What are Viking River Cruises like? Let's peek thru the window with fascination and find out. The day I received the invitation, I was so happy as a travel journalist and Instagrammer. I was ready to take on the challenge of experiencing every detail of the Viking River Cruises. But, what are Viking River Cruises really like? I knew they were the jewel of the sea
It was a foggy morning close to the Black Forest near Breisach, Germany where we had gotten up early to catch the bus to go into the southwest state of Baden-Wurttemberg, near Bavaria. Along the way, we saw many church steeples and stork nests, where on one steeple they actually had their own stork webcam. I have posted it here for you to view and see if
In the early morning, we glided past cobbled lanes, underpasses, and archways out of Passau and towards the Black Forest near the UNESCO world heritage city of Regensburg. We passed small villages with their modestly tiny boardwalks along the river’s edge. We marveled from our balcony of the Viking River’s Elgin ship at the mystical landscape in the Autumn sun as we were ready to enjoy
Visions of sugar plums danced in my head the first time I even heard the words "Christmas Markets". I didn’t even know they existed until one day reading a travel blog and I came across an article about someone gliding down the Rhine River in Europe with stops along the way to visit different Christmas Markets in Germany, France, and Switzerland. Come along with me
By Cacinda Maloney Berlin Graffiti I have a hard time with the city of Berlin and have expressed my views quite frequently, but that does not mean that I do not want to go back, in fact, I do. After looking over some photographs of Berlin Wall graffiti, I thought I would share a photo collage of this complex city. Just like people can be
By Cacinda Maloney Tear Down That Wall - Freedom for the Baltics “General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, "Tear down this wall!” Berlin Wall in 2013 I remember this exact comment made by American President
By Cacinda Maloney Da-Bach-na-Fahrt Raft Race, going "Wild on the Water!" For Carnival, there is another major event in Schramberg, Germany other than the parade that is not located on the streets, but instead located on the river. It is tub rafting called the Da-Bach-na-Fahrt Raft Race, literally going “wild on water”. Wobbly constructed, homemade rafts maneuver the best way they know how down a tiny waterfall, then
Guide to celebrating Carnival in Schramberg, Germany By Cacinda Maloney The anticipation was thick in the air when we arrived mid morning for our very first peek deep into Germany’s Black Forest where Carnival comes alive! Not the Carnival you may be thinking of with drunkenness and bead throwing like in New Orleans, but a traditional type that has been going for centuries.
By Cacinda Maloney Carnival in the Black Forest of Germany (Part 1 link) Carnival - Enchanting creatures lurking in the Black Forest Snap, Whip, Crack! The parade has begun with over 4000 “fools” who have gathered at the entrance to the old Black Gate and make their way down the parade route. The characters of the Black Forest begin to come alive as
By Cacinda Maloney Carnival Black Forest Germany Carnival - Enchanting creatures lurking in the Black Forest Ding, Ding, Ding! “What was that?” I hear it again. Ding, Ding, Ding! I glance over at the clock in the pitch-black hotel room and try to remember where I am. “It is 5 am!” I have been on a whirlwind tour of the Black Forest in
By Cacinda Maloney Sounds from the Black Forest, Germany Sounds from the Black Forest, Germany: I bring you sounds from the Black Forest, Germany: Cuckoo, Cuckoo, Cuckoo! Deep in Germany’s Black Forest is where fairy tales were born. The Brothers Grimm stories came alive during my recent visit here, where traditions and customs are still very much alive. I actually saw Cinderella herself,
Black Forest, Germany (Schluvchsee) Have you heard of Black Forest, Germany’s traditional Bollenhut Hat? I hadn’t either until my first visit there. Once you see it, you will be very curious about it, as it is quite unusual. Black Forest, Germany’s Traditional Bollenhut Hat People all over the world who have been to the Black Forest know the hat as
I had heard about the best Christmas markets in Europe for years but wanted to find out for myself what they were like. I had no idea what to expect. Now I know and I can share with you the best Christmas markets in Europe along the Rhine River. I took a river cruise on the Viking River Cruise ship TOR to explore these magical
By Cacinda Maloney This poem, which as been called “arguably the best –known verses ever written by an American" describes perfectly the way she felt. Twas the Night Before Christmas Staring at the words on the page, she could hardly believe it, almost like a visit from Santa himself. But yet, there it was: You have been invited… on a Viking River Christmas
By Cacinda Maloney “Karma comes after everyone eventually. You can't get away with screwing people over your whole life, I don't care who you are. What goes around comes around. That's how it works. Sooner or later the universe will serve you the revenge that you deserve.” ― Jessica Brody Berlin, Germany Berlin, Germany I believe in karma. Not in an Indian religious
One of the most interesting things I came across while in Berlin was a dance hall. In Germany, they call them ballhaus'. I find it a funny word that even my teenage son would get a giggle out of! So late one night, while out with other travel bloggers after a grub crawl, we went to Clärchens Ballhaus. It is one of three original dance
Berlin Tourism What a cold, dark place Berlin is. Dull grey is its color. I got a similar feeling in my recent trip to Munich, in fact, not even writing about it, as I wasn't sure what I was going to say. I don't like conflict, so this is a hard truth for me to write. I don't want to offend anyone, but I have
Wall of Berlin “There are four kinds of people in the world, Ms. Harper. Those who build walls. Those who protect walls. Those who breach walls. And those who tear down walls. Much of life is discovering who you are. When you find out, you also realize there are places you can no longer go, things you can no longer do, words you can no