Viking River Cruises was established in 1977 as a fairly small operation with just four ships offering Russian River cruises marketed to Europeans. The company has expanded quickly over the years - entering the US market in 2000. They are now the world's largest river cruise company offering a variety of trips in Europe, Russia, China, Southeast Asia and Egypt. In addition to their main cruise offerings, Viking can arrange airfare and post and … [Read more...]
Layovers are great*
I am fortunate enough to participate in non-rev travel. This has its obvious ups and downs. I know where to find free WiFi in Houston International. I've spent dozens of nights sleeping in airports. And I’m certainly no stranger to being stuck in cities I’d rather not be in. When I was marooned in Paris last November, I was faced with the difficult decision of how to spend the next 24 hours. I was exhausted from a brief romp around Spain and … [Read more...]
Winding our Way to Andorra La Vella
We arrived at the summit pass between France and Andorra and were greeted by thick fog. Opting to pay the €6 tunnel fee (rather than driving up over the ridge on the old very windy road) we were very surprised when we burst through the tunnel into brilliant blue skies and sunshine radiating all around us. A long valley lay below us with jagged still snow covered peaks surrounding. It was like going from a June Gloom Malibu California day where … [Read more...]
Exploring the Memorable Lombrives Cave in Ariege France
We woke up early, and after a quick breakfast departed the Viking Cruise Ship (the past 8 days we were on a Bordeaux River Cruise) and promptly picked up a car at the Bordeaux airport. We tried to extend it a single day but were utterly shocked when we were quoted an extra €2,500 for just this one extra day! We experienced further agitation when we found the car completely dirty as well as a window covered with dead bugs. We headed out of … [Read more...]
Crossing the Pond, Start of Bordeaux Viking Cruise
Usually when I have a bulkhead seat I end up with families seated nearby; I have always referred to these seats as 'bulkhead babies' as a number of flights I've been seated here next to crying babies. Fortunately there were no crying babies seated next to me. The only eventful happening was about half through the flight in the darkened cabin - I jumped up in my seat startled by a loud noise. It turns out a woman had fainted and crashed to the … [Read more...]
VinCE International Wine Show 2015 in Budapest, Hungary
The Venue The 6th annual VinCE Wine Show was recently held at the luxurious and inviting Corinthia Hotel in Budapest in early March 2015. This event is organized by the VinCE Central European Wine Magazine and showcases Hungarian Wines as well as plenty of winery attendees from elsewhere in Central Europe. When you walk into the Corinthia you immediately feel transported to another era - perhaps 100 years ago, elegance, luxury and … [Read more...]
3 Great Sierra Nevada Getaways
During a busy and fun-filled getaway weekend, my husband (“Mr. TWS”) and I visited El Dorado County, South Lake Tahoe, and Carson Valley, Nevada. These three Sierra Nevada locations, easily reached from the San Francisco Bay Area and many other places in Northern California and Nevada, can be enjoyed as individual destinations or an itinerary trio. We packed a lot into three days (and would recommend taking much more time), but we got a good feel … [Read more...]
Cassis: A Captivating Seaside Village in Provence
"Qu'a vist Paris, se noun a vist Cassis, pou dire: n'ai rèn vist," "He who has seen Paris and who has not seen Cassis can say ... I have seen nothing." Frédéric Mistral (1830 - 1914), beloved Provençal poet and Nobel Prize laureate How could anyone make such a bold statement about Cassis, France, a medieval village in Provence? After just a few hours in this village on the Mediterranean coast, I began to understand. I always feel … [Read more...]
5 Things Travelers Do Differently From Tourists – And How You Can Change Your Next Trip
As we all know, not everyone who ventures beyond their home city or country has the same approach to travel. Some are tourists and some are travelers. And it’s pretty easy to tell the difference…well, that’s not entirely accurate. It’s pretty easy to spot a tourist, but the traveler tends to blend in, so you may not even notice he’s there at all. Tourists, you might say, stick to the beaten path and seek the stereotypical. When they … [Read more...]
International Search Launched to Find London’s Official Guest of Honour
Visit the Science Museum with physicist Professor Stephen Hawking See a West End show with Jessie J Visit the Royal Opera House with world-famous Spanish singer and conductor, Plácido Domingo Take afternoon tea at Lord’s Cricket Ground with Downton Abbey’s butler Carson, actor Jim Carter Dine with Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton VISITLONDON.COM, the official Visitor Guide to the capital, together with the GREAT Britain campaign, have … [Read more...]
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