Europe 2010: Amsterdam - Miltenberg, Germany
Europe 2010: Amsterdam - Miltenberg, Germany
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Day 6 - August 8: Amsterdam (Sunday)
From Avalon: Welcome to Amsterdam! Holland’s capital is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a Welcome Reception.
Weather: Some clouds, lots of sunshine, low 70's
Breakfast: Hotel (Hilton) Lunch: Skipped it Dinner: On the Artistry Comments: About 1 pm we went to the airport to catch the shuttle bus to the NH Amsterdam Centre, the hotel the cruise line (Avalon) is using as a meeting point for the passengers. Got there about 1:30 pm, lots of people there - turns out they have two ships leaving today - the Artistry, our ship, and the Felicity which is going down the Rhine to Basel.
Since the ship will not be boarding before 4 pm they offered us an excursion to Zaanse Schans, an old village with many windmills. While the buildings are old and original, they were transported here to be put together as a village. This sounded a lot better than waiting in the hotel so we took them up on it. We did not have time to see all the crafts, but we did see the Cheese Farm, the Wooden Shoe Workshop and the Paint Mill (grinding pigments). At the Cheese Farm (their word) we took advantage of the free samples since we didn't get a chance to have lunch. I think the Wooden Shoe Workshop and the Paint Mill were the most interesting. The windmills are working. For example they have an oil mill, a saw mill and a mustard mill. Needless to say each demo ended up in a gift store - just like Disney :-,). A good time was had by all and at 5:15 we were boarding the ship.
They welcomed us with juice and after checking in, which didn't take long at all, we were escorted to our cabin.
First impressions, which count for a lot, is that it is an excellent ship with a happy crew. The ship is spotless, the cabins are relative large (172 sq. ft.) about the same size as an outside cabin in the new Princess ships, and are nicely furnished. And this is a ship which they will retire next year. I'm not sure why (I'll try to find out), but it is their oldest ship, even though it was only built in 2004.
At 6:30 we had a Welcome Aboard reception where they introduced some of the crew and the cruise director went over some of the things we have to know. Then it was time for our first dinner. There is only one seating and you can sit wherever (open seating). We sat with a couple from Curacao (Marie & Leslie) and two sisters from the US (Mary, California; Amy, Texas). We hit it off so well that we have dinner together every night until Vienna when their cruise will end.
After dinner we went to the cabin. We are not going anywhere tonight, we will cruise at 12:30 pm tomorrow.
The ship has wireless internet in the cabins and at a very reasonable price for 24 hour access. It's almost as fast as my connection at home - quite a change from other ships we have been on. I guess the equipment is getting better.
Click to see a larger Picture (except Coat of Arms)
Amsterdam
Coat of ArmsMeeting at
Hotel- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Zaanse Schans - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Zaanse Schans - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Zaanse Schans - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Zaanse Schans - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Top | Back to Index | Next Stage
Day 7 - August 9: Amsterdam (Monday)
From Avalon: There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by Canal Boat, cruising through the elegant Grachten lined with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”
Weather: Sunny most of the day, about 75F
Breakfast: On the Ship Lunch: On the Ship Dinner: On the Ship Comments: We are still in Amsterdam. This morning we took a canal tour. Short bus ride and then into the canal boat. Nice way to see Amsterdam - at least part of it.
At 12:30 pm we started to cruise in the canals to get the the Wall, a branch of the Rhine in the Netherlands. About 4:30 pm we entered the first of 2 locks this afternoon. Later we entered the Rhine in Germany. We cruised all night to get to Cologne tomorrow.
Late afternoon we all met on the Sundeck for a talk on the European waterways & locks. We will have to go through 72 locks on this cruise, most of them between Frankfurt (Main) and Vienna (Danube).
We had a little energy left after dinner, which is usually between 7 pm to 9 pm, so we listened to our resident piano player and we discovered that he is quite good.
Tonight I discover that I can not upload pages to this report. For some reason the system is blocking me. I have asked about this but have not been giving an answer. They are checking (I hope) with their office.
Click to see a larger Picture
Karolien (Cruise Director) & Guides - - - - - - - - - - - - - Amsterdam Canal Cruise - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Amsterdam Canal Cruise - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Amsterdam Canal Cruise - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Amy & Mary - - - Our XXX Tea Time - - - - - - - Our First Lock - - - - - - - Leslie & Amy "Happy Birthday"
Amy
- - - - - - Leslie & Marie - - - - - - Daily Schedule Top | Back to Index | Next Stage
Day 8 - August 10: Cologne (Kőln) (Tuesday)
From Avalon: Cologne is one of Germany’s largest cities, with a river skyline dominated by the soaring twin spires of its magnificent gothic cathedral. The German-Roman Museum next to the cathedral is a must for history buffs! Try a Kölsch in one of the many taverns and shop for a bottle of 4711, the original “eau de cologne.”
Weather: Getting a little warmer, about 82F, mostly sunny
Breakfast: On the Ship Lunch: On the Ship Dinner: On the Ship Comments: After cruising all night we arrive in Cologne about lunch time. The weather is excellent, no rain at all yet - very unusual. Passed a lot of industry this morning including a big Ford plant and a Bayer plant.
