Missing the Live Performance During That Cruise Trip

Hello beautiful people out there! How's life going on? Hope all is great! I am doing good so far and getting very excited for the next travels. Luggage are partially packed and I will be finalizing everything this weekend. There is no such great vacation when you are visiting your home country. In over a week from now, the long awaited vacation is about to commence.

The stage where the shows are perform by various entertainers during my cruise trip in Greece last year.

This week, I was watching this travel documentation about luxury cruise ships. I have been to some cruise holidays in the past and I love it very much. I hope I will experience it again.

There are so many things I love on a cruise holiday. One of it are the various live entertainments every night and also during the day. During that cruise trip in Greece last year, there were so many talented musicians who keep the boat rolling with their wonderful music. Many of them played various musical instruments like Applause Guitars, piano, drums and what else? I believed many of them play different instruments.

That is why cruise holidays are never boring because of these talented performers and entertainers from dancers to singers, acrobats and many more.  Be sure to experience it once in your life! Cheers!

Enjoyed the Live Shows During that Cruise in Greece

Calm sea during our cruise trip in Greece.

I believed, I am ready to take another round of cruise trip. Although, I have seasickness sometimes, I was so thankful that I did not had it during my recent cruise trip. And yes, it was so far an awesome cruise trip in Greece. This country has a lot to offer to its guests and visitors inspite the financial and economic crisis it is facing right now. I really don't want to talk about it but I would love to share the fun and enjoyment I had during that vacation.

It was not my first cruise trip but already the fourth one. One thing I love during cruise holidays are the live shows and entertainment you can have in the ship. It is a great swimming hotel where you can have everything. 

I Miss the Entertainment During that Cruise in Scandinavia

It was indeed a luxury cruise and I miss it. I also miss my travel buddies who are in the other side of the planet now. I also miss those times when I can travel anytime and anywhere I want to. I am still hoping that I can still do it in the future. With the current job I have now, I can no longer do the many escapades I did before.

That memorable and luxurious trip with Aidabella last spring 2013.

 That  luxury cruise in Scandinavia was an awesome experience. I did not only have fun but I also had a wonderful time with a friend. She is now back in the United States and I am hoping one day, we can travel together again.

What I also miss are the live entertainments  on board especially  the live bands and the live performances on stage.For sure those singers, guitarists, drummers together  with their musical instruments  use  fender stratocaster tremolo  all the time. One night while watching a live band on board, one thing that touched  me was the song that was performed so beautifully  with that female singer.  It  was one of my favorite songs by Mariah Carey and I can listen to it all the time.

I wish,  I can  suill do another  cruise this year and hoping that it will be in the Caribbean.  Crossing my fingers! Have a wonderful one folks!

Nice to Remember that Luxury Cruise in Scandinavia

It is almost a year now since the luxury cruise we had in Scandinavia. It was so far a fantastic experience joining that holiday. Some of the things I cannot forgot from that trip were the various entertainments we had every night, the foods served on their restaurants and the experience of seeing beautiful cities in Scandinavia including Oslo, Norway and Copenhagen, Denmark.

The Theatrium in Aidabella ship. This is where most of the shows and entertainments are taking place.

 One of my favorite shows at night are the live music including the singing and dancing at the Theatrium. It is in the center of the ship which can be used as a nightclub. For sure you can see some music sheet stands when the singers are performing.

I am missing that cruise so badly because of the very memorable moments I had. The fun, various cuisines I tasted, entertainments and the exciting experiences I had from that cruise holiday were simply priceless. Thanks to a dear friend who joined me during that trip, or else I won't be able to go alone. I am really thankful to her and indeed she is a great travel companion.

Backed from Our Baltic Cruise Trip

Thanks God for another safe trip! And yes, I am finally backed from our recent trip in the Baltic region. I am actually back over a week ago but I was just busy with many things both online and offline. It was a combination of bus and cruise trip. It was so far a good one visiting cities in four countries including Stockholm, Tallinn, St. Petersburg and Helsinki.

We spent 6 nights in a ship, 4 nights in Princess Anastasia (St. Peters Line) and 2 nights in Stena line. It was not really a luxury cruise like what I had in Scandinavia last spring of this year. Despite of that, I am still very grateful to experience those places.

Boats along the shores of Stockholm during our cruise. © http://myeurotravelandadventures.blogspot.com

It was raining when we arrived in Stockholm. We don't have the chance to go walking in the city center due to limited time. I believed it was the fault of the bus company who picked-up us late. We only had a tour with the bus and the tour guide was telling us many things about the city. On our 6th day, we also had a mini-cruise in Stockholm.

