I started European Focus three decades ago as a custom-designed, private tour service. When I proposed the concept to the owner of a travel agency (who happened to be a family member) he scoffed and said “no one will pay that much to travel.” Now, 321 tours later, travel in general is in a “pause” […]
Tag Archives: guided
The Open Window Policy of the Dutch Explained
Those we bring to Amsterdam and other large Dutch cities are always amazed that the Dutch don’t cover their windows with blinds or curtain, as is the case in Germany, for example. The Dutch have long had a philosophy of “Let the light shine in, and my lights inside shine out.” We love it. Now […]
The 2018 Season (So Far)
This year’s tours are as varied and different as ever, with a mix of repeat and new guests filling our calendar. We have just a few spots left open, so if you are “on the fence” about traveling with European Focus in 2018, it might just be time to hop down and join our exclusive […]
Memories of the Emerald Isle
How do you play “catch up” on 34 years of missed or delayed vacations? Bernie from Germany did his best on an eight-day tour of his ancestral land, with three nights in Cashel, Tipperary followed by two nights each in Kenmare and Dingle, Kerry. We wrapped up his adventure with a stay in Bunratty, County […]
Building a Family History Tour
July 20, 2016 One of the best parts of my job is when I can hit the road in pursuit of new knowledge and about area or a village. When preparing for a family history tour, this is also an integral part of what makes our service so unique. I wrote a blog about my […]
Ireland Highlights Tour
An example of what can be done in Ireland. All tours by European Focus are custom-designed and private. Contact us today to find out how you can have the Trip of a Lifetime in Ireland or any of the 18 countries where we work in Europe. This trip has been designed and priced for a […]
The Sacristy of the Augustinian Monastery at Vorau, Austria
June 23, 2015 With almost a divine intervention, the beautiful sacristy of the Augustinian Monastery was spared the destruction of Soviet bombing late in the Second World War. The ceiling frescoes were painted by artist J.C. Hackhofer during 1716. He and the other artists in his workshop did the Last Judgment and also the Last […]
The Library of the Augustinian Monastery at Vorau, Austria
June 23, 2015 We have been spending the last two weeks with three clients from Texas who have more than just a casual interest in history, philosophy, art and literature. So it was a natural to make a stop at the Vorau Augustinian Monastery at Vorau, about an hour and a half south of Vienna. […]