As much as we love being around our children, especially on vacation, it is nice to take a break or two. The last few cruises that we went on, Bill and I made sure to have some adult time. This includes the option of adult-only dining. Our boys are old enough to either head to the dining room by themselves or grab a quick bite to eat on deck. This past week Bill & I enjoyed not just one but two meals at Palo, one of two adults-only restaurants on Disney’s Dream.
Palo, named after the long poles used with the gondoliers in Venice, is an elegant, intimate adult-exclusive venue serving Italian fare. Surrounded by floor to ceiling windows, the view serves as a romantic place for two. There is live music played during dinner that adds to the experience. Proper dress is required. Bill wore a collared shirt and dress pants. I wore dress pants and a sweater for both the dinner and brunch. Note, this is a highly sought after reservation, so make sure to book it the same day you book all your other excursions. There is also a charge for both the dinner and brunch. However, we felt it is well worth the price, and in fact, a bit underpriced for the quality of service and food one receives.
Dinner
Dinner is served nightly on the ships. The cost is $40.00 per person, or if you add a wine pairing, it is $65.00 per person. We are not big wine drinkers, so we passed on that.
The menu is a perfect size—just enough variety for everyone. We started the meal off with an appetizer each. Bill chose the heirloom tomato buffalo mozzarella caprese with basil pesto and aged balsamic vinegar.
I had the
Between courses, we had some sorbet to cleanse the palate.
For entrees, Bill chose the grilled prime beef tenderloin with pancetta potatoes, sautéed spinach with gorgonzola cheese sauce. It was cooked to perfection. I had my all time favorite meal on the ship. Butternut squash filled with buffalo mozzarella, amaretti with sage brown butter and basil. OH MY! I could have had two plates full.
However, knowing what was to come, there was no way I could have ordered a second plate. Palo is known for their chocolate soufflé. It takes about 20 minutes to bake, and it is by far, one of the best things I have tasted. It comes with a vanilla and chocolate sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It melts in your mouth. Unfortunately, my photo did not come out. You will have to google it to see for yourself.
Brunch
As much as we love dinner at Palo’s, brunch is in a class of its own. Brunch is offered on sea days, so again make sure you grab those reservations. The cost is $40.00 per person.
The buffet is divided into four sections. Set back in the restaurant, is a section that every pastry imaginable. We highly recommend the hot cinnamon rolls. They melt in your mouth. Next is the seafood section. There are king crab legs, shrimp, sushi, herring, and more. The shrimp cocktail was delicious. Next, are your meats and cheeses. My husband enjoyed this section of the buffet. Finally, dessert! Oh my, so many yummy things to choose from, so be sure to save room.
In addition to the buffet, we each ordered an item off the ala carte menu. Bill had pizza, and I had lasagna. This was real lasagna, just like we had in Italy. No ricotta cheese for this girl. This delightful dish is made with bechamel sauce. Delicious!
So, are you hungry yet? If you find yourself on a Disney Cruise, please make time to visit Palo. You will not be disappointed.
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Riquewihr is a beautiful town located in the Alsace region of France. A medieval village with colorful half-timber houses dating back to the 15th and 18th centuries. Riquewihr is a member of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (the most beautiful villages of France association). Surrounded by a fortress and overlooked by a castle, it was one of the few towns not destroyed in World War II.
Located 25 mins from the town of Colmar and the 45 mins from the city of Strasbourg, it makes for a wonderful day trip. We were on a river cruise down the Rhine, and Riquewihr was our first stop. I fell in love with this quaint village.
It is known for its Riesling and other wines, which is evident by the miles of rolling vineyards surrounding the town. Also, if you are a Disney fan, this village may remind you of somewhere. Riquewihr was one of two French villages that were the inspiration for Belle’s “Little Town,” in the movie Beauty and the Beast.
So what is there to do and see in this storybook town?
1) Explore Old Town.
Stroll along the cobblestone streets and take photos of the colorfully painted houses. There are two main streets and lots of little alleys. One can find wineries, restaurants, bakeries, and plenty of little shops.
2) Grab some lunch or dinner.
We had a delicious lunch of meats and cheeses and, of course, wine at Relais de Moines. The restaurant has three dining rooms, plus an outdoor terrace. The décor was charming.
3) Musee du Dolder.
The museum houses 13th-century artifacts, such as weapons, guns, and fortification parts. It tells the story of Riquewihr. Housed in a tower, it is also a watch and a bell tower. We did not have time to go in, but I have heard it is quite impressive.
4) Visit a Winery.
