Cologne, Germany

 

Arrived in Cologne at 2:00 PM. Weather still warm.   We were told that Spring came about 3 weeks early to this area.    Boarded tour busses to bring us into the city.  Our guide was a local man who brought us on a 1 1/2 hour walking tour through the cobblestone streets.   The Cologne Cathedral was amazing.   This church began construction in 1248 and was finally completed in 1880.  The Cathedral remains the tallest Gothic structure in the world.  Since it was Easter Monday, tours were not allowed in, but our guide told us we could enter as individuals, which everyone did.   After the tour, we found ourselves a beer garden and enjoyed the local beer (Krolch) with a large pretzel and some weiswurst.

Back at the ship we enjoyed dinner with a couple from England and then a classical trio in the Grand Lounge after dinner.

Entertainment is nothing like on the big ships, but after  touring all day, it was a welcome change.  

Boarding River Antoinette

Easter Sunday. Warm and sunny – 80 degrees here in Amsterdam. Took a walk over to the ship, which was docked next to the hotel and learned that we could board at any time. Nothing like the Ocean liners. No security. Very relaxed. So, we walked back to the hotel, packed our bags, checked out and walked to the ship. Explored the ship after a nice lunch. We were informed that because it was Easter Sunday, the Captain’s Welcome Party would be this evening. A welcome talk was given by Hildegard, the cruise manager and the Captain and his staff was introduced. Champagne and appetizers were served. Dinner was wonderful. Choice of Salmon or Filet Mignon as the entrée. Hildegard announced that each night before dinner, she will talk about the next days events. Dinner will usually be at 7:00 PM, but not always, so her talks were important. Dinner is open seating, so we’ll meet many of our fellow passengers. Our cabin was amazing. One wall was a window, which was electronic and opened from the top, making our entire cabin like a “balcony”. We thought it was so fantastic that we would leave it open all night. We never thought about the bright spot lights that are under the many bridges that we would go under. So – about 5:00 AM, we closed the window so we could get some sleep.

Search for Coffee - Good Morning Amsterdam

OK - First full day in Amsterdam after 9 glorious hours of sleep. Looking forward to a nice big cup of joe before embarking on our adventure. First thing to know. You can't get coffee in a "coffee house". Legal drugs are available if you so desire. We don't - so off to find java, the caffienated type. No Starbucks around? I know I saw one in the airport. Maybe we'll have to take the train back to the airport? "No!", said Kos, the King. :) LOL -- My hero arrived back with not one, but 4 miniscule cups of coffee. $22.50. (maybe the trip to the airport would have been cheaper) :) LOL

Keukenhof Garden Pictures

Amsterdam

Arrived safe and sound this morning. Weather beautiful. Warm and sunny. 75 degrees. Took the train from the airport to the hotel. Room overlooks the cruise terminal. Beautiful. After virtually no sleep, we immediately took the train from Central Station back to the airport to pick up the bus to Keukenhof Gardens. For 60 years now, Keukenhof (also known as The Garden of Europe) has been one of the most beautiful places to find spring burst out with the world's largest flower garden. It is said to be the most photographed spot in the world. We were so lucky to be able to see the tulips in full bloom. After being awake for more than 30 hours, we came back to the hotel to try to get some rest before we board our ship tomorrow.

Itinerary - 4/22 - 5/7/11

Castles along the Rhine - Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland

day 1 - Arrive Amsterdam - Tour Keukenhof Gardens - (tulips are in bloom)
Check into hotel

day 2 - Board River Antoinette - (160 passengers) - This is a new experience for us. We love the "big" ocean liners. The Allure of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) had more than 5000 passengers. :)

day 3 - Cologne - Walking tour and cathedral visit.

day 4 - Koblenz - Walking tour - optional tour to Marksburg Castle

day 5 - Cruising the Rhine - Rudesheim - Castle Vollrads wine tasting

day 6 - Speyer - Walking tour - Heidelberg and castle visit

day 7 - Strasbourg - (situated halfway between Paris and Prague, Strasbourg is known as the "crossroads of Europe". - Strasbourg Canal Cruise and Black Forest excursion

day 8 - Strasbourg (Colmar), Breisach - Full Day of Alsation Wine Road

day 9 - Basel, Switzerland - disembark ship in morning - train to Lucerne

day 10 - 11 - tour Swiss Alps -

day 11 - train to Munich - check into hotel - go to Hofbrauhaus - drink beer - eat pretzels

day 11 - 16 - tour Bavaria with side trip to Austria (Sound of Music tour) eat bratwurst and drink more German beer :)

day 16 - return to NJ - go on diet

testing

Just testing the blog site. Pictured here is our South Beach neighbor and friend, Ottavio, with Lula on our patio.