Bordeaux: the Aquitaine Pearl

This city is well known for having the highest number of preserved historical buildings in France. They also have the world's major wine industry.

France is known for being a country filled with artistic influences that have impacted the world heritage through history. They have also been proud of keeping their historical symbols, with most of the monuments and relics from periods like Renaissance still preserved until our time. This country treasures its past without forgetting the present, and it’s part of what makes France a point of reference that tourists feel unavoidably drawn to, attracting millions of visitors every year.

Bordeaux is the perfect example of the statement above. This port city is the second in having the highest amount of preserved historic buildings, making it a part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. If that’s not enough, the city’s also classified as the “City of Art and History”. Tourists who visit Bordeaux notice that one day isn’t sufficient to discover the whole town’s amenities. Most of the places of interest are churches, contemporary structures, museums, parks and shopping centers.

This variety allows the travelers to be able to choose to visit places such as the Saint-André Cathedral and then go to the Musée d’Aquitaine in an instant while enjoying the beautiful sights and the developed urbanism of the city.

If you want to take on the city by foot, then you should visit the Place des Quinconces, as it is one of the largest city squares in all Europe. This square is filled with sculptures of historical events (like the triumph of the Republic sculpture) and other artistic showcases. There’s a tram system in the place if you’re done with walking and wish to know the area further.

The Aquitaine’s Pearl, Bordeaux, is the living example of how modern times can have a lot of the past in them and look even more appealing in the process.  This is one of the best locations you can visit if you want to experience a whole different take on the touristic appeal of France.

There’s no reason not to travel to this destination when you travel, so visit this French city! Need help planning the experience? Cruise Planners – Jason Hantman is the answer for you. Check their offers if you’re interested and travel with them as your advisors, contact information can be found below!

This square is filled with sculptures and monuments that give the place a tremendous historic value.

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Venice: The Floating City

Known as La Basilica di San Marco, this cathedral is an example of the Venetian wealth.

Italy’s history and its changes through time have been one of the most discussed topics among historians. The foundations of the Roman Empire started in the early years of Italy with the joining of the Italic tribes that formed the first Roman Kingdom.

The influence the Roman Empire continued through history, with the rise of the first king of Italy. Afterward, the Italian Peninsula went under many dynastic and non-dynastic periods, and it wasn’t until the year 1453, that the Roman Empire ended with the Fall of Constantinople. With the Renaissance, the rising of humanism began in Italy: Leonardo Da Vinci and Niccolò Machiavelli were among the minds that flourished during this period, further becoming an influence in the culture of Italy.

The birth of Venice is part of this period’s history, as originally this city was annexed by the Austrian Empire. Nonetheless, it became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1866. The beauty of this town was well known across all Europe, being the most elegant and further influencing art, architecture, and literature.

Saint Mark’s Basilica, also known as the Church of Gold, is one example of the beauty this city has to offer. From the outside to the inside, this church is a work of art: the interior has influences of the Constantinople’s Church, with a presbytery filled with statues influenced by the Gothic style. The exterior is full of statues, and up in the large central window you can see the St. Mark symbol (a winged lion), and above it, there’s a book quoting: “Pax Tibi Marce Evangelista Meus” which translates to “Peace to you Mark, my evangelist.”

There a connection between this Church and the Gallerie dell’Accademia, as most of the original compositions of the mosaics and paintings are found in Gentile Bellini’s great "Procession in Piazza San Marco". This museum gallery is housed in the Scuola della Carità on the south bank of the Grand Canal inside the sestiere of Dorsoduro. There are many beautiful paintings exposed in this museum, most of them influenced by religion as many of the painters are from the Renaissance period.

The art and culture from Venice owe lots of their roots to the strong influence the Renaissance had in Italy. As pioneers of this movement, the art of humanism is something that can be felt when visiting Venice as well. This destination is a must for anyone, no matter their cultural interests. Contact with Cruise Planners – Jason Hantman to check and set your traveling course now.

This is a museum gallery of the pre 19th-century that features masterpieces of the Venetian history and art.

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Peru: A Look into the Inca’s Empire

Located in the Andes Mountains of Peru, this Incan citadel was once the estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti.

The history of most civilizations goes a long way back in time, and most of these still remain as a part of the culture of almost every country today. The Republic of Peru is an example of a country with deep roots in time as the Peruvian territory was the home to ancient cultures (these are one of the oldest in the world with settlements dated from 3200 BC) and also the Inca Empire. After being conquered by the Spanish Empire in the 16th century, a Viceroyalty was established in Lima, including most of its South American colonies. It was until 1821 that Peru became independent.

Peru is very famous because of the gastronomy it has to offer, making it a recommended place for those who like to enjoy good meals. The culture of Peru is very rich as well, with places that make any tourist be interested in the history and the remains of most of the ruins.