During our visit to Riquewihr, we visited Dopff au Moulin.
Taken directly from their website:
The
We met with a team member and heard the story behind the winery. We learned the history of the family and the town. We learned how the grapes grow, the harvesting process and production. We tasted quite a few wines and had time to browse in the store. It was a lovely experience. One thing to keep in mine, tastings in Europe are not small. Each wine tasting was about half a glass. I was feeling good when we left and a bit tired on the bus ride back to the ship.
5) Have a sweet treat.
One simply can not go to France without experiencing these delectable macarons.
Our day in Riquewihr was terrific. I would love to go back and experience more in this region. Oh, and perhaps have a macaron or two.
Welcome to the 2nd edition of my Travel Bucket List Series. In 2017 we went on an Alaskan cruise. We sailed through the Inside Passage and visited Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan. We fell in love with Alaska. It was beautiful, and the people were terrific. We knew we wanted to go back, but this time on a land adventure. We hope to make this trip in the next couple of years. Here is what we plan to do and see when we visit The Last Frontier.
Anchorage
Our trip will start in the beautiful city of Anchorage. Anchorage has just under 300,000 people and is home to 40% of the state’s population. It borders the Chugach Mountains. The temperature in the summer ranges from 55-78 degrees. My boys are not fans of hot weather, so this another vacation where the weather will be perfect in their minds.
In researching where to stay, I knew I wanted something a bit upscale and with beautiful views. The Hotel Captain Cook looks perfect. It is Anchorage’s only preferred hotel. The Preferred Hotels and Resorts Worldwide is an organization of 62 independently owned luxury hotels across the world. The hotel is home to four restaurants and 12 shops. Take in the views of Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains from one of the 546 rooms and suites.
Views from Captain’s Deck 
Lobby 
Hotel Captain Hook
The Hotel Captain Cook is part of Historic Hotels of America, the official travel organization of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. There are only 275 hotels and resorts across the United States that have been awarded this prestigious honor for preserving and maintaining their historic integrity, architect, and ambiance.
As I mentioned, the hotel has four distinct restaurants; however, a friend recommended the 49 State Brewing Company. It was voted Alaska’s best brewery. In addition to serving food, 49 State Brewing Company has two theaters housing a variety of entertainment and a rooftop patio.
As for things to do in Anchorage, our plan is going on a whale watch to see Beluga whales! Belugas are stunning, and I have only seen them in captivity.
Second, on my list of to-dos is the Alaska Native Heritage Center to learn about Alaska Native Culture and Traditions. Within the center is 10,000 years of history about the Alaska Indigenous Cultures. There are art exhibits and dance demonstrations. There is also a guided village site tour.
Another must-do for us is Ekultna Lake. Fed from the Eklutna Glacier, this is a popular spot for all kinds of outdoor activities. There are trails for hiking, kayak rentals, biking, and more. Take part in easy hikes and more difficult ones for those looking for a challenge. Next to the lake is the Ekultna National Historical Park. Take a guided tour and see an Alaska Native and Russian Orthodox cultural experience. See the old and new St. Nicholas Orthodox Church and the spirit houses of Native people.
Spirit Houses
Denali here we come, but first Talkeetna.
On our way to Denali, we plan to make a pit stop in Talkeetna, known as the gateway to Denali. Friends of ours stopped here for a night and recommended Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge.
The lodge sits above the town on a ridge on the south side of Denali National Park. The lodge consists of the guest lodge, main lodge, mountainside rooms, and suites.
Talkeetna has a cute downtown area filled with shops and places to grab a bite to eat. Take a walk down Main Street and see the Talkeetna River. One of the activities we are thinking of is a River Jet Boat Ride. It looks like a lot of fun.
There are nature hikes, sled dog tours, ATV off-road, fishing biking, and more. There is even a little bakery called the Flying Squirrel Bakery-Cafe that I would love to try.
Denali National Park
The main reason for us wanting to go on a land-based trip to Alaska is to see Denali National Park and the largest mountain in North America, Mt. Denali.
We plan on staying at the Grande Denali Lodge. Located on Sugarloaf Mountain, the lodge offers panoramic views of Denali National Park and Nenana River Canyon. The décor is Alaska Native Heritage and showcases what I imagine when I think of this part of Alaska.
In looking over the list of things to do, it is going to be hard to choose. There is a bus tour of Denali, hiking, ATV rental, Jeep safaris, flightseeing to see Mt. Denali, river rafting, dog mushing, glacier landing, and more! There are the Canyon Run Rapids and Denali River Adventures. Each has a 2 to 6 hour trip down the rivers from Class III to Class IV rapids. For the less adventurous, there are scenic wilderness rafting tours as well.
