You may find it helpful to read through my tips and opinions on “Is Bordeaux Worth Visiting?” as we took this trip back in September. Of course I say, YES! It’s worth every minute spent, as we rented a car and made the drive from La Roche Posay.

If you’re planning a short visit, three days is the perfect amount of time to explore the historic city center and experience the surrounding countryside. I’m sharing the highlights of what to see, eat, and enjoy in Bordeaux and the nearby area, so you can make the most of your trip! We traveled with our friends Brian and Lori (RecipeGirl) – and it’s even more fun when you go with friends!

The post Is Bordeaux Worth Visting? appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

This was my 7th Viking Cruise, Trade Routes of the Middle Ages Viking Cruise, this time on the Viking Saturn ship (930 passengers). It was a wonderful trip to three of Europe’s most picturesque cities: Amsterdam, Bruges and Paris. We also stopped in England, to the historic ports of Portsmouth and Falmouth. Sadly on this ocean cruise, we had to miss the wine-making city of Porto, because of weather conditions. (This happens when you take cruises; you can’t control the weather so you have to be prepared.)

The real treat of exploring Málaga, the gateway to Granada’s stunning Alhambra palace, and viewing the splendid Roman ruins of Cartagena, made up for the disappointment.

Trade Routes of the Middle Ages Viking Cruise

And then the final stop, Bergen, Norway. We’ve been there once before, but this time we did new things and really enjoyed walking around, riding biked, eating, and spending 2 days there. We took this cruise in April, so the weather was chilly, but also gorgeous sunshine most of the time (well, except England).

Welcome to the Viking Saturn! The minute you step foot on a Viking ship, you feel at home! Many of my readers know how much we love Viking! Last year we were able to cruise the Empire of the Mediterranean Cruise with Viking and it was fabulous! Viking offers extensions on either end of some of their cruises, and this one after the cruise, we visited Venice for 3 days! I really can’t recommend this Trade Routes of the Middle Ages Viking Cruise itinerary enough – it’s wonderful.

We’ve now been on 6 ocean cruises and 1 river cruise to Europe. All wonderful experiences, this time with our friends Brian and Lori. The weather was out of this world (as you can see by the pictures). We were worried about it being too cold the first couple of weeks of April, but it was perfect. You can see we really enjoyed the sea days. :)

Journey along timeless trade routes

This Trade Routes of the Middle Ages Viking Cruise has a fabulous itinerary and you will enjoy it. It offers so much, starting off in Barcelona. We did Barcelona in 3 days (on our own). Often the Viking cruises offer extensions at the beginning and end of the trip. A few highlights for me was the Spain Day Tour, which included both Ronda, and Honfluer, France. Then in Beligum, we absolutley loved Bruges (oh, the chocolate). So much that we came home and made Belgium Chocolate Mousse with some of our delicious chocoalte that we purchased when there. In Barcelona we visited La Sagrada Familia on our own. We booked a tour directly through their website and it was spectacular. We also booked our own Paella Cooking Class which we highly recommend. Lastly, we loved seeing Anne Frank’s home in Amsterdam, and rode through the hills of Bergen (Norway) on e-bikes.

Itinerary for Trade Routes of the Middle Ages Viking Cruise

• Barcelona (Paella cooking class, La Sagrada, site-seeing, shopping, eating! We boarded our ship about 5 miles from where we stayed at the Camper Hotel.)
• Cartegena, Spain (toured Roman ruins)
• Malaga, Spain (seaside towns of Marbella and Puerto Banus)
• Porto, Portugal (unfortunately had to skip this port because of very rough seas!)
• Falmouth, England (beautiful drive through the country, and such a cool, small town)
• Portsmouth, England (Stonehenge!)
• Le Havre, France (explored the cool seaside town– some people went to Paris or Normandy, but we did those last year!)
• Bruges, Belgium (LOVED exploring this city– and YES, we ate chocolate and tried waffles and Belgian beer and fries, which are really just French fries
• Amsterdam (Cruise through the canal and exploring the city)
• Bergen, Norway (E-Bike tour around the city- love this small seaside city!)

