Amabella - Our home for the last 14 Days

Monday 20th June -

Hi Everyone

We are having a great time and as you can see have had very little time to keep updating the blog with limited internet access in our free time due to the 60 odd locks we have travelled on the way from Amsterdam to Budapest. The weather has been very kind to us on this trip as well with lots of sunny blue skys and raining only a few times. We sailed into Budapest this morning and it has been yet another busy day out sightseeing on the Pest side this morning and with the group bus tour this afternoon. We are heading to our final dinner in the dinning room before we leave the ship early tomorrow morning heading for Prague. So not sure how much internet access we will get from here on I am planning to complete the blog at least one entry for each day. So you can all read about our wonderful adventure here in Europe. Still so much to share with you all.

Hope you are all keeping well and look forward to catching up when we get back if I do not get the chance to post any further entries.


Love Debbie & Peter

Rudesheimer Coffee

This is the coffee I spoke about in the last post.

Sorry for so many updates all at once but it has been busy enjoying ourselves and just had some time to catch uo. Hope to keep more up pto date from here in. Heading out for the morning now so hope I can catch up the next few days when I get back this afternoon. Could and a little drizzle this morning hopefully a fine afternoon. Now in the Main/Danube Canal with some large lock this afternoon. Hope alll is going well for you are not getting too much cold weather.

Love Debbie & Peter

Rhine River Gorge

Thursday 9th June Rhine River Gorge - Rudseheim
Up early this morning so we can be on deck for the start of the scenic crusing through the famous castellated Rhine Gorge on the Rhine River. Commentary by Bartel Cruise Manager. Very cold morning cloudy but it cleared up during the morning. Arrived in Rudesheim about 1pm, took the Choo-Choo train to Siegfried’s Music Cabinet. Most interesting to see all the old instruments that have been restored and now working. We then visited the Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas Shop got ourselves a few decorations. Took the Seilbahn Cable Car to the Niederwald Monument with a great view over the city and River below. Next stop was the Rudesheimer Kaffee to try the famous "Rudesheimer Coffee". Put 3 cubes of sugar in the cup and pour over 4cl well-heated Asbach (Brandy) and light. Stir and allow to burn for about one minute. Pour in hot coffee and fill to about 2cm below the rim. Place a scoop of sweetened whipped cream on top and sprinkle with grated dark chocolate. We shared one and I must say it was very nice. Back on board by 3.45pm a couple of passengers got the wrong time so our departure was delayed by 30 minutes. Shipo is sailing overnight on the Main River to Miltenberg. Evening Entertainment in the lounge by the group "Pitchwork". A Female Vocalist who also played the Flute, Picollo and Pan Flute, Male vocalist/Guitarist and Male vocalist with Piano Accordion. A good mix of music, some dancing a good night.

Koblenz

Wednesday 8th June - Cologne - Koblenz to AndernachMorning tour of Cologne and the Cathedral and small amount of free time, just enought time for a new memory card. Back to ship in Bonn for lunch. Bus ride to Koblenz for 1.5 hours for the Flower show. Included a cable car ride across the Mossel River. Nice spot. Back to the Ship in Andernach. Dinner with Greg and Cheryl and a walk after dinner around the town. Very pleasant evening. Peter has has his ear looked at by a Doctor so hopefully he will be on the improve now.

Setting Sail from Amsterdam!

Tuesday 7th June - Paris to Amsterdam
We have made it from Paris to Amsterdam on the train and are now aboard the Amabella, our home for the next couple of weeks there are 154 people aboard. Trust me this is going to be very easy to take. Our cabin is very nice and the bed very comfy indeed. The food at dinner last night was like being served in a 5 star restaurant and tonight we will be dinning in the smaller 24 seat restaurant so can’t wait to see what that is like. We had a touch of culture this morning with a tour of the Van Gogh Muesum which was very interesting.  Back on board a bus for a City sights tour and off to meet the ship whihch left just after we disembarrked this morning and we sail thought the night.

A Day in Paris!

Monday 6th June
We farewelled our Cosmos friends this morning so have finished the Cosmos tour.  We spent the day with Betty and Geoff today, caught a train to their hotel and we walked along the Champs-Elysees past the Louve and up to the Arc de Triomphe. Cloudy, cool and overcast all day. We all had dinner together and we caught the train back to our hotel about 9.30pm. Tomorrow morning we have to catch the train to the main station so we can take the train up to Amsterdam to board the boat for the second part of our trip.

