The sun is out, but summer temperatures are not. It is very windy as we start out on a walking tour and stays that way. When the sun is out it's warm, but when it's not - chilly.
This is a charming city of a fair size. We are here until the evening. We have lunch on our own on a terrace despite the weather.
Tuesday 31 July 2007
Monday 30 July 2007
Nuremburg
An early lunch today allows us to skip breakfast and sleep in. We board a bus and see the spots made famous by Hitler and the trials. Of course there is a castle to visit, but because of the rain we move on quickly.
This is the first town where a festival is occuring. We have left a couple just as their festivals were to begin. Although it is raining the streets are full of people. Nuremburg is famous for tiny sausages - they serve 3 a bun. Chris had a couple, but I opted for a giant piece (about the size of a dinner plate) of deep fried dough covered with garlic, sour cream and cheese! Very tasty. I regretted it a bit after I eating the last bite, but still very delicious.
This is the first town where a festival is occuring. We have left a couple just as their festivals were to begin. Although it is raining the streets are full of people. Nuremburg is famous for tiny sausages - they serve 3 a bun. Chris had a couple, but I opted for a giant piece (about the size of a dinner plate) of deep fried dough covered with garlic, sour cream and cheese! Very tasty. I regretted it a bit after I eating the last bite, but still very delicious.
Sunday 29 July 2007
Wurzburg and Rothenburg
Today is our frst full-day tour. We start off on coaches. We are the last 2 on the bus, and the only seats left are the very last row. This turned out to be the best place to be. We had 5 seats for the 2 of us - lots of room to nap.
We toured a palace in Wurzburg followed by a traditional German lunch of sausages, saurkrout and potatoes. Not my cup of tea, but not bad.
The afternoon was spent in Rothenburg - a small touristy town. First was a walking tour with a guide. Then we shopped a bit and finally settled in to a terrace where we watched the world go by. It was overcast all day and finally rained about half an hour before we got on the bus to go home. We just put up our umbrellas and finished our drinks on the terrace. We picked up a tiny bottle of wine and a couple of street pretzels for the ride home - good thing we had so much room at the back of the bus.
We toured a palace in Wurzburg followed by a traditional German lunch of sausages, saurkrout and potatoes. Not my cup of tea, but not bad.
The afternoon was spent in Rothenburg - a small touristy town. First was a walking tour with a guide. Then we shopped a bit and finally settled in to a terrace where we watched the world go by. It was overcast all day and finally rained about half an hour before we got on the bus to go home. We just put up our umbrellas and finished our drinks on the terrace. We picked up a tiny bottle of wine and a couple of street pretzels for the ride home - good thing we had so much room at the back of the bus.
Friday 27 July 2007
Mainz
The German idea of a moderate walk is quite different from the North American one. The small village of Mainz has a castle (as they pretty much all do) at the top of a high hill. The guide we get today (the ship is divided into 5 groups) surveyed us about going to the top of the hill to visit the castle. We are assured that the walk is moderate. Ha! It was great to make our way up there, but a few of us have mobility issues for whom the journey was tough. The guide was terrific despite this cultural misunderstanding.
The rest of the day was sailing. This means very little happens other than sleeping, reading, drinking and watching TV.
The rest of the day was sailing. This means very little happens other than sleeping, reading, drinking and watching TV.
Thursday 26 July 2007
Mainz
Today is a very relaxing one. We start off with a walking tour of the city Mainz with stops at the city's cathedral and the Gutenburg printing press museum.
Although the rest of the day is spent sailing we cannot sit on the sun deck due to the many low bridges. The chairs have been removed and the side railings have been taken off. All there was left to do was nap!
Although the rest of the day is spent sailing we cannot sit on the sun deck due to the many low bridges. The chairs have been removed and the side railings have been taken off. All there was left to do was nap!
I think I'm a princess (Rudesheim)
OK, I know I'm a princess, so nothing much has changed - I have always been able to feel the pea under my bed, but today there are castles everywhere! It is about 20 degrees and briliantlly sunny. This allows us to pass the morning sailing on the sun deck as we pass at least 20 castles.
A visit to a music museum is planned for the afternoon which we forego. Instead we take a chairlift to the top of a hill and hike up there. The landscape is very much like the mountains at home just on a much smaller scale. The breathtaking views are of the Rhine valley, the town and vineyards. At the other end of the hike is a second chairlift down.
