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BY Nancy Mueller 4 Comments ON August 17, 2015

Vacation on the Romantic Danube with Viking River Cruises

Cathedral in Esztergom

If you’re like many wanderboomer fans of the PBS hit series, Downton Abbey, you’ve seen the sponsored commercials for Viking River Cruises, enticing you to explore exotic destinations from the deck of one of their deluxe ships. No doubt you have imagined yourself cruising down the Danube, Rhine or Seine Rivers, perhaps a glass of wine in hand, wistfully watching the world go by.

MAP_2016_RomanticDanube_956x690_tcm21-24396

Earlier this summer I had the chance to live the dream aboard a Viking River Cruises’ longship on an 8-Day Romantic Danube Tour from Budapest to Nuremberg. So did the experience live up to my dreamy-eyed vision of a European river cruise? Here’s what I discovered . . .

Exceptional Service

Viking River Cruises

My first clue of Viking River Cruises’ extraordinary customer care began with email correspondence from my Customized Travel Coordinator who arranged my flights and airport transfers. Days later I received a package containing a leather luggage tag and stickers, my personalized “Itinerary & Departure Information” booklet and a “Danube River Destination Guide” of site descriptions and fascinating facts about the art, history and culture of the sites on our itinerary.

Cap't. Oskar & Crew

And that was just for starters. Upon arrival, I was greeted at the airport by a Viking River Cruises’ host who cheerfully whisked me off to the ship without delay.

On board, the entire ship staff, from the Captain to Operations Manager and Reception, Cruise and Concierge Directors, Cabin Attendant, dining and culinary crew, deckhands and maintenance personnel ensured that we would indeed get to “Explore the World in Comfort,” as the company’s tagline promises.

Comfortable Surroundings with Panoramic Views

Viking River Cruises Veranda Stateroom

Wandercruisers have a range of cabin options available on Viking River Cruises. My veranda stateroom included a French balcony which I highly recommend for those moments when you want to enjoy river meanderings from the privacy of your own deck. Or for ultimate luxury, spring for the Explorer Suite with a private wrap-around veranda for 270° views.

The cabins come with ample storage for belongings, a comfortable bed, flat screen TV and premium entertainment package, plus plenty of personal touches, like fresh fruit and bottled water refreshed each day, a heated floor in the bathroom (with a superb hot shower and plush towels) and robe and slippers upon request.

For dining, we had the option of having a casual meal on the Aquavit Terrace with both indoor and outdoor viewing at the bow of the ship or the ship restaurant with more elaborate meal options and expansive river views.

The ship’s sundeck with shaded lounging area, walking track and putting green, proved to be a popular place with the 184 guests on board for river viewing, reading and sunbathing, while the bar and lounge area provided a relaxing, entertaining venue after daily excursions.

Sylvie - Viking River Cruises

The small library was a lovely spot to sit and browse through books that covered the regions along our cruise or to pick up a copy of the daily news: Britain Today, The Canadian or USA Times.

With so many places to explore on board, it didn’t take long for me to feel right at home.

Entertaining Programs

Before enjoying the many included and optional excursions on the cruise, we were treated to a variety of presentations designed to enhance our cultural experience. Captain Oskar answered questions about our ship, the Viking Longship Tor, while the culinary crew showed us how to make apple strudel.

We learned how to order coffee in Vienna as well as how to speak a few essential words and phrases in German. “Ein bier!” “Danke.” “Wo ist die toilette?”

Evening programs included local musicians playing tunes of the region and opera singers singing a medley of songs from well-known operas, creating a fun, festive atmosphere aboard the ship.

Delicious Cuisine

Kitchen Crew Viking River Cruises

Having delectable meals that reflected the regions we visited, combined with exceptional service from our kitchen and dining staff, made for memorable dining on our cruise.

Kitchen Staff Viking River Cruises

From first courses like a Hungarian Farmer’s Plate (salami, ham, mixed pickles and körözött, a spiced cheese dip)

Viking River Cruises

or Seared Quail with Asparagus Risotto with glazed cherry tomatoes, to main courses such as Zwiebelrostbraten (say that three times! Viennese roast beef) & Crisp Onions with mashed potatoes, onion sauce and pickled cucumber, or Grilled Marinated Perch with couscous, raisins and balsamic brown butter, accompanied by recommended regional wines, to desserts liked Crisp Dark Valrhona Chocolate Tart with mango salad or Esterhazy Cake, Linzer Torte or Warm Apple Hazelnut Crumble with malted whiskey ice cream,

Dessert on Viking River Cruises

the food was deliciously prepared and beautifully presented.

Fayth - Viking River Cruises

And for special requests and dietary needs, vegetarian options, cheese plates, Caesar Salad, Sauteed Salmon Fillet, Roast Chicken Breast and Seared Prime Rib Eye Steak were always available.

Niki - Viking River Cruises

Delightful Comaraderie

Comraderie with Viking River Cruises

When asking other guests what they liked most about the Viking River Cruises’ experience, I discovered that for many passengers having the chance to mix and mingle with the others on board was a definite highlight.

Larry & Gail on Viking River Cruises

The open-seating arrangement meant guests could sit anywhere we chose for each meal. I met couples and families from California, Arizona, South Dakota and Florida among other U.S. states, as well as from the U.K.