Paris

Sunday 5th June
Yesterday out all day city sights tour including Notre-Dame Cathedral and out to Palace and gardens of Louis XIV, the Sun King -Versailles. The Palace and gardens are just spectacular. Followed then to Montmartre and Sace-Ceour. Back to the hotel for a quick change and out to the farwell dinner. Tonight is the last night of the Cosmos Tour.

Guess were we are? Hint we are finally in Paris!

Saturday 4th June - Grenoble to Paris We arrived into Paris late on Saturday afternoon and seems like we have not stopped since. We did the River cruise and then ascended the Eiffel tower. The views were just spectacular. It was a warm afternoon with clear blue skies. Dinner close to the Hotel and reasonably early night.

Grenoble

Friday 3rd June - Nice to Grenoble - Route Napoleon

Later start today left at 9am finally a sleep in. First a visit to a typical Provence Perfume in Grasse "Fragonard", most interesting. Yes Deb had to make some purchases. Today we will be traveling in the footsteps of Napoleon as he escaped from exile in Elbe. The Route Napoleon over the mountains steep winding narrow roads. Some truly amazing scenery today. Mountains little villages, stopped in one for lunch Castelliance and Sisteron for afternoon tea. Hotel in Grenoble is nice with new bathroom. Dinner at the hotel tonight and then for a walk. Debbie & Peter took the Cable Car to the Grenoble Bastille, well worth the ride. View was spectacular. 360 Degree view of the city from dusk to dark. Meet up with our tour director Sylvia who had gone up for her first look as well! Back to the Hotel about 11pm.

Monaco

Another view of Monte Carolo. You can see the GP Start and finish line in this shot.

Monte Carolo - Monaco

Thursday 2nd June

From Pisa we travelled along the Italian and French Riveria. Views of the sea and boats in harbours along the way.  Tour Director had a competition count the tunnels from Italy until we reach France. Would you believe 167 1/2. Deb’s count was 172 and Peter’s 170 almost got it right. A lot of fun Michael and Alison wrote down all the Tunnel names. We were sitting in the back row of the bus today. Public holiday in Italy and France today so lots and lots of traffic on the road. So some detays with slow moving traffic. Hotel in Nice and then out for a night in Monte Carlo. The GP had been held just a few days before we arrived and all the stands and lines still around. A Visit to the Royal Palace and Church of St Nicholas and then dinner as we watched the lights switch on over Monte Carlo. A drink in Cafe De Paris time for a look around at the Casino Entrance and Hotel across from the Casino. Time to observe the posh cars parked in front of the casino, Ferrari, Black, Red and Silver, White Lambergini, Roylesl Royce x 3 and Bentleys, Jag. Some people have way too much money! Back to hotel after yet another great night about midnight!

Pisa - Italy

Thursday 2nd June
Early start again this morning on the road by 7.30am. Reached Pisa by 9am. Time to look around and take a few photos. Then back on the road heading to Nice, we will not arrive until later this afternoon.

Sorrento to Florence

Wednesday 1st June

Early start today from Sorrento up at 6am and on the road at 7.30am. A drive back down the steep narrow winding road along the coast the views are just spectacular although it was very cloudy and overcast this morning. Once on the Motorway we had some heavy rain and the temperature dropped. Roadside stop Autogrill for morning tea - what an experience that is order and pay for your food and coffee and then line up again to get your coffee. This means you first need to sort out what you want to order what it is called and how to make yourself understood. Most of the staff do speak some English so that is a big advantage. Ordered the wrong coffee this time and got very strong almost black coffee, I think they just waved the milk past the cup.The Italians like to stand and drink their coffee, unlike us we like to sit and enjoy the experience. 2nd Stop today for lunch also at an Autogrill this time built above the motorway with entrances from either side. You had to make sure you got out of the right side. They all have an entry in one spot and exit out another door, after you have walked all around the store which is like a mini supermarket with every thing from fast food, drink, wine, cheese,biscuits toys and lollies. They have Solar panels as the shelters for the cars, what a great idea!
Florence about 3pm this afternoon some free time then a guided walking tour with a local guide. once again the size, architecture and construction of the buildings is amazing. The Ponte Vecchio (bridge) over the Arno River very beautiful!. A pleasant walk back to the bus along the river. A Short drive to the Hotel arriving about 7pm and dinner here at the hotel at 7.30pm. Back in the room catching up with work and diaries. Hoping for an earlier night tonight to catch up on some sleep.