The reception of  Princess Anatasia (St. Peters Line) where we had  4 overnights.

After Stockholm, we visited Tallinn. There are a lot of things to see in this city and a half-day sightseeing is not enough to experience all. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is ranked as a global city and has been listed among the top 10 digital cities in the world. The city was a European Capital of Culture for 2011, along with Turku in Finland. I am glad that once in my life I stepped on the ground of Tallinn. Who knows one day, I can visit it again and maybe this time, a longer visit to Estonia's capital.

Tower Gates in Tallinn. © http://myeurotravelandadventures.blogspot.com

We have to say goodbye to Tallinn, to proceed with our next destination, the beautiful city of St. Petersburg. There is only one things I can say, so far as of now, I can say that for me St. Petersburg is the most beautiful city I experience in this world. I have been to many cities in over 30 countries but I find St. Petersburg the most beautiful one. I wish I can stay there for a week or two to see and experience everything. If someone will sponsor my trip, I can probably do it again. lolz!

The next city we visited was Helsinki. Finland's capital and largest city is also very interesting. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. I love especially the Senate's Square where you can find the Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace, main building of the University of Helsinki, and Sederholm house (Sederholmin talo), oldest building of central Helsinki dating from 1757. The statue of Alexander II is also located at the center of this square. I had a great time walking along the harbour of Helsinki. That time there was market going on where you can find many products and items in different stalls and kiosks.

On the 6th day, we arrived again in Stockholm where we had a mini-cruise. After that, our bus drove us to Trelleborg where our next ferrycruise was waiting, the Stena line who will bring us back to Germany.

I conclude that trip was not really a perfect one since I did not really experience a perfect trip but I am verxy thankful that I had the chance to visit many cities and countries like in Baltic region and Scandinavia.

Travel Confirmation Received from our Trip to Scandinavia

The countdown is about to begin!  The other weekend on July 13, 2013, I finally received our travel confirmation for our trip to Scandinavia. I am quite excited about this trip because  we will be visiting four countries in this region.  Places to be visited in this trip  are  Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Tallinn and Stockholm.

My  cruise trip  in Scandinavia boarding Aidabella and visiting  Oslo and Copenhagen last April 30 to May 4, 2013.

I  actually booked this travel last year in November.  That time I received  an offer in one of the travel agencies where I  also booked my trips. It is a combination of cruise and bus trips. I invited some friends to go with me and they decided to do so.  One of my friends invited her sister from Canada to visit  Europe and also decided to go with us.

These cities  that are included in the itinerary are only some of the cities I wish to visit in Scandinavia. I have been to some places and cities in this region including some Baltic ones and I am glad that I booked this trip.  We actually saved 200 Euros because we booked it earlier.  This semi-cruise trip costs almost 800.00 Euros including the bus trip from Bavaria to Rostock (where the cruise trip will commence), overnights in our swimming hotel at the ship,  breakfast, tours and tour guides to these cities and all port fees.  Our one day visit in St. Petersburg, Russia is also visa-free.

This is the advantage of planning and booking our trip earlier, most of the times we can get  cheaper ones.

I believed I need to  slowly finish some offline chores before the trip will begin. One more thing, this is the first I will be celebrating my birthday in a ship. I am  really excited about it. Thanks Goodness for everything especially for all the opportunities to travel to many places and countries. I am hoping  for more travels in the future and also wish for good health always for me, my family, relatives and friends.

Cheers and talk to you soon! Take care everyone!

Everyday Mails During our Cruise Trip

I wish I made a snapshot of the daily mails or brochure hang in our cabin door every morning. Sorry folks, I forgot to take one but I guess I took a picture of one of the brochures they were giving us everyday. The cruise chip company we were boarding 4 weeks ago might have their own online catalog printing. In fact, they are also selling photos taken by their professional photographers. For example, before we boarded the ship, they took us some photos and let us choose if we will buy it or not.

When we were at the deck of the ship, we also met one of their videographer and photographer. I found out that they are also selling videos from that cruise.  I just love the photos we  bought from them. It was not so expensive compared to the other photos I bought from my other travels.

Honestly, I am missing that cruise especially the foods! lolz!

Cruising in Oslofjord, Norway

It seems like yesterday when we had an awesome cruise in Scandinavia. It was only a 5-days cruise trip but I am already happy and contented with it. One of the areas we passed by during our cruise was Oslofjord. It was around 8:00 in the evening when we passed this area of Norway. The was slowly setting down that time and you can see some of the of the hills around.

