I have to pause for a minute here to say how much I am enamoured by the carpeting aboard Viking Bald

Viking residence inn orlando fl Baldur Live Voyage Report - Day 2 - River Cruise Advisor residence inn orlando fl Home News | Blog Lines | Ships ALL River Cruise Companies AmaWaterways American Queen Steamboat residence inn orlando fl Company APT River Cruises A-ROSA Avalon Waterways CroisiEurope River Cruises Go Barging/European Waterways French Country Waterways Scenic Tours Tauck Uniworld Boutique River Cruises Viking River Cruises Regions | Rivers Africa Asia Europe North America Russia South America City Guides Asia City Guides China City Guides Africa residence inn orlando fl City Guides Egypt City Guides Europe City Guides Austria City Guides Croatia City Guides Czech Republic City Guides residence inn orlando fl France City Guides Germany City Guides Hungary City Guides Netherlands City Guides Portugal City Guides Serbia City Guides Slovakia City Guides Spain City Guides Switzerland City Guides Russia City Guides ABCs of River Cruising About Subscribe Contact Viking Baldur Live Voyage residence inn orlando fl Report Day 1 Viking Baldur Live Voyage Report Day 3 Viking Baldur Live Voyage Report residence inn orlando fl Day 2 By Aaron Saunders On December 11, 2013 Add Comment Breisach and the Black Forest The gorgeous Viking residence inn orlando fl Baldur alongside in the fog in Breisach, Germany today. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders
Ever since I was a kid, I have always wanted to visit Germany's famed Schwarzwald – or Black Forest – region. Today, I had that opportunity as Viking Rivers residence inn orlando fl ' Viking Baldur came alongside in the quaint town of Breisach, Germany.
After a restful night's sleep, I flung open my balcony and stepped residence inn orlando fl out (see how that comes in handy?) to a brisk but refreshing morning at our Breisach berth. Enshrouded in heavy, damp mist, the conditions outside masked our true balmy temperatures, residence inn orlando fl which reached as high as 3 degrees Celsius. The view this morning: wintery fog and swans off Viking Baldur in Breisach, Germany. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders
One thing I have always loved about Viking Rivers is their breakfast service. I can get a light breakfast in the Viking Lounge; a continental breakfast in the Aquavit Lounge; or a full buffet breakfast in The Restaurant.
I always chose the buffet breakfast because I like the variety. I also appreciate the little touches that, frankly, Viking doesn't residence inn orlando fl have to provide, but does anyway. This includes fresh-squeezed orange juice, freshly-made yogurt creations, residence inn orlando fl and a variety of meats, fruits, cereals and made-to-order items that are sure to suit any palate. They even have my favorite breakfast item: capers and raw salmon. On Tour: our Welsh Guide, Jack, guides us through Germany s Black Forest. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders
I have to pause for a minute here to say how much I am enamoured by the carpeting aboard Viking Baldur . In the Restaurant, it seems inspired by the Norwegian flag, with shades of red, blue and white intermingled into the burnt grey tones. In the hallways, it's a deep arctic blue with Scandinavian earthtones. It's odd to be talking about the impact of the carpets aboard residence inn orlando fl the ship, but I've seen the Viking Longships progress so far from when I first stepped aboard Viking Odin last year that I am continually amazed and impressed by the successive – but subtle – tweaks Viking is making to the product.
A quick look at what's happening on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 aboard Viking Baldur : 2:30 AM: Viking Baldur arrives in Breisach, residence inn orlando fl Germany 6:00 – 11:00 AM: Café Breakfast. Coffee, juice and pastries are served in front of the lounge. 7:00 – 9:30 AM: Continental Breakfast. Enjoy a Continental Breakfast in the Aquavit Lounge. 7:00 – 9:30 AM: Buffet Breakfast: Enjoy a buffet breakfast and a choice of dishes cooked-to-order in The Restaurant. 8:30 AM – 12:15 PM: Shore Excursion – Black Forest 12:30 PM: Safety Drill. residence inn orlando fl Your safety is of paramount importance to us. Please follow the instructions given over the PA system. 1:00 PM: Lunch is served in the Restaurant. 1:00 PM: Café Lunch. If you prefer, join us in The Lounge for a buffet-style lunch. 2:00 – 5:45PM: Optional Excursion – Colmar City Tour 2:00 – 6:00 PM: Optional Excursion – World War II. 5:30 – 7:00 PM: Cocktail Hour in The Lounge 7:00 PM – Welcome Cocktail. Our Captain Rainer Lembck and Hotel Manager Claudia Gonzales invite you for a welcome toast in the Lounge. 7:15 PM: Daily briefing. Join your Program Director Anita Jaric in The Lounge to find out about tomorrow's excursions and events. 7:30 PM: Welcome Aboard Dinner 9:15 PM: Evening Entertainment in The Lounge 11:00 PM: Viking Baldur sets sail for Kehl / Strasbourg
Travelling from Breisach, we drove along back country roads in four separate groups. I was in group 20D, headed up by our guide Jack and driver Dieter. Jack is a bit of an import; he hails from Wales originally, and as such has an accent that's a curious blend of German, English and Scottish. He's also quite witty, quipping residence inn orlando fl along the way that he was glad pumpkin season was over and done with. "If I ever have to eat another bowl of pumpkin soup, ladies and gentlemen…" Looking up at the former Monastery of Saint Peter. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders
In total, we drove hundreds of kilometres residence inn orlando fl through the fabled Black Forest, stopping at the towns of Sankt Peter and Hofgut Sternen , the latter of which is comprised of just four buildings. The journey between Hofgut Sternen and Freiberg residence inn orlando fl alone used to take three hours by horse-and-buggy; today, we covered that distance in 20 minutes aboard our Setra coach.
