Join us back on the cruising “Love Boat” . . . .MS Allegro!
Wow! Look at these spectacular modern apartments jutting out over the Rhine as we depart Cologne!
I am glad we didn’t choose this Mobby Dick boat for our cruise!
All posts by Mark Bartlett
MS Allegro
We’re about to experience an eight day (seven night) “Romantic Rhine River Cruise”!! . . . .
Relax, sip a glass of wine . . . Rhine Riesling preferably . . . . and share our first river cruise adventure with us!
You may be asking, “How did you come to be cruising down the Rhine in Germany?” . . . . and “Where is Bruce?” (our trusty motorhome).
About a month ago, soon after we arrived in the Netherlands, Mark was flicking through a Dutch newspaper . . . . looking for Tour de France results . . . . . . but he cant read Dutch, so it was pictures that grabbed his attention!!
m m m m m . . . . this cruise sounds very interesting, and . . .what! only 299 Euro each for the week . . . including all meals. It sounded “too good to be true” but upon a little research (thank you google.nl and google translate). The website was only in Dutch, the booking form, the confirmations, the itinerary – and all discussions were all in Dutch.
What do we have to lose? So, with the click of the mouse we were booked on the MS Allegro with the dutch company, Stip Reizen Cruises !! (Their website here). With that price, we expected the smallest cabin, no window – maybe below the waterline!! . . . . . let us wait and see!!?!? Continue reading MS Allegro
Kinderdijk!?!?
Kinderdijk is a famous windmill attraction in Dordrecht, 17 windmills, some still in working order and maintained in original colours. (Click here for further info – Kinderdijk). There were many thousands of windmills in their “hey-day” but now the remaining 980 are precious and many World Heritage Status. After buying a delicious ice-cream from this authentic Dutch girl we set-off on our quest to find all 17 of the windmills!
Passing this giant baby crib, along the track we part the reeds and . . . . bingo!! Found them!
Belgium’s Capital, then to The Netherlands – DELTA PROJECT
On an informative walking tour with Pablo, our Spanish guide, we learnt about Belgium’s capital, Brussels! We start our tour in the Grand Place, the gorgeous central square. Our friendly small group tour included Jack from America & Louise from France.
The amazing 15th century gothic City Hall is a focal point. It managed to survive the 1695 French bombardment – even though it was their primary target!! Continue reading Belgium’s Capital, then to The Netherlands – DELTA PROJECT
Marvellous Maastricht and Luverley Luxembourg!
Leaving the Nijmegen region after an excitement packed week, Bruce ventures to the most southern tip of the Netherlands to Maastricht. The oldest Dutch city was full of people on
our Sunday visit. A beautiful city, next to Maas River, steeped in history with great cafes and shops. Maastricht hangs like an appendix down from the rest of Netherlands, hemmed in on all sides by Belgium & Germany. The Romans built underground forts here & every generation has left its mark.
Maastricht has been called the “true star” of its province Limburg! 
. . . . . .and it even has . . drum roll . . hills!! Continue reading Marvellous Maastricht and Luverley Luxembourg!
Cycling and visit to Friesland!
Too much partying & cheering isn’t good for you (who said??) . . . . so we did squeeze in some cycling of the local region (Gelderland), south-east of Amsterdam and also ventured north – up to Friesland Province!!
Who’s up for a loonng walk?
The fantastic fireworks heralded the start of the 99th VIER DAAGSE festival with a huge bang!! We caught the bus to town with Jan, Netty and Maaike our Dutch friends, and we were a part of this amazing spectacle!
It was party time in Nijmegen on Saturday night and we danced & mingled with the packed crowd!! . . . . . (400,000) . . . . The Dutch know how to throw a party in style!
Continue reading Who’s up for a loonng walk?
Touring Waterland and Laag Holland
Having purchased a terrific book called “Discover Old Holland” we set off on our bikes to explore some of its cycle tours on the hundreds of kilometres of cycle paths & trails of Amsterdam.
In no-time at all we are in a peaceful haven, leaving the big city behind us! A vast flat “Waterland” stretches in front of us! We cycle along winding Dijks (dykes – raised embankments to keep the water at bay), old stream channels, endless grasslands and wildlife canalside – grey heron, horses, calves & cattle.
Colourful Eye Candy for You – Clogs and Tulips
During our walking and cycling “tours” in Holland we have often been rewarded by interesting, amusing and colourful sites that remind us of “true” Holland . . . .perhaps in a bygone era.
Continue reading Colourful Eye Candy for You – Clogs and Tulips
I am sterdam !!!
A short 30 minute drive, north of Utrecht, we find ourselves in the hustle and bustle of the city of Amsterdam.
Bruce’s home for the next five days is only a 15 minute, free, crowded ferry trip across the river from Centraal Station, in the NDSM WERF (wharf) area. The area is the former home of the NDSM shipbuilding company. Lonely Planet now describes the area as having a post apocalyptic vibe ?!?! There are about 100 motorhomes in this E25 per night “camping” spot – really it is a large, secure car park with electricity, water and dump facilities. 
The famous floating BOTEL is also in this area. 