Rollin' On the Rhine River

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Chris and I were lucky to be among a group of Cruise Planner agents who were invited to take a Viking River Cruise. As the trip fell on Chris’ birthday and around our 38th anniversary, it was extra special for us. The cruise began in Basel, Switzerland and continued through the Alsace region of France, Germany and Amsterdam. Along the way, the ship docked in cities and towns that had a delightful, old-world European charm. Since we were conveniently docked near city centers, we spent our free time, after pre-planned excursions, walking through quaint, historic streets and enjoying what the cities have to offer. The pace of European life is slower than what we are normally used to and made for a very relaxing vacation.

11-20-2013 11-14-47 AMOne of our favorite excursions came on the last day of our itinerary to a site that was on my bucket list. On a beautiful sunny day we visited Amsterdam’s Kinderdijk Windmills, a Unesco World Heritage site, and toured one of the many spectacular and serene windmills, which have been operating since the 1700s.

Our ship was the Viking Rinda. It is one of the new beautifully-designed Longships with a sleek, modern, Scandinavian feel. Although the cabins are somewhat smaller than most ocean-going cruise ships, they are designed for maximum efficiency. We stayed in a French Balcony Stateroom with a sliding glass door that could be opened on nice days and were able to enjoy the passing views from the comfort of our cabin.

Whether dining or relaxing on deck, there is an intimate atmosphere on board the ship. We were among about 180 passengers and this low passenger count enabled everyone to socialize easily and get to know one another. We were well taken care of by the friendly and energetic staff. In fact, due to the high staff to passenger ratio, we felt downright pampered. All the meals were excellent; freshly prepared with local ingredients, portion-controlled and presented like works of art. The chef carefully catered to individual passengers’ dietary concerns.

If you have an anniversary, birthday or any other special occasion coming up, or if you would simply like to relax and feel pampered, Chris & I would welcome the opportunity to explore River Cruising as a possibility for your next vacation.  We can recommend small nuances to your vacation preparations. For example, deciding on which side of the ship to book your stateroom that would allow for the best views for your itinerary. We can also help you decipher the best route, ship destination and itinerary to fit your travel budget. We can communicate any dietary restrictions or preferences to the cruise line, on your behalf. We can also share with you the benefit of our travel experience regarding cultural customs and differences to make your cruise a relaxing, interesting and memorable experience.  Whether you choose a river cruise or another vacation option, we can guide you through the myriad of choices and help make your next vacation unique.

If River Cruising, seems like it might be your kind of get-away, please give us a call at (631) 893-4232 or email: skorte@cruiseplanners.com

CHRIS & SHEILA KORTE, ACC

www.kortetravel.com

Toll Free: (631) 893-4232 ~ 866-81-KORTE (56783)
Local: 631-893-4232

Babylon, NY 11702

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