In Sankt Peter, I indulged in a fresh pretzel from a local bakery – and it was absolutely mouth-watering. It was also only 55 Euro cents, making it absurdly affordable. Christmas decor, even in the smallest of villages. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders
The Black Forest is famous for its ham (Black Forest Ham), cake (Black Forest Cake), and its schnapps and brandies. In Hofgut Sternen, I sampled the local cherry brandy – all of which is made in small batches and can cost upwards of €50. At 45 percent alcohol, it packs a heck of a punch, and today, around 14,000 distilleries are located in the Black Forest region.
residence inn orlando fl Our stop in Hofgut Sternen allowed guests the chance to see a Cuckoo Clock demonstration, and maybe even purchase one of their own – which numerous guests did. There was also a glass-blowing demonstration, residence inn orlando fl and even the option to partake in a short stroll through the Black Forest. The Road to Hofgut Sternen. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders
The only issue with today's excursion was this: departing motorcoaches weren't staggered, meaning almost 200 guests tried to pack into the same monastery, cathedral, or shop at the exact same time. However, due to the distances involved with driving to these places of interest, I don't think it would have been particularly avoidable, and I did greatly enjoy my excursion.
Back at the ship, we had a brief safety drill before enjoying lunch. I took my lunch in the Viking Lounge, which has been beyond quiet on my last voyages. No longer today; the lounge was packed with passengers seeking a casual residence inn orlando fl lunch – but service was quick, efficient and exceedingly friendly, and the line moved remarkably fast. I also treated myself to a local German beer during lunch; it was well worth the wait after a morning of exploration!s Hofgut Sternen; exactly as you d expect a Black Forest German town to appear. residence inn orlando fl Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders Germany s Black Forest region is known for its intricately-made Cuckoo Clocks. The one pictured here? Nearly 500 Euros. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders
residence inn orlando fl A good friend of mine says my trip so far sounds "superterrific", and I'd have to agree – it has been exactly that. Personally, residence inn orlando fl I'd love to see a little more diversity in the passenger residence inn orlando fl makeup, but I then enjoy sailing with an international passenger base. As it is, Viking Baldur is almost completely residence inn orlando fl full; only one stateroom remains empty. Of the nearly 190 of us onboard, almost ninety percent are from the United States. The "difference" is made up largely of Canadians like myself, with couples from the UK and Australia thrown in for good measure.
Following our tour this morning, I headed into Breisach residence inn orlando fl this afternoon to stroll around the fog-enveloped residence inn orlando fl town. And I had my first Gluhwein of 2013. Exploring a foggy Breisach this afternoon. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders I love the window displays here in Germany. residence inn orlando fl Always creative! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders Breisach s Neutorstrasse, a pedestrian-only shopping zone. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders The ghostly Munster St. Stephan. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders The Breisach Christmas residence inn orlando fl Market is small, but far from dull. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders
I began my love-affair with Gluhwein and the Christmas Markets back in December of 2011, and it continues to this day. Every vendor makes theirs slightly different, and the Christmas Market in Breisach is the smallest one I've ever seen, spanning residence inn orlando fl just six stalls.
Still, residence inn orlando fl by 5pm (or 17:00 – we're in Europe, after all), a decent crowd of locals had assembled to enjoy the Gluhwein and Rumpunsch, not to mention the Bratwurst, kartoffelsuppe (Potato Soup), and wood-fired pizza on offer. A few shots from Viking Baldur: the Viking Lounge, port side, facing forward. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders The Aquavit Terrace. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders Outdoor seating residence inn orlando fl may not be used much on this voyage, but it is still available. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders The Breisach Christmas residence inn orlando fl Market, by night. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders First Gluhwein of 2013! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders Wood-fired pizza was available from this stand one of the most popular in Breisach. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders Strolling back to Viking Baldur along the Neutorstrasse at night. residence inn orlando fl Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders
And I stood there, sipping my €2,00 glass of mulled wine, and just took it all in. If you've never been to the Christmas Markets of Europe before, I feel it is my personal mission to convince you to go. That's how magical Europe at this time of year is. Social, convivial and even jovial.
Our Live Voyage Report along the Christmas Markets of the Rhine aboard Viking Rivers' Viking Baldur continues tomorrow from Strasbourg, France! Be su