Another activity of interest is the Denali History Tour, Led by a naturalist; this is a 4-5 hour hop on and off bus tour. Here and see the history and beauty of Denali National Park. Make stops at several historical sites, including Primrose Ridge, to see an Alaska Native Presentation.
Girdwood
After a few days in Denali, we will move on to the last stop of the trip to a little town called Girdwood, Girdwood is a resort town not too far from Anchorage. There is a beautiful hotel called the Hotel Alyeska, and we plan to stay for the remainder of our trip. It is a chateau-style hotel and looks gorgeous.
Like the other places we plan to visit on the trip, this hotel and area offer plenty to do. We plan on hitting the Byron Glacier Trail, Alyeska Aerial Tram, and Chugach State Park. Happy Trails Kennel is top on our list for an Iditarod experience. We did summer dog sledding in the Yukon a few years back and look forward to this experience once again. Another must on the list is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Here orphaned and injured animals go to be taken care of and, for some, released back into the wild. Finally, no trip to Alaska is complete without panning for gold. We can’t wait to relive the historic gold rush of Alaska and visit a working mine. Who knows, we may strike it rich!
As you can see, there is so much to do and see in this beautiful state. So tell me, what would you want to do and see in the Last Frontier?
Welcome to the 1st edition of the Travel Bucket List Series. Our first stop, the Canadian Rockies. I chose to highlight the Rockies first, as this is our big family trip this year.
We chose the Canadian Rockies for a couple of reasons. First, we fell in love with Canada when we explored Vancouver and the Yukon a couple of years ago. Second, our kids are not fans of extreme heat. The last big trip we did as a family was the Mediterranean in July. Can you say HOT?? We knew we wanted something a tad cooler and a bit closer to home. Lastly, Adventures by Disney offers a trip to the Rockies. We have loved the last two trips we took with ABD, so it made sense to book this trip through them. The Rockies seem like the logical choice.
Calgary and Surrounding Area
Our journey will begin in Calgary. Calgary is located 150 miles north of the US/Canadian border. Located in the province of Alberta, Calgary is the largest city in all of western Canada. For three nights, we will be staying at the Fairmont Palliser.
Calgary’s premier hotel, The Fairmont Palliser, is located in the heart of the city. It is within walking distance to the city’s retail shopping, museums, and entertainment venues. It is a historical landmark offering distinctive accommodations in elegant surroundings.
The hotel has 407 newly renovated rooms that include high speed internet and entertainment, such as in-room movies. There are three categories of rooms, as well as suites. Want to be treated like a queen? Stay in the Royal Suite when Queen Elizabeth II stayed while visiting Canada in 1990. The hotel has one restaurant, the Hawthorn Dining Room and Bar. It offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a Sunday brunch. Afternoon tea is held on Saturday and Sunday. I have heard it is fantastic and I think we may give it a try.
The hotel has a fully equipped health club and a unique guest service hotline called Royal Service. The Royal Service is a dedicated team on hand to assist with your every need.
We plan to arrive a day early and we will have some free time to explore the city on our own. The two
Heritage Park is a living historical village that spans Western Canadian history from the 1860s to 1950s, and is broken out into four time periods:
- 1860s Fur Trading Fort and First Nations Encampment
- 1880s Pre-railway Settlement
- c.1910 Prairie Railway Town
- 1930s, ’40s and ’50s Gasoline Alley Museum and Heritage Town Square
There are over 100 exhibits. The exhibits include an aboriginal encampment representing the First Peoples in southern Alberta in the 19th century. There is a working smithy, bakery, hotel, and several shops and restaurants. Horse-drawn wagons are all around. For those that love the rails or transportation of any kind, check out the streetcar from the Calgary Street Railway, or a re-creation the paddle steamer, S.S Moyie. Open year-round is the Gasoline Alley Museum. This museum houses the park’s extensive collection of antique cars and memorabilia.
Another must-do on our list is the Calgary Zoo. We love a good zoo. My kids are
While in Calgary, we will not be limiting ourselves to the city. We are in the wild, wild west, and it would only seem right that we spend the day along The Cowboy Trail. The Cowboy Trail is a scenic route through the Canadian Rockies. Nestled between the Canadian Rocky Mountain foothills and the Canadian Praire, it features horseback trail rides, ranches, western-themed attractions, historical sites, and more. Our first stop will be the Canadian Rocky Mountain Ranch.
