I’m very excited to satisfy and discover considered one of Viking Cruises’ new ships, Fjorgyn – the Norse goddess of the Earth. She was in-built 2020 solely for cruising on the Seine River. As everyone knows, the pandemic sidelined cruising till just lately. She holds a most of 168 friends (for my part – the right measurement) with a crew of 46. The Fjorgyn is 410 ft lengthy. She docks in Paris at an unique dock inside strolling distance of the Eiffel Tower.
The cruise begins and ends in Paris (what might be higher?) and sails by the guts of Normandy. This voyage celebrates the historical past, artwork, meals, and customs of considered one of France’s most alluring areas.
7 Night – Christmas on the Seine : Paris to Roue.. Viking Fjorgyn (cruisecompete.com)
The first port cease is Auvers-Sur-Oise, a spot I’ve by no means been. The village of Auvers-Sur-Oise supplied a lot inspiration to the Impressionist Masters. Van Gogh, Camille Pissarro, and Paul Cézanne variously lived and labored in Auvers-Sur-Oise.
On a strolling tour, I’ll see the topics of a few of van Gogh’s most well-known work, together with the famend Church at Auvers. I’ll proceed to the cemetery and the grave of Vincent and his beloved brother Theo. Their resting place is adjoining to the wheat discipline that van Gogh depicted in Wheat Field with Crows. Afterward, I’ll stroll by the village to the well-known Auberge Ravoux, the artist’s last residence, the place many consider he took his personal life.
Next day, it’s on to Rouen, starring its magnificent Gothic cathedral and sadly, the locations the place Joan of Arc was tried and put to loss of life. A contemporary church stands on the positioning and celebrates her honored story.
Next comes a protracted however memorable day viewing the 950-year-old Bayeux Tapestry, adopted by visits to the emotion-packed D-Day touchdown websites and museums. Non-Americans can select to see the British websites and memorials.
The outing ends on the 172-acre American Cemetery, with 9,387 American War Dead graves. The cemetery honors these misplaced within the Normandy battles. It’s a transferring place that retains alive the reminiscence of those that misplaced their lives throughout their courageous combat for international freedom. We owe them a lot.
The captain will transfer the boat to Les Andelys, a picturesque city identified for the hillside fortress, Château Gaillard, in-built 1196 by Richard the Lionheart. An tour permits one to go to the fortress ruins and discover the city.
The following day brings a go to to Château de Malmaison, the place Napoleon Bonaparte spent his last days in France. Along with the Tuileries, this elegant manor home, bought by the emperor’s spouse Josephine in 1799, served because the seat of Napoleon’s French authorities from 1800 to 1802.
An non-obligatory afternoon tour poses a bus trip and tour of the luxurious Palace of Versailles, the previous residence of Louis XIV, the Sun King. I wouldn’t dream of lacking Versailles. I’ll spend another night time on the boat and depart Paris the subsequent day.
While on board, I’ll be lodging in considered one of 35 veranda staterooms. Other lodging are 22 normal staterooms, 18 French balcony staterooms, seven veranda suites, and two Explorer suites. All these in suites take pleasure in two full-size rooms with a veranda off the lounge and a French balcony within the bed room.
Viking shoppers rave concerning the meals served aboard the ship. I sit up for tasting some croissants at breakfast and a serving of coq au vin one night. Once per cruise, Viking affords a themed buffet feast that includes the ship’s cruising area – on this case, France. I do know I’ll loosen up and benefit from the Silver Spirits package deal earlier than, throughout, or after meals.
I’ll additionally take pleasure in complimentary wifi to maintain up with emails and my family and friends. Viking Fjorgyn doesn’t have an onboard spa, salon, pool, sizzling tub, health middle, or bicycles for hire. I plan to get loads of strolling on my excursions, however the higher deck incorporates a jogging observe if wanted.
Daily briefings and talks put together passengers for upcoming locations. It helps to know one thing about what you’ll see. I can’t wait to spend eight days and 7 nights with Viking, together with six guided excursions. Bon Voyage.
Cover photograph: Bayeaux Tapestry
See sailings Viking River (cruisecompete.com)