz was fortified, so all the gardens had to be inside the walls.  There are 2 gardens here. 

The first is the Court Garden, a Baroque, formal garden.  The central feature of this garden are 8 large yews that shaped in perfect cone shapes.

 The second garden is an English garden of meadows and small forests.

Peterhof

The fountains here are among the best in the world.  There are 64 fountains on the palace grounds.  The fountains operate without the use of pumps, taking advantage of springs and elevation to provide the required water of the fountains.

The two most important fountains are the Grand Cascade and the Sampson Fountain.  The Sampson Fountain was constructed in 1730 and is a symbol of Russia’s victory over Sweden.  It is the largest fountain on the grounds, with water that shoots up 66 feet in the air.

There is even a joke fountain that sprays the unwary if they step on a stone in the walkway.

New Palace Rose Garden, Bamberg

The roses here are one of the best displays of roses we have ever seen.  There are about 4,500 roses planted in 70 different flower beds.

 It is unmatched for fragrance and color and also offers great views of Bamberg on the outside walls of the garden.

Dunvegan Castle

The lush gardens here make for a pleasant walk on this Scottish castle grounds.  Located on the Isle of Skye’s, the 5 acres of gardens are a delight.  There are 4 gardens—the Walled garden, the Rose garden, the Water garden and the Woodland Walk garden area.

The Water Garden has ornate bridges and island and waterfalls and was my favorite part of the gardens.

The Walled garden was the old vegetable garden, but now has a diverse range of plants and flowers, and includes a water lily pond.

Real Alcazar Gardens

In Seville, these peaceful gardens are surrounded by strong walls.  These are among the oldest gardens in all Europe. 

There are at least 12 different gardens here and each has a legend associated with the garden.  For example, the Queen’s garden takes its name from the room that Queen Isabella gave birth to Prince John and could view the garden from this room.

There are 170 different types of plants in these 60,000 square meters of gardens.

Chateaux Chenonceau

This estate in the Loire Valley in France has extensive gardens.  It has a wonderful duck pond, well maintained gardens and an interesting carriage house on the grounds.

There are many different gardens on the grounds.  The main two are the gardens of Catherine de Medicis and Diane de Poitiers. There is also a maize, a green garden and a vegetable garden to see.

Diane's garden is a French formal garden based on eight grass triangles

Catherine's garden features an avenue of orange trees, climbing rose trees and flower borders on the edge of the moat.

My Final Thoughts

Just one more fascinating reason to visit Europe—wonderful gardens. If you are interested in gardens, we have a wonderful contact in England who can help us arrange tours to take advantage of peak times of blooms.

When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip.  You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience.  And, you want someone who can help you with the decision making process.  We think we have all these qualities.

Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you!  We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel.  Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@dreamdestinations.com.  We want to help you:  Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations!  Your journey begins here!

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 49 years.  He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA).  This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years.  He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees.  His other Certifications:

• AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist

• Viking River Cruise Specialist

• Scenic River Cruise Specialist

• Emerald Waterways  Specialist

• Avalon Waterways Specialist

• Brit Agent

Palace Intrigue--33 Interesting Palaces in Europe

Palace Intrigue—33 Interesting Palaces in Europe

By Hank Schrader, USMA ’71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

www.dreamdestinations.com

I really enjoy palaces of Europe but find them hard to write about.  I guess that is why I have never written a summary blog about the palaces of Europe.

Perhaps the reason is palaces are difficult to precisely define—there are often more than a residence of royalty or a bishop or an important person and are often confused with castles.

A starting point is that a castle was primarily built for defensive purposes (designed to resist an attack or defend access to others of the surrounding area), while a palace is a residence.

Most have many rooms, are ridiculously lavish, have manicured grounds with statues and fountains and exceptional gardens.  However, there is a blurring caused by function between castles (mostly defensive structures) and other functions (once a palace but now an art gallery or a museum). 

I will try and sort through this for you and provide some interesting details about palaces of Europe and why you might want to visit them.

This really only an overview—each palace probably deserves a separate blog.

Ready for my personal palace tour?—Let’s go!

What exactly is a Palace?

As stated above, a palace is residence, but certainly no ordinary residence.  The owner is also a factor—a royal, head of state, elite person or key religious leader. 

Then there must be a factor that makes the buildings and grounds special.  Vast size, ornate, royal, imperial, splendid, gorgeous, grand, private, glorious, mysterious, ancestral, gilded, elegant, and impressive are just some words often used to describe a palace.  It often is decorated with the finest artwork, frescoes, or ceiling paintings; and ornately furnished with the finest available materials.  They are designed to impress and show the owner’s wealth and power.

There are usually gardens and special manicured areas, often with fountains and sculptures or statues that adds to the appeal of the palace.  Access is usually limited and the owners are provided protection and a degree of seclusion.

Let’s take a tour of some important palaces of Europe!

2 Palaces that now are Famous Art Museums

The Palace of the Louvre in Paris and the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg are the best examples of a converted palace.

Louvre—with an unusual glass pyramid entrance to this world-renowned museum (the rest is an older style palace building), it displays many of the best art works in the world, to include Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.  It is the most visited museum in the world, has about 380,000 works of art and occupies over 650,000 square feet.  This former royal palace became a museum in 1793 during the French Revolution and displayed many confiscated royal works of arts.  The collection has expanded since then to become the premier art museum in the world.  Not all areas are open to the public, and works of art also are often relocated around the museum or sent out on loan.  This helps keep any visit to the museum “fresh.”