The Canadian Rocky Mountain Ranch is a 540-acre ranch home to bison and elk. Here we will tour the ranch and get an up-close and personal visit with these magnificent animals. Next on our list, Saskatoon Farm.
One of the region’s signature food is the Saskatoon Berry. Though it resembles a blueberry, this delicious berry is more closely related to the apple family. After a tour of the farm, we will be treated a delightful lunch and get to try one of the tantalizing desserts made with these berries.
Our final stop of the day will be the Chinook Honey Company. We will learn and taste some honey wine. Afterward, we will have the opportunity to see the inner workings of a honeybee colony.
Dinner will be on our own. Though there will be some suggestions from our guides, I have taken upon myself to research a couple of places. So far Starbelly, Sky 360, CIBO and River Café has caught our attention. I will let you know what we pick after our trip.
Banff & Surrounding Areas
For the second part of this trip, we head to Banff. We are staying at the Fairmont Banff Springs. Another gorgeous hotel that has been called Canada’s Castle in the Rockies. The hotel is located in the heart of Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Open year-round; it has a championship golf course, winter skiing, and an award-winning spa. The hotel has over 700 guest rooms, including suites with rooms to accommodate everyone’s needs. It is also pet-friendly!
We will spend two full days discovering what Banff has to offer. First, a float trip down the Bow River. Starting in the picturesque town of Canmore, we will float down the Bow River and take in the majestic mountain views. After, we will have some free time to explore the town of Canmore. Canmore consists of just over 13,000 residents. Though small in population, the town is spread out due to wildlife corridors, railway highway, and the Bow River. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, though I am not entirely sure how much time we have on our own. I prefer to walk the downtown area and get some lunch. The Wood Restaurant and Lounge has an excellent menu that would please all the picky eaters in my family, plus it boasts the best patio in the Rockies.
For our second full day in Banff, we have planned a jammed packed day. First up, a bike ride along the Bow River. Here we will stop and hike to see Bow Falls.
Next is a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. At the top of the mountain is hiking trails, restaurants, cafes and a new Interpretive Center. It offers observations and hands-on experiences for the whole family. There is a rooftop observation deck that looks amazing. It looks down at the town of Banff and six mountain ranges. While up at the top, we will be eating lunch at the Northern Café, taking in these views.
Later that day, we will have dinner on our own in Banff. I am excited to check out this picturesque town.
Lake Louise and the Surrounding Area
The last couple of days we will spend at Lake Louise, Alberta. Again , we will have the pleasure of staying at a Fairmont Hotel. We get to rest our weary heads at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. This gorgeous hotel is a luxury mountain resort open all year. It has world-class skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating in the winter, hiking, fishing, and canoeing in the summer, a kid’s camp, spa, and award-winning dining. There is something here for everyone. I am looking forward to checking out the spa!
For our first day in Lake Louise, we will venture out to the Columbia Icefield, located in Jasper, Alberta. This is the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains. It feeds eight major glaciers. We will walk on the icefield and drink from the Athabasca Glacier. Also, if we dare, take a walk along with the glass-floored Skywalk at the cliff’s edge. After our tour, we will have lunch at the icefield. (Though we will be warm in cozy in a restaurant). Dinner that night will be at the hotels Laga Italian Kitchen.
Our last full day will take us to Moraine Lake.
Moraine Lake is at an elevation of 6,183 feet. It is a glacier-fed lake; hence the brilliant blue-green color that it is a result of light refracting off the small particles of rock. Due to the elevation, the lake does not begin to melt until June. The color and water levels are at its peak in late June. Just in time for our visit! While at the lake, we will hike and take in this beautiful scenery. I have heard from friends that have been; the color is just a vibrant in real life as it is in the photos.
Later in the day, we head back to Lake Louise to have a picnic lunch. After lunch, we have various options. We could canoe on the lake, go horseback riding, biking or hiking on your own, hang back at the hotel and take advantage of everything it has to offer or take a hike to Lake Agnes Tea House. We plan on hiking to Lake Agnes Tea House.
The Tea House is on the shores of Lake Agnes, at an altitude of 7,005 ft. The hike is approximately 2 miles long, with an elevation gain of 1,300 ft. It is a family-run tea house that serves homemade sandwiches, hearty soups, baked goods, and more than 100 varieties of tea! Our evening will consist of our farewell dinner and soaking up our beautiful surroundings for one last night.
Stay tuned for the second edition of the Travel Bucket List Series, where I will highlight a U.S destination. Until then, happy travels!