Have managed to get up to date with the posts sorry for so many at once, but time and internet acess has been a bit challenging to do this each day as I had originally planned. We are certainly being kept busy that's for sure. So much to see and do each day is differant. Tomorrow we head to France and tomorrow night we will be out in Monte Carlo! We are having a great time and I seem to have recovered quickly from the bus lurgy! Which is great news. So much for the early night. Must sign off and get some sleep!

Love to you all
Debbie & Peter　
　

Sorrento - Island of Capri!

 

Tuesday 31st May

A ferry ride to Island of Capri for the day. Weather is fine and Sunny and a little cool but should warm up as the day progresses. It got to about 27 by late afternoon. A 25 min ferry ride which we both managed to sleep most of the way across to the Island. Arriving in Marina Grande. Spent the day looking around the Island. Including Anni Capri Chairlift to the top what a fantastic view! Visit to the old Villa and Giardini di Augusto Gardens for a view of the Bay of Naples. The roads are very windy, steep and beyond narrow, barely 2 cars wide and when the buses pass each other I don't know how they don't touch.  So we have travelled in mini buses today with local drivers, who are just amazing the way the negotiate the roads. 

Once again limited internet tonight and work things to get done for Dawson Ceilings hopefully get to this tomorrow night.

Rome to Sorrento via Pompeii

Monday 30th May
We started the day with a visit to the Vatican & Sistine Chapel - words can not describe what you are looking at tried with photo’s today 268 in total just on Deb’s Camera, lots of sorting to be done, it is hard to see what you are taking you just need to shoot on the run most of the time. On the road again this time heading for Pompeii. These ruins date back to 79 AD an amazing historical sight. Our guide Carolyn had a quote today that I liked "Never before has so much tragedy brought so much pleasure to future generations". How true a statement that is? Traveled along the road to Sorrento the coast line is just amazing, limestone cliffs with a steep drop. Once again caught up in traffic jam caused by an accident. Arrived at Hotel at 7.45pm and dinner at 8.30pm at the Hotel. Time for a quick walk around the shops near the hotel got some water 6 bottles for 1.5 Euro cheapest we have seen. Walked along the street after dinner to the main square to soak up some of the atmosphere of Sorrento. A little cool out a pleasent change after the heat of the day. Back to room by 11pm. Some washing then bed. Another busy day tomorrow. Debbie seems to have picked up the Bus lurgy that is doing the rounds. Cough and runny nose, pharmacy across the road so have go some medicine hope that helps me sleep tonight. It's now 11.45 pm need to sign off and head for shower and bed. Hope to be able to post all of these soon. Internet access is limited.

Love
Debbie & Peter

PS. Leave us a message if you are following our journey!

St Peter's Square - Pope's Blessing

Sunday 29th May
Following the visit to the Colosseum and Roman Forum we went to St Peter's Square to await the Pope's Blessing. Feel very lucky to be able to be in Rome and receive a Blessing from the Pope.
He gives his blessing in many langages and I recorded the English one. Walked around Rome and back to the Hotel mid afternoon. Out for Dinner to Frascati in the Alban Hills above Rome, visiting the Castel Gandolfo the Pope’s summer residence and the Beautiful lake

Colosseum Rome

Sunday 29th May
Visit to the Colosseum and Roman Forum the Ancient City of Rome, with a local guide.
The weather is fine and warm, this is about 9.30 in the morning.

Trevi Fountain - Rome

Saturday 28th May
Out to Dinner tonight in Rome!  
Visit some of the sights before dinner and then some after dinner. Rome by night another amazing evening!

Assisi Italy

Saturday 28th May
Drive today from Venice to Rome. Stopped at Assisi to visit the St Frances Basilica arriving in Rome late in the afternoon.