The bottom of the chairlift places us in a new town of Assmanshausen - (big surprise...Chris couldn't get enough of that name.) The walk back to the town of Rudesheim where the boat is is not your ordinary strole through Europe. This is a hike through vineyards. I don't know what you know about vineyards, but they are not planted on flat ground! At one point we found ourselves playing mountain goat. The grade was about 75%! Chris must be more mountain goat than me as he scampered to the top in no time. Thankfully these were well established vines as I hauled myself up by hanging on to them. It is safe to say we won't be coming back home heavier than we left.
A visit to a music museum is planned for the afternoon which we forego. Instead we take a chairlift to the top of a hill and hike up there. The landscape is very much like the mountains at home just on a much smaller scale. The breathtaking views are of the Rhine valley, the town and vineyards. At the other end of the hike is a second chairlift down.
The bottom of the chairlift places us in a new town of Assmanshausen - (big surprise...Chris couldn't get enough of that name.) The walk back to the town of Rudesheim where the boat is is not your ordinary strole through Europe. This is a hike through vineyards. I don't know what you know about vineyards, but they are not planted on flat ground! At one point we found ourselves playing mountain goat. The grade was about 75%! Chris must be more mountain goat than me as he scampered to the top in no time. Thankfully these were well established vines as I hauled myself up by hanging on to them. It is safe to say we won't be coming back home heavier than we left.
Wednesday 25 July 2007
Cologne
After sailing through the morning and pouring rain, we reach Cologne - the fourth largest German city. Our walking tour began just as the rain stopped. We visited the city cathedral followed by a beer hall. This is not the first of the beers I have had to drink - and I'm pretty sure it won't be my last.
This is Germany and that of course means chocolate! The Lindt factory is in Cologne and we take a tour. Not the most interesting tour I've ever been on, but one of the tastiest.
Another thing Germany means of course is beer. After dinner on board the Viking Pride we visit one of Cologne's many brauhauses. These places are neat. There is one choice of beer (Kolsch) served in 200 ml glasses (€1.55) by a frau who circulates with a tray she carries by a handle. Each tray probably held 10 or 12 glasses. When you want one she gives you one and makes a tick on your coaster which is esentially the bill.
This is Germany and that of course means chocolate! The Lindt factory is in Cologne and we take a tour. Not the most interesting tour I've ever been on, but one of the tastiest.
Another thing Germany means of course is beer. After dinner on board the Viking Pride we visit one of Cologne's many brauhauses. These places are neat. There is one choice of beer (Kolsch) served in 200 ml glasses (€1.55) by a frau who circulates with a tray she carries by a handle. Each tray probably held 10 or 12 glasses. When you want one she gives you one and makes a tick on your coaster which is esentially the bill.
Tuesday 24 July 2007
Champagne at last
At long last we are able to start our day with Champagne! We are then off on a canal cruise of Amsterdam. We stop at the Rijksmuseum where many Rembrants are. Unfortunately, much of the museum is under renovations so we are able to see very little of it.
The afternoon is spent sailing in blustery weather. We aren't able to make it up to the sun deck and pass the time in the lounge.
Did I mention how many bikes there are in Amsterdam? It is crazy! Everywhere a bike could possibly be locked one is. They are ridden everywhere, and in a very civilized way - cars, bikes, mopeds, and pedestrians live in harmony. They don't ride fancy multi-geared things, but basic, old, functional bikes. They also don't wear anything resembling Spandex - high heels for women and business suits for men are typical, and certainly no one wears a helmet! I'm inspired to find a bike when I get home.
The afternoon is spent sailing in blustery weather. We aren't able to make it up to the sun deck and pass the time in the lounge.
Did I mention how many bikes there are in Amsterdam? It is crazy! Everywhere a bike could possibly be locked one is. They are ridden everywhere, and in a very civilized way - cars, bikes, mopeds, and pedestrians live in harmony. They don't ride fancy multi-geared things, but basic, old, functional bikes. They also don't wear anything resembling Spandex - high heels for women and business suits for men are typical, and certainly no one wears a helmet! I'm inspired to find a bike when I get home.
On to the ship
Unfortunately, we have to say good-bye to the most wonderful bed in the world only to say hello to 2 single bunks. I certainly wouldn't want to be spoiled, but I could use a few more nights sleeping on a cloud! I certainly have been inspired to seek out this for my own boudoir.
Today the skys have opened up and buckets are falling. Fortunatly, we have planned to cab it to the boat (only really a 20 min walk). After we drop off our bags, we decide to brave the weather, and umbrellas in hand head back into the city.
