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SCHÖNBRUNN PALACE, AUSTRIA
Once the main summer residence of the Hapsburg
rulers, Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace is a magnificently
important architectural monument with a heritage
spanning back over 300 years. Sometimes referred
to as the Austrian Palace of Versailles, it has a certain
renaissance feel in its lavishness and grandeur that
is reminiscent of the Parisian palace. ere is an
impressive 435 acres of immaculate garden, the palace
itself houses around 1,000 people, and its interiors are
decorated with gold, mirrors and frescoes.
Tour the magnificent home of the Hapsburg
dynasty as an optional excursion whilst in
Vienna during a Romantic Danube journey.
BLARNEY CASTLE, IRELAND
Cork's Blarney Castle was built nearly 600 years
ago by one of Ireland's greatest chieftans, Cormac
MacCarthy and still today retains its reputation as
one of Ireland's greatest treasures and tourist
attractions. At the heart of the castle is the historic
Blarney stone. Legend has it that touching the
Blarney Stone with your lips bestows you with the
gift of eloquence. As for the grounds and gardens,
Blarney has a certain aura of magic and folklore with
its wishing steps and druid's caves.
A sightseeing trip to Blarney Castle, near
Cork, is an included excursion for guests on
the Viking's Northern Isles journey.
Clockwise,
from far left:
Christiansborg
Palace in
Copenhagen
the façade of
Catherine Palace
in St. Petersburg
Clockwise, from
left: Schönbrunn
Palace, Vienna,
Austria; Cochem
Castle, Reichsburg,
Germany;
Christiansborg
Palace, Copenhagen,
Denmark.
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