Crusing with Viking River Cruises brings their culturally curious vacationers to fascinating locations world wide on fastidiously curated excursions. On themed voyages, now we have traced the steps of grasp artists on Viking’s Portraits of Southern France itinerary, traveled by historical past on their Grand European Tour, explored regional heritage through Christmas Markets and extra. Simply previous the midway mark on our Elegant Elbe itinerary, we’re coming to understand the theme of this journey as properly. Our day within the east German city of Meissen serves as an exquisite instance of this aptly titled journey.
This was the day of our ship swap after we stated goodbye to Viking Astrild, driving off on the highway to Meissen, on the way in which to Wittenberg the place we might examine in on twin sister ship, Viking Beyla. Whereas we didn’t have loads of time on Viking Astrild, the crew went far out of their approach to make us really feel at residence, full with a intelligent ship off message.
Arriving in Meissen we started with a tour of the Meissen Porcelain manufacturing unit, relationship again to 1710. Taking us by the method of porcelain making from starting to finish, an interactive demonstration workshop was fairly fascinating.
On show, items of Meissen porcelain from all through its lengthy historical past in addition to a store promoting a few of their wares instantly. Listed here are some photos captured throughout our tour:
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Staying proper on observe with our specific curiosity anyplace we go, Lisa and I loved a pleasant cappuccino served in Meissen porcelain earlier than a strolling tour from excessive above the city.
That tour ended within the metropolis market the place considerable buying alternatives took us to a neighborhood grocery the place we discovered some German spices to carry again residence.
Domestically-sourced spices are rapidly changing into a favourite memento that brings again locations later after we are cooking again residence in Orlando. Spices don’t take up a lot area in baggage both and are fairly arduous to interrupt in transit.
We additionally spent a little bit of free time at a tiny restaurant really helpful by our Viking information the place we discovered a great bratwurst and native beer…one thing to tide us over till lunch at native eatery Ratskeller, offered by Viking.
The afternoon introduced a pleasant drive by the German countryside and our arrival at Wittenberg and Viking Beyla.
As promised, our baggage had been delivered to the identical actual stateroom we left behind on Viking Astrild and a brand new bunch of cheery Viking crew members greeted us upon arrival. Completely different to this location although, the ship confronted the wrong way, giving us a river view versus the port view we had beforehand.
And what a pleasant view it’s of a virtually abandoned reverse shoreline in a really quiet location. Bonus: A shoreside biergarten about 12 steps from the ship with a full menu of native fare.
Apparently, this was an extended day on tour however time appeared to go by slightly rapidly. Extra vital, the tempo of our journey has been a really pleasing one, permitting considerable free time and a pleasant mixture of touring and onboard occasions.
We now have but to activate the TV however Lisa has discovered loads of time to learn books and I’ve loved taking my time with images and the locations now we have visited.
This night’s briefing by Program Director Emma introduced the parade of officers, a bunch as equally likable as these on Viking Astrild who welcomed us on board simply days in the past. Frankly, stacking up the positives towards the negatives of being on a ship that doesn’t sail, the positives are popping out far forward.
However that’s the subject of one other put up that I’m saving for the tip. Nonetheless, when the counting is finished and the votes are in, this one will go down as a lifetime high quality reminiscence tough to breed sooner or later. I don’t know that we might ask for greater than that.
The Magical Ship Swap
Transferring from one ship to a different appears like loads of work. It actuality, it isn’t. Within the morning we left on tour for the day. On a traditional river cruise, the ship would transfer additional up (or down) the river whereas we had been off touring. After we got here again, the ship can be in a distinct place. The one distinction right here is that the ship was already in that place and had a distinct title on the aspect. We needed to pack and unpack too and located our baggage ready for us upon arrival.
Listed here are extra photos from our day in Meissen, Germany
Observe Chris and Lisa on their Viking River Cruise, proper right here and all or any of those participating methods: