Floating away on a Rhine River Cruise

Tomorrow I’m off on another adventure, cruising on one of the major waterways of Europe on a Rhine River cruise with Lüftner Cruises. I used to think of cruises as something that my parent’s generation would enjoy, but as time moves on, the thought of exploring many different places in comfort, while only having to unpack once, has grown in appeal.

This will be our first river cruise, so I’m keeping an open mind on what to expect, but anticipating that we’ll really enjoy the comforts of the Amadeus Princess which is essentially a floating luxury hotel. I’m looking forward to the gourmet food, the wine tastings and exploring picturesque towns, cities and castles along the Rhine.

Our journey starts in Basel in Switzerland before we briefly pass by the French border to at Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region with vineyards lining the banks. Next stop is Speyer with its Romanesque cathedral where many German emperors were buried and Mannheim which had its heyday in the 18th century. Next we’ll stop at Rudesheim with cobbled streets lined with wine houses that I know my husband will enjoy, then we move through a stretch of the Rhine that is known for the castles that overlook the river where we’ll be listening out for the Loreley or siren whose singing might tempt the unwary sailor onto the rocks. Where the Rhine and the Moselle rivers meet we stop at Koblenz, before ending our journey in Cologne where we disembark, although the ship continues on to Amsterdam.

I’ll be posting photos on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram throughout the cruise using the hashtag #RhineCruiseHC and of course I’ll be writing all about the trip on my return. In the meantime, I tried to find out as much as I could about European cruises, especially on the Rhine and came across these articles that you may also enjoy from other travel bloggers;

The Castle-studded Rhine River video – I enjoyed hearing Rick Steves talking about the medieval castles that line the banks of the Rhine that were built by princes to tax the trade going up and down the river.

10 reasons a river cruise is great for solo travellers – Janice Waugh of the Solo Traveler – Although I prefer to travel with my husband or other family and friends, I think a river cruise is a great option for a woman travelling alone.

Strasbourg, the capital of Christmas – Donna Hull of My Itchy Travel Feet  took a Rhine cruise that followed the same route as ours and enjoyed the festive atmosphere and Christmas markets in Strasbourg.

Seizing the moments of my journey with Viking River Cruise – Jeff Titelius of EuroTravelogue takes a river cruise through the Netherlands, enjoying the windmills and cheesy edam moments.

Thanks to Lüftner Cruises who are hosting our Rhine River Cruise and are specialists in European river cruises on the Danube, Rhine, Rhone and other major rivers of Europe

All photos provided by Lüftner Cruises

This article by Heather Cowper is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

Switzerland: for a cycling holiday that’s always exhilarating

Switzerland may have a reputation for its famous historical neutrality, the metronomic precision of its horological engineering and the secrecy of its banking, and when taken together they could easily give the impression that the country is, well, a bit boring. Throw in cuckoo clocks and the die could well be cast. But throw aside those thoughts and prepare yourself for the Switzerland I know and love.

This Switzerland is a small but perfectly formed nation of glacial troughs, Alpine valleys and snow-capped peaks; a land of wild flowers, endless lakes and captivating waterfalls; a pristine, gleaning beacon of environmental wonder where simply opening one’s eyes and filling one’s lungs can be enough to lift your soul.

If that sounds good – and if it doesn’t, what’s wrong with you? – then let me tell you how to make the most of Switzerland’s treasures. It may be obvious but given the outdoor splendour of this landlocked haven the best way to see the sights and breathe the air is by getting round on your own steam. Whether you prefer walking, cycling, or – in the winter months – skiing, person-power is the most serene, satisfying way to holiday in Switzerland.

Cycling through the Jura region

For those keen on a two-wheeled adventure (but less keen on Bradley Wiggins-style mountainous ascents), the Jura region on the border with France is an ideal place to start. The 4,478 meters of Switzerland’s most iconic peak, the Matterhorn, may make a spectacular photo but not even Wiggins could cycle up it!

The Jura, on the other hand, with its relatively flat terrain, sparse traffic and essential watering holes (aka vineyards) is simply ideal for a cycling holiday. You get the glittering, ethereal lakes, namely those at Biel, Murtensee and Neuchatel, are ideal for a spot of free swimming. There are waterfalls aplenty too, the fertile hillsides and valleys tick the wild flower box and with the Jura mountains reaching skywards at over 1,700 meters you have that department well covered too.