The Stateroom

Here’s what our stateroom looked like. There’s quite a bit of room in these Delux Veranda rooms. I love that we each had a nightstand, and that we had built in places to plug in our electronics and charge our gadgets. You don’t need a European plug converter on the Viking ships. They have regular USA outlets.

Viking accommodations have a beautiful Nordic design, very straight-forward, modern, but yet homey. Each cabin contains two spacious closets and ample drawers along with a floor-to-ceiling closet, a replenished mini bar stocked with soft drinks, bottled water and snacks. We love the espresso maker, high-end binoculars, and an interactive TV (live news, movies, very good choices of educational shows to watch), where you can view your day’s schedule.

Also every night you will get a copy of The Viking Daily. A comfy throw blanket is arranged on every bed—perfect for a nap. Espresso in the mornings in your room! Bathrooms are modern with a step-in shower, a selection of lovely Freyja toiletries and (my favorite) heated floor—which was perfect for some of our chillier days (England).

Barcelona, Spain

The vibrant city of Barcelona is rich in history and so lively, as you wind through the medieval lanes through the oldest part of the city, the Gothic Quarter, to see the Barcelona Cathedral, the medieval Jewish district of El Call and the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria del Pi. Take a peek at our 3 days in Barcelona (where we stayed, where to eat, what to do).

Murcia (Cartagena), Spain

Murcia (Cartagena), Spain is surrounded by farmland and fresh produce. The Moors founded the city in 825 and introduced a vast irrigation network for crops and for city use. They were expelled by Ferdinand III of Castile in 1243, but Murcia province remained a vassal kingdom until 1812 and became an autonomous region of Spain in 1982. We did a walking tour to the Parque Cornisa del Teatro Romano (it was very hot out!), and to La Manga del Mar Menor (for a nice cold beer).

Granada (Málaga), Spain

Granada is a splendid canvas of Moorish architecture, rich Andalusian tradition and remarkable history. It was the last stronghold of the Moorish Nasrid dynasty, whose 250-year reign ended during the 1492 reconquest of Spain by Catholic monarchs. With so much rich history, we spent the day on a coach to Ronda, and we were not disappointed.

We learned this is where the original bull fighting began in the world, and they are very proud of this. It was 81 degrees out, perfect weather, and the landscape of this town is out of this world. We’ve never seen anything like it. Of course we enjoyed an authentic Spanish meal, and then did some shopping before we took our coach back to the ship. This was a full-day excursion, and so worth it.

Porto, Portugal

Porto is located along a rocky embankment, with picturesque neighborhoods, fashionable restaurants and lively markets. Sadly this is one stop we were SO looking forward to, but the weather did not permit our ship to port. This happens with cruise ships, and so it meant another day at sea.

Falmouth, England

Welcome to rainy England! Yes, indeed, the minute we arrived in Falmouth, the rains began. But we did not let the rain stop us with exploring this wonderful town. Falmouth is a gateway to the picturesque county of Cornwall, and is home to one of the world’s most celebrated harbors. The deepest in Western Europe, it aided in the launch of D-Day fleets and has been the starting point for voyages around the world. Having gone to Normandie last year, we were very interested in this town (rain or shine). Distinctive gray granite architecture climbs its hillsides from the harbor, culminating at the hilltop college. We shopped around, indulged in some wonderful pastries (oh my!), we got our steps in looking at the charm (and colors), and then back to the ship (with umbrellas in hand).

Portsmouth, England

The next stop–Portsmouth, the only island-city in the United Kingdom, settled since before the days of the Roman Empire. It grew into a medieval port town; more recently, this was an embarkation port for the D-Day landings and served as headquarters for Dwight D. Eisenhower. The stunning citadel walls of Napoleonic forts greet ships as they approach through the Solent Strait.

We chose the “Stonehenge” excursion, which was also an all-day tour. A coach picks you up for a long drive, but this is something that has been on our bucket-list for many years. We stopped on our way back to the ship, in the charming town of Salisbury, and the when we got back to port, we went to the famous Charles Dickens for fish and chips and cold beer.

