Viking Cruises

SUM MER 2020 | VIKINGCRUISES.CO.UK 49 T R AV E L From left to right: Majestic houses reflect in the canal waters in Amsterdam; watch the sunrise over a spot of breakfast on the Aquavit Terrace PHOTOS: ©ISTOCK was actually surprisingly spacious once you stepped on board. e lovely Sun Deck was a great place to sit and soak up the scenery with a glass of something chilled, the comfortable and surprisingly airy lounge was where it all happened before and after dinner and as for my stateroom…well it was more like a hotel room. Arriving in Amsterdam, the thought of a whole 15 days stretching ahead of me seemed like a deliciously long time, though I wanted to be sure to do justice to the rich history and culture of e Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Hungary. ere's something about being on the river, about gliding silently through the countryside, that is truly relaxing and feels a million miles from home and work. Life happens at a much slower pace somehow, despite being able to take so much of Europe in. I don't know how Viking does it, but it really does work. Our adventure started on the Rhine with a tour of the charming 17th-century streets and canals of old Amsterdam. I had visited the city before, but this time there was something really special about being on the water and a real part of the whole city scene. Whilst in e Netherlands, we went to see the famous Kinderdijk windmills. It was a great opportunity to take some photographs and learn more about why these brilliant structures formed such an integral part of the Dutch landscape, which is criss-crossed with waterways. e Rhine continued its natural course into Germany and we went with it, spending the next eight fantastic days cruising through some of Europe's most utterly breathtaking scenery, all while making the most of Viking's wonderful hospitality, excellent facilities and delicious food. It doesn't matter how old you get, or how far you have travelled across the many countries of the world, nothing quite prepares you for the jaw-dropping natural beauty of the Middle Rhine. Dramatic cliffs, hilltop castles straight from the pages of Sleeping Beauty and quaint riverside towns boasting gabled houses and cobbled squares really do still exist in this magical land that time appears to have forgotten. It's a place I, and my fellow travellers, will certainly not forget in a hurry. Sharing the experiences of each day with other guests on board BENEDICTINE TREASURES Melk Abbey, perched on dramatic cliffs high above the Danube, is perhaps the most graceful landmark of the Wachau Valley. The interior of the Abbey's church is a kaleidoscope of red, orange and gold, and a highlight is the Imperial Staircase which leads off the impressive library. It doesn't matter how far you have travelled... nothing quite prepares you for the jaw-dropping natural beauty of the Middle Rhine T R AV E L From left to right: Majestic houses reflect in the canal waters in Amsterdam; watch the sunrise over a spot of breakfast on the Aquavit Terrace PHOTOS: ©ISTOCK was actually surprisingly spacious once you stepped on board. e lovely Sun Deck was a great place to sit and soak up the scenery with a glass of something chilled, the comfortable and surprisingly airy lounge was where it all happened before and after dinner and as for my stateroom…well it was more like a hotel room. Arriving in Amsterdam, the thought of a whole 15 days stretching ahead of me seemed like a deliciously long time, though I wanted to be sure to do justice to the rich history and culture of e Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Hungary. ere's something about being on the river, about gliding silently through the countryside, that is truly relaxing and feels a million miles from home and work. Life happens at a much slower pace somehow, despite being able to take so much of Europe in. I don't know how Viking does it, but it really does work. Our adventure started on the Rhine with a tour of the charming 17th-century streets and canals of old Amsterdam. I had visited the city before, but this time there was something really special about being on the water and a real part of the whole city scene. Whilst in e Netherlands, we went to see the famous Kinderdijk windmills. It was a great opportunity to take some photographs and learn more about why these brilliant structures formed such an integral part of the Dutch landscape, which is criss-crossed with waterways. e Rhine continued its natural course into Germany and we went with it, spending the next eight fantastic days cruising through some of Europe's most utterly breathtaking scenery, all while making the most of Viking's wonderful hospitality, excellent facilities and delicious food. It doesn't matter how old you get, or how far you have travelled across the many countries of the world, nothing quite prepares you for the jaw-dropping natural beauty of the Middle Rhine. Dramatic cliffs, hilltop castles straight from the pages of Sleeping Beauty and quaint riverside towns boasting gabled houses and cobbled squares really do still exist in this magical land that time appears to have forgotten. It's a place I, and my fellow travellers, will certainly not forget in a hurry. Sharing the experiences of each day with other guests on board BENEDICTINE TREASURES Melk Abbey, perched on dramatic cliffs high above the Danube, is perhaps the most graceful landmark of the Wachau Valley. The interior of the Abbey's church is a kaleidoscope of red, orange and gold, and a highlight is the Imperial Staircase which leads off the impressive library. It doesn't matter how far you have travelled... nothing quite prepares you for the jaw-dropping natural beauty of the Middle Rhine viking.com 53

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