River Cruise: Paris to Normandy

What better way to kickstart the month of love than a romantic river cruise in France!

We had the most wonderful time on our Avalon Waterways river cruise while sailing from the quaint city of Paris to the heart of the Normandy Region. We had witnessed countless of picturesque views of towns and villages along the famous Seine River. Each guided tour made every visit so remarkably inspirational  and educational. The experience while onboard Avalon's ship was just exemplary. Our room was bigger and had more spectacular panoramic views, while providing better privacy than any other cruise ships we have ever embarked on. Plus, the ship dining and onboard options were delightful and partnered with the utmost service.

Cruise Highlights:

Day 1: Paris (Embarkation)

Our river cruise experience started when we embarked on the majestic Avalon Tapestry II cruise in Paris where we were warmly welcomed with a lovely onboard embarkation dinner while being entertained by romantic music, as we sailed to our next destination.

Day 2: Vernon–Les Andelys

On Day 2 we woke up in the charming town of Vernon. Guests were given a choice of guided excursions to Giverny and Monet's Garden or Vernon & Chateau de Bizy. We chose the latter.

Chateau de Bizy is nestled in the middle of an extensive park, showcasing an astounding facade. Both exterior and interior features are truly marvelous that take you back to the olden times. Numerous mementos to Napoleon, horse carriages exhibition, and rich tapestries are just a few of the things visitors can enjoy.    

In the afternoon, we sailed straight to Les Andelys where we enjoyed a short and easy walking tour to the town of Petit Andelys. Several attention-grabbing local finds are all around the area such as small bakeries, souvenir, and tobacco shops. Strolling along the beautiful Seine was one of the highlights of this tour.

Day 3-4: Caudebec

We arrived early in the morning at the charming city of Caudebec where guests had an enjoyable guided excursion to either the poignant Normandy landing beaches or a fascinating a scenic drive in the Normandy countryside along the Thatched Cottage Road.

Day 5: Rouen

On Day 5 our ship docked in Rouen, the capital of the Upper Normandy. This destination is best known for its connection to Joan of Arc, a famous heroine in France, who believed that God had chosen her to lead the country to victory in its long-running war with England.

We took part in a pleasant walking tour through this medieval city, where we saw numerous wooden and glazed-tile houses, impressive Gothic churches, and the very intricate Gros Horloge astronomical clock that dates back to the 16th century.

Day 6: Conflans

One of our favorite moments of the trip was the time we visited Van Gough's Auver-sur-Oise in Conflans. We went on a morning excursion to the village where the legendary artist spent his final months including his house. We went on to explore more and headed on to the cemetery where was buried and continued to the Dame of d'Auvers which Vincent so often painted. The experience was so inspiring and memorable.

The excursion also included a visit to the elegant Chateau de Malmaison owned by Napoleon's wife, Joséphine de Beauharnais.

Day 7: Paris

During our last day on the Seine, our local guide toured us around the romantic city of Paris where we saw some of its familiar sights, such as the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and more! It was a perfect way to our leisurely explorations.

Day 8: Paris

On Day 8, we ended our cruise with a lovely breakfast with splendid views of the Seine. We bid farewell to our new friends and went on our way happily.

Until next time, I'm your friendly global traveler, Johnny, inviting you to go on a cruise and sail through the world's most fascinating wonders.

Rhine River Cruise: Zürich to Amsterdam

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. I recommend this type of cruise to most travelers who want to explore more the sights and sounds of cities that normally have rivers crossing like those that are found in Europe.

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.