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roebud

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    Elbe River

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    My husband and I boarded the Astrid Viking and she nor the Beyla ship sailed. We were bused to sights and switched ships part way through. No fun and very exhausting. Water levels are still low and we will be disembarking today. Hope things improve for the next sailing passengers

     

    Rose

    Stuff to do in Sydney

    in Australia & New Zealand

    Posted

    Great thread, thanks! This allows me to update the list, compiled from CC'ers posts, of suggested tips for Sydney, especially a newcomer. Here is the current edition.

     

    First, things that you can do even if you only have one day in Sydney:-

    The Rocks – historical area, plus some tourist shopping. Circular Quay – for views. Sydney Opera House – do a tour; the backstage tour is the most interesting, but is much less frequent and much more expensive than the standard tourist run. Go to a concert or a show if you can. Botanic Gardens and the Domain (parks). Hyde Park, including the ANZAC memorial, fountains, and nearby buildings such as St Mary’s Cathedral, the New South Wales Art Gallery and Hyde Park Barracks. Darling Harbour – touristy things, including the casino at Star City if you're into that sort of thing. Sydney Aquarium (at Darling Harbour). Sydney Wildlife World (at Darling Harbour). Maritime Museum (at Darling Harbour). Powerhouse Museum (at Darling Harbour). The Australian Museum (in the City). Museum of Sydney (in the City). Museum of Contemporary Art (Circular Quay – the café is said to be pretty good). Bridgeclimb – 3½ hours, but worth it if the weather's good. Not energetic, nor difficult to anyone who has anything other than serious fears of heights. Best to book when you're there and you can gauge what the weather is likely to be. Most popular and expensive climbs are at twilight. Otherwise, a first timer should do a day climb to see where everything is, although night climbs are romantically spectacular. They have a new route which climbs the lower arch, but the standard route is still better for a newcomer. Or just walk across the Harbour Bridge if you don't want to climb it. You can go up the south-east pylon (the one nearest the Opera House and Circular Quay) for some views that are better than those from the roadway. Sydney Tower – the tall building thing, also a very ish revolving restaurant. Paddy's Markets. Chinatown. The Sydney Fish Market (an early start is needed to get the most out of this). Take a ferry to Manly. Manly – long beach on the ocean side, cafes etc. If you can get there, big park at North Head with good harbour and sea views, but is a long walk from Manly itself. Taronga Zoo – take the ferry from Circular Quay for this, too. Cruise on the harbour - lots of ways of doing this, standard tourist ones from Circular Quay; also a jetboat from there; but my favourite is on a genuine ex-Americas Cup yacht - a cruise ship is nothing like this! Watsons Bay – famous for Doyles, seafood restaurant, also good views. Also, go up to South Head (walking distance) from there, for views. Watsons Bay can be reached by ferry. Queen Victoria Building – possibly the most elegant shopping mall in the world. Bondi Beach – if you feel that you really have to do this. Quite close to Watsons Bay, can be done in a long walk (about 3½ miles), or by the Bondi Explorer Bus. Walk from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach along the cliff tops. Also, between Watsons Bay and the City, there are Double Bay (elegant, expensive shops) and Rose Bay (pretty waterfront). Balmoral Beach, to which you can get by bus (including, if you like, lunch or dinner at the Bathers Pavilion, or just fish and chips, or something else - there is a number of eateries here). Other walks along the harbour foreshore, for example between Cremorne and Mosman. Blu Bar at the top of the Shangri-La Hotel for cocktails with a view. King's Cross at night (for the broad-minded).Featherdale Wildlife Park.

    Also, Sydney is one of the great eating cities of the world, so there's no shortage of good and/or exotic food.

