4-day bus trip to Prague

Day 1
I woke up at 06:00 and congratulated my husband on his birthday! Another gift for the road: a beautiful book! Arriving at the boarding point on time, the bus was ready and we could board in no time. We arrived at the assembly point in Beek at the scheduled time. There coffee and tea was ready with cake and sandwiches for lovers for a reasonable price. The driver made sure that the suitcase was removed from the bus and put down before the bus, so we could bring our suitcase to the right bus ourselves. Fine, so you know for sure that your suitcase will go!

The busThe bus


Around 9:15 am we left for Prague. With 3 stops we arrived at the hotel around 7:30 pm where we had dinner. Unfortunately, we were unable to use the toilet in the bus during the bus ride, because the driver had turned on the 'busy light'. After dinner we drove to our overnight hotel where we would stay 3 nights. We arrived here around 9:30 PM. When checking in it turned out that our name was not stated on the form of the receptionist at the hotel. Fortunately we were able to find our driver Gerrit on the bus, because our name was on his form. It was very busy with 4 buses from Bolderman in Prague this weekend and in the end we went to bed tired but satisfied.
Day 2
After an early breakfast (7:30 a.m., well cared for), we go on the internet in the lobby (watching e-mails etc.), even though the internet connection was not too good even in the lobby. At 8:45 am we report to the bus. Our guide for this trip is Alexander, a man born in Petersburg and studied in the Netherlands, who speaks perfect Dutch!

During the morning walk he told us a lot about the history of Prague and all kinds of sights that we encountered. A pleasure to listen to this man! We start our walk in the Jewish Quarter / Old Town: Stare Mestrom. Alexander shows us a lot and tells us how the Jews have fared since the beginning of their arrival in Prague. Alexander has something to tell us about all kinds of buildings and churches, sometimes with very special details!

The morning walk with Alexander The morning walk with Alexander


In the chic Representatiehuis, where you can admire a lot of Jugendstil, we drank delicious coffee (for Kr. 0.60 = approximately Euro 2.25). They also serve delicious cake !! After coffee we walk further while enjoying the stories of Alexander. We could not wish for a better guide!
The chic Representation HouseThe chic Representation House


Around 1 p.m. is the end of the morning program and Alexander walks with those who have signed up for the boat trip with lunch to the jetty at the Vltava. On the boat we enjoy a 2 hour trip while we have lunch (buffet). The boat trip was a bit disappointing, we had to wait a lot (among other things in the lock), the food was not that tasty and we did not receive any information during the trip. When we return we have free time to spend until 5:30 pm, then we are expected back at the bus to go to our dinner hotel.
The center of PragueThe center of Prague


After the boat trip we walk into the city, enjoy everything we see around us and we go over the Christmas market. We take a rest on a wonderfully heated terrace with a Czech beer (Pivo) and a view of the large, beautifully lit Christmas tree. Christmas music in all sorts of ways. What an impression all. A little time to process.

After dinner at Hotel Opera we will take a light tour by bus. Fortunately our guide Alexander is coming along again and he tells us again about everything we see along the way! We also pass a very large stadium from the communist era. Here we get off to enjoy the view over Prague. Normally there is snow in Prague at this time of year, but now the weather is very mild, the temperature is above 10 degrees on average.
One of the beautiful buildings in PragueOne of the beautiful buildings in Prague
Day 3
The bus is ready to go to the center at 9 a.m. The people who do not participate in the program get out of here. We drive on to Prague Castle. We start at the beautiful Vitus church / cathedral. I have already been able to visit many beautiful cities, but Prague takes the crown. What a beautiful city this is and what beautiful sights, buildings and churches we have seen these days. Today, too, we are well aware of our eyes and we sometimes wonder about so much cultural wealth. 1.2 billion euros has already been offered on the stained glass window made by the artist Mucha. However, it is retained for Prague. The window on the right allows the sunlight to shine beautifully on the mosaic. It is mainly thanks to Alexander's contribution that we enjoy it so much, he makes this trip a great pleasure for us!

The mosaic in the church H.

4 days in Paris with Bolderman

Last year we won the Reisgraag.nl photo competition. The prize was a fully catered weekend to Paris, provided by Bolderman Excursiereizen. It took a while before we could find a place in our agenda but last Thursday we could finally leave for the capital of love! The weather was not really good in the Netherlands, while the predictions for Paris were slightly better, so it started well!

The departure from Zeeland is at 10:00, after we have had 2 stops along the way, we arrive around 16:30 at Hotel Sovereign, located in a somewhat dilapidated industrial / residential area in the suburb of Saint Ouen. The hotel is fine, rooms simple / small but more importantly clean and tidy! Breakfast is fine by French standards and despite the fact that there was some grumbling at various sites about not supplementing the breakfast, we had no problems with it, a questioning person can finally be helped!