Excursions to Beautiful Destinations

Krems on the Danube - Viking River Cruises

Each evening we received a briefing about the next day’s coming attractions with suggestions for things to see and do in every location. Whether exploring ports of call independently or on guided tours, we enjoyed city overviews on foot and by bus, excursions to architectural treasures and historic sites, plus stops at popular eateries and outdoor markets.

For more on the wonders we witnessed on our 8-day cruise, visit Viking River Cruises.

Many thanks to Viking River Cruises for hosting my Romantic Danube experience.

Wander on!

Nancy

What about you, wanderboomers? Which Viking River Cruise would you like to take?

 

Filed Under: Baby Boomers and Travel, Cruising, Europe Tagged With: Downton Abbey, PBS, river cruises, river cruising, Travel & Leisure

BY Nancy Mueller 18 Comments ON March 30, 2012

Tea for Two at Seattle’s Queen Mary

Thanks to Starbucks, Seattle’s fame as the “Coffee Capital of the USA” remains secure. But in keeping with the spirit of the PBS Masterpiece Theater hit series Downton Abbey and the London Summer Olympics, this travel gal has another Emerald City destination in mind: the Queen Mary Tea Room.

For the last several years, celebrating the end of summer with Afternoon Tea at the Queen Mary has become a mother-daughter ritual. Early on, I had visions of our having heart-to-heart conversations over tea, scones and finger sandwiches in an elegant, intimate setting.

I imagined sharing tips on tea etiquette as we reflected on the past school year and her dreams for the one ahead. But that was my vision, not my daughter’s, who was much more focused on the cookies and other bite-size treats served so appealingly.

Who could blame her? The Queen Mary is a favorite destination for multigenerations whatever the occasion. Little girls come to celebrate birthdays where they are invited to choose from among a selection of tiaras to wear for the event. Women friends, too, come to share special occasions or whisper confidences. Men and women come for the experience of having lunch, tea or biscuits in an elegant setting that reflects a timeless tradition of manners, ritual and civility.

And should you decide to continue the tea tradition at home, you can visit the Queen Mary Tea Emporium just down the street. What tea lover traveler wouldn’t love to bring home a selection of teas with exotic names like Russian Caravan, Brazilian Sweet Orange Maté, Moroccan Blossom or Yang Xian Mao Feng to spark an endless journey of the imagination?

What about you, Wanderboomers? Do you have a favorite tearoom, teahouse or tea traditions that you’ve come across in your travels?

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, Destinations, Food & Dining, Seattle, Shopping Tagged With: afternoon tea, biscuits, civility, cookies, Downton Abbey, Emerald City, finger sanwiches, Kate Middleton, London Summer Olympics, manners, Prince William, Queen Mary, Queen Mary Emporium, Queen Mary Tearoom, rituals, scones, Seattle, Starbucks, tea, tea etiquette, tea for two, tea traditions, tiaras, treats, William and Kate

BY Nancy Mueller 10 Comments ON January 12, 2012

Visit Downton Abbey in 2012

Highclere CastleBasSijpkesflickr (450 x 335)

Photo courtesy of Bas Sijpkes – flickr

If it takes you longer than 10 seconds to recognize this icon, then count yourself among the few not hooked on public television’s hottest show sensation since Upstairs, Downstairs and Brideshead Revisited: Masterpiece Theater’s Downton Abbey.

At its heart, this period melodrama speaks of romance – the will-they-or-won’t-they drama between Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley as well as Anna and Bates, the head housemaid and the Earl of Grantham’s valet.

The romance extends beyond the characters’ conflicts to the lush landscapes of the English countryside, the period costumes, and a time when life was less hurried and more well-mannered.

My travel money is on Wanderboomers who will want to check out the beauty of Highclere Castle for themselves, perhaps hoping to live vicariously through the lives of Downton Abbey’s characters, perhaps wistfully reflecting on times past, or perhaps imagining how it would feel to call this castle home.

If you are among those hopefuls, here’s what you need to know:

Highclere Castle, Gardens and Grounds is celebrating an Easter Opening, 7 days a week, between April 1st and Sunday April 15th. May dates follow from the 6th – 8th, and in June from the 3rd – 7th. Summer dates begin July 1st and end September 13th.

Admission to the castle is by pre-booked tickets, available for purchase after February 1st 2012.

Photo credits: flicker, top two photos by JBUK_Planet, bottom right by HerryLawford

What about you, Wanderboomers? Are you planning a trip to the home of Downton Abbey in 2012? Where have you been inspired to travel from your readings, movie or TV viewings?

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, Destinations Tagged With: Brideshead revisited, Downstairs, Downton Abbey, English countryside, gardens, Highclere Castle, Highclere Gardens, Highclere Grounds, housmaid, Lady mary, landscape, Matthew Crawley, PBS, period costumes, public television, romance, travel, Upstairs, valet

Hello fellow wanderboomers! I’m a Seattle-based travel journalist, specializing in fun travel adventures for the young at heart. My articles have been featured in Hemispheres, AAA Highroads Magazine and Northwest Travel & Life Magazine where I'm a frequent contributor. When this Wanderboomer isn’t traveling, I help global executives polish their personal and professional brand for long-term results.
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