| Amadeus Waterways: Have Cabin Will Travel ~ A Rhine River Cruise! Story & Photos by Vivienne Chapleo Continued Below |
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| WAVE Journey.com |
| Women's Adventures, Vacations & Experiences ~ Your Journey Starts Here! |
Continued Below |
Amsterdam captures my heart on any given
visit, but for it to be the embarkation point for
a river cruise, made it even more captivating.
Cruising is one of the ways I like to spend my
vacations, but after a week sailing the Rhine
and Mosel Rivers with Amadeus Waterways,
river cruising has shot to the top of my list of
favorite-ways-to-travel.
visit, but for it to be the embarkation point for
a river cruise, made it even more captivating.
Cruising is one of the ways I like to spend my
vacations, but after a week sailing the Rhine
and Mosel Rivers with Amadeus Waterways,
river cruising has shot to the top of my list of
favorite-ways-to-travel.
Arriving in Amsterdam (a few days
earlier than my scheduled cruise), I
checked into the Hotel Estherea. This
charming four-star, 70-room boutique
hotel, established in a renovated
building from the 17th century, fronts
the Singel Canal. Hotel Estherea is
perfectly located on a quiet street
within walking distance to all the main
sights in Amsterdam - Anne Frank
House, Red Light District, Dam Square,
Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum,
Central Station, Begijnhof and
Rembrandt Square.
earlier than my scheduled cruise), I
checked into the Hotel Estherea. This
charming four-star, 70-room boutique
hotel, established in a renovated
building from the 17th century, fronts
the Singel Canal. Hotel Estherea is
perfectly located on a quiet street
within walking distance to all the main
sights in Amsterdam - Anne Frank
House, Red Light District, Dam Square,
Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum,
Central Station, Begijnhof and
Rembrandt Square.
The day of embarkation, walking from Hotel
Estherea to the cruise ship (and rolling my
High Sierra wheeled duffel) on a crisp
spring afternoon, only took 20 minutes.
Once I caught sight of the Amadeus
Amadagio (the ship that would be home for
the next week) my pace increased with
excitement. She looked beautiful!
Estherea to the cruise ship (and rolling my
High Sierra wheeled duffel) on a crisp
spring afternoon, only took 20 minutes.
Once I caught sight of the Amadeus
Amadagio (the ship that would be home for
the next week) my pace increased with
excitement. She looked beautiful!
Walking up the gangplank and straight
into the lobby, the ship’s crew was
waiting to greet and assist newly arriving
passengers. The check-in procedure was
professional and efficient; and within
minutes, my cabin steward for the week
was explaining the features of my
spacious and well-appointed stateroom.
The question now was if I would have
enough willpower to drag myself away
from the Infotainment system (free
internet, satellite TV, movies and music),
in my exquisitely decorated stateroom
with all the amenities of a fine hotel, long
enough to participate in the daily
sightseeing excursions.
into the lobby, the ship’s crew was
waiting to greet and assist newly arriving
passengers. The check-in procedure was
professional and efficient; and within
minutes, my cabin steward for the week
was explaining the features of my
spacious and well-appointed stateroom.
The question now was if I would have
enough willpower to drag myself away
from the Infotainment system (free
internet, satellite TV, movies and music),
in my exquisitely decorated stateroom
with all the amenities of a fine hotel, long
enough to participate in the daily
sightseeing excursions.
Thoroughly excited, it was time to investigate the rest of
the ship and see what else she had to offer. Unlike Mega
Ocean liners that boast up to 14 decks, the Amadeus
Amadagio river cruise ship has just three decks and could
be quickly explored - there would be no getting lost or
spending a week locating the dining room. The Amadagio
(built in 2006) deck plan includes: a sun-deck; 20 bikes for
passenger use; one elevator; one restaurant; two
lounges; gym; sauna; massage and beauty salon; 71
staterooms (maximum 148 passengers).
the ship and see what else she had to offer. Unlike Mega
Ocean liners that boast up to 14 decks, the Amadeus
Amadagio river cruise ship has just three decks and could
be quickly explored - there would be no getting lost or
spending a week locating the dining room. The Amadagio
(built in 2006) deck plan includes: a sun-deck; 20 bikes for
passenger use; one elevator; one restaurant; two
lounges; gym; sauna; massage and beauty salon; 71
staterooms (maximum 148 passengers).
