I’m very excited to fulfill and discover one among Viking Cruises’ new ships, Fjorgyn – the Norse goddess of the Earth. She was in-built 2020 completely for cruising on the Seine River. As everyone knows, the pandemic sidelined cruising till just lately. She holds a most of 168 visitors (in my view – the proper dimension) 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 via the guts of Normandy. This voyage celebrates the historical past, artwork, meals, and customs of one among France’s most alluring areas.
7 Night time – Christmas on the Seine : Paris to Roue.. Viking Fjorgyn (cruisecompete.com)
The primary 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 themes 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 Area with Crows. Afterward, I’ll stroll via the village to the well-known Auberge Ravoux, the artist’s last dwelling, the place many imagine he took his personal life.
Subsequent 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 dying. A contemporary church stands on the positioning and celebrates her honored story.
Subsequent comes an extended however memorable day viewing the 950-year-old Bayeux Tapestry, adopted by visits to the emotion-packed D-Day touchdown websites and museums. Non-People can select to see the British websites and memorials.
The outing ends on the 172-acre American Cemetery, with 9,387 American Battle Lifeless graves. The cemetery honors these misplaced within the Normandy battles. It’s a shifting place that retains alive the reminiscence of those that misplaced their lives throughout their courageous combat for world freedom. We owe them a lot.
The captain will transfer the boat to Les Andelys, a picturesque city recognized for the hillside fort, Château Gaillard, in-built 1196 by Richard the Lionheart. An tour permits one to go to the fort ruins and discover the city.
The next day brings a go to to Château de Malmaison, the place Napoleon Bonaparte spent his last days in France. Together 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-compulsory afternoon tour poses a bus trip and tour of the luxurious Palace of Versailles, the previous dwelling of Louis XIV, the Solar King. I wouldn’t dream of lacking Versailles. I’ll spend yet one more evening on the boat and depart Paris the following day.
Whereas on board, I’ll be lodging in one among 35 veranda staterooms. Different 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 in regards to the meals served aboard the ship. I stay up for tasting some croissants at breakfast and a serving of coq au vin one night. As soon as per cruise, Viking presents a themed buffet feast that includes the ship’s cruising area – on this case, France. I do know I’ll chill out and benefit from the Silver Spirits bundle 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.
Every day briefings and talks put together passengers for upcoming locations. It helps to know one thing about what you’ll see. I can not wait to spend eight days and 7 nights with Viking, together with six guided excursions. Bon Voyage.
Cowl photograph: Bayeaux Tapestry
See sailings Viking River (cruisecompete.com)