Louvre Palace Exterior—to see the size of this palace look carefully at the people walking in the courtyard

The Winter Palace--Hermitage Museum—in St. Petersburg, Russia.  Some of the highlights—the Jordan Staircase leads to 1st floor & Western European works—da Vinci, Michelangelo, Valazquez, El Greco, Murillo. Goya, Rubens, Rembrandt, Cezanne, Matisse, Monet, Degas, Gauguin, Renoir Pissarro & Picasso.  The 1812 Gallery, the Malachite Hall, the Gold Drawing Room, opulent Pavilion Hall, the gold Treasures Gallery, the Jewelry Gallery—the last two require extra fee.  It is one of the top 3 art museums in the world.  There are long entrance lines and a skip the line options are well worth the extra expense.

Exterior Winter Palace, St. Petersburg

Jordan Staircase in the Winter Palace

Castles that really are Palaces

The Alhambra, Buda Castle, Prague Castle, Peles Castle, and Windsor Castle are really more of a palace than castle and fall into this category; however all could be defended, especially the Alhambra and Windsor Castle.

The Alhambra is the Moorish citadel formed by a complex of palaces, gardens and forts in Granada, Spain.  It consists of 4 areas.  The defensive area, including the outer walls, is known as the Alcazaba.  Inside the walled area, there are 2 palaces.  Nazaries Palace is the Moorish palace and is a work of outstanding beauty.  After the Moors surrendered in 1492, the Spanish later built the Palace of Carlos V and added a church.  Outside the defensive walls are the Genalife gardens.

Alcazaba defensive wall of the Alhambra

Nazaries Palace is special place.  I especially liked the Fountain and Courtyard of the Lions.  In the heart of the palace, the only people entitled to view this area was the sultan, his harem and the most trusted servants.  The detail on the walls is unique and stunning.

Fountain and Courtyard of the Lions

Stunning art work in the palace

Genalife Gardens

Buda Castle, in Budapest Hungary, overlooks the city from its elevated position atop Castle Hill.  It is often referred to as the Royal Palace.  Today it is home to 2 museums, the National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum.

Buda Castle

Prague Castle--In spite of many wars and fires, the Prague Castle (Prague, Czech Republic) has grown into a unique architectural complex.  It contains the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, a convent, several towers and many palace wings.  It includes the only privately owned building in the complex, Lobkowicz Palace, with its highly acclaimed museum (art works, porcelain, firearms and musical instruments). 

Prague Castle

Peles Castle is a Neo-Renaissance castle in the Carpathian Mountains, near Sinaia, Romania.  It is on a medieval route linking Transylvania and Wallachia.  It was built between 1873 and 1914.  Many rooms have a theme-- there is a Concert Hall, a Music Room (India), Turkish Salon, Great Salon (Italy), the Council Room (Switzerland), and the Moor Hall.  Rooms have great art works, Murano crystal chandeliers, German stained-glass windows and Cordoba leather-covered walls.  It was the first European palace to have electricity.  We really enjoyed our small group tour of this palace.

Peles Castle

Armory Peles Castle

Music Room Peles Castle

Windsor Castle was built by the command of William the Conqueror in the late 11th century.  It has been the home to 39 monarchs of England and is the oldest royal residence still in continuous use in the British Isles.  Visitors can tour the State Apartments, Queen Mary's famous dolls' house, St George's Chapel, and the Albert Memorial Chapel.  Located in Windsor, England, and it can be visited in a day trip from London.

This is my favorite castle/palace in the UK.

Changing of the Guard Windsor Castle. This is where the royals stay when at the castle

Norman Gate Windsor Castle

Odd Palaces

Although named a palace, these two just are not true palaces.

The Palace of the Parliament—The People’s House—this imposing structure is the second largest building in the world, after the Pentagon.  This huge structure has 1,100 rooms; is 12 stories high; and has 8 underground levels.  It was commissioned by Ceausescu during his systemization plan (1972).  It is built in a distinct, plain socialist style.  This popular attraction, located in Bucharest, Romania and is fascinating for its size, but just is not ornate enough to be a true palace.

Palace of the People Bucharest, Romania

The Palace of Westminster is better known by its current name—the House of Parliament of England.  It houses the House of Commons and the House of Lords.  It has over 1,100 rooms, 100 staircases and 3 miles of corridors.  There are 3 towers on this Gothic style building—the 323 foot Victoria Tower, the 315 foot Elizabeth tower, more commonly known as Big Ben, and the 299 foot octagonal Central Tower.  

Elizabeth Tower that is more commonly known as Big Ben

Victoria Tower

A good view of the Palace of Westminster from the Thames River

Themed Palaces

Some palaces are more a theme site than a real palace—a fantasy rather than a residence to rule and impress others.  I think 3 qualify here—Neuschwanstein, Kronborg, and Pena Palace.

Neuschwanstein—this is the fantasy castle and palace world of Ludwig II, the King of Bavaria.  The palace is located on a hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen in southwest Bavaria, Germany.  It was not a traditional palace designed as a residence for a ruler—it was a retreat so Ludwig could escape into a dream world.  Neuschwanstein in English is “New Swan Stone Castle.”  You must take a tour to visit—it takes about 35 minutes.  Only 14 rooms were completed—some of the original plans called for 200 rooms.