Reward your efforts with a relaxing spa visit

There is no sacrifice in terms of simplicity or comfort, even for the cycling novice. With Switzerland’s efficient rail network you can even shorten some of the longer stretches, if you must, by taking your bike on board and watching the scenery roll by from your carriage. Of course, the more authentic, rewarding option if the miles on the road are starting to affect the body is a good spa. And what better way to get over a long ride than the healing powers of the hot springs at Yverdon-les-Bains?

This region also offers up Roman remains at Avenches, pretty towns such as Murten with its mediaeval feel or Neuchatel with its Louis XI architecture and the aforementioned vineyards for oenophiles, with Cortaillod a particular highlight.

Explore Alpine regions

Of course, there are many other regions of Switzerland with a similar rainbow of treasures and, like the Jura, they are suitable for exploration either on foot or bike. If the Jura is a little flat and you prefer your peaks over 4000m then the Bernese Oberland could be the place for you. This is what Switzerland would be like if painted by a fine artist who had only read the words of poets describing its Alpine splendour. Except it really is that idyllic.

The snow-capped peaks of the Eiger, Matterhorn, Monch and Jungfrau will punctuate your journey whilst meadow after emerald green meadow springs to life with wild flowers. Almost two thirds of Swiss territory is Alpine and the tremendous network of paths makes much of that easily accessible. With such beauty just a footpath away, isn’t it time to pack your walking boots or cycling Lycra and get over there?

Many thanks for this Guest Post by Dave Hanson brought to you by Headwater, who offer holidays designed so that you really get under the skin of the place that you’re visiting, like activity holidays in Switzerland.

More European adventures:

Walking on the Tour de Mont Blanc
Enjoy the historic sites of Europe on a Rhine river cruise
To Kensington Palace and tea at the Orangery – in London

Photo credits: All Photos from Wikimedia Commons

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

Where Heather travelled in 2012 – a year in photos

At this time of year it’s nice to reminisce a little and let the pleasant memories of the year wash over us to create that rosy seasonal glow. Then we can all brace ourselves mentally to look forward to new plans, new places, things we want to do more of, things we want to do differently. I’ll be sharing my plans for Spring 2013 very soon, but in the meantime, here are some of my travel memories from the last year, which perhaps will provide some travel inspiration for your plans in 2013.

December 2011 – Gothenburg, West Sweden for a pre-Christmas break with my husband

I’m cheating a bit here when I include our trip to Gothenburg from the end of 2011, but then it’s my blog, so I’m allowed a little cheating and we did have a great time despite the snowy and windy weather.

Why Gothenburg? I’ve always liked Scandinavia; so clean, so together and everyone speaks perfect English, and I wanted a pre-Christmas gettaway with my husband when we could eat great food and get into a Christmas mood, with just the two of us.

Happy memories? Fantastic seafood and a chat with the oyster-opening champion Johan Malm at Restaurant Gabriel, our memorable Michelin star tasting menu at Basement with head chef Camilla Parkner, sheltering in Cafe Kanold from the wind over a cup of hot chocolate with chilli, the Christmas market on the cobbled streets of Haga with the music of the marching band, the workman’s graffiti in the back of the statue of Mother Svea just outside our window at Hotel Elite Plaza, the millions of sparkling Christmas lights at Liseberg.

Where did we stay? The beautiful, 5 star Hotel Elite Plaza, once the headquarters of the Swedish Fire and Life Insurance company and full of grand marble staircases and chandeliers.

Want to read more?
Our Winter Break in Gothenburg, Sweden – Podcast
8 Swedish Foods to try in Gothenburg, Sweden – Video
Exploring the Christmas Markets of Gothenburg

February – a winter weekend on the Gower in South Wales

Why the Gower? My son is at university at Swansea nearby and I wanted to get the whole family together, including my parents, to spend some time together near the sea.

Happy Memories? Long, blustery walks along the cliffs, the wide open beaches of Langland and Caswell, sitting with the papers and a cappuccino at Langland Bay Brasserie watching the rain beat on the windows, pretty painted beach huts and exotic spiky palms on Langland beach, watching the surfers bobbing in the water from the clifftop.

Where did we stay? Maryland, a spacious 4 bedroom holiday home which we booked through Gower Cottages, perfect for extended family gatherings and only a few minutes walk from the cliff path.