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The older I get, the more I want to see the world around me. As I sat down to write my goals for 2020, I started to think about where in this world do I want to explore. A couple of hours later, my Travel Bucket List Series was born.
Throughout 2020, I will be highlighting my top 30 places on my travel bucket list to explore in the world. I have broken it down to 15 international destinations and 15 U.S. destinations. By no means is this list meant to be inclusive; it is merely the places I want to see most in the world before exploring others.
Every week or so, I will be posting about one of the places on the list. The posts will include photos, where I would like to stay, sites to see, and more. Each week I will alternate writing between an international and a U.S. destination.
Believe it or not, it was much easier to come up with 15 international destinations than
These are my top 30. Please check back each week or so as I highlight each of these magnificent places.
Today our adventure began in Genoa, Italy. Genoa is the largest and most ancient port in Italy. We docked in Genoa and started the day with a drive through Piazza Caricamento and Old Medieval Port. We saw the 1st bank of Europe and where the traveler’s check was created. We saw where Marco Polo traveled and wrote his book. Finally, we stopped at Christopher Columbus’s house and spoke to the man himself.
After meeting the famous explorer, we continued with a walking tour of Genoa and took some photos in Piazza De Ferrari.
After our walking tour, we boarded a private boat to Portofino. It was a beautiful boat ride with magnificent views.
In Portofino, we toured Castello Brown, where we watched a pesto demonstration and treated to a wonderful, one of a kind lunch in a castle. It wouldn’t be Disney, without a castle, right? The castle was on top of a hill, so we made our way up, taking in the beauty of this magnificent place. On our way up, we saw the Church of San Giorgio, breathtaking views of the sea, and so many pretty flowers. Lunch was terrific, and the focaccia bread was to die for. After lunch, we had a little time to shop and grab some gelato. Here, I began my love affair with gelato! Soon, it was time to catch a boat and head over to Santa Margherita Ligure, located in Genoa’s Tigullio Bay. Here we hopped on a bus and headed back to the ship. All had another great adventure!
My family loves to cruise. It is a fantastic way to see new places. There are many different cruise lines to choose from, but our family prefers Disney. We have been on eight Disney cruises and setting sail again in February. So what is it about Disney that keeps us coming back for more? If you are a follower of this blog, it is no secret that I love anything, Disney. Their service is second to none, and they know what the customer wants before the customer even knows what they want. It is my happy place. So what is it about a Disney cruise that makes it so special? Here are our top six favorite things on a Disney Cruise.
Disney’s Service
Disney’s service is first class. Every cast member goes above and beyond to make sure you have a fantastic time. From the stateroom host/hostesses to guest services to the servers in the dining rooms, each person makes the magic happen in their own way.
Surprised Nicholas with a cake. 
A towel cake! 
Our hostess always playing games with the kids’ stuffed animals. 
Celebrating our anniversary and my first 1/2 marathon.
On our first cruise in 2010, we had the most fantastic server, Oliver. He took such great care of us. In 2018, we were once again sailing on the Disney Magic. I heard he was still working on the ship. I called Disney and requested to be seated at one of his tables. Imagine our surprise, not only was he still on the ship, he remembered us! He was excited to see us and could not believe how the boys had grown. Oliver’s service was top-notch, and his assistant server, Miguel, was just as great.
Entertainment
No one does entertainment like Disney, and the entertainment on the cruise is no exception. From award-winning Broadway shows to comedians, live music, game nights, trivia, dance parties, character interactions, dinner shows, and more, there is always something to do and see. I love catching a show before dinner. Two of my all-time favorites are Frozen and Disney’s Believe. We also enjoy the two dinner shows, Rapunzel’s Royal Table and Tiana’s Place.
Tiana’s Place 
Frozen 
Rapunzel’s Royal Table 
Rapunzel’s Royal Table
Character Interactions
By far, character interactions are one of my favorite things, whether on a cruise or at the parks. On the cruise, it is a bit easier; the lines are shorter and tend to move faster. My kids are more apt to stand in line if they know it will be quick.
Pirate Night
Where else can you dress like a pirate, watch a fun pirate show, and watch fireworks on the high seas? The night starts with a Caribbean themed menu. All the servers dress in pirate-themed clothes. Jack Sparrow and Captain Hook make their appearances. Mickey, Minne, and the gang are dressed in their pirate best. At around 10:00 pm, there is show up on deck, ending with fireworks. Did you know Disney Cruise Line is the only cruise line to have fireworks at sea? The night ends with an enormous buffet. It is a great time.