That was so far a very memorable and wonderful cruise trip we had in Scandinavia visiting  Oslo, Norway and Copenhagen, Denmark.

We boarded Aidabella cruise ship during our  cruise trip in Scandinavia recently.

Each of the islands in the innermost part of the fjord has its own identity and distinguishing history. Among them are Hovedøya, Lindøya, Nakholmen, Bleikøya, Gressholmen, and Langøyene. These islands can easily be reached with the Oslo-boats from Vippetangen. Hovedøya is most famous for its monastery ruins, Gressholmen for its rabbits, Nakholmen, Bleikøya, Lindøya for their cosy cabins at the water’s edge, and finally Langøyene for its camping possibilities and pleasant beach.

You can find many summer houses in Oslofjord.  There are also boats on the little port of Oslofjord.

The Oslofjord (Norwegian: Oslofjorden) is an inlet in the south-east of Norway, stretching from an imaginary line between the Torbjørnskjær and Færder lighthouses and down to Langesund in the south to Oslo in the north. It is part of the Skagerrak strait, connecting the North Sea and the Kattegat sea area, which leads to the Baltic Sea.

Mini-cruise in Wachau, Austria

 It seems that  my first days of December has been so busy.The busiest was  the first day of the 12th month of the year.  We've been  installing, moving and rearranging furniture at home. Finally I ma back here now.

It's time to remember again wonderful trips from the past. The mini-cruise  I had with a friend in Danube in Wachau region in Austria was an awesome one.  I can't avoid  to say beautiful  about the picturesque landscape in this part of Austria.  Our cruise started  in  Spitz and ended up in Krems. During the cruise, you cannot only see the beauty of nature around but also experience to see historical architectures like churches, castle ruins, monastery and  buildings of interest.

That was a short but a very awesome and relaxing cruise trip in  Danube River.

Wachau is one of the most famous tourist destination in Lower Austria.

River cruise in Danube in Wachau, Austria last August 2011.

Passing By in Dürnstein During A Cruise in Danube River

Danube River, called in German as Donau Fluss is the second longest river  in Europe after  Volga. I already  experienced a lot of short cruises on this  river. One of the it was the cruise we had in Austria which started in Spitz. One of the towns we passed-by was Dürnstein.  This beautiful town is located in the Krems-Land district in the state of Lower Austria. It is considered to be one of the most visited town in the region of Wachau.

The town has a medieval castle  on the top of a hill. Dürnstein is a historical town which was first mentioned in 1192.

I took some snapshots during our cruise in this area last summer 2011. It was a wonderful one seeing the nature  that surrounds Danube.

View of the town from the Danube, with the castle seen on top of the hill.

The tower of a Church in Dürnstein. We really  did not had enough time to go inside because we just passed by in this area.

Some people went out from the boat to have some sightseeing. Our group  stayed.

Luxury for Less: Low-Cost Cruises

Whether you’re a cruise novice or a seasoned pro, there’s no denying that a cruise holiday is a unique and somewhat luxurious way to see the world. Liners of all shapes, sizes and stature sail the seas from one port to another, stopping off for up to a day or more while customers have the chance to alight and explore each new-found destination as it comes. You can literally wake up to a new location every day - and in many cases, this offers value for money that knocks spots off package holidays.

For those on a budget, cheap cruises are widely available yet still come with many wonderful holiday highlights. You’ll enjoy a full-board basis on the ship with breakfast, lunch and dinner all provided, along with delicious snacks in-between and a fantastic choice of cuisine on offer at every meal. You’ll have a full range of entertainment from cinema showings and Broadway-style musicals to cabarets, along with use of the ship’s facilities, which can range from a fitness centre and pools to spa treatments.

When it comes to finding a cruise to suit you, there are plenty of possibilities - a quick search online will provide a massive choice, many of which are run by established tour operators such as Thomas Cook Cruises.

While a cruise may offer good value for money, it can seem expensive on the outset - but there are always plenty of deals to be had. One of the best ways to secure a great discount is to book early - as soon as the brochure hits the shelves - and secure early bird deals with such incentives as free upgrades or drinks packages. In most cases you can also split the cost of the holiday and pay it off in instalments. It’s a great way to enjoy a luxury cruise holiday for less.

Take to the Seas

Whether you’re tentatively stepping across the boardwalk for the first time or you’re a cruise veteran with many happy journeys behind you, a cruise holiday is a luxurious treat and one of the best ways to see a wide range of destinations within a short space of time. Gliding from one port to another, you can wake up in a new destination every day and spend time savouring the delights of iconic places, from Mediterranean hotspots and sun-baked islands to the far-flung sands of the Caribbean.