Neuschwanstein Castle

View of the hills around Neuschwanstein

Kronborg Castle—this is the fictional site of Hamlet’s home, but it is a real castle that is more palace than castle.  Kronborg Castle was built on the narrowest point between Denmark and Sweden to exact tolls from passing ships.  An annual Hamlet festival is held in the castle.  The statue of Holger Danske, a powerful Viking, who is known as the national hero of Denmark, is also inside the castle.  It is the largest renaissance castle in Europe.

Kronorg Castle

Pena Palace is a fairy-tale land residence high on hilltop overlooking Sintra, Portugal.  This fantasy palace is very colorful and a mix of architectural styles.  This palace has great rooms and is one of the best visits in Europe.  Although the rooms may seem small for a palace, they are wonderfully decorated.  The best rooms for us where the Chapel, the Dining Room, the Noble Room, both King and Queen Bedrooms and the Kitchen.

Pena Palace

Entrance Gate Pena Palace

Interior of Pena Palace

Really Big Palaces

The largest palaces in Europe are perhaps the most important (I have listed them from largest to smallest but all are really big!). 

Hofburg—the imperial palace and former residence of Franz Joseph and other members of the Habsburg (sometimes spelled Hapsburg) dynasty is a complex of buildings that house a number of Vienna’s most impressive sights.  It has 2,600 rooms.  You can tour some rooms.  It now houses 3 museums and is the current residence of the President of Austria.

Hofburg Palace. Photo Vic Doyno

Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms on a 40 acre site in London, England.  The Queen of England still lives here.  On tour you can see some of the 19 State Rooms (the 2 best are the White Drawing Room and the Throne Room), the Picture Gallery, the massive Ballroom and the Grand Staircase.  There is also the famous Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace—only during spring, and summer—sometimes every other day and cancelled in very wet weather.  The ceremony starts at 1130, it is free, but go early.  Huge crowds sometimes make it hard to see.

Buckingham Palace

Changing of the Guard Ceremony Buckingham Palace

Topkapi Palace--It was home to all the Ottoman sultans for a period of nearly four centuries.  Topkapi Palace is in the European half of Istanbul, Turkey.  This splendid palace is a museum now.  The Treasury of the Museum of Topkapi Palace is considered one of the most celebrated treasuries in the world.

Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace Detail

Versailles—this is the palace that every King wanted—opulent, innovative rooms like the stunning Hall of Mirrors, gardens, statues and fountains made of gold—there never has been a palace that displayed the wealth and power of the royals like Versailles.  It has 2,143 windows, 1,252 fireplaces, 67 staircases and 5 chapels.  The gardens and fountains are exceptional.  It deserves a full day and is a relatively easy day trip from Paris, France.

Entrance Gates Versailles

View of the Gardens of Versailles

Apollo Fountain Versailles

My favorite room is the Hall of Mirrors.  It is 250 feet long, with 17 windows and has stunning garden views.  There are 17 arched mirrors combined with 24 candelabras; busts of Roman Emperors; along with painted ceilings telling the story of the Sun King’s battle victories.  It was often filled with noble ladies in silk gowns, and men in wigs and fine clothes who loved to look at themselves in the mirrors.  This is the room where the Treaty of Versailles was signed that ended World War I.

Hall of Mirrors Versailles

Royal Palace of Stockholm—has over 600 rooms, covering 7 floors and several sections of the Royal Palace are open to visitors.  This includes the treasury, which houses the Swedish crown jewels and the Hall of State, where the king’s silver throne gleams.  The changing of the guard ceremony takes place daily at noon.

Royal Palace of Stockholm

Cannons outside the Royal Palace of Stockholm

Guard Hut Royal Palace of Stockholm

Hampton Court Palace—this is the 500 year old palace of Henry VIII and his favorite residence.  It is just outside London, England and an easy day trip.  It has 1,000 rooms and impressive gardens on the 60 acres of this palace.  2 of the best areas are Henry’s State Rooms and the Tudor kitchens.  This is a really worthwhile place to visit and we recommend it.

Gate entrance Hampton Court

Henry’s Table Hampton Court

Tudor Kitchen of Hampton Court

Schönbrunn Palace—this palace of 1,441 rooms was the summer residence of the Habsburgs and is located in Vienna, Austria.  About 40 of the rooms and their furnishings are open to the public.  Tours include the apartments of Maria Theresa, Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Elizabeth (Sisi) and the Arch Duke Franz Karl, as well as the Blue Staircase, the Mirror Room and the Hall of Ceremonies. There are also lavish gardens.  It is a must see for most folks.

Schönbrunn Palace

Grounds of Schönbrunn Palace

 Amalienborg Palace & Square—Queen’s residence—there is a changing of the guard when she is present at noon.  Located in Copenhagen, Denmark, the palace consists of 4 rococo mansions.  There is a museum in the palace, which displays some rooms and beautiful items belonging to the royal family.

Amalienborg Palace

Amalienborg Palace

The Royal Palace of Amsterdam is located on Dam Square in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.  It is both a city Hall and a Royal Palace.  It was built during the Dutch Golden Age and opened in 1655.  It is open to visitors when not being used for official state functions.