Moulin Rouge and Arc de Triomphe
After arriving at the hotel we quickly left for the center of Paris and were dropped off in the area around the Moulin Rouge. Here we had a bite to eat at one of the Irish Pubs on this street, other restaurants from all over. there are plenty of corners of the world! After we were picked up here we were let out of the bus at the Arc de Triomphe, one part went its own way from there the other part continued with a boat trip on the Seine. The impressive Triumphal Arch with the names of conquered cities and French generals and under the arch the ever burning flame at the grave of the unknown soldier.

Tour of Paris
Friday I had a nice drive through the city with a few stops at the Louvre, the Eifel tower and the Hôtel National des Invalides. The Dutch Daphne, who lives in Paris, was able to tell fascinating stories about the city, the sights and her experiences over the years during excursions and tours of the city. After this we went to the Tour Montparnasse, an office building of 210 meters high. In 38 seconds the elevator takes you to the 56th floor at an altitude of 195 meters via stairs you reach the roof terrace (59th floor) from which you have a 360º view of Paris! In the afternoon with the metro back to the hotel and in the evening a delicious meal in one of the many restaurants in the Saint Ouen district within walking distance of the hotel.

A piece of Eiffel TowerA piece of Eiffel Tower
Montmartre and Versailles
Saturday morning after breakfast a city walk, started at the Moulin Rouge and via the "artists and painter's neighborhood" Montmartre slowly to the top, where you have a great view of Paris from the beautiful white Basilique Sacré-Coeur. Afterwards left for Versailles for a visit to the Château de Versailles expanded by Louis the XIV, the Sun King. Walked into the center of Versailles for lunch with a nice central square with a permanent covered fresh market. End of the afternoon back to Paris where we visited one of the many restaurants in the area around the Moulin Rouge.


Versailles Versailles
The Jewish Quarter
I got up very early on Sunday, so that we could put our bags in the bus at 7:45 am. Another city walk through the Jewish Quarter, after which the journey back to the Netherlands began at 10:15 am. At 5 p.m. we arrived in the province of Zeeland, tired but satisfied.

Thanks to Piet (bus driver), Krisztina (hostess) and Daphne (city guide) we had some wonderful days in Paris. It is a perfect trip to see a lot of the city of Paris in a short time. But actually Paris is far too beautiful to visit in such a short time!

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It is getting cold and we go inside to drink coffee somewhere.

After the city tour we visited a Starbucks location for a drink. After a delicious hot chocolate with whipped cream we walked into the city. We turned out to be in the old part of the city north of the central station. There were many stores and also a few shopping centers. We went into the Eldon Square shopping center for some shopping. There were more than 150 stores in the center. Enough to shop. After visiting a number of stores, I wanted to go to a sports store. They already had cheap Newcastle United shirts there. For 10 pounds I bought an official Newcastle United shirt, nice as a souvenir of Newcastle.

We left the store and saw that it had become quite busy. Everywhere people were wearing Newcastle United shirts. We also saw some supporters from another team. Later it turned out that the Newcastle United - Doncaster Rovers game would be played that afternoon. A little further in the shopping center it became a bit quieter again. The shopping center appears to be a fast passage in the direction of the stadium.

We pass a number of eateries. All four of us are hungry and walk into a snack bar. Since the food on the boat is not very cheap, we decide to have a good meal here. My mother and I order a traditional English dish, fish and chips. My father and brother take some pork dish. We all get a generous portion, and also order ice cream afterwards. I asked for the bill, and it all turned out to be really cheap.

After dinner we leave the mall. On the other side of the road appears to be another building with something of shops. It turns out to be Grainger Market, a kind of covered market. It looks very historic. There are many stalls that have nothing to do with each other. You can buy everything from electrical appliances to meat and from textiles to CDs. Everything is also very cheap. For 1 pound we buy four cans of drink.
Grainger MarketGrainger Market


After looking around and walking around it is already time to head for the central station. From there the buses go to the terminal in the port again. In the harbor we can board immediately, and we bring our purchased things to the cabin. We also take a tablet against seasickness, actually a little late.
Tyne Bridge, NewcastleTyne Bridge, Newcastle


Then we go all the way up to the outer deck to see the departure from the port of Newcastle. It takes a long time before we go, and then it becomes clear why. A gigantic ship is piloted into the harbor. When this ship is over we can finally start sailing. It has already started to get dark. We sail through the river from the harbor to the sea. It is getting darker and darker and the lights in the area give a beautiful image.
The departure from NewcastleThe departure from Newcastle


It is getting cold and we go inside to drink coffee somewhere. The sea is much rougher than the outward journey, because the boat is rocking enormously. My mother is getting a little sick and we are going back to our cabin. The rocking does not stop, when you walk on the boat it looks like you have been drinking far too much. My mother is very sick and does not have a pleasant evening. She did not get much further than the bed and the toilet. My father, me and my brother go to one of the stores. We buy some candy and chips for the cabin. I have some pounds left and I buy a large bottle of Malibu. Pretty cheap without duty.

