Five hotel barges in Europe

In the distance, a faint toot, water splash against the hull, screaming gulls. But we are not on the high seas but are in the safe harbor moored fast asleep in a cozy cabin, and our breakfast comes from the galley. In Hotel vessels can be the flair of an ocean cruise experience in a maritime environment, and the "journey" can be interrupted any time to come ashore. The photo show, we introduce five hotel barges in Europe, where holiday-makers in sailor mood.

Sleep, where Hamburg's most beautiful

More port does not work. Right on the pier over the Hamburg harbor since 1986, the cargo ship Cap San Diego museum. Small boats with visitors who have booked a harbor tour by boat, the "white swan of the South Atlantic"was over, the day trippers look longingly up at the hotel boat. There may actually be booked booths. A single cabin is from 76 $ to get a crew cab from 95 $ per night without breakfast. Several times a year, the Cap San Diego is also still on a long trip. Among other things, it is traditional at the opening parade of the port 6th Birthday May our, and 26 June, they start to drive through the Kiel Canal. On board there are regular events, and on the pool deck there are barbecues on warm summer evenings.

Dreaming in Vegesack Harbour

Fierce storms and days of the training ship had lulls Germany with its former pupils to defy the world's oceans. Since 1996, the majestic square-rigged ship rests at the port of Bremen Vegesack and no longer serves the training of young seamen. Today may be in the 30 outside cabins with two berths visitors stay in style and dream of stormy adventures at sea. One night cost per person, double occupancy $ 50 and $ 35 for single occupancy, including breakfast. Washing, the recreational sailor in common laundry rooms in the intermediate or upper deck. Comfortable is the captain's cabin, which is offered with living room, owner, master room, shower, toilet, television, champagne and breakfast from 125 $.

Having a sauna on the boat

Before the portholes boats, cargo vessels and sailors take on their way past the islands of the archipelago, which attracts close to old town of Stockholm to look around. Like a movie star, visitors to the elegant Mälardrottningen yacht in the harbor of Stockholm walk up the gangway. The ship was built in 1924 for an American millionaire, and Barbara Hutton, she later received from her father at 18 Birthday gift. Today, guests in 61 comfortable rooms with internet and TV to stay on three decks, from the cuddly Sailor's Cabin to the luxurious owner's cabin. The maritime dream costs from 95 $ per night per person with breakfast and sauna.

Gothenburg: Liseberg Barking Hotel Viking

Spin a yarn to boaters and landlubbers on the four-masted barque in the harbor of Gothenburg. At night it rocks its visitors in good-quality sleep, shine through the porthole of the stars - not reminiscent of a stay in the safe harbor. In 1907, the proud Bark was built, but already mothballed 14 years later. Again, two years later, the ship then sailed laden wood between Sweden and Australia. Since 1998, she rests in the Gothenburg harbor at Gullbergskajen Kai. Earlier seamen still slept in hammocks in narrow bunks, so visitors are now 29 rooms equipped with comfortable beds, TV, shower and toilet from 122 $ per person for an overnight stay is available.

Rotterdam: Logeerboot

It smells of sea water, fish and port. The Logeerboot in Rotterdam was once used as a ferry on the River Meuse in use. Where previously the captain and his sailors were doing their duty, now, up to three people live in a converted ship's apartment. On the historic ferry, there is now a perfectly equipped kitchen, bathroom and technical refinements such as iPod, Internet access and DVD player. On cool evenings, warm a small stove. The outdoor deck is a sun terrace and is the ideal place, the lively bustle of the Nieuwe Maas and track around the Watertoren port. One night cost per person from 115 $.

Seven European cities with beach port

Morning sightseeing, afternoon beach walk: For swimmers with cultural and shopping ambitions there is no better combination for a city break. In our photo-show, seven places where the beach and sea in the sightseeing trip are included.

Barcelona: So close, so beautiful

It could hardly be better: just a few minutes walk from the Ramblas, the Mercat de la Boqueria and the Sagrada Familia are the sandy beaches of the Spanish port of Barcelona. Rows over a length of almost five kilometers, a total of six sections marked by moles to each other. Behind the beach you can walk under the palms, the beach promenade. The favorite child of the city, the Platja de Barceloneta is full of restaurants and bars. Families love the 400-meter Platja de la Nova Icaria.

Nice: Savoir-vivre in the Bay of Angels

Very close, it is the narrow, cobbled streets, baroque churches and small squares of the old town of Nice to the beach fun in the Bay Baie des Anges ". 15 private and 20 public beach areas line the six-kilometer long pebble beach on the Promenade des Anglais. Party people and homosexuals meet at Castel Plage ", the" Beau Rivage Beach "is perfect for a glass of rose on Fruits de Mer Absolutely trend is the" Hi plague ".

Istanbul: bathing between Occident and Orient

The interface between evening and morning country is Istanbul. The "Pearl of the Bosphorus", the largest city in Turkey with its numerous attractions. In search of respite from urban bustle and wet to cool itself offers a swimming trip to the Black Sea. The wide sandy bay of Kilyos on the European banks is about 30 kilometers from the city center, by bus from Taksim Square, or reach by boat from Eminonu. Next sandy beach, a dreamy port and the ruins of a Genoese castle waiting in Sile, the Black Sea resort on the Asian bank, a taxi-ride from Beykoz away from.

Rome: where Odysseus was charmed

Roman Forum, Colosseum, Spanish Steps and St. Peter's: hardly a city rich in monuments and history. Dolce far niente is waiting at the Lido di Ostia, an ancient port in the "Eternal City" and nearly one hundred years, redesigned as a seaside resort on the drawing board. The numerous beach pools, restaurants and nightclubs are the perfect outdoor theater for young party-Romans. The trip takes one hour by train. A second popular seaside resort of Fregene Rome is on the Via Aurelia, just 25 kilometers outside the city. On the white sand beach, numerous film stars their summer residences.

Lisbon: the dream beach train bay

Also in Lisbon, you must not drive far to chill out after the cultural experience at the beach. After a long sightseeing tour of the Baixa with its beautiful tile work and the medieval, narrow streets, the beaches along the coast to attract a small breather along with sea breeze. The popular south of Lisbon, Costa da Caparica. A small beach train leaves from the innumerable bays and brings the beach for trips to any of the 13 kilometers of coastline.

Helsinki: City beach made in Finland

Within walking distance are the relaxing oasis in the Finnish capital Helsinki: From the harbor to gaze from the sea fortress Suomenlinna. Close are the beaches and the city at 315 outlying islands, it is useful, the bikini and bathing suit to put in the suitcase. Easily by ferry to reach the beach and islands Pihlajasaari Suomenlinna. The most popular city beach Hietaniemi Beach, short of locals Hietsu referred.

Amsterdam: From the canals Kiten

Historic canals, numerous art museums and multicultural atmosphere - this is Amsterdam. But also just removed close to town beach holiday feeling, about half an hour from the center. Amsterdam half hanging around the weekend on the wide, nine kilometers long beach of Zandvoort and Bloemendaal to chill out, swimming and kite surfing. The number 1 of the "urban beach-Tops" Ijmuiden, because it is so convenient to reach: From downtown (exit behind Amsterdam Centraal), take the ferry Flying Fast Ferry runs, then by bus to Beach Ijmuiden.