They've giving us a lot of information (printed) including what is at the various milepost (really KM posts) along the Rhine - they are big, you can't miss them.
Talked to one of the officers on the ship and the reason they are getting rid of the ship (and a sister ship) is that one of the things they are really proud of is that they have the youngest fleet in the business and these two are dragging down the average (2004, 2005). The ships are leased so they will go back to the owner who I'm sure will find another customer - it's a beautiful ship, looks like new.
At 2 pm we had a 1.5 hour walking tour of Cologne, ending at the famous cathedral. Interesting city, they have records going back when Caesar was here. - about 2,000 years ago.
Tonight after dinner a string trio played classical and not so classical music for us. Excellent!
About 10:30 pm we left Cologne for Rüdesheim. We should arrive about 2 pm.=
Click to see a larger Picture (except Coat of Arms)
Cologne
Coat of Arms- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cologne Walk - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cologne Cathedral - - - - - Artistry at Cologne - - - String Trio - - - Daily Schedule Top | Back to Index | Next Stage
Day 9 - August 11: Rhine Gorge - Rüdesheim (Wednesday)
From Avalon: The dramatic Rhine Gorge is the most beautiful stretch of river. Pass the legendary rock of the Lorelei, where sweet songs of local beauties lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in pretty Rüdesheim. Enjoy a special treat, then there’s free time to explore the Drosselgasse and pick up some souvenirs.
Weather: Some sun, some clouds, some rain the afternoon - about 80F
Breakfast: On the Ship Lunch: On the Ship Dinner: On the Ship Comments: Today we are on the romantic section of the Rhine: no bridges, just little villages, castles, vineyards and the traffic on the Rhine, the roads and railroads on either side of the Rhine, don't forget the Lorelei. The cruise director provided commentary for about 1.5 hours. She is very good.
The weather continues to be good, you might say excellent for Europe. Very little rain, mostly sunshine and clouds. This afternoon is was a little muggy, but still OK.
About 2 pm we reached Rüdesheim, our stop for the day. Population is 10,500 and they get 3 million visitors a year. Many boats were docked here and we ended up with the dock that was farthest from the town. So we had a little train pick us up and dropped us at Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum . I didn't quite know what to expect, and I certainly did not expect to see a wide variety of large (very large) self-playing musical instruments that played for us, sometimes with as many as 16 instruments. You might want to check the link above to find out more. It was really fascinating.
We then had a Rüdesheimer Coffee (coffee with brandy) and then we did a little shopping and walked back to the ship.
After dinner we left the Rhine and went into the Main. This is a lot smaller river, and we soon came to a lock, one of many well pass through in the next few days. Frankfurt is on the Main, we'll pass it about 1 am - not a time when we will be awake.
Click to see a larger Picture (except Coat of Arms)
Rüdesheim
Coat of Arms- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cruising on the Rhine - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Lorelei - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cruising on the Rhine - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - More Museum - - - - - - - - - After & Shopping - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Rüdesheimer Coffee - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ships at Rüdesheim Daily Schedule Top | Back to Index | Next Stage
Day 10 - August 12: Miltenberg (Thursday)
From Avalon: Located on the Main River, Miltenberg is a picturesque Bavarian village that thrived on income from river traffic. Its cultural wealth and affluence are reflected in the beautiful medieval and renaissance houses and the gothic splendor of the Merchant Hall. This afternoon, learn how to bake a local Soft Cookie specialty.
Weather: Some rain, about 75F
Breakfast: On the Ship Lunch: On the Ship Dinner: On the Ship Comments: In the morning we had a "Towel Folding" demo. We had a couple of "towel animals" already in the cabin courtesy of our cabin attendant.
'We got to Miltenberg early (about 1 pm) and decided to go into town on our own and skip the walking tour which was leaving later. Probably a bad idea since it started to rain shortly after we left and I didn't have an umbrella - Jeanne had one.
We did a little shopping and in one store they were going to give me an umbrella to use while we were shopping. When I explained that we were not going back to that part of town she said just keep it as a souvenir from Germany. I thought that was pretty nice! It didn't rain for long.
This is a small town with only one street to shop in so we ran into the walking tour as we wandered about. The town is known for its beautiful houses and buildings. I think I was here in 1962.
Back on the ship we learned how to bake a local soft cookie specialty. We had a lot of fun with two male passengers who helped her and we learned about her life, which included being a nun for a number of years.
Until we get to the Donau, about Monday, the sun deck will be closed most of the time. The bridges on the Main and later on the Main-Donau canal are very low and all the chairs and railings on the sun deck will interfere with the bridges. Even the pilot house will disappear into the ship.
Click to see a larger Picture (except Coat of Arms)
Miltenberg
Coat of Arms- - - - - - - - Towel Folding - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Miltenberg - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Jeanne, Marie & Leslie Duck Watch - - Back to the Ship - - - - - Making Soft Cookies - - - Another Castle - - - - - Fun after Dinner - - - - - Jeanne & Mary Jeanne & Amy - - - - - Locks & Ready for Low Bridges - - - - - Daily Schedule Top | Back to Index | Next Stage