Royal Palace of Amsterdam

Smaller but Impactful

Peterhof—the palace is probably the finest display of waterworks in the world.  It is 18 miles west of city of St. Petersburg.  A tour of the palace and grounds is best reached by hydrofoil boat from a pier opposite the Winter Palace.  The Grand Peterhof Palace and Grand Cascade are at the center of the World Heritage-listed ensemble of gardens and palaces.  Laid out in accordance with Peter the Great's wishes, the complex was completed in 1725 and is in many ways reminiscent of Versailles.

Peterhof

Samson Fountain Peterhof. This symbolizes the defeat of Sweden by Russia during Peter the Great’s reign

The National Palace in Sintra, Portugal is located in the center of town and has wonderful themed rooms, including the Swan Room, the Magpie Room, the King’s Bedroom and the Stag Room.  It was built in the 14th century and was the favorite summer residence of the Portuguese kings.

National Palace of Sintra

Swan Room Sintra National Palace

Grand Master’s Palace—in Valletta, Malta, was the headquarters of the Knights of St. John for more than 2 centuries.  It is now the House of Representative of Malta and features grand staterooms and the Knight’s armory.  The knight’s armory is one of the finest collection of weapons and armor in all of Europe.

Courtyard Grand Master’s Palace Malta

Armory Grand Master’s Palace Malta

Doge’s Palace—once the seat of government of Venice, the palace of justice, and the home of the Doges, the palace is a maze of grand halls that hold treasured works of art, including Tintoretto’s famed Paradise in the Hall of the Great Council.  The Doge of Venice was the supreme authority of the Republic of Venice but was elected and not considered a royal.  It is now a museum.

Doge Palace Venice

Entrance Gate Doge Palace Venice

Detail of Entrance Gate

Blenheim Palace—is the ancestral home of Winston Churchill.  It is located in Woodstock, England and is a grand palace to visit.  Highlights of the place are the great hall (67 feet tall room), Sir Winston Churchill’s birth room, the West and South Corridors, the Green and Red Drawing Rooms, the Green Writing Room, the Saloon, the First, Second and Third  State Rooms, the Long Library (my favorite room), and the Chapel.  The Park and Gardens are also excellent.

Blenheim Palace

Grounds of Blenheim Palace

Religious Palaces

These 2 are special for very different reasons.

The Palace of the Popes in Avignon, France was once the religious center of the Catholic Church--for about 100 years, this was the home of the Popes.  In 1305 the cardinals elected Frenchman Clement V as Pope and he declined to move to Rome in the Vatican—he feared the dangerous conditions and unrest in Italy.  After 4 years, in 1309, he moved his court to the papal enclave at Avignon.  9 Popes reigned in Avignon and they increasingly fell under the influence of the French crown.  This schism of the Catholic Church was finally resolved in 1417, when the court was moved back to the Vatican.  This is a rather austere palace.

Palace of the Popes Exterior

Palace of the Popes

Würzburg Residence Palace is located in Würzburg, German.  The palace has over 300 rooms and was the home of the prince-bishops.  The gardens and sculptures are exceptional.  You can tour 40 rooms of this impressive building.  The baroque palace was built in about 24 years and features 2 impressive sights—the huge staircase area (at 23 meters high) with the world’s largest fresco painting and the Imperial Hall.

Würzburg Residence Palace Exterior

Würzburg Residence Palace Gardens

The Château’s of the Loire Valley

Château de Chambord—this former hunting lodge has 440 rooms, 365 fireplaces and 84 staircases and was designed to impress visitors.  On first sight, it does just that—this place is massive.  80 of the rooms are on display.  This is a great example of French Renaissance architecture. There are 4 main areas of interest of this palace.

Château de Chambord exterior

The most famous feature of this place is the double helix staircase that allows people to use them without being seen by others.  The second area of great interest is the furnished apartments of the first floor.  The third area is the keeps—the vaulted rooms of the second floor.  The roof (4th area) is quite unique—it has 11 different types of towers, 3 unique style chimneys and various columns and spires.

Château de Chambord furnished apartments

Château Chenonceau—built over the Cher River, this is a fairy tale looking palace.  As you approach the palace, the forecourt has the Marques Tower, the old keep of the fortified castle that was demolished as the new chateau was built.

Château Chenonceau

My favorite room was the 200 foot long Gallery.  It instantly reminded me of the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles except with 18 windows instead of mirrors.  The Gallery is actually the bridge over the river Cher.  The dazzling chandeliers and tufa and slate floor of black and white tiles is stunning.  It would be easy to imagine a wonderful evening ball here—there would be plenty of room to dance and socialize and this was exactly how this area was used by the royals for lavish parties

Château Chenonceau Gallery

Château du Clos Lucé—located in Amboise, this complex is famous as the last home of genius Leonardo da Vinci, where he spent his last 3 years.  In 1516 Leonardo traveled to France and among the items he brought was his painting the Mona Lisa and accepted a position working for the King of France as an engineer, painter and architect.  Chateau du Clos Luce is an interesting look at Leonardo’s creativity—each room seems to emphasize his talents for painting, building and inventing.  The models of some of his inventions and ideas are really well done.

Château du Clos Lucé

Château du Clos Lucé

Leonardo’s Studio Château du Clos Lucé

Display of one of Leonardo’s War Machines Château du Clos Lucé

Palaces on my Bucket List

Several rank here but there are 2 stand outs—these are places I still have to visit. 