     

    If you are staying longer in Sydney, the following day trips out of Sydney are also possible:-


    • Blue Mountains/Katoomba
    • Northern beaches (up to Palm Beach)
    • Hunter Valley wineries
    • Canberra

    You might also want to have a look at the following threads:-

    First Time in Australia & New ZealandPartial Day Tour in SydneyAustralia cruise in 4/14/08, tour suggestionsOnly 2 days in Sydney. Do the Blue Mtns?Sightseeing in Sydney

     

    Whoa...Impressive and informative list.....THANK-YOU!

     

    Rose

    Viking Chateaux, Rivers & Wine

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    Peg...Just a quick reply on upcoming cruises:

     

    January 23rd....RCL..Quantum of the Seas ocean cruise to the Caribbean...10 days...Just me and DH

     

    May 21st....RCL..Liberty of the Seas...Caribbean (again)...with family

     

    September 2nd...Viking River Cruise (Lif)...23day from Amsterdam to Bucharest

     

    January, 2016...RCL 14 day cruise from Sydney to New Zealand..(New Zealand intensive)

     

    Rose

    Viking Chateaux, Rivers & Wine

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    Well at least our pictures made it from the camera to the computer but I can imagine that I won't get to scrapbooking, posting, or doing anything creatively constructive with them till I retire or at least until our busy schedules slow down. Heck I still have a plethora of photos sitting in drawers patiently waiting to be organized and creatively displayed.

     

    One of these days.....

     

    In the meantime we are planing and organizing for the 4 cruise vacations we will be taking in the next year. And just think of all those photos we will add. LOL

     

    Rose

    Viking Chateaux, Rivers & Wine

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    FotoPeg....So happy to hear that your vacation is starting out so well.....BUT...............

     

    .............The best is yet to come.............

     

    I'm reliving our vacation as you describe yours. Eiffel Tower is breathtaking. DH didn't want to wait in the long queue for the elevator and we actually took the stairs down from the 2nd level to the bottom. The next day our legs were so sore....Wouldn't recommend it.

     

    Keep us posted on your travels

     

    Rose

    Viking Chateaux, Rivers & Wine

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    FotoPeg...Have a wonderful pre-cruise. I just developed a wave of excitement hearing about your experience.

     

    Take time to enjoy each day

     

    Please keep us posted on your experience with the river cruise. It no doubt will be a wonderful and memorable experience. The images of the Forsetti cruise are still well planted in my mind.

     

    ENJOY!!!

     

    Rose

    Viking Chateaux, Rivers & Wine

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    Back from our 3 week river and ocean cruise extravaganza and have wonderful memories of both cruises.

     

    FotoPeg....We past cruisers all envy you for the anticipation and excitement you have in your heart. I as well as the rest wish you a wonderful cruise.....You will love it!!!

     

    AND....We also booked our next river cruise.....September 2015, 23 day Amsterdam to Bucharest......Sooooo.....Excited!!!

     

    Rose

    Viking Chateaux, Rivers & Wine

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    Well this cruise is sadly coming to an end. We had a beautiful week and the weather was beautiful the entire week.

     

    Cognac Tour...although we didn't take this tour I asked several couples who did and said it was a great tour one of the best and worth the price. Each enjoyed their own version of cognac and are able to bring back a 500ml bottle each.

     

    Visit to the Citadel in Blaye today was better than we expected. Do not miss this walking tour and we strayed off on our own at the end and saw so many beautiful areas of the fortress site.

     

    Next cruise is scheduled....23 day European Sorjourn next September!!!

     

    We are off to our ocean cruise next but wishing it was another river cruise instead.

     

    When you are on this cruise you must order the "iced coffee" after dinner. I believe it is prepared on certain days by the pastry chef. We tried it last night (happened to see the table next to us with them) and it was to die for and I normally dislike iced coffee. We will be asking for it tonight, hoping it will be available

     

    Rose

    Viking Chateaux, Rivers & Wine

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    lionsfan.....in Paulliac you are divided into groups and each group tastes at a different winery. We tasted at Giscours which we found the wine very good but heard all positive reviews from others that were assigned to other chateaus. Pomerol wines are produced in the Libourne area and you will definitely get a chance to try and purchase these wines during the optional tour to Siaurac. But even if you don't do this optional tour there a many wine shops in Saint Emilion where you can purchase Pomerol.

