This September, I would like to share
our first River Cruise. We sailed through the romantic Rhine River from Zürich,
Switzerland to Amsterdam, Holland. For those who are not aware, River Cruising
is so much different than ocean cruises. River cruises are very specialized
tours of inner cities and urban areas. Ships stop commonly on strategic ports
while passengers like us are escorted on local tours done by local guides.
Our journey
started in Zürich, Switzerland. From there, we were transferred to Basel via motor-coach where our river cruise vessel was docked. Cruise passengers were already lined-up when we arrived. Seeing the
ship for the first time doubled our excitement.
The great
thing about choosing Avalon Waterways as our cruise provider is they let you see destinations differently while
aboard their smaller ship with bigger room space and wider window views,
making your cruise experience more enriching.
The number of passengers on each
cruise ship normally does not reach more than 250 and most of the staterooms do
have outside views or balconies. While the cuisine served on board is based on
local cuisine, they do come complete with local wine and beer. There are
also entertainments at night to make sure their baby boomer passengers (like myself)
do get entertained.
Day 2 was all
about Strasbourg, France. Located just in between the border of France and
Germany, this city has a lot of magical and historic charms attached to it,
naturally.
One of the highlights of this day was our visit to the Strasbourg
Cathedral, a widely known church considered as one of the finest examples
of the great Gothic architecture.
In this city, you will be able to appreciate
the quintessential beauty of Europe.
On Day 3, we continued
our leisurely cruising along the magnificent Rhine River and found ourselves
enjoying an excursion in the lovely city of Heidelberg, Germany. A
remarkable visit to the imposing ruins and heights of the Heidelberg Castle
made this day a moment that cannot be forgotten for a long time.
The views of
the castle and it's location overlooking such a beautiful city are just some of
the many wonderful memories we took home with us. We noticed a lot of Renaissance structures
scattered around the castle, adding more lure to this destination.
Here, we
witnessed the famed Great Vat, the World's Largest Wine Barrel which holds over
58,000 gallons of wine.
Day 4 was
when we continued our excursion to the old city of Mainz. A guided walk
introduced us to the city's many charms such as its numerous artful
houses, shops, and museums.
On Day 5, our
cruise went on through the waters of the magnificent Rhine Gorge, one of the
world's most beautiful stretch of rivers that's dotted with ancient castles.
Along the way, we cruised past the legendary rock of Lorelei, where echoes of
mystical siren song are said to lure sailors to their death.
Day 6 allowed
us to experience one of Germany's biggest cities and Rhineland's capital, Cologne.
Like many other European cities we visited, Cologne showed us the right combination of art, history, and charm with its cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We also took advantage of its various tourist spots
that showcased its significant Romano-Germanic Museum, colorful houses, cafes,
shops, and intriguing taverns.
On Day 7 we arrived at our final cruise destination in Amsterdam, Holland, a beautiful
700-year old city full of splendors.
Aboard a small canal boat,
we sailed along the city river and witnessed Amsterdam's sophistication,
modernism, and historic aura. Elegant Gretchen lined with artful homes dating
back to the Dutch's Golden Age around the 17th century.
On Day 8, we
ended our cruise with a lovely breakfast and views of the delightful Amsterdam.
Until next time, I'm your friendly global traveler, Johnny, inviting you to go on a cruise and sail through life's beautiful treasures.
Until next time, I'm your friendly global traveler, Johnny, inviting you to go on a cruise and sail through life's beautiful treasures.
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