Archive For The “Cruise” Category
Floating Viennese Patisserie The French tell us that they have the best food in the world. The Italians say the French learnt from them. The Germans have, in my opinion, some totally underestimated dishes; and we all remember the delights of paella in sunny Spain. But when it comes to cake-and-café culture then you can’t…
Cruising! Now, there is a prospect that would likely divide the population in two. Each party would have very strongly-held views and would profess to know all about the subject. But perhaps they don’t! I have had the opportunity to ‘enjoy’ many a cruise so I can understand both opinions regarding a floating holiday. The…
AmaWaterways on the Danube: first-class floating hospitality We have likely all heard of the Blue Danube, a waltz by the Austrian composer Johann Strauss II. But this majestic river isn’t actually blue, although it is beautiful and worthy of a nice tune. AmaWaterways offers a trip that will cover all the famous sights along the…
We have all heard of Bratislava but mostly with regard to iffy stag do’s. They are thankfully drifting into the mists of a former time, and there is so much more to this city than nightlife. The first known permanent settlement here was around 5000 BC. About 200 BC, the Celtic Boii tribe founded the…
This isn’t the first trip with this charming and characterful Majestic Line. My first voyage was a couple of years ago and was an introduction to the Scottish Isles; this second trip was to remind me of why I loved the initial experience so much! The Majestic Line offers holidays and short breaks on two…
I am a Londoner and I am ashamed to say that I rarely take advantage of visiting our iconic and internationally-appreciated historic and cultural sites, unless I just happen to be passing. The Thames is our ancient thoroughfare, but now work vessels are mostly a thing of distant memory – that watery road is these…
It sounds like the title of a Victorian novel – Travels with MS Jane Austen! Well, it is actually a few words about a delightful cruise, rather than about a literary excursion with a famous author. All the cruises in this collection from Riviera offer return travel and transfers, so it couldn’t be easier to…
What a grand title for a barge! Luckily the lady lived up to her name and our expectations, which she did actually exceed in every way. A barge, even a big one, presents the very real prospect of tight accommodations, iffy facilities and, still worse, the likelihood of mediocre food cooked by a well-meaning hobbyist…
There is a whole section of the British population that lives to float. They are dedicated cruisers and remain faithful to their chosen line. P&O seems to have attracted many of those who have adopted cruising as part of their lifestyle. The Americans have a term for those who fly south in winter to follow…
I am not, by Oriana standards, a seasoned cruiser. I have only had three floating holidays to date and this was the first with P&O. Some of my fellow passengers had enjoyed up to 70 such trips and those with a score of a dozen or more were numerous! This company is obviously doing something,…
For me a trip starts as soon as I close the front door. I actually enjoy airports, or at least I do after security. The Silversea cruise allowed for a conveniently timed flight from London to Rome, and although I had expected a fume-laced drive from Leonardo da Vinci airport to the port of Civitavecchia…
Food will likely be a big part of any holiday and may even be the deciding factor. Food tourism is gaining in popularity but even if we are not looking for a gastronomic trip garnished with tastings, visits to local producers and a sprinkling of artisan bakers, we still want good food when we return…
The Scottish Isles have never been high on my list of food-related destinations. It’s North and it’s a rare day that finds me further in that direction than Watford. It’s not a prejudice, merely ignorance. But there I was on a Majestic Line converted fishing boat and wondering why I didn’t come here years ago….