Well, I had hoped to post blogs along the way during my travels, but who has time, when you are wining, dining, sightseeing, walking, talking, dancing and more! Someone once told me that river cruising is very relaxing. Well I am not sure what river they were on, but relaxing is not the word I would use, when there is so much to do and so little time. As my travelling companion frequently said "I'll sleep when I die!". Upon reflection, of course, you don't have to do everything, but as a travel agent and history lover, how could I refuse? I had had visions of hooping in various town and city parks and my disappointment in not being able to bring my hoop was soon alleviated when I realised I would never have had an opportunity anyway.
It was certainly a change of pace to arrive at the dock in Amsterdam and have two charming gentlemen take our suitcases from us to deliver straight to the cabin. Normally in Europe, when people take your suitcases, they are not being charming and lets face it, you never see them or your luggage again. Would I be up to the task of being a pampered princess? A glass of champagne or two later and I realised it would be no problem.
It was certainly a change of pace to arrive at the dock in Amsterdam and have two charming gentlemen take our suitcases from us to deliver straight to the cabin. Normally in Europe, when people take your suitcases, they are not being charming and lets face it, you never see them or your luggage again. Would I be up to the task of being a pampered princess? A glass of champagne or two later and I realised it would be no problem.
Dinner on the first night was a shock to the system. When presented with the 5 course menu to be accompanied with "free" flowing wine or beer, my small brain froze and opted for the safe route of the "Chef's Suggestions", which of course was the right thing to do, as I patted my full stomach 2 and a half hours later.
If I had to describe the cabin in one phrase, I would have to say "Versailles meets Fairmont". The room was opulant with French toile on the wall, thick monogrammed towels from Christies (London) in the marbled bathroom, a balcony that converted into a conservatory, complete with its own tv, cashmere blanket and flowering white orchid! The room was so clever, with its suitcase sized under the bed storage, pull out drawer in the bathroom and if you can believe it, wall sockets for not only for Europe, but for Canada/US, Britain, Australia and more. One day just for some weird fun, I plugged my Canadian phone charger into my Australian converter and then into the wall - yes it worked! So off I went to bed that night under my fluffy duvet, wondering what the next day would bring and whether the chocolate on my pillow was just a once off?????
If I had to describe the cabin in one phrase, I would have to say "Versailles meets Fairmont". The room was opulant with French toile on the wall, thick monogrammed towels from Christies (London) in the marbled bathroom, a balcony that converted into a conservatory, complete with its own tv, cashmere blanket and flowering white orchid! The room was so clever, with its suitcase sized under the bed storage, pull out drawer in the bathroom and if you can believe it, wall sockets for not only for Europe, but for Canada/US, Britain, Australia and more. One day just for some weird fun, I plugged my Canadian phone charger into my Australian converter and then into the wall - yes it worked! So off I went to bed that night under my fluffy duvet, wondering what the next day would bring and whether the chocolate on my pillow was just a once off?????