     

    Took the optional tour to Siaurac which was an outstanding experience. As mentioned in previous post the host Paul and his staff are very gracious and welcoming. Had the opportunity to taste wines from the barrel before it's maturing and blending stages which was quite unique. And as you would expect the wine was amazing. We did purchase a case to deliver home as well as an additional bottle which we will enjoy on our ocean cruise after we end this one. Had an opportunity to speak with a couple that did the truffle excursion and one could sense that this is also a memorable and pleasant tour.

     

    So DH and I are hooked on river cruises and now trying to decide when to take our next one.

     

    For those of you who are still waiting for you cruise, enjoy the anticipation and we all will be thinking and missing all the wonderful moments of this cruise.

    Viking Chateaux, Rivers & Wine

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    Peg...we purchased the package the first day after DH tried the wine at lunch. The wines on the silver package are extremely good but eh price is 150 euros per person. Certainly not cheap.

     

    Arrived in Paulliac yesterday and the tour around the region was good but after a short while people were anxious about getting to the actual wine tasting. Our group toured Chateau Giscours in the Margaux region. Information about the winery was interesting but long winded. The wine was very good and the one DH and I liked best was 79 euros. We decided not to purchase

     

    Dinner at Kirwan was as good as others before us have experience. Very beautiful Chateau.

     

    Instead of heading to Blaye today we are sailing to Cadillac due to the tides. Should be a very good day

     

    All meals so far are excellent in our opinion and the staff is always cheerful and willing to accommodate.

     

    We realized in our stateroom bathroom you have heated floors. The thermostat dial is in the bathroom. This will be a wonderful treat for those traveling in the cooler months.

     

    Feel free to ask any questions

     

    Rose

    Viking Chateaux, Rivers & Wine

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    Just boarded the Forsetti today and so far very impressed. Checking in is so smooth and should mention the cool refreshing clean citrus smelling towelettes that were handed to you as you walk onto the ship to refresh your face. We are in one of the lower least expensive staterooms and we are extremely pleased with the amount of space and storage and outlets. Beautiful complimentary toiletries. Staff is the best we have experienced on any cruise line we have taken in the past. Cruise director is very natural and entertaining and keeps you well informed about details pertaining to the cruise. Dinner was excellent! Wine is very generous. My DH and I decided to purchase the silver wine package since DH is very much of a wine snob and was not satisfied with the house wine. I thought it was adequate not great but not bad either. Just try I it and decide for yourself. Didn't try the house white but heard it was very good. Have to admit that the wine in the silver wine package was exquisite. Decided not to do the evening walking tour of Bordeaux too tired after a good meal and wine. Decided on the froasted chicken which was thoroughly enjoyable. So far so good

    Rose

    Mallorca on your own | Soller train & walk to Fornalutx

    in Spain and Portugal Ports

    Posted

    Elmartellama......Wow! Your review is so helpful and pictures are breathtaking. I am so glad I found this before we dock in Palma. We will be there this September 13th which is a Saturday. My husband and I will be renting a car for the day and would like to see Ca de Formentor, sa Calobra, and and any other areas that may be worth our visit within our time frame. We dock in Palma at 07:00 and leave at 17:00.

     

    Is there a best route to take to get to theses areas and also what is the traffic generally like so we can plan our trip back to get to the port on time.

     

    Grateful for any advice

     

    Rose

    Viking Chateaux, Rivers & Wine

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    Can't believe our RC is just about a week away. Started packing but have so much to do before we leave. Recovering nicely from surgery. Tired but doing well.

     

    Very excited to be able to experience such a great cruise. Thanks to everyone who contributed information and enthusiasm to this thread

     

    Rose

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