Traveling from the Florida Canal Cottage to Oregon was a bit different this year. It was an amazing 'detour.' We're home now and still sorting out our memories ... and our pictures from the trip. To get started while I finish that project, here are just a few favorites. There will be more later.
Budapest
We were on a Viking River Cruise for 15 days -- boarding the boat in Budapest. The boat docked in a different port almost every day -- we visited twelve cities in four different countries, traveling along three rivers to Amsterdam where we disembarked.
After that, we stayed (all on our own) for two weeks -- spending more time in the Netherlands and adding the countries of Belgium and Luxembourg. We had a wonderful time -- the whole trip was a triumph for the travel planner (who is pictured above, in Belgium).
With Jacob and Maya at Schonbrunn Palace and also enjoying Sacher Torte in old-town Vienna
Hopping backwards to our time on the Viking -- we enjoyed and learned from every one of those twelve stops ... sometimes we went on the tours the ship offered and sometimes we went out on our own. The very best guided tour of all though was our own private one during our two-day stop in Vienna. Here we were met by Jacob and Maya, our European grandson and granddaughter (in-law), who flew to meet us. It was wonderful to see them and without doubt we had the best possible tour guides in the world, as Vienna is a familiar city to them.
Castles and colorful villages on the Rhine
One of the best parts of a river cruise is that there are wonderful sights to see almost every minute of daylight. These rivers aren't wide and the views from our balcony or on the top deck were amazing. The pictures in the above collage were taken from the boat on one day's travel -- between Wertheim and Koblenz Germany.
Wachau Valley
Every morning of the whole trip, I woke up amazed ... the boat, the cities, the food, the scenery all really were the stuff of dreams. But I think even more than anything the charming views out the window of our room enhanced the dreamlike quality.
This post barely touches the seventeen cities in six countries that we visited, not to mention the scenic points between! Needless to say, there will be more! ... it was a wonderful trip and it is also wonderful to be home!
To get here, we flew from Amsterdam to Colorado where we spent a week with our son and daughter-in-law --mostly decompressing, for which we are enormously grateful. Then home to Oregon, where our daughter and son-in-law kindly retrieved us from the airport. Because I always include a picture of the first mountain sighting when we return from low-land Florida -- and since we our trip was about the low countries of Europe -- Colorado once again has the honors! The picture is from a walk on the greenbelt near where our family lives.
LINKING this time to: ALL SEASONS; OUR WORLD on Tuesday; TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS ; TUESDAY TREASURES ; SAY CHEESE; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; THANKFUL THURSDAY; SKYWATCH FRIDAY; FRIDAY BLISS
Thank you to all of the hosts.
Hi Sallie!
We were both away in June and I enjoyed reading back through your blog to see al; the wonderful sights ( and great food!) your enjoyed on your Viking River Cruise! We have many friends that have enjoyed various river cruises and we hope to be able to take a few of them ourselves one day. It was so nice you got to spend time with your grandson and tour with him and his wife and spend extra time in Europe afterward. I loved your view of Longs Peak-when you visited Colorado afterward -always beautiful to see!
I had bronchitis when we came home from our Alaska trip and then we my husband had to go through cancer radiation treatment so my computer time has been limited--trying to catch up on a lot. Thankfully my husband is doing well and should have a full remission.
Posted by: Pat | August 01, 2019 at 03:07 PM
It's a pity I didn't know that your made a cruise and stopped in Belgium ! !!
Posted by: Gattina | July 27, 2019 at 03:00 AM
We are going on a Viking cruise in August from Germany to Vienna to Budapest. You have got me excited to go!
Posted by: Carole Kerr | July 16, 2019 at 06:06 PM
wow a viking river cruise - sounds awesome.
Posted by: Amy Franks | July 13, 2019 at 07:06 PM
Welcome back World Traveler! What a wonderful trip you have had, the photos are amazing. I know you were thrilled to spend time with your Jacob! I have family in Europe thru marriage and my son has many cousins aunts, uncles, he has never seen. Can't wait to see more of your adventure.
Posted by: Sondra | July 13, 2019 at 12:03 PM
WOW! WOW! WOW! Good for you!
