Live from Viking Sun from Antwerp to Basel

[H2Otstr]

First full day today. Tour from 9:30 to 12:30 then back to the ship for our safety drill and lunch. There is a funeral in the Cathedral so the guides will take us back to the Cathedral for an insid tour at 2:30; nice touch. We will sail tonight at 7 pm.

[H2Otstr]

Breakfast at 7 am then we get on busses for an hour ride to Brugge. We have the option of either staying in Brugge all day or returning to the ship, have lunch and then be shuttled into Ghent. We are docked in an industrial area so we cannot just walk off the boat and be in town like we did in Antwerp.

We had a very nice dinner last night. Movie trivia was the evening event. Three teams (us included) won a bottle of bubbly which we will drink tonight.

[Fairfield Nana]

Sure hope you and himself enjoy the "bottle of bubbly". Sounds like you are having your usual grand time. Wish we could be with you. Just be sure the local gendarmarie doesn't chase you back on board like "Kojak" did in Civitivechia.

[H2Otstr]

Originally Posted by Fairfield Nana

Sure hope you and himself enjoy the "bottle of bubbly". Sounds like you are having your usual grand time. Wish we could be with you. Just be sure the local gendarmarie doesn't chase you back on board like "Kojak" did in Civitivechia.

Otis,I forgot all about that incident

Great day in both Brugge and Ghent. Did buy some chocolates today

Construction underway today as the town of Brugge is setting up for thr Christmas markets.

[KirkNC]

Look forward to your live updates!

[suspaul]

Sounds like the trip is starting out with a bang....have a wonderful time! Ohhhhh, loved that Brugge is getting ready for the Christmas markets
Enjoy!

[Fairfield Nana]

Anyone travelling with H2Otstr and hubby are in for a real treat--not to mention incredible talent for writing travel comments. She is also a wealth of travel info!

[H2Otstr]

Had a gorgeous, sunny day yesterday. We docked dirctly in front of Kinderdijk, walked across the street and we were at the windmills. One windmill was open if anyone wanted to climb to the top. We were then able to walk the grounds if we wanted to.

The afternoon had an optional trip to Delft. The driver gave us about a 45min driving tour of Rotterdam before we toured Delft. Had a tour of the Delft shop, then a walking tour of the town. We opted to head out on our own. What a beuatiful city.

There was a fheese and gin tasting in the loung after dinner last night

This morning we are being bussed to Gouda (pronounced Hooda) , the hoat will mov and we will catch up in Utrecht.

Going to be cold today.

[H2Otstr]

This morning we are having a canal ride and then heading to the flower market. Back to the boat for lunch and then fre time. VIKING WILL PROVIDE SHUTTLES THROUGHOUT THE AFTERNOON for p3opl3 to get in and out of town. Tonight our program director is taking people on a walking tour to the Red Light district.

[H2Otstr]

Today we are in Arnhem. We had an excursion to the Paleis Het Loo. There was a Christmas Market type festival in the square....what a pleasant surprise. Came back to the boat and there was a Sinterklaas Parade. We could sit in the lounge and enjoy the activities. Sintrklaas and a boat full of Black Petes were on a boat on the river.

There were two optional tours today. One went to the Kroller Muller Museum and the other went to The Dutch Battlefields. At 3 pm there was a Dutch Tea in the lounge.

Today is the first day that it has rained.

[H2Otstr]

We just docked in Cologne. We have a two hour walking tour; can't visi the inside of the Cathedral because it is Sunday. Some people will be attending one of the services if they wish.

VIiking did arrange for us to visit the Roman Museum at a slightly discounted rate.

Last night we have a 30 question trivia night. Questions were fairly hard. Highest score was 19 out of 30. Our team got 18, so we lost. Prize was a bottle of champagne.

[H2Otstr]

This morning we are cruising the very scenic Moselle Valley. We will be cruising until noon when we will dock at Cochem. After lunch we will have a walking tour and then visit a winery. This is the start of the scenic part of cruising. All the vinyards are bqre now, the leaves on the trees are almost all gone, but some are still orange. It is still beautiful.

[H2Otstr]

We docked in Koblenz in the middle of the night, there was a tour of Marksburg Castle and the boat is now cruising down the Rhine headed for Rudsheim. Marksburg is very sttep inside so people who have walking problems were encouraged not to go. Webjust passed the Loreley starue and rocks. At 2:30 there is a demo and tasting for the Rudesheim coffee. Tonight there is an optional dinner in Rudesheim.

It is cold and foggy today but the cruising is still nice and the scenery beautiful.

[H2Otstr]

We just docked for our trip to Heidelberg. We will have a 35 to 40 minute bus ride, visit the Castle, bus back down the hill to town, lunch on our own and then free time. Viking will have a light buffet lunch for us when we return at 3:30 pm.

[Fairfield Nana]

Hope you two get your "turkey fix" tomorrow--Happy Thanksgiving from California!!

[SFO-F/A]

What's the temperatures like?
Is it warm on the boat, or a bit chilly? I've packed many sweaters, not too many blouses.
We get on in Basel when you get off!
I'm so excited. This trip has been on my bucket list for years!

[CasaM]

SFO, we just got back from the Viking Sky which did some of these same ports, from Trier to Nuremburg. The weather was cold outside - hats, gloves, scarfs, wool socks and layers needed. Inside the ship was a little drafty and I mostly had a sweater over a light tee. Some days at dinner we chose a table away from the window because I was cold. I'm pretty sensitive to the cold, but we had a great trip. Hope your enjoy also!

[SFO-F/A]

Originally Posted by CasaM

SFO, we just got back from the Viking Sky which did some of these same ports, from Trier to Nuremburg. The weather was cold outside - hats, gloves, scarfs, wool socks and layers needed. Inside the ship was a little drafty and I mostly had a sweater over a light tee. Some days at dinner we chose a table away from the window because I was cold. I'm pretty sensitive to the cold, but we had a great trip. Hope your enjoy also!

Thanks, CasaM,
That's what I was thinking. Good to know from someone who was just there.
I appreciate it. I wasn't planning on a hat, think I'll throw one in my bag now.

[H2Otstr]

Originally Posted by Fairfield Nana

Hope you two get your "turkey fix" tomorrow--Happy Thanksgiving from California!!

Thanks, Otis. Hope that you and Joan have a happy holiday with your family.

[H2Otstr]

Originally Posted by SFO-F/A

What's the temperatures like?
Is it warm on the boat, or a bit chilly? I've packed many sweaters, not too many blouses.
We get on in Basel when you get off!
I'm so excited. This trip has been on my bucket list for years!

The temps have been better than I expected. Today was almost 60 in the sun. I have been wearing a winter coat and neck scarf and I have been comfortable. My husband hs been a lot colder so he has a worn a coat, gloves, a heavy sweater and sometimes a vest when we go touring.

It has been a little cool in the lounge and near the windows. I didn 't bring anything but sweaters. A scarf around my neck kept the draft off; some ladies were wearing shawls. I wish that I would have brought one more heavy sweater and a couple less lighter weight sweaters.

Have a wonderful time and enjoy your trip.