Paris (Le Havre), France

Le Havre is France’s second-largest port, and we’ve been here several times. Its central city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its Museum of Modern Art holds one of France’s largest impressionist collections. Many took different tours into Paris, to visit the Louvre, the Musée D’Orsay, and the iconic Eiffel Tower, but since we were just there a year ago, we chose to go on the day excursion to Honfleur, and were not disappointed. What a charming city, on the water, where we sat for a cup of espresso and enjoyed lunch at a bistro overlooking the Le Vieux Bassin. What a gorgeous day!

Bruges (Zeebrugge), Belgium

Zeebrugge is full of splendid old architecture and tranquil canals. One of the most beautifully preserved medieval cities in Europe, Bruges’s  lovely houses were built by wealthy merchants, and are a testament to its former prominence as an English wool and Flemish textile trade center. The cobblestone streets and tranquil canals are a pleasure to explore, as the horse and buggies still are active in the streets (and take tourists where they want to go).

There are no taxis or uber drivers in this town, only the horse and buggies. We walked and walked and hung out in the De Markt, where the 14th-century Stadhuis (Town Hall), the Belfry of Bruges, and the city’s quaint boutiques offer a lot of shopping and chocolate. We indulged in our own snack of waflles and chocolate, and then stood in line at “The Chocolate Line” where we bought a lot of chocoalte to bring home. You may have already tried our Belgium Chocolate Mousse, made with Belgium chocolate. What a fun day this was.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Paul and I spent a full day exploring (walking) the charming canals, elegant gabled houses, splendid museums and of course, taking pictures of the thousands of bicycles. We love this city! The waterways forms about 90 islands connected by 1,500 bridges. We hung out at the Anne Frank Huis, and took a canal ride through the Herengracht.

Bergen, Norway

In the early morning, we knew when we got to beautiful Bjoroyna, Bergen, because of the colorful buildings, and the gorgeous seven gargantuan mountain peaks. Bergen is also the gateway to the country’s magnificent fjords, including the Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord.

You may recall a few years ago when Paul and I kayaked the fjords, an exhilerating experience indeed. Founded in 1070 on what was a Viking settlement, Bergen was Norway’s capital during the 13th century; today, it is the second-largest city in Norway. We visited the outdoor fish market, Fisketorget, shopped, ate lunch on the water.

The most fun was the excursion on e-bikes. We didn’t know if the weather would hold out for us (it often rains in Bergen), but it did. We had an amazing tour guide and we rode through the hills of Bergen, learning the history and seeing the most gorgeous views of the city!

Scandinavian-inspired Spa & Fitness Center

The Saturn offers an amazing sauna, a Snow Grotto, and a Thermal Pool. We always take advantage of the spa treatments, and we always get in a workout in the well-equipped Fitness Center.

But the best is to get a breath of fresh air on a brisk walk around the Promenade. This cruise my friend Lori and I would walk the track, until we got 3 miles done. We love keeping track of our steps!

We usually have room service for breakfast every morning, but once in a while we head to The Restaurant if we’re on a Sea Day.

Where to eat on the Viking Saturn

Many of the evenings we enjoyed the specialty restaurant: Manfredi’s Italian. There are some great food items on the Manfredi menu (lots of pasta, fresh fish, steak, etc). We chose calamari, tuna, caprese salad, chicken Parmesan, steak, mushroom risotto, and fish. You can eat as healthy or as indulgent as you’d like!

We also ate many times at The Chef’s Table restaurant on the ship. This is a specialty restaurant that offers a few unique menus during the cruise that are focused on different cultures, also included in the price of the cruise. You just need to make a reservation. The dinner theme for the nights we ate there, we enjoyed “Cantonese” and “California Cuisine.” It was so good, we went back for the Asian and Mexican nights as well. It was delicious!

The Restaurant is another favorite place we love to eat. It’s so bright and cheery and the staff are amazing, quick, and so attentive. You can order the specials each night (always a seafood, chicken or steak, pasta, etc:) or the set menu that includes classic recipes. We’ve never been disappointed with any of the food on Viking. And of course, it’s always fun when the Chef comes out to meet you!

