Traveling: August 2014

Wednesday, 27 August 2014

Rhine River Cruise 2014 - Part 1

Arriving In Cologne

Tuesday - August 19th 2014

Our journey started in the early morning. Around 7:00 am, after a cup of coffee, we hit the road and arrived in Cologne in the early afternoon. We parked our car in a parking garage near the harbour and then we walked to our hotel. At first we walked into the wrong direction, but finally we found the Motel One Cologne Waidmarkt. Our room was already available and after dropping of our luggage, we refreshed a bit. The Motel One hotel chain is our prefered choice in Germany, because the rooms are nice and clean, the service is good and the prices are totally fine.

Motel One Cologne Waidmarkt

Motel One Cologne Waidmarkt - Reception & Bar

Motel One Cologne Waidmarkt - Bar

Our Room

Our Bathroom

Later we headed into the city to do some shopping. The weather wasn't as good as expected and so we had to get some warm clothes for the river cruise. Afterwards we spent some time at the Hard Rock Cafe for some beers until it was time for dinner.

Hard Rock Cafe Cologne

For dinner we went to the Hans im Glück Burger Grill, which we already knew from Munich. Claudia and I ordered a burger menu that came with fries and a delicious cocktail. Before we went back to the hotel, we just walked around the inner city. Back at the hotel we enjoyed a cup of tea at the hotel bar and then after watching some tv we went to bed.

Cologne Inner City

Hans Im Glück Burger Grill

Veggie Burger

Cocktail

Cologne Inner City

Tuesday, 26 August 2014

Rhine River Cruise 2014 - Part 2

Boarding The Ship

Wednesday - August 20th 2014

Today our river cruise started, but not before the afternoon. So we had the rest of the day to explore Cologne. After we got up, we checked out and had breakfast at Starbucks. A hot cup of coffee and a veggie sandwich later, we walked to the famous cathedral. The church was stunning, but we didn't spend too much time there.

Starbucks

Breakfast with Coffee and Veggie Sandwich at Starbucks

Cologne Cathedral

Later we did some shopping, had a Kölsch beer and went to the Hans im Glück Burger Grill for lunch again. Claudia and I both ordered the veggie burger and extra fries. Afterwards we headed back to the pedestrian zone and had a last beer at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Cologne Inner City

Kölsch Beer

Cologne Inner City

Hans im Glück Veggie Burger

Cologne Inner City

Hard Rock Cafe Cologne

Kölsch Beer

Then it was time to return to the hotel to get our luggage and to go to the harbour for boarding. The check in at the ship was quick and easy. We got our cabin, dropped our luggage off and explored the ship.

The Ship - MS Amadeus Silver

Completed in 2013, the MS Amadeus Silver is one of the newest ships of the Lüftner Cruises fleet. It is about 135m long and features 78 cabins and twelve suites. The maximum speed is 25km/h and it takes about 46 crew members to operate the ship and to serve the guests.

Deck Plan:

MS Amadeus Silver (copyright Lüftner Cruises)

Sun Deck (copyright Lüftner Cruises)

Mozart Deck (copyright Lüftner Cruises)

Strauss Deck (copyright Lüftner Cruises)

Haydn Deck (copyright Lüftner Cruises)

Legend:

1 Sun Deck - 2 Bridge - 3 Lido-Bar - 4 Chess - 5 Panorama-Bar /- Lounge - 6 River Terrace - 7 Cafe Vienna - 8 Amadeus Club - 9 Fitness Room - 10 Massage - 11 Hairdresser - 12 Elevator - 13 Panorama-Restaurant - 14 Reception - 15 Bordshop

Cruise Itiniary

Day 1:

16:00 - Boarding the Ship

18:00 - Departing from Cologne

Day 2:

06:00 - Passing the Lorelei

08:30 - Arriving in Rüdesheim - Visiting a Vegan Vineyard

11:30 - Departing from Rüdesheim

Day 3:

09:00 - Arriving in Strasbourg (France)

17:00 - Departing from Strasbourg

Day 4:

09:00 - Arriving in Basel (Switzerland)

Our cabin with the number 314 was on the Mozart Deck and featured a French balcony. The room was equipped with a bathroom, a safe, a telephone and a TV, but unfortunately no mini bar.

Our Cabin

Our Bathroom

Lounge

Amadeus Lounge

Amadeus Silver Cafe

Sun Deck

Amadeus Silver

Finally it was time for departing and we were served a welcome cocktail in the Amadeus Lounge. Afterwards we had to attend the safety drill and then it was already time for dinner. So we returned to our cabin and got ready for the evening.

Welcome Drinks

Cologne Harbour

Rhine River

Like all cruises, river cruises are also about eating and that one was no exception. All meals were vegan, since it was a themed cruise about veganism. Dinner was served at the bord restaurant on the Strauss Deck. Every evening they served a five course meal and each time it was really delicious. Wine and water was included and so our lovely waiter had to refill our wine glasses the whole time.