When we have brought the purchased stuff to the cabin, the three of us go to the Columbus Night Club to drink a few beers. Because of the rocking of the boat, I don't feel at all great and I doubt whether I will go for the beer. It turned out that my father has already ordered, so I have no choice. It is very nice in the Columbus Night Club. There is a band playing and many people are having a drink. After meeting some beers and some nice people we go back to the cabin to sleep. The night is not very pleasant. The boat is really rocking back and forth. Since I am upstairs I always have the idea that I will go up a meter and fall out of bed. The cabin where we spend the night is at the front and we hear loud bangs all the time. The waves hit the boat, but it seems that the boat is crashing into something.

In the morning we are awakened again by the intercom system. We are getting ready to go to the breakfast buffet. My mother is not yet fully fit so she will not go. If only the three of us should eat for four. After a good breakfast, we pack our things and go to the upper deck to see how we are approaching the Netherlands. When we are in the port we can disembark. We walk ashore with our things. What a nice feeling to that heavy swing! My MO

Newcastle 3 day mini cruise

Today is the day, the journey to Newcastle can begin. It is a gift from me and my brother for my parents who were married for 25 years. To really go out with the family, I and my brother also bought a ticket for the cruise.

This afternoon the ship will sail at 5.30 p.m. Everyone is full of excitement with what awaits us. The last things are still stuffed in the suitcase and bags. I think we're ready to go. We put the things in the car and are ready for departure. First we bring our dog to grandma. This way the dog also has a few days holiday.

Then it's really time to leave. We drive to IJmuiden. Of course we arrive too early. The ship, which is quite large for us, is already ready. It appears that you can park your car guarded. My mother and I walk to the building to get a ticket for parking. After having parked the car, the four of us walk to the building to check in. The lady behind the counter asks if we want to order another breakfast and dinner. It appears that it is reasonably pricey on board, and ordering in advance is slightly cheaper. So we only order breakfast twice for four people and once a table for four in the buffet restaurant.

We have to wait a while in the terminal and it is slowly getting busier. We eat and drink something, but are mainly concerned with people watching. We will all also take a tablet against seasickness. Then a lady from DFDS tells us that we can almost go on board. Soon a line starts to form, and we join in with this. Then the doors of the terminal will come loose and we can board. We walk towards the boat, the M.S. King of Scandinavia, with which we will sail to Newcastle. We have to go inside the hold where cars and trucks will be parked. It says on a sign that about 600 vehicles can be taken on the ship.

Via a number of stairs we go up to the deck where our cabin is located. We have all received a pass that allows us to open the door of the cabin. I have the honor to open the cabin for the first time. The cabin looks neat. It is not very big, but great for four people. We see that there are only two beds, but it appears that the two upper beds are still folded. Bed linen and towels are provided on each bed. The cabin also has its own shower and toilet. There is also a table with two stools and a coat rack next to it. When we look out the window it appears that we are all the way at the front of the ship.

After leaving the stuff in the cabin, we decide to look around the ship. There are various shops on the ship where you can shop tax-free at sea. There also appear to be three bars on board: Navigators Bar, Neptune Sky Bar and the Sports Bar. There is also the Columbus Night Club, where there are performances every night. Enough places to enjoy a beer. The ship also has a cinema, casino, bingo and the Kidz 'Club. The boat also has sufficient facilities for a bite to eat. There is a buffet restaurant, two à la carte restaurants and two snack bars.

It appears that the ship is going to sail like this, and we are quickly going up to the open deck. The weather is lovely and the sun is shining. Everyone can hardly wait until we go. Then the bunches go loose and we start sailing. We are slowly seeing the Netherlands disappear. I brought my camera to take some nice pictures. The slowly sinking sun makes it even more special! The Dutch coast is getting out of sight and only water can be seen. A boat still sails here and there. It's starting to get a little fresher and we go inside. Everyone is starting to get hungry, and we go to the 7 Seas Buffet restaurant and reserve a spot. We still have to wait a bit, but eventually we get a table. The buffet looks good, with lots of tasty things. It is not really cheap, but good that can be sometime on such a trip. For three tens per person we can eat as much as we want. The dishes in the other restaurants were almost as expensive. That is why the buffet is also very popular.