It may be a sumptuous treat with more fine food and five-star service than you’ll know what to do with, but cruising needn’t be a costly extravagance. Thanks to the wide range of holidays and itineraries on offer, you can find an excellent choice of trips covering all tastes and budgets from last-minute bookings and cheap cruises to short affordable cruises of just two or three nights.



In fact if you’re new to this style of holiday and you fancy a taster cruise to get you started, Royal Caribbean cruise offers offer a fantastic range of itineraries and deals covering an enticing range of destinations. The facilities onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship are also second to none. From fine dining restaurants and its own surf park, to spa treatments and Broadway-style evening entertainment, you’ll certainly never be short of things to do.

And that’s one of the great things about cruising. Whether you choose to make the most of your trip and explore every port and each new destination, or take it easy and take advantage of the ship’s onboard facilities, there is always plenty to do. But with all those gourmet meals, sumptuous dinners and tasty never-ending snacks on offer, just don’t expect to come home any lighter!

Cruising in Amsterdam Canals

It seems like yesterday when we visited Amsterdam. It is the largest city and the capital of Netherlands. It is one of the historical cities in Europe and has one of the largest historic centers registering about 7,000 historic buildings.

During our visit last summer 2010, we took a cruise which started near Heineken Experience, a famous brewery in Amsterdam. The cruise was very interesting. It is one of the best thing to see most of the city especially in seeing its historical canals. Due to its over one hundred kilometers of canals, Amsterdam is named as the "Venice of the North."

I and my friend Nonna, had the chance to cruise the Amsterdam canals last August 2010.

The three main canals, Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht, dug in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age, form concentric belts around the city, known as the grachtengordel. Alongside the main canals are 1550 monumental buildings. The 17th-century canal ring area, including the Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht and Jordaan, are put on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Advantages of Touring Europe by River Cruise

A European River cruise is being recognised by an increasing number of people as one of the best ways to explore much of central Europe. The river cruise holidays provided by operators like Avalon Cruises can provide excellent access to the famous food, wine and culture of different regions of countries like France and Germany. What’s more, many of the popular European river cruise routes take in several countries, as is the case with a trip along the Danube.

A river cruise along the Danube can provide an introduction to countries like Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia. The ability to visit some or all of these countries in just a couple of weeks, while unpacking your luggage only once, is one of the major advantages of the European river cruise.

River cruise boats can provide luxurious accommodation and fine dining facilities just as you would expect of a luxury ocean going ship, but in a more intimate environment. With hundreds, rather than thousands of passengers on board, you’ll get a better chance to get to know the crew, and your fellow passengers, if you so desire. Crucially, when you disembark from the boat in the afternoon or evening, it will not be in the company of a horde of thousands.

Travelling by river cruise most often means that you disembark right in the heart of towns and cities, as the basis of wealth and development in so many settlements is based around a close relationship with major rivers. Contrast this with the inconvenience of arriving in an airport, which will more often than not be on the outskirts of town. Flight delays, baggage problems and waiting for transfers are a standard part of modern air travel, after which there is the time taken by the transfer journey itself, followed by checking in to your accommodation. Add to this the expense of air travel, transfers and multiple hotels and B & B’s, and it soon becomes apparent that it is not only far more comfortable and stress-free to tour Europe by river cruise, but also more cost effective.

Several antipodean friends have visited over the last few years, with the determined intention of ‘doing Europe’, only to find that a whistle stop tour by plane results in mainly experiencing airports, taxis and accommodation, with just a few hours spent actually exploring the place. If only they had been able to book a river cruise!

The standard European river cruise will provide guided tours for most of the places visited, allowing you to make the most of limited time and see the major tourist attractions. Since you will be in the company of no more than a few hundred fellow passengers, it is also easy enough to escape the throng, and enjoy the excitement of exploring a little part of Europe yourself, far away from beachside tourist traps.

Cruising in Amsterdam Canals

Let's go travel Europe again! It seems that I was asleep for some days and was not able to update this blog. I am back now and I will take you to the capital and largest city of Netherlands. To give you a little information about Amsterdam, it derived its name from Amstellerdam, a dam in the river Amstel. This city is also considered to be the financial and cultural center of Netherlands.

I would suggest that when you visit this city, you better take a cruise in its canals. It is one of the best way to see and experience the city. A tour guide will also explain the sights you will be passing while cruising. We also made a cruise during our trip last August 2010.

