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.

Li River Cruise, China

"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man." - Heraclitus

Li River is one of China's most popular tourist destinations. The river boasts of many picturesque landscapes consisting of verdant hills, calm and vast waters, ancient villages, and marvelous caves. In 2013, CNN included Li River in the list of the World's Top 15 Rivers for travelers.

Embarking on the 52-mile Li River Cruise between Guilin and Yangshuo is the perfect introduction to the very best of this river. The cruise has approximately four to five hours in length, comprising of eye-feasting natural landscapes, beautiful Karst peaks, visits to ancient villages and well-preserved caves. The cruise experience is made more memorable by the legendary and mystical tales told by our local and experienced tour guide.

Cruise Highlights

Let your imagination run wild as you glide along the wide and calm river and stare at various shapes named after their appearance. Get a closer look at the popular Elephant Truck Hill, undoubtedly resembling a giant elephant drinking water; the Solitary Beauty Peak that looks like a lonely goddess; the Folded Brocade Hill that seems to be a pile of colorful silk; and the Yangdi Village with a hill that resembles a goat's hooves.

The best spot to take panoramic pictures of the river is in the Xianggong Mountain area. It is truly a nature wonderland that doesn't disappoint.

One common sight in the Li River are local fisherpeople. Some of them use an interesting method of fishing using cormorants, a type of aquatic bird that can float and dive in water to catch fish. The cormorant trainer ties a restrictive band around the bird's neck. While the bird can still swallow tiny fish, it will be unable do do so with big fish. The creature will then return to its master to have the prey taken out from its throat. Apart from cormorants, friendly and calm buffaloes are also present in the area as well.

The cruise continues to impress as we pass along the Yellow Cloth Shoal. Here, the river is wider and the peaks are steeper. Dotted by verdant bamboo, this scenic landscape has inspired many Chinese paintings and poems because of its incomparable, paradise-like beauty.

After hours of attention-grabbing scenery and nature encounters, the river cruise concludes in Yangshuo, an equally beautiful small town known to many tourists. Yangshuo is an ideal place for hike and cycling excursions. Here you will experience a real Chinese rural life that will take you back to the old times.

All in all, this experience probably is my most unforgettable river cruise yet. While my Rhine River cruise in Europe was fantastic in its own way, this trip allowed nature to reveal itself in a genuine and refreshing way. 

Until next time, I'm your friendly global traveler, Johnny, encouraging you to temporarily leave your hectic life and embark on a cruise of a lifetime.