Catherine Palace--built by the same architect as the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, the Catherine Palace is a gilded rococo masterpiece, and home of the famous Amber Room.  This is in a village of Pushkin (named after the famous poet) and sometimes also call Tsarskoye Selo (Tsars Village) because of the parks and palaces built there in the 1700’s by empresses Elizabeth and Catherine.

Sanssouci—the palace of Fredrick the Great is translated as “Without Care, or carefree.”  Built in 1747, it is small (only 10 main rooms) compared with other royal palaces but has excellent terraced gardens and the rooms are interesting.  This palace of the Prussian royal is located in Potsdam, Germany, about 16 miles from Berlin.  It was the summer place for Fredrick, and his retreat from the pressures of ruling in Berlin and his royal ceremonies and duties. 

My Final Thoughts

Wow—I hope you enjoyed this tour as much as I enjoyed writing it! 

This is an amazing collection of palaces but by no means the only one’s worth seeing in Europe.  The hardest part of writing this was whittling down to a manageable number.  Also, everyone has different tastes, so this may just be a starting place for your exploration.  We would be proud to help you see any of these or other European palaces.

We are travel experts, ocean and river cruise experts, and Europe destination experts.  We have first-hand knowledge of almost anywhere you want to visit in Europe.  We know our products and the vendors who sell them to you.  We have designed special tours for dozens of clients, led several and will continue to find just the right vacation that will exceed your expectations.

When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip.  You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience.  And, you want someone who can help you with the decision making process.  We think we have all these qualities.

Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you!  We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel.  Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@dreamdestinations.com.  We want to help you:  Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations!  Your journey begins here!

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 49 years.  He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA).  This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years.  He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees.  His other Certifications:

• AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist

• Viking River Cruise Specialist

• Scenic River Cruise Specialist

• Emerald Waterways  Specialist

• Avalon Waterways Specialist

• Brit Agent

Picturesque Squares--My 15 Favorite in Europe

Picturesque Squares—My 15 Favorites in Europe

By Hank Schrader, USMA ’71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

www.dreamdestinations.com

In almost every town in Europe, there is a square.  Squares have always been important to cities and their citizens.

So, I thought you might enjoy hearing my thoughts and see some pictures about what I consider my 15 favorite squares of Europe.

Don’t expect any real rationale for my selections—I have organized it alphabetically by countries of Europe; there is not one favorite square over another; and my only rationale is that I liked them—something was cool in my mind.

Before I start, I do have to give some homage to the 2 most important ancient squares—the Acropolis and the Roman Forum.

So, let me defend my thoughts—I’ll tell you a little about my 15 favorite squares, maybe some history, but the real criteria is why they appeal to me.

Ready for my personal square tour?—let’s go!

Why Squares Are Important

Town squares are a unique Europe innovation.

They go by many names, such as:  agora, forum, piazza, plaza, Platz, or market place

These town squares often are the most important place in a city.  Many have town halls located on them and are ringed by other buildings.  Most have restricted entrances, and are enclosed spaces which, in essence, makes it an outdoor building.

They helped cities develop a sense of community, often display culture items, important business buildings and foster democracy as a meeting place.  Most also have at least one important religious building, sometimes more. 

Perhaps more importantly, this gathering place is an ideal venue to exchange ideas and viewpoints.  This area serves so many functions—people watching, political discussions, all sorts of markets, and fosters a sense of belonging because of these interactions.

2 Ancient Squares

The Acropolis means “upper city.”  It is the symbol of the golden age of Greece.  The largest building on the Acropolis is the Parthenon, which was a temple for the goddess Hera.  The buildings here were built from 447 BC to 420 BC.  It towers over the Agora of Athens.  Both areas were gathering places for the ancient Greeks.  This is the birthplace of democracy.

The Roman Forum was the center of ancient Roman life.  It was the commercial, political and religious focus for all Romans.  Almost every important event in Roman life happened here—elections, ceremonies, religious observances, parades for triumphant armies, speeches, markets, and political decisions and creation of laws.  Many of the functions of the Roman Forum now happen in the current day squares of Europe.

Belgium

There are 3 great squares in this small country. 

Antwerp is our first stop.  The Grote Markt square has an impressive town hall and the wonderful statue of Barbo.

Barbo statue.  According to the legend, a terrible giant, called Druoon Antigoon, lived on the banks of the river Scheldt.  He demanded tolls, when refused, he cut off the hands of offending sailors.  A Roman soldier, Silvius Barbo, killed the giant and by cutting his hand off, he ended his reign of terror.

With a legend like this, great place to visit!

Brugge is next up.  The best place to start are the two squares—Market square and Burg Square.  Markt (Flemish) or Market Square is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to the well preserved medieval buildings and famous belfry.  You can climb the 366 or so stairs for awesome views of the city, but we prefer to listen to the bells from the ground of the square.