Lori and I really enjoy going to tea at the Wintergarden and just relaxing and listening to music. They have great snacks, too, so if you have dinner reservations right after, you might want to eat light. The room is so bright and cheery and it’s really a fun thing to do. I also love to people watch–and see others’ really enjoying tea!

Tips for crusing the Viking Saturn:

• If you enjoy your cocktails and wine, then splurge and get the Silver Spirits Package so you’ll have more options available to you.
• Look at shore excursions and make those reservations as soon as you can.  Often an excursion you really wanted to do sells out quickly, so decide what your budget is and RESERVE! Here’s a great tip: Often the “free” excursions are offered in both the morning and afternoon, so we recommend to book the early one!  Then the second half of the day you are free to explore, go have tea, or get in on the “at sea lectures.”
• Bring comfortable shoes for your shore excursions. Most of you know from my weekly emails how much I love to wear ON (cloud) shoes for walking. They are slip ons, and perfect for all of the excursions.
• Take the time to get a sea sickness patch from your doctor and USE IT.  You can never predict how bumpy the sail is going to be or how your body will handle it (you do need to drink a LOT more water than normal). We had a couple ROUGH days at sea, so we were so thankful we had the patch on!
• Check out your itinerary and book spa time for the days where you’ll be at sea, and also book your restaurant reservations if you can. At the beginning of the cruise, they only let you book a few. But they are always ready to assist you and you can also book everyone from your stateroom TV. We finally did this on this cruise, and it was wonderful to do it all from our room.
• We take advantage of the laundry room available on board (on each floor), plus the dry cleaning service. The cost is minimal, and the ease makes it so great to pack less clothes and re-wear our clothes!
• Enjoy the gorgeous sunsets every night if you can – they are amazing.

Activities offered on board The Viking Star:

• Educational offerings: staff lectures about the culture of the region and of each of the ports you’re visiting – the day before you port
• Music: piano, guitar, ensambles, violin, cello, vocals
• Movies
• Dancing
• Afternoon tea
• Evening stage entertainment
• Jewelry seminars
• Exercise classes
• Spa
• Sports Deck (shuffleboard and putting) + a walking track + putting and ping pong (we took advantage of this on this cruise and LOVED playing with our friends)
• Fitness center
• Trivia every night

Check out these other Viking cruises:

For more Viking Cruise posts, you can check out my travel page, or some of my favorite cruises:

• Viking Cruise Mediterranean Odyssey 
• Bermuda Escape
• Viking River Cruise Zurich Switzerland
• River Cruise from Switzerland to Paris
• Homeland Ocean Cruise
• Canada and New England Viking Cruise

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Viking Cruises. All opinions are my own. We are grateful for all of our experiences.

The post Trade Routes of the Middle Ages Viking Cruise appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

Near the charming village of La Roche-Posay, Château de Valcreuse is a place we’ve now had the joy of visiting three times—and every stay has been different and wonderful.

The post Staying at Château de Valcreuse in the Loire Valley, France appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

This summer we explored some of the most beautiful countries and cities on the Viking Mediterranean Odyssey Ocean cruise. We had such a wonderful trip that we came back and created a Shutterfly book, because we didn’t want to forget our experiences. If you love the water, and you followed my travel last year, we were in Bermuda, on the Viking Cruises Bermuda Escape.

Viking Cruises Mediterranean Odyssey

The Viking Cruise line has quickly become the world’s most awarded cruise line on both ocean and river cruises. One of the most popular cruises is the sea voyage from Barcelona to Venice: The Mediterranean Odyssey. (more…)

The post Viking Cruises Mediterranean Odyssey appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

Friends, at the end of October and early November last year, Paul and I were able to go on a dream trip to Europe, sponsored by Viking Cruises. We cruised the Rhine and Moselle rivers!

Viking River Cruise from Switzerland to Paris

We went on a river cruise from Switzerland to Paris, and it was absolutely lovely. This was our first river cruise, as the last Viking trip we took was the Viking Homelands Ocean Cruise with my friend RecipeGirl and her husband. [Our traditional picture on the bus, on our way to the boat!] (more…)

The post Viking River Cruise from Switzerland to Paris appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.