Germany Switzerland and Venice

Hi Everyone

Well the time is flying bye, tomorrow is day 7 of our tour. We have had a very busy time since starting the tour. Traveling in the traffic is causing us some delays and spare time has not been much. Stops along the way are of about an hour so quick sightseeing is required. Lots and lots of walking at a fast pace to see as much as possible. Passing through 3 countries in one day is quite amazing. So many wonderful sights along the way highlights so far:
AmsterdamCanals, bikes (so many you would not believe), even seen a 3 tier parking lot of bikes, Anne Frank House, Diamond Factory and Madame Tussauds in Amsterdam
Germany to SwitzerlandRelaxing Coffee in Oberwesel while the others took the Rhine River Cruise then onto The Germany City of Heidelberg for lunch, then onto Lucerene for our 2 night stay.
Lucerne, and the Cable Car ride in the Swiss Alps to a Snow covered Mt Titlis over 3000 Mtrs above see level on a clear day with bright blue skies.
Time for some shopping new watches for us both!
Switzerland to Venice - ItalyRomeo & Juliet’s balcony and a message on the wall as well as the Arena in Verona.
Venice by night last night for dinner was stunning with music being played in St Marco’s Square.
VeniceGondola Ride today and Venice by day so many people also a boat trip out to Burano Island to watch lace making, and see the many colours of the homes.
Tomorrow is yet another early start as we head for Rome hopefully not too many traffic hold ups along the way. Looking forward to a 2 night stop in Rome as well.

Hope you are enjoying reading about what we have been upto.

Sorry guys it is very late and must get some sleep so no time to workout the whole photo upload tonight. Hopefully have some more time soon to work that out,

Love Debbie & Peter

Netherlands

Hi All

We arrived safe and sound although a little tired at 6.30am on Friday. We spent the day (4 hours) at Keukenhof flower display. Hope I can load up some photo's for you especially you Trish! Most of the outside flowers Tulips etc had finished. The inside displays were worth the trip. It was a beautiful sunny day. Checked into our Hotel finally about 5pm feeling very weary by this stage. Had dinner at the Restaurant and got to bed about 8pm for Peter and 9pm Debbie, both got a good nights sleep.

Yeterday we had breakfast and left the Hotel by 7.30ish and walked to the train station to get ourselves into Amsterdam to connect with a North Tour, which took us to Zaanz Schan's World Heritage Listed area for Windmills, Cheese Factory (got to do some tasting as well), then onto Volendam a Fishing Village for lunch. Then boarded a ferry across the lake to Marken about at 25min trip. A walk around the old village and then to the Old Wooden Shoemaker, watched a display on how they make Wooden Clogs. Back on the bus and return to Amsterdam arriving at 1.45pm. Boarded another bus for the South Tour. First stop on the South tour was in Delf at the Delf pottery, had the process explained to us as it was the weekend no painters working. Most interesting to find out only 2 genuine Delf Pottery makers still operating. A quick stop Delf square, time for a few photo's a busy time as the weather was good and lots of people around. Then onto Hague the City of he Houses of Parliment and the Embassies. Yes there is an Aussie Embassy here even got a photo. Had to take a lot of photo's from the bus window but they are working out ok! Next stop Madurodam the miniture city, Shows the Netherlands in Miniature a fasinating place. Our driver took us past the Beach Resort Area and fishing Wharfs. Back into Amsterdam at 7.30pm. Decided to book onto the Red Light a walking tour as it only operates on Fri and Sat nights. This started at 8pm! Quick tea at Maca's just down the road. This was a very interesting tour of the "Ladies of the Night" in their windows and the Cafe's, night clubs around the area. I still had Peter with me at the end of the tour. (Just!)

Finally on a train back to the hotel at 10.30pm and back to our room at 11.15pm. Showers and bed. Wow what a day! Sounding like the Dawson express tours as per usual not wanting to waste time or miss out on too much!

This driving on the other side of the road in the opposite direction takes some getting used too! They drive lots of small cars here and we have never seen so many bikes! Believe me they are every where and no over weight people either, except for the tourists! People of all ages ride them, young, old, parents with kids on the front it is really amazing to see. You need to watch for cars and bikes, scooters everywhere! Bike lanes everywhere as well. Their road and train systems are so far advanced to ours, tunnels under fields and canals, overhead bridges going every which way.

To-day Sunday 22nd May

We have had another good nights sleep, and taking it easy today. Catching up on email and blog! May head into Amsterdam later today for a visit to a couple of the Muesum's and back here to meet the rest of our tour group.

Bye for now!

Almost time to start our Europe Adventure!

It is only 36 hours till we head off on our Trip to Europe. Yes bags are almost packed and the list is finally getting shorter. I have decided to try and keep a blog happening while we are away to share our advernture with you all!