Page 26 - Explore Magazine Autumn 2018

A VERY FINE TIME

ON THE RHINE

Cindy Palmer of helloworld Mairangi Bay, reports on her seven-night, four-countries
winter river cruise with Avalon Waterways from Basel to Amsterdam.

“Would you like to go on a cruise?” town (founded in the ninth century) with cobblestone streets lined with
I asked my husband Kevin this question and his reply was a guarded half-timbered medieval and early Renaissance buildings.
“yes” – with the proviso that he would be in sight of land at all times. Next it was back to the ship for lunch, then off in the afternoon to the
We were headed to Europe last December and the seven-night Avalon nearby Black Forest in Germany. The excursion took us for a glorious
Waterways “Romantic Rhine” cruise, departing Basel in Switzerland scenic ride past snow-covered villages and forests with trees laden with
on 16 December and finishing in Amsterdam on 23 December, fitted snow. France in the morning, Germany in the afternoon – great first day!
the bill perfectly. A bonus was that it was a festive-themed cruise and
would take us to Christmas Markets. The Black Forest excursion took us
SATURDAY 16 DECEMBER for a glorious scenic ride past snow-
The first evening aboard the Avalon Imagery II was spent meeting
the crew, learning the routines and expectations on board the ship, covered villages and forests with
getting to know some of our 120 fellow travellers and enjoying our first
dinner on board. trees laden with snow.
SUNDAY 17 DECEMBER MONDAY 18 DECEMBER
We woke to find ourselves docked at the Rhine Valley town of Breisach We awoke in Strasbourg in France and after a morning touring the city
in Germany. There was an optional excursion that morning to the we had lunch on the ship before an afternoon excursion to the small
picturesque city of Colmar in France so we departed by coach for a ten- French city of Obernai, famous for its wine and beer production. Here
minute ride through the countryside. Colmar is very photogenic – think we encountered more French gorgeousness, wine tasting at a great
photo opportunities around every corner. It has a well-preserved old Alsace vineyard and festive Christmas markets.

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