Adult Only Areas
One may think Disney Cruise Line is just for kids, but it is NOT. My husband and I have gone without kids and had a great time. There are plenty of areas where children are not allowed. This would include an adults-only pool, spa, fitness club, bars and clubs, a cafe, and adult-only dining. The adult-only dining is our favorite. Each trip, we make sure to snag a reservation at Palo. Palo serves Italian cuisine in a romantic setting. You can make a reservation for brunch or dinner. We usually go for brunch, though dinner is terrific as well. The food is fantastic. I highly recommend the chicken parmesan.
Adult only deck and pool
Pink Champagne Bar
Photo credit- Touring Plans
Disney’s Private Island
Like most cruise lines, Disney has their little piece of heaven in the Bahamas. Castaway Cay is Disney’s private island. There is a kid’s club, a family beach, and an adult’s only beach. There are cabanas to rent, snorkeling, swimming with stingrays, bike riding, and more. For all you runners, there is 5k upon arrival. There is so much to do here that I feel it needs its own blog post. Be on the lookout for that in the coming weeks. In the meantime, here is a glimpse of this beautiful island.
I could go on and on about the things we love about a Disney Cruise. These are just the highlights. If you are looking for specific information on an itinerary, I have various posts about our Alaskan and Mediterranean cruises here on my blog. Pull up a chair, grab a cup of something and take a look. Happy reading!
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One of the days we were in Amsterdam, Bill and I took a side trip to the community of Zaanse Schans. Located in the town of Zaandam, about 20 mins outside of Amsterdam, this quaint neighborhood is amidst a meadow landscape with iconic wooden windmills and other structures that have been moved and reassembled here piece by piece to bring the history of this area to life. It is a real living museum, with the 18th and 19th centuries coming to life. Zaanse Schans has farmsteads, paths, wooden houses, warehouses and windmills, ditches, and fields. Enjoy the smell of fresh cookies from the bakery museum, or take a look at where clogs are made. You should be sure not to miss the cheese factory, pewter foundry, and the various windmills.
Due to weather, we did not see as much as we would have liked, but we made the best of the situation. It was pouring rain and rather chilly. However, we were able to hit a few of the highlights.
Upon entering the parking lot, there is a photo opportunity for anyone that would like to have their picture taken. I am a sucker for a photo (I am a scrapbooker), so I made my husband stop and smile. As you can see from my fun hat, I was a bit chilly. From there, we went straight to the Bakery Museum De Gecroonde.
Stroop Waffles are amazing!
Inside we found Dutch sweets and baked goods like windmill cookies and Stoop Waffles, all of which are served warm. The smells radiating from this bakery were heavenly. Attached to the bakery is a storefront, and this is where we decorated our clogs. These made such cute souvenirs. The clog decorating area was just adorable. I had fun taking photos and playing around in the giant Dutch oven.
The next stop on our visit was to the Windmill DeKat (2). Built in 1664, this mill produces paint, chalk, pigments, and oils used by artists around the world. As we walked in, we saw a giant stone wheel grinding chalk that is powered by the sails outside. Take a look.
Inside the mill 
The pigments 
Inside the mill 
So beautiful
From the tour of the windmill, we were off to sample some cheese. The Catharina Hoeve Cheese Farm is a traditional farm setting. In the center of the store is a sampling of all types of cheeses. It ranges from Gouda, goat’s cheese and flavors such as pumpkin! Why yes, we brought some pumpkin cheese home, and it as rather tasty. Note to U.S. travelers to bring cheese back to the U.S.; it must be vacuum-packed and pasteurized.
For all you chocolate lovers out there, Zaans Gedaan/Cacao Lab was our next stop. Enter this adorable shop and smell the tantalizing aroma of chocolate. Here see how chocolate treats were made in the 18th century.
Before heading back to our bus, we took a walk around the grounds. Even on a rainy day, it was such a beautiful sight. I can imagine in the spring, with all the tulips, it is stunning!
Oh, and how could I forget, decorating a clog was not enough, we had to see how the clogs were made and buy a pair as a gift. Our final stop was to Kooijman Souvenirs and Clogs. I purchased a bright red pair for my clog, loving sister.
Though I wished we had better weather, it still was a great day. There were still many things we did not get to see. When we head back to Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans will be on the to-do list again.
Last month Bill and I had the pleasure of spending two and a half days in the beautiful city of Amsterdam. It was the last stop of our Rhine River cruise, and we chose to spend an extra day to explore. We were not disappointed. Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands. It is famous for its canals, museums, beautiful homes, “coffee” shops, the Red Light District, bicycles, and more. During our time there, I compiled a list of must-dos in the city. By no means is this list complete. There is so much more to see and do, and we will be back someday to this fantastic city.
City Canal Cruise
Take a cruise along Amsterdam’s UNESCO heritage canals. The city has 165 canals. As we sailed through three of the main canals of the city (Keizersgracht, Herengracht, and Prinsengracht), we passed houseboats and beautiful canal homes (a canal home is a house that overlooks a canal). These homes are narrow, high, and deep. If you look closely, each home has a hook on the front. These hooks enable the residents to pull large, bulky objects up into a window. Most homes have very narrow staircases, and moving furniture in is a challenge.
Look closely for the hooks. 
Crooked House 
Canal house & houseboats
Another thing to notice about the homes is that they are crooked or lean forward. Many of these homes were built many, many years ago, and built on wooden piles. The piles were pounded into wet soil. These piles have not been able to stand the test of time and have begun to rot and sink, leaving the homes uneven. I think it gives the houses a bit more charm.
Other points of interest are the Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge), the Westerkerk Church, Anne Frank Huis, the InterContinental Hotel (George Clooney stayed there during the filming of a movie) and the Amstel River.
Skinny Bridge 
InterContinental Hotel 
Canal 
Canal 
Westerkerk 
Houseboat
Van Gogh Museum and Painting Class
The Van Gogh Museum has over 1,000 paintings, drawings, and letters of Vincent Van Gogh. The museum has the most extensive collection of Van Gogh paintings in the world. We learned about his life and came up close and personal with his greatest masterpieces such as “Sunflowers” and “The Bedroom” Unfortunately, photos are not allowed. I took this image from the museum’s website.
After the museum tour, there is an option for a painting class. The class was on a canal boat. A sketch of one of Van Gogh’s paintings was provided, as was the paint. It was harder than it looked. Bill did a great job, me not so much!
My sketch 
My painting 
Bill’s masterpiece
Rembrandt House
Once what was home to the famous Rembrandt, is now a museum. It was here he commissioned the renowned piece “The Nightwatch.” It contains an extensive collection of his etchings, and you can attend an etching workshop while there. Quick fact- Rembrandt’s wife and three children died in this home. He later lost it to bankruptcy.
Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is one of the finest art museums in the world. There are over 8000 works on display, including Van Gogh, Vermeer, and Rembrandt. You can also find the blue and white pottery that is famous in the Netherlands.
Anne Frank Huis
In my opinion, this should be on top of everyone’s list that visits Amsterdam. The museum focuses on the secret annex, where Anne and her family lived for more than two years before being arrested and taken away by the Nazis. It is a self-guided tour with the use of a listening device. We walked from room to room, where each room shared a different part of their story. It is such a moving tour. The photos of Anne are thought-provoking and remind us that we need to do better in the world. We can’t forget history, and we can’t let it repeat itself. Again, no photos were allowed, but I picked up some postcards to include in my scrapbook and to use here to illustrate what we saw.
Doorway to the home. 
Portraits of Anne 
Anne’s bedroom 
The bookcase moves to reveal a door to the annex.
Walking Tour of the City
On our last full day, we took a three-hour walking tour of the city; it began at Amsterdam’s Central Station, which in and of itself is a sight to see. Opening in 1989, 250,000 passengers pass through it each day. Our tour took us through Dam Square, home to the Royal Palace, the New Church, and National Monuments. We walked around De Wallen, the medieval city center. It is home to Amsterdam’s oldest church and the famous Red-Light District. It was quite the experience to see and learn how the city handles the world’s oldest profession. We also saw De Wagg, the city’s oldest non-religious building dating back to the 15th century and once part of the city wall. We walked through Chinatown, a flower market, and ended our tour at The Night Watch Sculpture. It was a great way to see the city.
Old church 
Red Light District 
Statute dedciated to the Sex Workers
The Night Watch 
“Coffee Shop” 
City of Bicycles 
This is just a small sampling as to what Amsterdam has to offer. I have many more photos to share and will do so in future posts. For now, I hope I have given you some ideas as you plan your trip to Amsterdam.
A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I returned from our second Adventures by Disney trip. We took a cruise down the Rhine River. We visited four countries and packed a lot in those eight days. We visited storybook villages, historical sites, world-renowned cities, saw castles, and experienced VIP service throughout the trip. Last year we sailed on a ten-day Mediterranean Disney cruise and added on an Adventures by Disney package. Instead of booking our excursions through the cruise line, we booked them through Adventures by Disney. I will explain what that means later on in this post.