The dining experience was an event to remember and
passengers were never disappointed. Cruising for some
people is all about the food and the highly trained chefs
on the Amadagio prepared gastronomic delights on a daily
basis that would please any foodie.
passengers were never disappointed. Cruising for some
people is all about the food and the highly trained chefs
on the Amadagio prepared gastronomic delights on a daily
basis that would please any foodie.
Dinner was delectable, with internationally and locally
inspired menu items including: marinated fresh scallops
and cray fish in lemon grass-coconut sauce; grilled filet
of fresh sea bream wrapped in Parma ham on pesto,
glazed carrots and pecorino risotto; Limburge stoofpot
van lamsvlees (lamb stew Maastricht-style with
tomatoes and olives on cous cous); beef carpaccio with
crispy parmesan and truffle-herb vinaigrette; Valrhona
caraibe chocolate tartlet cocoa tuile; fresh chanterelles
ragout served with home-made herb pappardelle;
various flavors of delicious, home-made ice-cream.
inspired menu items including: marinated fresh scallops
and cray fish in lemon grass-coconut sauce; grilled filet
of fresh sea bream wrapped in Parma ham on pesto,
glazed carrots and pecorino risotto; Limburge stoofpot
van lamsvlees (lamb stew Maastricht-style with
tomatoes and olives on cous cous); beef carpaccio with
crispy parmesan and truffle-herb vinaigrette; Valrhona
caraibe chocolate tartlet cocoa tuile; fresh chanterelles
ragout served with home-made herb pappardelle;
various flavors of delicious, home-made ice-cream.
With local and regional wines (complimentary at
dinner), carefully selected to accompany each menu,
a fabulous dining experience was to be had every
evening. Breakfast, lunch and dinner became events
in themselves - especially with an abundance of
fresh ingredients, extensive variety and excellent
service from the friendly and attentive restaurant
crew.
dinner), carefully selected to accompany each menu,
a fabulous dining experience was to be had every
evening. Breakfast, lunch and dinner became events
in themselves - especially with an abundance of
fresh ingredients, extensive variety and excellent
service from the friendly and attentive restaurant
crew.
Europe and an extensive itinerary was the main reason for
taking this cruise, but the Amadeus Amadagio and her crew
turned out to be the largest part of the equation for making
this trip an all time favorite. From start to finish, the
experience was flawless as the ship sailed from Amsterdam
to Dusseldorf, to Cologne, to Mainz, to Frankfurt, to
Koblenz, to Cochem, to Bernkastel and to the final
destination of Trier. Included sightseeing excursions with
English-speaking guides where fun and informative,
allowing plenty of time at each destination. Guides shared
tips on the specialties of the region, which souvenir shop
had the best prices and most authentic items and where to
find the locals having a beer.
taking this cruise, but the Amadeus Amadagio and her crew
turned out to be the largest part of the equation for making
this trip an all time favorite. From start to finish, the
experience was flawless as the ship sailed from Amsterdam
to Dusseldorf, to Cologne, to Mainz, to Frankfurt, to
Koblenz, to Cochem, to Bernkastel and to the final
destination of Trier. Included sightseeing excursions with
English-speaking guides where fun and informative,
allowing plenty of time at each destination. Guides shared
tips on the specialties of the region, which souvenir shop
had the best prices and most authentic items and where to
find the locals having a beer.
A week onboard the Amadagio proved to be not
nearly enough time and it was difficult to leave the
comforts of the ship, the crew I had grown fond of
and the passengers who were now friends for life.
Eager for another outstanding journey along the
rivers of Europe, the only solution was to start
planning a reunion with my newfound friends for
another Amadeus Waterways river cruise.
nearly enough time and it was difficult to leave the
comforts of the ship, the crew I had grown fond of
and the passengers who were now friends for life.
Eager for another outstanding journey along the
rivers of Europe, the only solution was to start
planning a reunion with my newfound friends for
another Amadeus Waterways river cruise.
Amadeus Waterways offers river cruises to various destinations in Europe and Russia.
www.amadeuswaterways.com
Hotel Estherea is a four-star boutique hotel in Amsterdam.
www.estherea.nl
High Sierra Sports Company makes luggage for all your daily and travel needs.
www.hssc.com
www.amadeuswaterways.com
Hotel Estherea is a four-star boutique hotel in Amsterdam.
www.estherea.nl
High Sierra Sports Company makes luggage for all your daily and travel needs.
www.hssc.com
Side Notes:
