(September 22) Melk Abbey or Stift Melk is an Austrian Benedictine abbey, and one of the world’s most famous monastic sites. It is located above the town of Melk on a rocky outcrop overlooking the river Danube in Lower Austria, adjoining the Wachau valley. The abbey was founded in 1089 when Leopold II, Margrave of […]
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Postcard from Burgundy
Tending a vineyard the old-fashioned way with real horsepower
Sleeping in a medieval castle above the Rhein River in Germany
July 30 There’s no experience quite like spending the night in a castle high on a bluff above one of Europe’s prettiest river valleys. Recent guests of ours had this experience and for some, it was a repeat experience. Susan brought son Nick back for a second European Focus Private Tour and this time, four […]
Postcard from Ireland
A cart outside a coffee shop in Knightstown, Kerry, Ireland Do you like European Focus Postcards from Europe? Order any of your favorites that you see on this web site as blank inside photo notecards. Only $1.50 each includes envelope! Order by sending your inquiry to info@europeanfocus.com
Images from Ireland’s Beara Peninsula
(From a recent trip June 17 to 28 which included parts of Ireland, Edinburgh and London) We love Ireland. It’s such a fascinating island, full of beautiful sights, history and best of all, wonderful, warm people who truly like conversing with strangers and not just because their job requires it. Here are some images from […]
Exploring Edinburgh, Scotland
(Post uploaded after June 17 to 28 trip in Ireland, Scotland and England) Edinburgh! This city should have an exclamation point after its name on town signs, maps and so on. It’s that great of a city. Scotland’s capital and second largest city after Glasgow, the city attracts more than a million visitors per year, […]
Pont Neuf in Paris and the End of the Knights Templar
June 15 s Jacques de Molay, last Grand Master of the Knights Templar was executed at the stake at the place where Pont Neuf bridge stands today in Paris The story of the Knights Templar is one which has always fascinated us. Originally set up as a guard to protect pilgrims who were traveling to […]
Jewish History in Pittigliano, Tuscany
May 10 There was once a flourishing Jewish community in this fortified Tuscan village. Kicked out of the Papal States (those areas immediately surrounding Rome) by Popes in the 16th century, a large settlement developed in Pittigliano where they were given protection by the local ruling family. In ‘Little Jerusalem’ there can be seen many […]