Macchu Picchu is one of the most visited places of  Peru and is located in the Cusco Region. This citadel was built as a state for the Inca emperor Pachacuti in the 14th century, its discovery was in the year 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham.  The tourism is huge, making it a very controlled place and it has been under many economic controls from the government. Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (declared in 1983).

The Incas’ way of constructing made this citadel to be recognized as a state worthy of an emperor. Traveling across the streets of Machu Picchu is an experience worth trying not once, but several times.  Do not hesitate and set your destination to Cusco to enjoy visiting different places and the beauty of Machu Picchu. Contact with Cruise Planners – Jason Hantman to cruise your way there and enjoy the experience.

Designated as the Historical Capital of Peru, this city was also the capital of the Inca Empire until the 16th-century, with the Spanish conquest.

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Costa Maya: Culture and Sea

This is a small region for tourists to experience the joy and beaches it has to offer.

Mexico is not only known for its gastronomy and the landscapes it has to offer to tourists. The culture and history of Mexico go way back as the first dated human presence is believed to be 21,000 years old, but the evidence of society settlements are from 8000 BC. The growth in culture starts from the 1800 and 300 BC, where civilizations like the Mayans, Olmec and Aztecs raised and thrived in this period. The remains of those civilizations yet remain and serve as strong roots in Mexico’s history.

Costa Maya is one of those historic places that remain as a living proof of the past. As a small tourist region, this state has been growing rapidly because of the growing demands in the tourism area. One of the main reasons of the tourism in Costa Maya is the development of a large pier for cruise ships, most of them filled with tourists looking for the beaches while others are more interested in the ruins nearby.

The Mayan ruins in the Yucatan include the Kohunlich, a pre-Columbian Maya civilization, and an archaeological site. The Chacchoben is another Mayan ruin that was an early settlement by the Maya at 200 BC. Also, the pyramids of Chichen Itza are well known and visited, as they were one of the largest cities in that time. The city’s diversity can be seen, as there is a wide variety of architectural styles around it.

There are many options to choose from when visiting Costa Maya. Do not forget to check the beaches on the coast and at least one of those ruins, make sure you get a glimpse of the history behind the Mayans. Cruises commonly go to this coast as it is highly demanded, so why not try and visit? Contact with Cruise Planners – Jason Hantman to make your plans and have a great experience.

The ruins are very close to the Costa Maya, making a trip there would be an excellent idea for tourists,

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Cruise Planners - Jason Hantman

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Alaska: Mountains Ahead!

Discover some interesting facts about this northern state.

There are certain destinations made for tourists who love to explore and venture into different landscapes while sightseeing the beauty that surrounds them: places such as Alaska give off this particular feeling of wanting to go on an adventure. This state is located in the northwest extremity of North America and is the largest state in the United States by total area.

Alaska has a huge amount of lakes (more than three million), which makes it a state where fishing it’s very rewarding and profitable (its main export product its seafood). Oil and gas industries dominate the Alaskan economy, as 80% of the state’s revenues are derived from the extraction of petroleum. The glaciers cover most of the tidal zone of Alaska, making it one of the places with the most glaciers in the world.

Tourism is also very profitable in Alaska, and most of the visit consists of trips to the natural spots of interest, like the Denali National Park or the Kenai Fjords National Park. The Alaska Peninsula features many active volcanoes. Also, one of the world’s largest tides occurs in the Turnagain Arm. Another interesting fact about Alaska is the culture of the natives that dates from thousands of years before the arrival of European people to the area. In the Aleutian Islands, you can find the Aleut’s people, who keep their traditions in order to maintain a healthy relationship with their environment.

The lower temperatures, mountains, volcanoes, and parks are just a tiny part of what Alaska has to offer for tourists and adventurers, it’s your job to venture in this cold region from the United States. If you’re willing to try this destination, make sure you choose the date and contact with Cruise Planners – Jason Hantman, to get the most profit out of this trip.

Alaska is filled with wild species and volcanoes. Adventurers must prepare properly for this experience.

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Porto: A Coastal City of Interest

Inaugurated on April 15th, 2005, this major concert hall houses the cultural institution of the Casa da Música.

The variety of languages the European Union have are the primary reason for their difference and diversity of cultures and historic facts, even though they’re located in Europe. Due to the policies between the members of this union, the commerce in each country is high and most of the countries are very stable in their economy.

Portugal is one of the countries that, even with the financial troubles that happened in the past (the financial crisis of 2007-08, for example), it has been able to remain stable in their financial system. Their central bank is the Banco de Portugal, it’s an important part of the European System of Central Banks. Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, is the most populated city, together with Porto. Both of those are the main metropolitan areas and places of interest for tourists.

