Rotterdam – Day 2 Continued
We set sail from Kinderdijk and made our way to Rotterdam, a city with old world charm and yet one that is more modern that historical. Rotterdam is nestled along the banks of the River Maas. As our river cruise ship glided into Rotterdam, the first thing we noticed was the city’s sleek skyline and unique architecture. That bridge…how lovely! We joined a small group tour for about an hour to start off our time in Rotterdam, and then broke off on our own once we reached the marketplace. But more on… Read More
Iconic Windmills of Kinderdijk – Day 2
The village of Kinderdijk is located in the Netherlands, just a short distance from the vibrant city of Rotterdam. It is best known for its iconic windmills, built around 1740. Windmills have long stood as a symbol of Dutch ingenuity. Using brilliant engineering as well as natural resources like the wind, windmills solved the constant threat of flooding in low lying areas of the Dutch landscape. The Avalon Imagery II docked in Kinderdijk early this morning, and a group left to tour the area with a guide. Ryan and I decided to… Read More
River Cruise: Amsterdam – Day 1
Our River Cruise Expo took place in Amsterdam this year. The last time I visited the Netherlands, a college friend and I were backpacking through Europe shortly after graduating. It’s safe to say it’s been quite a while. I was looking forward to getting to know the city again. We had four nights to enjoy Amsterdam before our River Cruise departed, and we tried to make the most of it! Amsterdam is a fun, casual, gritty destination, known best for its picturesque canals that meander throughout the whole city. Quaint bridges like… Read More
River Cruising and the Avalon Imagery II
Ryan and I had the opportunity to attend our second River Cruise Expo again this Spring. Last year it was in Budapest, and this year in Amsterdam. This Expo is an excellent opportunity for Travel Consultants to learn about the different river cruise companies in person. We get to hear from their executives, interact with staff members, dine in their restaurants, attend educational sessions, and intimately explore ships that have sailed to Amsterdam to be with us for four days. Here’s a little glimpse into what that looks like: Above are the… Read More
Breathtaking Bruges – Days 4 and5
After several days of exploring Bruges, we can confidently say it is one of the loveliest European cities we have ever visited. The medieval architecture, brick and cobblestoned walkways, and the meandering canals weaving through the city really make a beautiful impression and leave you feeling like you were back in time. Even in the rain, Bruges has a fairytale-like quality that is endearing. With 2000 chocolate shops in Belgium, Bruges certainly has its share, which doesn’t hurt when you want to stay warm and dry on a cold or blistery day…. Read More
Ghent, Belgium – Day 3
After a few days spent exploring the fairytale medieval city of Bruges, we decided to visit a different Belgian City. We hopped on the train for a day trip this morning from Bruges to the lesser known university town of Ghent, a short 22 – 27 minute trip. Ghent is the smaller but equally beautiful sister city of Bruges. Gorgeous Ghent. Even on a cloudy rainy day, it is gorgeous! As we were planning our trip to Belgium, we were really split on the decision of where to stay, as both Bruges… Read More
Bruges Chocolate Making Experience – Day 2
Bruges Chocolate Making Experience: For someone who loves chocolate as much as I do, this afternoon was the very best. We had the opportunity to do a delicious 2 1/2 hour chocolate making workshop with our daughter, Mikayla. This is a must do if you’re in Belgium and you love this incredible treat. First Step? Use high quality chocolate. We used Callebaut with 54.5% Cocao. Next, we tempered the chocolate to get a beautiful, professional chocolate coating on it without adding additional ingredients. This is the process of melting the chocolate in… Read More
Deena Gainor
Six Hearts One Journey 
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