Burg Square houses the city hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood (built by a Crusader to store drops of the blood of Jesus he brought back from Jerusalem).  You can easily see the wealth of this city at one time by studying the opulent, gilded buildings.  The city hall is a Gothic structure that was built in the late 1300s, making it the oldest town hall in Belgium.  Don't miss the upstairs Gotische Zaal (Gothic Room) with its ornate decor and wall murals depicting highlights from Bruges's history.  Most spectacular of all is the vaulted oak ceiling, dating from 1402, which features scenes from the New Testament.  Here are some photos of Burg Square:

Brussels is the 3rd square in Belgium.  The Grand Place (Grote Markt)—a fine medieval square—considered to be one of the most beautiful squares in Europe.  It is a pedestrian only zone, North West of Central Train Station.  The square has a daily flower market and a weekly bird market.  From April through September, there is a music and light show.

One of the buildings on the square is the Gothic Town Hall—the town hall was the only building left intact when the Grand Place was destroyed by the French in 1695.  On top of the slim tower on the hall, St. Michael, the patron saint of Brussels, protects the town.  Limited English tours (40 minute).  Admission charge for the tour.

My favorite building on the square is the Municipal Museum in King’s House—this is not a royal residence, but a civic museum.  It is located opposite the Town Hall across from the Grand Place.  Among its collections are 18th and 19th century ceramics and tapestries.  It also holds the collection of the costumes for Manneken Pis—that’s why I like this museum so much!

Czech Republic

In Prague, the wonderful Old Town Square is fun to visit.

Old Town Square-- famous for its historical monuments, Old Town Square is a Prague must-visit.  Climb to the top of the 660-year-old Old Town Hall Tower for spectacular views of the Baroque-style St. Nicholas Church (north corner of the square, it has a fine interior), Gothic-style Church of Our Lady Before Tyn (twin towers) and Old Town itself.  The Astronomical Clock (Orloj)--on the side of the Tower--consists of an astronomical dial embellished with zodiac symbols, a calendar dial and colorful, moving sculptures.  As the clock chimes, biblical figurines come out, and spectators may watch the "Walk of the Apostles."  An hourly bell toll features a figurine representing death.  The clock comes to life from 0900 to 2100.

On the square is the Church of St. Nicholas--There are plenty of impressive Baroque churches in Prague, but the St. Nicholas church at the Old Town Square is one of the most beautiful thanks to the colorful frescoes, intricate ironwork and stucco that decorate the interior.

Old Town Hall--Prague's old Town Hall was built in 1364. The astronomical clock in the town hall's tower is one of the city's most popular tourist attractions.  Originally the building served only as the city hall of the old town, but later became the city hall for all of Prague.  It is now only used for ceremonial functions.  Hopefully the renovations are complete now, as it was covered up on my last visit.

We have visited several times, and led tours here at all times of the year.  It never gets old—especially during the Christmas markets.

Estonia

In this small Baltic country, the old town area of Tallinn is a jewel not to be missed.  The Medieval Old Town is wonderful.  It’s mostly intact city wall includes 26 watchtowers, each topped by a pointy red roof.  The Old Town is actually 2 towns that merged together after years of feuding—the upper and lower Old Towns. 

Town Hall Square (in old town)--A marketplace through the centuries, Town Hall Square is the starting point for exploring Tallinn's Old Town.  The 15th-century Town Hall dominates the square; climbing the tower earns a commanding view of the entire Old Town.  It is in the lower old town.

Germany

3 great squares make my list in Germany.

Let’s begin with Freiburg. 

Münsterplatz is a cobblestone square in front of the Freiburg Münster (Cathedral of Freiburg). This quaint churchyard has plenty of colorful buildings, most of which were reconstructed following the end of WW II.  Besides the church, the Historical Merchants' Hall and Wentzinger House are some of the many historical buildings within the square.

Münstermarkt Freiburg is an open-air farmer’s market that takes over most of Münsterplatz.  Normally, there are about 65 stalls selling fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables, and food items such as pastries, wines, and sausages.  There are vendors selling woven baskets and other items.  We bought some wonderful wooden utensils during one of our visits.

Next up is Munich. 

Marien Platz—old town square, since 1158, is the place to gather in Munich.  It is host to many festivals, and markets, especially the Christmas markets.  It has a famous glockenspiel (1908), which performs at 1100 and 1200 all year.  The story is of a 1500 wedding, of a Bavarian Duke (blue & white) and his French bride (red & white), knights and celebrations.  The inspiration for this unique device is that jousting tournaments used to be held in the square.

In the center of the square is a statue dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Nuremberg also ranks high with me.  The Market Square is a place of constant activity.  It is home to one of the best Christmas market in all of Germany.

If not being renovated, the Schoner Brunnen--the Beautiful 19 meter Fountain on the edge of Market Square is quite impressive.  There are two rings on the fence that are some popular legends about the power of the fountain.  One is that if you turn the “golden ring” and make a wish, it will come true. The black ring, is said to bless women with children. 

The market also has an impressive church on the square.  Church of Our Lady constructed as an imperial royal chapel.  Every day at noon the "Männleinlaufen" (mechanical clock and glockenspiel) chime to the delight of watchers below.

Italy

With a lot of choices, again I have 3 favorites here.

In Rome, Campo de Fiori is just awesome.  The original name means field of flowers.  During the day, it is best known for its flowers and fruit and vegetable markets.

After the sunsets, the area becomes a great meeting place since it has a wide variety of restaurants, cocktail bars and terraces.

We really like this area and try to visit when we are in Rome.

The next is St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.  St. Peter's Square is a large plaza located directly in front of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City.  In the center of the square is an ancient Egyptian Obelisk.    The obelisk actually acts as a giant sundial. 