Posted by: Linda Brown | July 13, 2019 at 10:21 AM
That's an extraordinary detour! What fun! How special to have a grandson and granddaughter-in-law for tour guides for a couple of days. We are leaving next week for a Danube River cruise with stops on either end on our own. Europe seems to be a popular place this summer!
Posted by: Lorrie | July 12, 2019 at 09:27 PM
Extraordinary Sallie. Must admit tho...good ol' USofA is best (and colorad, my home state!)
Posted by: Hootin' Anni | July 12, 2019 at 02:19 PM
oh sally, this all sounds so magnificent!!! chuck and i have wanted to take one of the cruises for some time now, your words will motivate me to get my butt in gear and plan it!! i am glad you enjoyed it so much, it certainly sounds like you saw it all!!
seeing jacob and maya and having them for tour guides must have been amazing. nothing like having a local to show you around!!
welcome home, i'm glad you are home safe and sound, i can't wait to see and hear more about your trip!!
Posted by: Debbie | July 12, 2019 at 06:59 AM
Beautiful.
Posted by: Jim, Sydney, Australia | July 12, 2019 at 04:42 AM
Thank you for these first impressions of your dream holiday! It was fun to read your enthusiastic text and look at the beautiful views. Looking forward to part II! Relax and rest a bit now at home. Lovely weekend!
Posted by: riitta k | July 12, 2019 at 03:13 AM
Welcome home! I've never been all that interested in cruises, with the exception of a European river cruise. This confirms my interest!!
Posted by: Peter B. | July 11, 2019 at 03:20 PM
You sure took the long way home, but what a memorable way to do it. I've never been on a cruise but my parents loved them and used Viking quite a few times. - Margy
Posted by: Margy | July 11, 2019 at 02:28 PM
What a fabulous trip! I've always wondered how nice those cruises would be. I've felt like they would be a dream trip! Glad you're back home. We have had a hot and humid summer so far! Love seeing your wonderful photos! Hugs from Florida
Posted by: Lavender Dreamer | July 11, 2019 at 02:04 PM
Oh my what a wonderful experience that Viking cruise must have been. I hope you will expound on this later on, because river cruise via Viking or something else is in my bucket list.
Posted by: Photo Cache | July 11, 2019 at 01:57 PM
Sounds like you had a blast. You have whetted the appetite with those photos. Look forward to hearing more about your trip.
Posted by: Fun 60 | July 11, 2019 at 01:31 PM
A trip of a lifetime!
I know you're glad to finally be home. We certainly appreciate you sharing a bit of your adventure and, being the greedy types, we're looking forward to more.
Your images stirred up some very pleasant memories of our several years in Europe. Before returning home, we also enjoyed a river cruise among castles, grape vineyards and incredibly friendly people.
Welcome home, Sallie!
Posted by: Wally Jones | July 11, 2019 at 08:12 AM
What a wonderful trip and beautiful photos! You are blessed !
Happy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Posted by: A ShutterBug Explores | July 11, 2019 at 07:24 AM
Hello, Sallie! Your Viking Cruise sounds like a fun time. It was wonderful you were able to visit so many countries and see your grandson and his wife. The view of the Colorado mountain is lovely too. I am glad you are back safely in Oregon with your family. Have a great summer. Enjoy your day!
Posted by: Eileen Wise | July 11, 2019 at 03:21 AM
Enjoyed the photos from your cruise holiday. I have only been on a short cruise once and it was a beautiful memorable experience. Have a wonderful day!
Posted by: Nancy Chan | July 11, 2019 at 12:47 AM
So happy to read you again, Sallie ! I wonder where you had been ! What a wonderful trip. Welcome, now at home.
Posted by: Annie | July 10, 2019 at 11:20 PM
Woohoo! Good for the two of you for taking such a great detour on your way home. Looks fabulous and I'm looking forward to seeing more! Welcome back to your West Coast home.
Posted by: ellen b. | July 10, 2019 at 05:06 PM
Now, that's what I call a detour! Thanks for the photos of a place I won't see for myself! Love them all, as usual :)
It's great to see you at 'My Corner of the World' this week!
