sdodge1

We are going on a Viking River Cruise on the Idun. Anyone else taking this trip? Anyone that has been on this give me any info on the actually docking place in any of the towns and if it is walking distance from the boat to the city?

We have taken several of these cruises and have found that Viking may dock way outside the city we are visiting. Love Viking cruises and I keep coming back.

I guess you know I meant ops (opportunities). Was it coat weather the whole time and sometimes sweatshirt and coat? I have a coat with a heavy fleece/bulky lining. I am deciding whether to take the the bulky liner or a thinner fleece jacket and coat. Thanks.

We went to Kinderdijk last September. When we docked is was sunny and beautiful however, the wind was cold. I had my Columbia jacket and a scarf on and it stayed on the whole time. I didn't think I would need a hat or gloves, but I did need them! The further you walk towards the windmills the stronger the wind gets, so dress warm. The photo ops are a bound. He will need to be in the front of everyone or behind the group if he would like pictures without a lot of people in them.

So, the lounge and dining room are open for lunch. What is offered in the dining room? Then, The dining room is the only place to eat for dinner? Where do most people eat? Thanks.

The lounge you will find soup, pasta salads and desserts. Dinning room is off a menu and has a salad/soup, choice of sandwiches or Shepard's pie and dessert. Both areas have free wine and beer during lunch and dinner. I bet it is 50/50 when it comes to lunch and how many people.

They always have water, tea and coffee with cookies, etc out most of the day and evening if you need a snack. that is located before you go into the loung.

I believe only the dinning room has dinner. The main course has a poultry, pork, beef or fish items.

At anytime you can ask for an item and they will try to accommodate you. Viking was just marvelous.

Yes, the lounge is open for lunch also. It is a buffet so there can be a line. We were on this ship last year going from amsterdam to basel

sdodge1 - Would love to hear your comments on the various excursions. In particular the Black Florest trip. Also, did you take the optional Colmar excursion? And if so, how was it?

 

Great to hear you had a good time. We are doing the opposite route next June.

 

Lastly - any tips on where to stay in Amsterdam?

Hi, We went on all the morning tours. The Black Forest, I was told wasn't that interesting, but we went anyway. Just the drive through the country side and the information about this area was worth it. Once you get there you have a choice of going and seeing clock making, glass blowing or eating/drinking or a walk in the forest. You could actually do several things as this is not a guided tour like a city. We went to the glass blowing which was great. You can purchase items there and we did. We decided to get some cappuccino instead of watching clock making. While in the restaurant they have a demonstration of making the black forest cake and you can get the recipe. Since I like to cook I enjoyed that. There is also the coo coo clock outside. Every half hour it goes off and there is a little show, but on the hour it does a lot of dancing, etc. We were very lucky and most of our trip was sunny and probably in the mid 60ies.

Colmar: To me, this was just an OK place. This had a lot of walking, so a few of us decided to do this on our own. We took the little blue train and traveled through the city. We were able to take pictures and learned about the history via head phones. Then we walked around, found an out door restaurant and had a glass of wine. Then met up with the guide at the time she said. You never want to be late. It is a very pretty city. The people that went with the guide said they liked it, but we probably saw more on the little train then by walking.

I have this shopping bag that is a very light material and rolls up extremely small and I can put it in my purse. I carry this when touring to put packages in. You probably will not need it here, but in some of the other cities you would.

Hotels: We stayed at Holksbergen. Right on the canal. I probably wouldn't stay there again. No elevator so you have to take the luggage up yourself. However, that area Singel 301 area is perfect for being able to walk to everything. The inner city does not have the large hotels like americans think of. They have kept the ambience in this area. Make sure you try the small little street restaurants. While walking down the street to the train station, on the left is a place called Teasers. Have an apple pancake. Oh yum. Just before that is a bakery. Have their sausage roll, heated then eat a way. They make sandwiches there also if you want to take something back to your hotel. You need to take this street to get to the canal to get a canal cruise (or at least we did). There are American type hotels there, but they are away from almost everything you want to see. Cabs are expensive there. (for me) Also, be careful when renting that the hotel has sound proof windows if close to a church. Some churches chime every 30 minutes to an hour. I believe there was a best western right on the canal that was by a church.

O'Reilly Irish Pub. great little quaint place with good food. On palace st/Dam Paleisstraat st.

Teasers. Great apple panecake. On /Dam Rak a couple blocks before the train station.

Facaccia Bakery. Oh gosh. they have such great pastries and they will make you sandwiches right there to your taste. We went there for breakfast and I have this puff pastry filled with a sausage in it. num fabulous! just watch what they bring out and ask if there is a filling in those rolls. they might be filled with cheese, meats, eggs. . . .

Koffiehuis de hoek. reestraat Harlenm st/prinsengracht. A little place with very good food. lots of locals there for lunch.

If you want to go on an adventure, take the train to Alkmaar. 40 minute comfortable ride. friends took us to: Hielander Scottish Restaurant (www dot hielander dot com). FANTASTIC we ordered the surprise 3 course meal. three courses and the owner matches the food to either whisky or wines . . . . meat or fish. it is delish. well worth a day trip to visit the city and a great dinner. for those that are whisky or scotch drinkers this restaurant has over 1000 bottles from around the world

Lori:

My husband and I will be going from AMsterdam to Basel in September 2014. If you could send your notes it would be a great start to our planning!

Email is .. Burke64@optonline.net

 

Thank you!!

We just got back from this trip October 1st. We loved every minute of it. We spent 5 days in Amsterdam before the river cruise. Take or get some cash right away. Some places in Amsterdam do not accept credit cards of any type so you want cash on hand. The trains are fabulous so if you go early take the train to Delft and go through the Delft pottery. They have an open market on Thursdays where they have their goods and foods out to buy. Take a canal ride there. In Amsterdam, well there is so much to do depending on what you want to do Take a day canal ride for sure. Ck out which Heritage Sundays are open to the public. If you are lucky like us, you can go through the houses there and learn all sorts of history. Example: We went through this door thinking it was a house, but in the back was a church. It was a religion that wasn't allowed during the war so it was hidden with in a house. All sorts of info.

After the cruise we trained it from Basel to Lucerne for 3.5 days then we trained it to Paris. If you plan on heading to Lucerne bring lots of money!!!!!!!! 1 beer and 2 very small glasses of wine was 31.00. So be prepared. Beautiful city though.

I do have some posting as do other people on cruise critic: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=40478860#post40478860

FYI You can take wine, beer and whisky on board without a problem. So take a wine opener.

During lunch and dinner (which can be as long as 2 or 2.5 hrs) wine is free and they fill the wine glass!

Before you leave for a tour they give you water.

I would be happy to answer any questions you would like to ask. One thing you will love this trip!!!!