Page 27 - Explore Magazine Autumn 2018

That evening, Kevin and I decided to participate in the degustation The afternoon was all about what you see in the brochures: scenic
menu on the ship. This menu is available for up to 20 guests each river cruising. Passing through the gorges of the Rhine was amazing,
evening and was served in the upstairs lounge. Pre-registering was a with castles and churches – some in ruins – coming to us through the
must! After dinner we went up on the top deck and braved the cold to mist and low cloud. In the evening, we explored the ancient city of
watch the fascinating operations of a lock we were passing through. Koblenz with a guide.
TUESDAY 19 DECEMBER THURSDAY 21 DECEMBER
During the night, the river was closed to all traffic due to an accident. We arrived in Köln/Cologne with its majestic Gothic cathedral. Kevin
The captain had to scramble to find a suitable place to park the ship and I chose to take the Jewish Heritage guided walk. Our guide was a
and the cruise director had to rearrange all the coaches booked to young historian not afraid to talk about World War II and Germany’s
take us on our morning tour. All the while we slept on obliviously. not-so-pleasant recent history. In fact, as part of the tour, he took us
to the Gestapo Prison Memorial Museum.
The morning’s trip was to Heidelberg – another lovely German town
with the red sandstone ruins of Heidelberg Castle on the skyline. Our FRIDAY 22 DECEMBER
guided tour of the castle and town was followed by exploring on our Oh, Amsterdam, you are so pretty. We enjoyed a tour of the canals (on
own and sampling the local treats. a number of smaller boats of course) and a guided walking tour in the
Back on the ship for lunch we cruised past the old imperial city of morning, then Kevin and I decided to visit the Anne Frank Museum, for
Worms (famous for its classic German semi-sweet Liebfraumilch which I had purchased tickets a couple of months prior.
wines, and beer) and had a late-afternoon visit to Mainz whose Our last dinner on board that night was with our tribe – a mix of
market squares were brimming with Christmas cheer. Americans, Australians, a German, a Scotswoman and Kiwis. The next
WEDNESDAY 20 DECEMBER morning we were all dispersing and heading off to places all around
Rüdesheim, Germany: Charming lanes, specialty coffees and the the globe.
museum of Mechanical Music Cabinets were the scripted part of the Would I do it all again? Unequivocally yes. Would I do it again in
morning. Free time saw Kevin and I taking a cable car ride up the hill winter? Yes – dress right and it’s no problem.What did I enjoy about
and over the vineyards to the hilltop monument of Nederwalddenkmal the cruise? Unpacking once. Visiting four countries in a very relaxed
which commemorates the Unification of Germany in the 1870s – manner. Informative, friendly guides. Plenty of free time to explore.
absolutely stunning. Meeting new people and developing friendships. Reconnecting with
my husband and enjoying each other’s company without the stress of
Passing through the gorges of the having to travel around all on our own.
Rhine was amazing, with castles and What didn’t I like? My waistline is the one with the most complaints!
churches — some in ruins — coming
to us through the mist and low cloud.

HELLOWORLD : EXPLORE : AUTUMN EDITION