We order a drink and prepare for a round of all the delicious things. We have a choice of more than 80 different dishes. The buffet includes fish, delicious shrimp, salads, cold and hot meat dishes, cheeses and various desserts. Everyone can take what he / she likes. After a few rounds we have had enough. The bill is placed on someone's card and can be settled at the end in the Netherlands. Ideal.

We go to the cabin for a while to relax. At the front of our cabin there is a small deck where you can view the sea. Me and my father put on a vest and

12-day tour through Norway

Traveling to Norway
On July 22, 2015 we left for Schiphol for a 12-day tour through Norway. We left 4 hours in advance, because we have to drive almost two hours and park the car. We had checked the suitcases online, so that was done quickly once we were in the hall of Schiphol. The journey could begin. We flew from Amsterdam to Oslo, the capital of Norway. It took a while before all the fellow travelers were there.

Oslo city tour
We all boarded the bus that was already waiting. We thought we were going to the hotel, but that was not the case. We drove for a city tour through Oslo and stopped in the main street Karl Johans gate, where we walk to the following sights such as the parliament building, the National Theater, the opera house and then the lunch, where we were all ready. After lunch we went to Vigelandspark, which attracts more than a million visitors a year. There are all 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland in total. Very nice to see. Then a visit to Holmenkollen for a beautiful view of the city. After the first introduction to Norway this day, we finally go to our first hotel Quality Hotel Expo, tired and satisfied, where we will stay the first night.

Many sculptures Many sculptures
Lillehammer
After a delicious breakfast we leave again by bus to Lillehammer where the Olympic Winter Games took place in 1994. Then we went to the open-air museum Maihaugen, where we could see how the Norwegians have lived the last 500 years. There were small farms, a school, a church and fishermen's huts to see beautiful to see how they lived. After lunch we drive through the region of Peer Gynt, a legend in Norwegian fairy tales. We end the day by driving to our 2 nd hotel Fefor Hoifjellshotel, where a delicious dinner buffet awaits us.

Old farmhouse Old farmhouse
In LillehammerIn Lillehammer
Trondheim
The next morning we drive to the old royal city of Trondheim where we make a city tour, beautiful. We see many old warehouses on stilts. We also view the impressive Nidaros Cathedral, the largest medieval building in Scandinavia. This cathedral has been hit several times by lightning, but has been rebuilt over and over again. After lunch we are free to look around ourselves. At 5 pm we drive to our hotel, this time Quality Hotel Augustin.

The old cathedralThe old cathedral
Kristiansund & Hurtigrutten
Today we board the bus after a delicious breakfast to drive to Kristiansund. In Trondheim we board the Hurtigrutten (old mail boat) to sail along a beautiful route. It is certainly worth it. About halfway we stop to take pictures of a beautiful spectacle with music and of an angel singing, beautifully beautiful. This trip was really enjoyable. We then arrive in Kristiansund for lunch. Then look around Kristiansund, the town known for exporting fish dried on the rocks: kilfisk.

The old post boat The old post boat


We continue the road to Molde and drive on the famous and unique Atlantic Road, one of the most beautiful car routes as they say. A very winding road with many bends, where you can hardly pass each other. Really scary every now and then. Once in Molde you can see the 22 mountain peaks when it is clear, but unfortunately we couldn't count them all. Then to Quality Hotel Alexandra. Dining and going to bed.
Trollstigen away
After breakfast back on the bus to Solsnes, where we take the ferry to Afarnes. Once there, we drive the famous Trollstigen away by bus. He is known for his 11 sharp turns that go uphill. Again an attack on your heart, but once above a great view. We have to drive a long way to our next hotel, Hotel Scandic Lesund, where we sleep for 2 nights. We have a whole day for ourselves to relax. We have not done much. We went for a walk and sat on a heated bench.

On the heated benchOn the heated bench
Fjords
The next day we drive a long way, first from Alesund to Magerholm and then by ferry to Sykkylven. A beautiful crossing where we enjoy the beautiful fjords. Then we board the bus again and drive to Hellesylt and catch the next ferry to Geiranger. We sail straight through the Geirangerfjord, one of the most famous and narrowest fjords in the world, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a beautiful trip with many beautiful views, fantastic beautiful. We drive on again and stop at a vantage point where you can see the Geirangerford beautifully. We continue our way and stop in Lom, to visit a stave church. Then in the bus to our next hotel in Boverdalen, Elveseter Hotel.

Beautiful fjordsBeautiful fjords
Sognefjord
The next day we have a journey of 370 kilometers ahead of us. L.