Want to read more?
Our winter weekend on the Gower in Wales – Langland and Caswell – Video

April – Texas, USA for a family road trip

Why Texas? My husband had visited Texas on a military exchange a few years before and kept raving about it, plus we wanted to find somewhere we could enjoy as a family with good weather at Easter and flights that were not too expensive.

Happy Memories? Experiencing a Blast-off at Space Center Houston, the finger-licking BBQ at Black’s in Lockhart, cycling along Mission Reach to the Spanish Missions in San Antonio, an afternoon wobble shooting at Picosa Ranch (I actually shot something!), tubing down the river at Gruene followed by Bluebell ice cream at the old fashioned drug store, tequila tasting at the Cibolo Moon at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country, eating trailer food, trying on cowboy boots and shopping for vintage in SoCo, Austin.

Where did we stay? The comfortable Park Inn Houston North, conveniently close to the airport, The Mediterranean style Hotel Valencia Riverwalk in San Antonio with views over the Riverwalk, The luxurious JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort complete with its own waterpark, our Holiday Rental in the Barton Hills area of Austin booked through HomeAway and the gorgeous boutique style Hotel Sorella in the vibrant City Centre neighbourhood of West Houston

Want to read more?
Our Texas Road Trip Part 1 – Podcast – Houston, San Antonio, Picosa Ranch
The best of Texas – finger-licking BBQ and a slice of pie
Picosa Ranch – a luxury Ranch with a slice of Texas history – video

May – a girl’s weekend in Winchester

Why Winchester? I wanted a weekend gettaway with my sister and Winchester was easy for both of us to get to, as well as having loads of things to see and do in the city and the beautiful Hampshire countryside nearby for some walking on the South Downs Way.

Happy Memories? The Anthony Gormley statue standing ankle-deep in water in the crypt of the Cathedral, seeing the small wooden table in the house at Chawton where Jane Austen wrote her greatest novels, eating lardy cakes bought from the farmer’s market with a view of the sulphur yellow fields on the South Downs Way, watching the mesmerising water wheel grinding the grain into flour at the Winchester City Mill, spotting the artistic bollards outside The Old Vine where we had a delicious supper.

Where did we stay? The Winchester Hotel, a stylish, modern hotel that is an easy walk from all the historic sights.

Want to read more?
10 ways to spend a wonderful weekend in Winchester – video
Yellow fields with lacy edges – walking the South Downs Way near Winchester
On the trail of Jane Austen in Winchester

June – Guernsey and Sark in the Channel Islands

Why Guernsey? It’s just a short flight from Bristol and has a fascinating history as well as a beautiful coastline, plus we were all intrigued at the thought of visiting Isle of Sark where there are no cars

Happy Memories? Walking along the coast from Fermain Bay to Jerbourg point through the pine trees, the exotic treasure trove of Hauteville House, home of Victor Hugo, eating crab sandwiches from a beach kiosk with a view of the sea, cycling around the island of Sark and eating fresh lobster in the garden of the Sablonnerie Hotel, hearing the stories of the German Occupation from Guernsey tour guide, Gill Girard.

Where did we stay? Self catering Albany apartments in St Peter Port that are perfect for a family holiday and the St Pierre Park Hotel with lovely gardens and golf course

Want to read more?
Guernsey, the German Occupation and Potato Peel Pie
Our spring break on Guernsey and Sark – Podcast
10 delicious foods to try on Guerney - video

July – Zakynthos, Greece for a family holiday

Why Zakynthos? My sister lives on the island where she runs two hotels with her Greek husband, Denis so we like to visit her every year and explore some new corners of the island.

Happy Memories? Discovering Porto Limnionas, a rocky cove in the north of the island with turquoise water and a great taverna, sitting with a drink on the terrace of Harbour House restaurant at Agios Sostis with new friend Derek Linley hearing stories from his years coming to the island, our boat trip from Agios Sostis to spot the Caretta Caretta turtles in Laganas bay and swim in the sea caves at Keri, the Greek dancing night at Windmill Hotel which never fails to entertain us.

Where did we stay? My sister’s hotel, the Windmill Studios in Argassi with a view over the sea from the geranium filled terrace. She also runs the Windmill Bay Hotel just down the road.