The rain is sporadic, but when it comes down it pours. Each local we talk to says this is typical Amsterdam weather. It is not cold, only wet. The locals are obviously used to these showers as the terraces don't really shut down and as soon as the rain let's up people are back thronging in the streets and on the terraces.
We discover once we get to our room that there is an 'all-inclusive' drink option offered. After intensive 'number crunching' we decide to opt in to this. Now each day is occupied by 'getting our money's worth'. Not a bad job to be charged with.
Today the skys have opened up and buckets are falling. Fortunatly, we have planned to cab it to the boat (only really a 20 min walk). After we drop off our bags, we decide to brave the weather, and umbrellas in hand head back into the city.
The rain is sporadic, but when it comes down it pours. Each local we talk to says this is typical Amsterdam weather. It is not cold, only wet. The locals are obviously used to these showers as the terraces don't really shut down and as soon as the rain let's up people are back thronging in the streets and on the terraces.
We discover once we get to our room that there is an 'all-inclusive' drink option offered. After intensive 'number crunching' we decide to opt in to this. Now each day is occupied by 'getting our money's worth'. Not a bad job to be charged with.
Sunday 22 July 2007
Anne Frank is popular!
Our plan is to visit the Anne Frank house today, but when we see the enourmous line to get in we give it a pass. Even when we return later in the day it is just as busy.
We spend the day as we often do walking, eating, drinking and taking in the sights and sounds of the city. The afternoon ends with a bit of shopping and visit one of Amsterdam's coffee shops.
We spend the day as we often do walking, eating, drinking and taking in the sights and sounds of the city. The afternoon ends with a bit of shopping and visit one of Amsterdam's coffee shops.
Saturday 21 July 2007
Van Gogh day!
Although I am terribly excited to be going to the museum housing works by my favorite artist we still sleep late. Not as late as yesterday, but aren't on the go until noon.
We opt to go without jackets after our experience yesterday, but quickly regret this choice when it starts to rain just as we start to eat lunch on a terrace. Luckily we are at a spot under an unbrella and it not really cold. We aren't as lucky as the folks on the next door patio however, where there are heaters mounted under their umbrellas.
We make it to the museum not wet - only damp.
We opt to go without jackets after our experience yesterday, but quickly regret this choice when it starts to rain just as we start to eat lunch on a terrace. Luckily we are at a spot under an unbrella and it not really cold. We aren't as lucky as the folks on the next door patio however, where there are heaters mounted under their umbrellas.
We make it to the museum not wet - only damp.
Friday 20 July 2007
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Is it jet lag...
Or are we just on vacation?
We were'nt out of the room today until 2:00! CRAZY! but very sweet. This is vacation afterall.
We had a plan to hit the Van Gogh museum, but by the time we got there there wasn't a whole lot of time for it. We hit the Hieneken tour instead. They actually call it the "Hieneken Experience" which is very appropriate. It is basically a place to have 3 beers and see some Hieneken propaganda. Fun, but not exactly an informative tour!
The weather is perfect for touring, but it seems like rain is on the way.
We were'nt out of the room today until 2:00! CRAZY! but very sweet. This is vacation afterall.
We had a plan to hit the Van Gogh museum, but by the time we got there there wasn't a whole lot of time for it. We hit the Hieneken tour instead. They actually call it the "Hieneken Experience" which is very appropriate. It is basically a place to have 3 beers and see some Hieneken propaganda. Fun, but not exactly an informative tour!
The weather is perfect for touring, but it seems like rain is on the way.
Day 1 - Amsterdam July 18
After an over night (8 hour) flight to Amsterdam we arrive at our hotel around 11:30 am. I emailed earlier asking to get into our room early, so we are able to get right in and nap for a few hours. It could just be that we are exhausted, but this is one of the most heavenly beds EVER!
We head out around 5:00 for something to eat and drink. We find a terrace for eating, drinking and people watching. I am surprised by the canals. I thought they would be bigger and more frequent. They certainly dominate the city, but I had a different impression of them.
Next we find ourselves in the Red Light District - again my expectations are not met. It is obvious where we are, but not as obvious as I expected.
After finding another terrace for a pizza and a wine we visit an Irish pub and head for home.
We head out around 5:00 for something to eat and drink. We find a terrace for eating, drinking and people watching. I am surprised by the canals. I thought they would be bigger and more frequent. They certainly dominate the city, but I had a different impression of them.
Next we find ourselves in the Red Light District - again my expectations are not met. It is obvious where we are, but not as obvious as I expected.
After finding another terrace for a pizza and a wine we visit an Irish pub and head for home.
Tuesday 17 July 2007
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