Don't you know that Netherlands has a lot of canals? It seems that it looks like Venice in Italy where you can also see a lot of canals and bridges around the city. To name the main canals of Amsterdam include Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht. The 17th century canals of Amsterdam were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2010.

some of the historical houses along the canal of Amsterdam

a cruise ship of Viking in Amsterdam Port.

Cruising at Danube River by Kelheim, Germany

It is always nice to remember things in the past especially when you experience seeing other places. I also remember the cruise that we had in Danube River by Kelheim in Bavaria, Germany last September 2009. It is one of the Europe Cruises that I had since I live in Europe.

There are just a lot of beautiful and interesting places and cities to see in Europe especially in Germany. I wish to experience a Rhine River Cruise this year when we will visit some friends in Rhineland Pfalz. I hope in September or October when hubby can have some days off. I also found last time a cheap and affordable Russian river cruise but sad to say, I am not going to Russia next month but in other Europe cities like Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Luxembourg and some cities in Germany.

I also share an image here taken during our cruise in Danube river. If you are planning to go cruising in Europe, your mouse and computer can help you browse online. I know for sure you can find a lot of cheap and affordable cruise anywhere in Europe. I found some at Vikingrivercruise.com. Have a safe trip!

Cruising at Seine River in Paris, France

March 2009 was the date as I visited Paris for the first time. We had the chance to cruise on its famous river Seine. Below is one of the images hubby took of me. You can also see Notre Dame in my background.

I will be visiting Paris again next month. More images to come.
The name "Seine" comes from the Latin Sequana, a Latinisation of the Gaulish (Celtic) Sicauna, which is argued to mean "sacred river". Some have argued that Sicauna is cognate to the name of Saône River, though an argued relationship to the River Shannon in Ireland is unlikely, given the very different forms of the two; Gaelic an tSiona, dative Sionainn is rather from Prehistoric Irish *Sinona. Another proposal has it that Sequana is the Latin version of Gaulish Issicauna Lower-Icauna, which would be the diminutive of Icauna, which was the Gaulish name of the Yonne River. Some believe the ancient Gauls considered the Seine to be a tributary of the Yonne, which indeed presents a greater average discharge than the Seine (the river flowing through Paris would be called Yonne if the standard rules of geography were applied).

Cruising at Danube River by Kelheim, Germany

It was my first time to experience cruising in Danube River from Kelheim, a city in Bavaria, Germany to Kloster Weltemburg, a Benedictine monastery. Seeing the nature around is very terrific especially the Donaudurchbruch, or the Danube Break Through, also called by others as Cutthrough. I guess, I already posted some photos of this in this blog and in my other blogs. Feel free to browse and have a great day!

HB took this photo during our trip last Sept. 19, 2009.

Having Fun Cruising in Danube River in Bavaria

Another week is almost coming. We just watched over the television the Oktoberfest parade in Munich, Bavaria. It is very interesting seeing groups and participants with their own costumes and motifs that brings back German's history especially the Bavarian culture and tradition.

Back to our cruise yesterday in Danube River. We started the cruise in Kelheim, a municipality in Bavaria, Germany. Our cruise ended in Kloster Weltemburg, a baroque monastery located directly on Danube River. That was about an hour trip from Kelheim to Kloster Weltemburg but it was a fascinating cruise seeing the different sights especially the rocky hills along the river. You can also see the Befrieungshalle or the Liberation Hall, also called Hall of Freedom built by King Ludwig I, King of Bavaria while cruising.

We took our lunch in the Monastery and had the chance to visit again the famous Asamkirche or Asam Church with its magnificent frescos on its ceiling and the beautiful paintings inside the church. This is already our second visit to this place but it is our first time to had a cruise in Danube River. Over all it was a very nice experience.

I will try to give you more information in a couple of days about Kloster Weltemburg, Befrieungshalle or the Hall of Liberation and the famous Asamkirche or Asam Church. Have a great week ahead!


The boat where we boarded during our return trip from Kloster Weltemburg to Kelheim.


You can see on top of the hill the famous Befrieungshalle or Liberation Hall.

at the Donaudurchbruch or Danube break through...we had a beautiful experience here! we are ready to take off and go to Kloster Weltemburg.

MY Euro Travel in Birmingham, England

Good evening everyone! I am back here again for some updates. This photo was taken in Birmingham Canal where you can make some short cruise trips around this canal. Here is boat for your cruise trip once you visit Birmingham. I was in England last year for a three weeks vacation..love it!