My Corner of the World
Posted by: betty - NZ | July 10, 2019 at 04:54 PM
I'm so glad you had a wonderful trip to Germany. Looks like a grand time!
Posted by: Carol | July 10, 2019 at 04:23 PM
Wow! You are the TRAVELING Grainvilles! Florida to Oregon by way of Belgium, the Netherlands, Budapest, Luxembourg, and Colorado! Quite a trip. Very exciting!
Posted by: Laurie | July 10, 2019 at 03:51 PM
Whooo-hoooo, Sallie! I'm excited just looking at your photos and reading where you've been. What a thrill to be in places where you've seen only photos and films about. I felt that way when I came through the Venice train station doors and saw the City before me. Remembering that moments gets me all Wowza! again. I'm looking forward to seeing and reading more about your trip. Cheers!
Posted by: Su-sieee! Mac | July 10, 2019 at 03:47 PM
Welcome home!
It was a wonderful trips and thank you for sharing the beautiful photos :)
Posted by: evi erlinda | July 10, 2019 at 01:38 PM
Your adventure sounds amazing and I'm looking forward to seeing more. Welcome back!
Posted by: bill burke | July 10, 2019 at 12:31 PM
My word, Sallie, when you guys decide to take a little detour on the way home, you know how to do it! I know several people who have taken these river cruises and everyone speaks very highly of their experience. I will look forward to seeing and reading more.
Posted by: David Gascoigne | July 10, 2019 at 10:40 AM
Sallie, you are back to All Seasons and many thanks for giving us some moments from your trip! From a part of the world that has been my neighborhood:):) So happy you enjoyed it! I understand, the old world is lovely, but there is no place like home. You saw a lot, just for one tour. Colorado always makes me think on Switserland - that's for another trip:)
Posted by: Junieper | July 10, 2019 at 09:47 AM
It sounds like you had an amazing trip!
Posted by: William Kendall | July 10, 2019 at 08:48 AM
Oh my, such a fantastic tour! The places you've been, the sights you have seen! I love the photos. You must be happy to be home again.
Amalia
xo
Posted by: handmade by amalia | July 10, 2019 at 02:34 AM
Welcome back! You had a wonderful trip. I'm sure meeting up with your grandson and granddaughter (in law) was special. That particular river cruise would be my dream cruise. I'm looking forward to seeing more. Back in Oregon and seeing the familiar mountain landscape must be uplifting too.
Posted by: Linda P (a rich tapestry blog) | July 10, 2019 at 01:19 AM
Wow - what an amazing trip! Can't wait to see more!
Posted by: Lady Fi | July 10, 2019 at 12:27 AM
Welcome back Sallie! You seem to have had a great cruise with an amazing extra tour added on. The pictures and Blogs will be stunning-as always :).
Posted by: Hazel | July 09, 2019 at 11:25 PM
Oh wow, an amazing adventure. I look forward to seeing all the other great photos you will be sharing. Welcome home!
Posted by: Denise inVa | July 09, 2019 at 10:27 PM
Sallie - welcome home! Looks like a dream trip in so many ways - culture, family, different modes of transport - congratulations to the trip planner! I look forward to more photos and memories!
Posted by: Angie | July 09, 2019 at 09:43 PM
Looks like a great trip!
Posted by: Linda Walcroft | July 09, 2019 at 09:34 PM
Six countries, holy crap on a cracker, girlfriend. I don't know where you guys get the energy and I bet it was exciting and maybe a little weird every morning. Seeing things by boat is a grand idea.
Colorado would be more than enough excitement for me and I know that feeling when you've been away and get back home just staying in the country. Even leaving the city it feels like a warm blanket on a cold day when I first see the Capitol Building.
I love all the castles, I mean how many castles do you see over here besides Disney ones?
You got some great, scenic photos and the first one on the Budapest bridge is enchanting.
Talk soon. I wouldn't look at today's link up unless you want to be bummed out.
Posted by: Jeanna | July 09, 2019 at 07:30 PM
Welcome home! What a wonderful adventure! We keep hearing about the heat in Europe but it looks like you were all wearing jackets.
Glad you are back.
Posted by: Florence | July 09, 2019 at 06:41 PM