Porto is second in size after Lisbon and is one of the major urban areas of the Iberian Peninsula. This city is also recognized as a gamma-level global city, meaning that it has a great position among the Globalization and World Cities Study Group. For tourists, Porto is a place of interest because of the variety of places it has to offer.

Casa Da Música, for example, is one of the main attractions for people interested in this expression of art. The design of this building was acclaimed worldwide by several architecture critics. It’s one the city’s main icons and cultural places to look if you’re visiting.

For readers and book lovers, the Livraria Lello is a must. Known as one of the oldest bookstores in the world, this neo-gothic building is the definite place for those looking for a unique experience while browsing books of interest. The Palácio da Bolsa and the Church of Sao Francisco are great alternatives for tourism as well.

There’s nothing to worry about if you don’t know the official language, just make sure you’re with a group of people so you don’t feel lost. Touristic guides could be useful for these cases. If you haven’t made up your mind yet, you should be checking the options Cruise Planners – Jason Hantman has to offer. Get in contact to get the full information about destinations and dates.

 This bookstore is considered to be one of the top bookstores in the world.

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Cruise Planners - Jason Hantman

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Dublin: Ireland’s Tourism through the Capital

Until the 19th century, it was the seat of the UK Goverment's administration in Ireland. Now it serves as a major attraction for tourists.

Ireland, the third-largest island in Europe and located in the North Atlantic, is one of the most populous islands as well (second-most, after Great Britain). The name Ireland comes from the Old Irish word Eriu. This, in turn, derives from Proto-Celtic Iveriu, which is also the source of Latin Hibernia. Iveriu comes from the root that means “prosperous, swell”.

The culture of Ireland is vast and has spread abroad other countries. If that’s not enough, Ireland’s capital and largest city, Dublin, is considered a global city. With a ranking of “Alpha-“, Dublin is placed amongst the top thirty cities in the world. This city was the father of writers such as Oscar Wilde and James Joyce. Rich in history, as Vikings founded it as their first settlement. It might sound like and old town, but it’s rather young and lively, filled with people from all walks of life.

Situated in the historic Dublin, the Dublin Castle is one of the examples of how strong the roots of the past are. This castle started off being just fortifications for the Vikings in 930 and after the Normans invaded Dublin they used the castle as a stronghold. The castle itself was born in 1230. It was a symbol of English reign, and it became a target during the Risings of 1916, in the first attempt to end the British rule in Ireland. This is a strong historical place for tourists to relive the past and history of Ireland.

Another place of interest in Dublin is the Convention Centre Dublin, a known project designed by Kevin Roche, an American-Irish architect. This structure was shortlisted for the Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards – Engineering Project of the Year 2010 and won the award for Best Overseas Conference Centre.

There are much more places to look, and if you’re willing to look for more why not go there and experience the trip yourself? Cruising has become the best way to get to know different places, so try with Cruise Planners – Jason Hantman, for a cruise experience worth the while. Contact for more information.

Designed by the American-Irish architect Kevin Roche, this convention centre is known for being the first carbon neutral constructed convention centre in the world.

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Cruise Planners - Jason Hantman

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Barcelona: Tourism and Places of Interest

This is the center of Barcelona's old city: a place filled with several structures and buildings dated from medieval times.

As a part of the European Union, Spain is the 4th largest country in the European Continent. According to Spain's Municipal Register, the population of Spain officially reached 46 million people in 2008, making it the sixth most populated country in Europe. Worldwide, there are over 500 million Spanish speakers, making this language the world’s second most spoken first language, only surpassed by Mandarin Chinese with 960 million speakers.

Barcelona is part of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as its capital city. This city is one of the biggest in Spain (after Madrid) and is second in the most populous municipality in the country. For tourists, Barcelona means the ultimate escape, as it is one of the world’s leading tourist centers. The Port of Barcelona is one of Europe’s principal seaport, meaning that ships and cruises favor this destination in their routes.

Barcelona has many places for tourists to visit, but one that stands out from all is the Sagrada Familia, the Basílica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family. This church was designed by Antoni Gaudí, a Spanish - Catalan architect. The beauty of this church is because of its design, based on the engineering style of Gaudí, with the combination of gothic and curvilinear forms. This is a spiritual spot and no matter if you’re religious or not, you need to visit this church.

Other places that need to be considered are the FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou Stadium, the Tibidabo Mountain and the Palau de la Musica Catalana. Do not forget to visit Barcelona’s beaches as well. The historic Gothic Quarter is another good option to have in consideration for those looking for some cultural tourism.

When looking for experiencing new things, cruising is one of the things you need to consider. Want a different time and a unforgettable experience? Contact Cruise Planners - Jason Hantman to get your cruising experience right now.

One of the most popular attractions Barcelona has: Sagrada Familia is easily one of the most breathtaking churches in the world.

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Cruise Planners - Jason Hantman

Phone Number 954-420-9133
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