Showing posts with label European Cities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label European Cities. Show all posts

6/22/2016

Bourg, Blaye & Pauillac France - Gironde, Aquitaine

The historical village of Bourg, France, where picturesque alleyways tumble down to the harbor via the Porte de Mer and the King’s stairway, while the upper town boasts its covered market, the Hotel de la Jurade and the castle in the Citadel.

Scribbles and Smiles by J Christina

Scribbles and Smiles by J Christina


Scribbles and Smiles by J Christina

Scribbles and Smiles by J Christina

Bourg is situated in the Gironde - (Aquitaine region) -  in the south west of France at 23 km from Bordeaux.  Bourg is only 478 km from Paris, Blaye 13km and Bordeaux-Chartons at 21 km.

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6/08/2016

Mateus Palace: Régua, Portugal

Designed by Nicolay Nasoni, an Italian architect, featuring double staircases, pinnacles, and handrails.  Positioned in front of a reflecting lake surrounded by sculpted French gardens.  The family still lives in the private part of the Palace. It is considered to be the most beautiful and emblematic Baroque building in Portugal. The Mateus Palace is situated about 2 km from Via Real.

Mateus Palace
Portuguese Baroque Palace- 18th century

This Baroque masterpiece, Mateus Palace, is one of the finest examples of civil architecture in Portugal. The interior is equally lavish with carved wood ceilings, furniture from the 17th century, silver, ceramics and a library with a remarkable edition of the epic poem Os Lusiadas.

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6/07/2016

Douro River Valley Wine Region: Pinhão, Portugal


Pinhão is the best kept secret in Portugal – postcard perfect views, mountains that reach 3000’ high and fall right right-back down into the riverbed, terraced vineyards, layered stone-walls holding the silver rocky soil in place, with lush green grapevines trailing atop; along with romantic and rustic country houses dotted on the hillsides.   A place not to be missed.

Docked at Pinhão, Portugal
Queen Isabel

motorcoach transport for visiting wine estates & vineyards
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6/06/2016

Cathedral of Toledo Spain : Toledo, Spain


The Cathedral of Toledo which was completed in 1493, after almost 200 years of construction and it is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.  The main door, the Gate of Forgiveness, is closed-the last time it was opened was 1982 for the visit of Pope John Paul II.  In the Treasure Chapel, is a magnificent sculpture containing 5600 pieces of silver and gold.  Legend says that the Virgin Mary visited in January, of the year 459 and touched a stone column - that now sits in the cathedral.  Tourist can touch a piece of this stone that is inside a sacred vessel.

how we feel at the end of a long travel day



Toledo Cathedral - in Toledo, Spain, is ranked among the greatest Gothic structures in Europe. Inside, the cathedral contains important masterpieces including a spectacular baroque high altar and two paintings by El Greco.


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6/05/2016

Cathedral of Salamanca: Salamanca, Spain




The New Cathedral of Salamanca, Spain – Constructed between 16th & 18th centuries in two styles: Gothic and Baroque. Stroll through Salamanca's Old city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988 - and you will be dazzled by the beauty of the ancient architecture - even the Baroque styling of the Plaza Mayor in the heart of the city.  Many study abroad students attend the University of Salamanac for Spanish emersion classes here.  Follow J. Christina through Spain, Portugal and France in this series 2016.

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Synagogue of St. Mary of White: Toledo, Spain


Toledo was founded by the Romans in the 2nd century B.C.  The Jews arrived in the 1st century A.D., followed by the Moors in the 9th century.  Today the Old City has a population of 15,000 and the entire city’s population is 85,000.
Our first stop is in the Synagogue of St. Mary the White or Sinagogade Santa Maria la Blanca.  It is the oldest synagogue in Spain and is built in the Moorish style.  Later it was converted to a Christian church.  Many Jews left for Portugal or America in 1492, as a result of the Spanish Inquisition.
 

Toledo is a beautiful and educational city with a rich history of Islamic, Christian and Jewish influences from the middle ages. This synagogue built in 1180 - is believed to be the oldest surviving synagogue in Europe. Saint Mary of the White is located in the Jewish Quarter and built in the Almohad architecture style during a period of Christian rule.  Follow J. Christina through Spain, Portugal and France in this series 2016.

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6/04/2016

Flamenco Dancing: Madrid, Spain

This evening, we were transported by motorcoach to the Corral de la Moreria for a dinner with Flamenco show. Advertised as the oldest and most famous Flamenco performance worldwide.

Flamenco performance & dinner at Corral De La Moreria
 
Flamenco dancing and music is an art form from Gypsy, Moorish, and Andalusia roots since the 19th century. Flamenco is made up of four elements, Cante-Voice, Baile-Dance, Toque-Guitar, and the Jaleo, which roughly translated means “hell raising” and involves the handclapping, foot stomping, and shouts of encouragement.





 


 
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10/28/2015

Mohács, Hungary - Uniworld European River Cruises

Scribbles and Smiles by J Christina
Church in Mohács, Hungary follow us to Mohacs and Pecs, Hungary 


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