Flanking either side of the square is a series of columns, which are to represent the welcoming arms of the church to the faithful.  284 columns and 88 pilasters that flank the square in a colonnade of four rows. Above the columns there are 140 statues of saints.

This is the home of the Vatican and the square is used for gathering of Catholics and religious ceremonies.

Venice, with its impressive San Marco Square should be visited at least once in your life.  St. Mark’s Square—this is the most famous plaza in Venice.  It is surrounded by sidewalk cafes and shops.  A great way to visit this square is to arrive by gondola.  Here are the most famous sight around the square:

Campanile—this is the dramatic bell tower overlooking St. Mark’s Square.  Visitors can ride the elevator 300 feet to the top, but beware that when the bell chimes it can be an ear shattering event.

St. Mark’s Basilica—this Byzantine masterpiece sits by St. Mark’s square in the heart of Venice.  It houses outstanding examples of mosaics and priceless works of art including the Pala d’Oro—a 10th century altar fashioned in gold and encrusted with precious gems.  The exterior holds facsimiles of the four famous gilded horses.  Free for the church, but Treasury, Golden Altar and San Marco Museum all charge separate admission.

Doge’s Palace—once the seat of government and the home of the Doges, the palace is a maze of grand halls that hold treasured works of art, including Tinotetto’s famed Paradise.  Admission charge

Bridge of Sighs—connecting two wings of the Doge’s Palace—according to the legend, a condemned man would be led over the bridge on the way to prison and sigh. 

Romania

The city of Brasov in Romania is square that I really enjoyed.  The main square of Brasov is a great place to see people, eat and enjoy the buildings around this area.  Town Hall Square has colorfully painted and ornately trimmed baroque structures.  Perhaps the most famous sight is the Black Church, the largest gothic church in Romania.  Its name comes from damage caused by the Great Fire of 1689, when flames and smoke blackened the walls of the church. The interior is impressive and well-kept and houses one of the largest organs in Eastern Europe

We had a great time during our stay.

San Marino

Although very tiny, I just really like the Liberty Square in this equally small country.  San Marino is an enclave—totally surrounded by Italy.  It is the oldest republic in the world. 

In the center of the tiny square is the marble statue of liberty towering over a fountain.  This is where citizens used to get water and the water is still drinkable today.

On the north side of the square is the city’s town hall, Palazzo Pubblico.  It is modeled after buildings of the 13th and 14th century but was built in the 1900s.  You can tour the hall and I just really liked the uniformed guard protecting this important building.

Cafes ring the east side—on the west is a protective defensive wall.

The folks of San Marino view this square as an important symbol of their fight for independence.

Spain

The most unusual square on my list is in Seville.  Plaza de Espana was created in 1929.  This monument was built for the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929. 

It is truly a massive structure.  It was created to showcase the achievements of Spain in industry and culture.  Today it houses museums.  It is often used in films as a good backdrop.

Sweden

Stockholm is the last of my 15 favorite squares.

Stortorget in the Gamla Stan—the old town is a medieval district with step-gabled buildings and cobblestone lanes.  Stortorget, is the oldest square in Stockholm.  Stortorget used to be the political heart of town until 1732, when the city hall was moved to the Bondeska Palace.  In 1520, it witnessed a large execution as the Danish conqueror Kristian II had 82 Swedish dignitaries arrested and beheaded.  It is a lot more fun to visit today.

My Final Thoughts

Wow—I hope you enjoyed this tour as much as I enjoyed writing it! 

This is an amazing collection of squares but by no means the only one’s worth seeing in Europe.  The hardest part of writing this was whittling down to a manageable number.  Also, everyone has different tastes, so this may just be a starting place for your exploration.  We would be proud to help you see any of these or other European squares.

We are travel experts, ocean and river cruise experts, and Europe destination experts.  We have first-hand knowledge of almost anywhere you want to visit in Europe.  We know our products and the vendors who sell them to you.  We have designed special tours for dozens of clients, led several and will continue to find just the right vacation that will exceed your expectations.

When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip.  You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience.  And, you want someone who can help you with the decision making process.  We think we have all these qualities.

Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you!  We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel.  Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@dreamdestinations.com.  We want to help you:  Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations!  Your journey begins here!

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 49 years.  He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA).  This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years.  He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees.  His other Certifications:

• AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist

• Viking River Cruise Specialist

• Scenic River Cruise Specialist

• Emerald Waterways  Specialist

• Avalon Waterways Specialist

• Brit Agent

Finally, Some Good News!

Finally, Some Good News!

By Hank Schrader, USMA ’71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

www.dreamdestinations.com

Most of us would like to be dreaming about travel instead of reading and hearing about travel restrictions, cancellations and closed borders.

So, after a quick review of pertinent updates on the current world situation, the rest of this blog will be about the joys of travel.  We all need some Good News and we are going to deliver!

We eagerly look forward to get back to making your travel dreams come true.

Since we can’t really travel now, let’s travel together with some of our best pictures, and dream about what is in our future!