First, for those of you that don’t know, Adventures by Disney (“ABD”) is a guided group travel option offered by the Walt Disney company. It provides culturally immersive, once-in-a-lifetime experiences in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, South, and North America. The trips range from 3-4 days (short escapes) up to 12 days long. There are river cruises on the Rhine, Danube, Seine and Rhone rivers. As mentioned above, you may add an ABD to certain Disney Cruise Line cruises.
Being a Disney fanatic, I had heard of these trips a few years ago. We had been to Disney World more times than I can count, and we had done several Disney cruises at this point. However, two things made me shy away from them, the thought of group travel and the price. I had always loved planning our vacations. I would spend hours looking for excursions, comparing tour operators, etc. When it came to going on our first family trip to Europe, I was a little hesitant. I looked at what Disney Cruise Line had to offer for excursions and was a bit surprised at how expensive these excursions were. As I was weighing my options, a brochure for ABD arrived at my house, offering what they called an “Embedded ABD.” The add on includes preselected shore excursions, led by two Adventure Guides. Each embedded ABD is capped at 40 people. The ABD consists of a welcome and farewell reception, activities on the sea days, a case of water, and all photos taken on your excursions and the ship.
The more I read, the more I was starting to see the value in the add on. I decided to give my travel agent a call and discuss it with him. After our chat, I booked it. Unlike the land-based and river cruise trips, the deposit was refundable if we decided we could not swing the cost. At this point, I had nine months to mull over our decision. During those nine months, I poured over reviews, talked to people who had been on this trip. By the time our paid in full date arrived, I was ready to commit. OUCH! It was the most we had ever paid for a vacation. Now mind you, we paid off the cruise that day, too, so it seemed extra painful. LOL.
As the trip got closer, I started to have buyer’s remorse. Every time I told someone what we were doing, I heard how expensive it was, how I could take the trip for a lot less money, etc. It was starting to annoy me and feed into my fear that the trip was not going to live up to my expectations.
Well, can I say… the trip was worth every single penny. We had an amazing time. The guides were fantastic; the excursions were incredible; we received first-class VIP treatment from the moment we stepped on the ship until we departed. I was hooked. The Adventures by Disney experience is second to none, and I did not hesitate to book the Rhine River cruise and our next adventure, the Canadian Rockies with ABD. So, what makes the difference?
The Disney Difference
Disney is known for its storytelling. The story is told through the Adventure Guides. In addition to the two guides, you are joined by local guides that immerse you into the culture. (Side note, with river cruises, you have six guides. ) You experience the culture and traditions of the local people. The Adventure Guides provide the first-class service that Disney is known for, and all of your needs are met beyond expectations. The guides do more than take you from place to place. They provide more information you could ever dream of about each destination. They make sure you are hydrated, feed, know where the good bathrooms are (KEY!!), and the best local places to shop and eat outside of tourists traps. They are photographers and great entertainment for all. You get to know your guides, and it makes the trip a more intimate experience.
Not only do you get to know your guides, but the other families traveling with you — most groups top off at 40 people, except for river cruising. I believe 130-140 is the cut-off. You spend a lot of time with these people, and we have made friends along the way.
Are you traveling with children? ABD makes sure to build in what they call Junior Adventure activities for kids. For example, when we were at the Colosseum in Rome, one of the guides took all the kids and did a tour separate from the adults. They learned all about this amazing piece of history, all the while acting as gladiators.
Another difference between ABD trips and other group travel is what Disney calls the Insider Access. The Insider Access includes things like an after-hours tour of the Vatican, with a private viewing inside the Sistine Chapel. How about a backstage pass to Good Morning America? Or perhaps an exclusive dinner at Edinburgh castle is more your thing. These are once in a lifetime experiences, and Disney makes it happen.
Have I mentioned how easy ABD makes traveling? Need help making airfare reservations? ABD can help. Want to arrive a couple of days early or perhaps extend your trip by a few days? ABD can arrange this as well. Once your adventure begins, there is no waiting in line to check into your hotels, and there is no carrying your luggage. Everything is taken care of for you. Sign me up!
Lastly, we chose ABD for Disney’s track record when it comes to safety. Safety is their number one priority, and I have the utmost confidence that ABD will always keep our safety in mind when traveling to these various destinations.
All of this is the Disney difference, and this is why we choose to explore the world with Adventures by Disney.
If you would like to read more about our trips with Adventures By Disney check out these posts.
