July2012_TRAVEL TOPIC
Continuing from London, on my European jaunt, we departed very early for Dover and caught the ferry to Calais and drove to Amsterdam. It was a 9-hour day, we were over the jet lag and ready to hit the bars. Say no more!
Our tour guide Hodge informed us that the worst behaved people in Amsterdam on his tours are the people in their 40’s and 50’s. Oops!
Having not been to Amsterdam for a long time, I was captivated by its beauty. Because of a bit of a hangover from the night before, I was excused from the morning tour that Trafalgar was doing. I actually got out and did something cultural instead of shopping. I took myself out for a nice lunch in a restaurant on a street corner and watched life drift past. Then I went to the magnificent Van Gogh Museum. It chronicles his life on each floor from his oldest work to newest on the top floor. All of his major works were there such as Irises and Sunflowers.
That night, Trafalgar treated us to a canal cruise. As we cruised past Anne Frank’s house I had to pinch myself that I was really there. Just so beautiful and reeking with history.
After two nights in Amsterdam, we departed for Brussells for one night. We were dropped in the city centre for a wander around and a beer for a couple of hours while the coach went to our hotel, checked us in so that when we arrived at the hotel, our bags were in the room. Trafalgar do this regularly on all tours and it just makes travelling so comfortable.
We were then back on the highway again for 3 days in Paris. It was hard to take. Perfect weather, a hotel next to the Eiffel Tower, and lots of activities provided by Trafalgar. We had pre-paid tickets up to the top of the Eiffel Tower, tickets to the beautiful Musee D’Orsay, a city tour and tickets to the Moulin Rouge. The rest of the time was free to do whatever we wanted. One day, we walked from the Louvre, through the Tuilleres Gardens to Place De La Concorde, past the Arc De Triumph and up the Champs Elyses. We then crossed over a couple of blocks and walked back along the Seine. We went to Notradam and I had a bit of a moment listening to a man singing in Latin. I also made my way to Galleries Lafayette, which is a beautiful iconic shopping centre. I actually found the best shopping around Saint Germaine. We went for lunch looking at Sacre Couer (church in Montemarte).
Then it was time to say bye bye and go to the airport for our 30 hour flight home! I had a bit of a problem with my luggage being too heavy but Etihad were really good about it. It was when I flew Sydney/Brisbane that they weren’t quite so friendly.
Having not been to Amsterdam for a long time, I was captivated by its beauty. Because of a bit of a hangover from the night before, I was excused from the morning tour that Trafalgar was doing. I actually got out and did something cultural instead of shopping. I took myself out for a nice lunch in a restaurant on a street corner and watched life drift past. Then I went to the magnificent Van Gogh Museum. It chronicles his life on each floor from his oldest work to newest on the top floor. All of his major works were there such as Irises and Sunflowers.
That night, Trafalgar treated us to a canal cruise. As we cruised past Anne Frank’s house I had to pinch myself that I was really there. Just so beautiful and reeking with history.
After two nights in Amsterdam, we departed for Brussells for one night. We were dropped in the city centre for a wander around and a beer for a couple of hours while the coach went to our hotel, checked us in so that when we arrived at the hotel, our bags were in the room. Trafalgar do this regularly on all tours and it just makes travelling so comfortable.
We were then back on the highway again for 3 days in Paris. It was hard to take. Perfect weather, a hotel next to the Eiffel Tower, and lots of activities provided by Trafalgar. We had pre-paid tickets up to the top of the Eiffel Tower, tickets to the beautiful Musee D’Orsay, a city tour and tickets to the Moulin Rouge. The rest of the time was free to do whatever we wanted. One day, we walked from the Louvre, through the Tuilleres Gardens to Place De La Concorde, past the Arc De Triumph and up the Champs Elyses. We then crossed over a couple of blocks and walked back along the Seine. We went to Notradam and I had a bit of a moment listening to a man singing in Latin. I also made my way to Galleries Lafayette, which is a beautiful iconic shopping centre. I actually found the best shopping around Saint Germaine. We went for lunch looking at Sacre Couer (church in Montemarte).
Then it was time to say bye bye and go to the airport for our 30 hour flight home! I had a bit of a problem with my luggage being too heavy but Etihad were really good about it. It was when I flew Sydney/Brisbane that they weren’t quite so friendly.
Don’t forget at Maverick Travel (formerly known as Travelscene Samford) you can redeem your American Express membership reward points to pay for your trip: 10,000 = $100.
We are the local team with the most experience 3289 3700.
We are the local team with the most experience 3289 3700.