Updates

In the space of less than a month, most normal ways we live in America have and will continue to change.  Here are 3 updates to help you stay informed:

First, the value of working with us could not be more important.  Here is a real headline from Travel Market Report:  “Expedia Clients Experience Chaos with COVD-19 Disruptions.”  Another headline reads: “Costco Travel Clients Fill Social Media with Complaints Amid COVID-19 Outbreak.” It goes on to say in the article the complaints include “seven hour hold wait times and poor communications at the company’s call center, as coronavirus fears result in soaring requests for cancellations, postponements and refunds.”

I guess it goes without saying when you work with us, we solve these hassles—and I promise you, no seven hour waits on the phone.

As I wrote last week, “I want to make one point clear—we understand your frustration and potential loss and we have your back—you can count on us!”  I bet a lot of those folks now wish they had used us.

Second, restrictions on travel and unnecessary contact with others seem so upsetting but are for your safety.  This disruption of our daily life and travel plans will not last forever and once lifted, travel will boom again. 

Third, the vendors we use have made awesome adjustments to help protect you.  Waivers to allow increased flexibility to postpone your upcoming trip is the norm, not the exception.  Since most of our river cruisers choose AmaWaterways, we have to keep telling you about their excellent policies.  Just like us, they really care, and have put you first instead of their profits. 

Enough of this—let’s travel through our pictures!

Fun Irish & Kilt Pictures

St. Patrick’s Day was March 17th.  Perhaps you didn’t get to celebrate this year, but you can party with us!

Hank (Buzz Lightyear) and Anne (Jessie) —dressed as Disney Characters from Toy Story in the Sligo St. Partrick’s Day Parade 2009.

A pint during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Sligo, Ireland 2009

And, who can resist 2 men in kilts with their ladies?

Left to Right Denise, Mark, Anne & Hank on the AmaKristina 2018

Awesome Gardens

Who doesn’t like great photos of gardens?  Gardens parallel the first civilizations—some of the more wealthy created spaces that were visually pleasing, tranquil spaces to enjoy and escape from the pressures of life.  These spaces have evolved and now are showcases of beauty and the more prominent ones features statues and fountains amidst the flora and fauna.  Here are some of our favorites in Europe—enjoy.

Kuekenhof Gardens, Netherlands

Bamberg, Germany Rose Garden

English Royal Garden

Alhambra Garden, Grenada Spain

Helsinki, Finland Esplanade Gardens

Interesting Squares of Europe

The lifeblood of many old towns of European cities were their squares.  Town squares are a unique Europe innovation.  They go by many names, such as:  agora, forum, piazza, plaza, Platz, or market place.  These town squares often are the most important place in a city.  They helped cities develop a sense of community, often display culture items, important business buildings and foster democracy as a meeting place.

Campo de Fiore, Rome, Italy—a flower market by day & a lively restaurant & club scene at night

Tallinn, Estonia Old Town Square

Square in San Mario—one of the smallest countries in the world!

Europe’s Guild Shop Signs

We have always loved these signs.  Many Europe cities have preserved the old parts of their cities to include the guild signs hanging over the narrow streets.  These signs are usually made of wrought-iron and harken back to a time when many could not read but could recognize the symbols of a business.  Here are some of our favorites.

Golden Fleece Sign, Heidelberg Germany

Miltenberg, Germany Sign

Castle Hotel, Durnstein, Austria

Europe’s Bridges

Bridges are symbolic, interesting and sometimes beautiful and wonders of engineering.  Europe has some of the most famous and interesting bridges in the world.  Bridges are designed to bypass some type of obstacle such a river, or valley but they often have developed into a more important function as a symbol of uniting places that once were separated.  Here are some favorites:

Chapel Bridge. Lucerne, Switzerland

Amsterdam Canal Bridge

Chain Bridge, Budapest

Doors

Often, we ignore how we enter or leave a building. 

This is probably not true now, as we are using methods to ensure we don’t transfer germs from door handles.  But as many DIY shows will advise, one of the best curbside improvements will be to enhance your front door.

Now you are asking, “What does this have to do with travel?”  Well, we’ve been fascinated with doors, handles and knockers that are in Europe.  So many are sculptured and enhance a building that has basically a very plain design.

Adding intrigue to the visual aspects of the actual door, is a sense of mystery about the door—“What’s on the other side?”; “Who lives there?”

We hope you enjoy these shots (a small sampling of our collection):

Dublin Door

Door to Apollo Temple, Roman Forum, Rome, Italy

Cochem Castle Door, Cochem Germany

Rodin’s Gates of Hell Door

My Final Thoughts

Wasn’t that FUN! 

As I wrote last week, this too will pass!  We will be ready when the time is right for you to resume your travels.  Until then, remember your travels are just on hold, not gone!

We are travel experts, ocean and river cruise experts, and Europe destination experts.  We have first-hand knowledge of almost anywhere you want to visit in Europe.  We know our products and the vendors who sell them to you.  We have designed special tours for dozens of clients, led several and will continue to find just the right vacation that will exceed your expectations.  As you can see, our full service agency can get you to almost anywhere you desire to travel and provide you a great experience and vacation.

When you are spending your hard earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip.  You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience.

Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you!  We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel.  Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@dreamdestinations.com.  We want to help you:  Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations!  Your journey begins here!

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 48+ years.  He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA).  This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years.  He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees.  His other Certifications:

• AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist

• Viking River Cruise Specialist

• Scenic River Cruise Specialist

• Emerald Waterways  Specialist

• Avalon Waterways Specialist

• Brit Agent