Want to read more?
10 gorgeous beaches and places to swim on Zakynthos
Get in your car and drive! the bits of Zakynthos that you won’t see from your sunbed
Swimming the turquiose Blue at Porto Limnionas

August – an adventurous weekend on Dartmoor with the teenagers

Why Dartmoor? My husband knows the moor well from his army days and we all love the wild scenery and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure that kept my teenage son and his friends busy

Happy Memories? Having lunch at the Okehampton station buffet imagining that I was Celia Johnson in the film Brief Encounter, watching my son and his friends splash around in the river on their gorge scrambling adventure, our walk on the moor with friends above Peter Tavy followed by a hearty lunch at the Peter Tavy Inn, climbing up to the Great Staple Tor and finding a letterbox to stamp our hands, the blissfully warmth of the heat cabin at Woodovis Park and a swim with the family in the pool.

Where did we stay? Woodovis Park in a comfortable mobile home. It’s an immaculate, 5 star, family run camping and caravan site which is a great base to enjoy all that Dartmoor has to offer.

Want to read more?
Wild and Wet adventures on Dartmoor – staying at Woodovis Park

September – walking on the Tour de Mont Blanc in Switzerland and Italy

Why the Tour de Mont Blanc? I’ve been walking the TMB which is a long-distance mountain trail, in stages with my friend Julia and this was our third year on the trail. We both love the wild mountain scenery, the feeling of escaping our busy lives and the physical challenge of the walk.

Happy Memories? Watching the scenery change on the train journey from Geneva alongside Lake Lausanne and on the St Bernard Express, feeling on top of the world on the Grand Col Ferret at the border between Switzerland and Italy, staying at the fantastic Rifugio Walter Bonnati, undoubtedly the nicest refuge we’ve stayed in so far, having a picnic on the mountain overlooking Courmayeur and surveying the route we had just walked, the excitement at the start of the Tour des Geants in Courmayeur.

Where did we stay? A number of small hotels and mountain refuges; Gite Bon Abri in Champex Lac, Hotel Col de Fenetre  in Ferret, Rifugio Elena, Rifugio Walter Bonatti , Hotel Bouton d’Or in Courmayeur

Want to read more?
The Tour de Mont Blanc Diaries Day 1 – Champex Lac to Ferret and a walk in the woods
The Tour de Mont Blanc Diaries Day 2 – Ferret to Rifugio Elena and over the pass into Italy

September – Girona, Spain for TBEX

Why Girona? I attended the TBEX Travel Bloggers’ Conference being held in Girona where it was great to meet some of my  blogging friends in person and hear the speakers on different aspects of blogging.

Happy Memories? Staying in an apartment with Barbara Weibel, Isabel Romano and Laurel Robbins and just a floor down from Janice Waugh, Simon Falvo and Sarah and Terry Lee made for some great late night chats and bonding, eating pretty Pinxchos in a side street cafe with new blogging friends, wandering along the river with the tall pastel houses and criss-crossing bridges, the historic food by El Celler de Can Roca at the TBEX opening night party, the day out at Vall de Nuria in the Pyrenees after the conference

Where did we stay? A comfortable apartment in the old town of Girona booked through Wimdu

Want to read more?
Staying in the heart of Old Town Girona with Wimdu – video
A Sunday Stroll in the Pyrenees – Vall de Nuria
Case study – Costa Brava Marketing campaign – podcast interview with Jaume Marin

And what about the family?

Of course for many of these trips I was with various members of my family, but they also did some travelling on their own that they wrote about for me on the blog;

My husband Guy spent much of August on a school trip in Namibia looking after a large group of teenage girls, where they did some community work in a local school, went trekking and had close encounters with the desert elephants and other African wildlife.

Read more about Guy’s Namibia Trip
Not that old zebra crossing joke again!
An encounter with the desert elephants of Namibia

My oldest son, William had a fun snowboarding trip in Andorra with a group of friends from university, which was spent mostly snowboarding, drinking and doing what students do on holiday. Read William’s article on Snowboarding in Pas de la Casa – a student’s guide

My daughter, Sophie-Anne wrote about her moving visit to Auschwitz with the Lessons from Auschwitz educational programme, designed to ensure that young people understand what happened and don’t let history repeat itself in the future. Read Sophie-Anne’s article on What every schoolgirl should know about Auschwitz – video

I hope you enjoyed my travels in 2012 and that you may feel inspired to visit some of these places yourself. I’ll be sharing my exciting travel plans for the spring of 2013 with you very soon.

This article by Heather Cowper is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

Next Page »