Good Morning, Ladies and Gentlemen …
A gentle reminder to assemble and start another morning … in a new town or city, sightseeing, food sampling, shopping therapy …
Michael, our Cruise Director, ensures we are in the right group, with the right guide, and that we will have a good time out and about.
The 8-day river cruise meanders along the Danube, taking in local sights – riverside cottages … mansions … villages, stopping in a new town or city each morning, with new adventures and sights to visit and explore.
This is a memorable cruise; a river cruise is an experience not to be missed.
Why?
Travel by night; visit a new town or city each day; see new and historical landmarks unique to the region; enjoy a brisk or active, regular or casual walk into town; sightseeing, shopping and snacking.
This is what holiday is all about.
No rush, no stress, no hassles.
Have Tea with the Locals …
Light drizzle, cool air; heart-warming hospitality from husband and wife Slovakian hosts, Kamil and Eva; as they greeted us in their village, Senkvice, on the outskirts of Bratislava.
Backyard filled with home-grown vegetables and grapes; their experiences shared – an insight into Slovakian lifestyle; afternoon tea (locally grown of course) or coffee and home-made cakes – local specialities; and absolutely yummy!
Adjourn to the cellar to enjoy home brewed wine – a common household pastime should you live in the wine-growing region of Bratislava.
This is an opportunity not to be missed – I have often wondered what it would be like to live in that part of the world – before and after their political turmoil.
Our group was very touched by the warmth, kindness and sincerity of our hosts; who had offered to share their home, memories and moments of their life with us …
That very special afternoon will always be remembered …
An evening to remember …
Seeing Vienna’s world-famous Opera House is one thing; attending a private concert in one of the Opera House’s concert hall, is something else.
Soak in the ambience of the concert hall; where Mozart once performed; sipping pre-concert bubbly with friends …
An evening concert event with symphony and opera …
Alluring pieces from Mozart, Strauss and other masters – soft and subtle; lively and playful – waltzing through the dance floor comes to mind …
Of yesteryears … where men were gentlemen … and ladies wore flowing gowns, gloves, of delicate dispositions …
An event to be experienced … at least once in a life time!
Central European Food Odyssey…
No cruise is complete without talking about the food experience.
But there is a difference – Chef Andras made sure of that.
Dinners and Gala Dinners with specialities of the regions we were cruising in – Appetizer … Home Marinated Salmon Tatare, Potato Fritters, Caviar and Dill Sour Cream; Entrée … Blackcurrant Sorbet Mango Punch; Main … Sliced Veal with Mushroom stuffing and Port Wine Jus; Dessert …Pumpkin Seed Parfait with Vanilla and Strawberry Ragout, Chocolate Sauce.
And this was only the second evening of dining!
Sample local Apricot chocolate, Apricot liqueurs, Apricot wines … where else but from the Wachau Valley, Austria.
And Cream of Herbs Soup also from the Wachau Valley … with Glazed Grapes; Trilogy of Salt Marsh Lamb, Rosemary Sauce, Ratatouille, Potato Gratin and Olives; Panna Cotta, finished with Sour Berry Compote.
Final Gala Dinner – Appetizer … Sour Cream Mousse; Cucumber Spaghetti and Honey-Mustard Sauce;
Entree … Orange Sorbet Blueberry-Vodka Punch; Main …‘Chateaubriand’ Whole Roasted Beef Fillet with vegetable bouquet, Sauce Bernaise; Dessert … Baked Alaska ‘MS Emerald Destiny’.
Just perfect!
There are heaps more surprises to encounter – I am going to keep the suspense and surprises for you to discover, when you join one of these cruises by Evergreen – you will not be disappointed!
We joined the cruise as strangers … but we left the cruise as fun-loving, jovial cruising comrades, teasing Michael, our Cruise Director as he bid us farewell.
A fantastic cruise can only happen with a fantastic cruise team – Cruise Director Michael, Captain Jasper, Hotel Manager Albert, Chef Andras and the entire crew of Emerald Destiny made a formidable team to ensure our cruising pleasure …
Congratulations, you have excelled in your mission!
Thank you, thank you so much for making our cruise so memorable!
P.S. Ah, but the journey is not quite over yet … and shall be revealed in my next instalment …
