"Rhine Getaway" Viking Gourmet Food

One of the real delights of a Viking River Cruise is the gourmet food served at all three meals.  We were able to take advantage of a new addition to the Viking River Cruise experience on the second night when we dined on the Aquavit Terrace for a "Manfredi's Dinner" - an Italian, six course extravaganza (all small portions) which is based on the Viking Ocean Cruise specialty restaurant by the same name.  We also dined in a German town on the evening following the day of castles.  Nothing like great food with good friends!

April 12

Day 9:  Pearls of Switzerland Tour

Today we finished off the Rhine Getaway Adventure with a PACKED day full of breath-taking vistas that the photos hardly do justice to.   Check back later (once we are home) for the videos which will give you a better idea but still not nearly like seeing it in a panoramic, 360-degree life-sized view.  

The day started at 8:30 am when we walked to the dock....boarded a ship and sailed for over an hour on Lake Lucerne with just stunning scenery.  Then we boarded a cog train for the nearly 45 minute trip up the mountain to Mount Rigi.  As I mentioned in the Facebook post only with Viking could you have had the experience we had unless you were REALLY lucky!  Certainly THE highlight of the day were the breath-taking views as we climbed the mountain, and Viking had reserved the last three rows of the train AND the nearly 6' by 6' standing-observation area at the back of the train with the ONLY panoramic views of the trip.  THAT is why we see the world through Viking cruises!

We spent about an hour on top the mountain - offered the chance to walk to the observation building up a steep, ice-covered walkway that even the guide discouraged....and the wind was howling.  Easily knocked down and while you'll laugh, you could easily have slid off the mountain!  (see the video clips later!).  Then we had lunch in a restaurant near the top of the mountain.  Descended down with more sensational views, but they were not quite as "oh my/wow" as the way up, but still stunning.  It was now about 2 pm.  Boarded a bus and while the rest of the day was enjoyable, nothing like the first half.  We went to a monastery with remarkable church....but at the monastery they not only were a religious place but they had several side industries like wine making, and......a horse farm!  Back on the bus to a local farm where we got a tour of how a dairy farm is run; then to a cheese making facility where we toured the operational part and then got to help make cheese.  Topped by a cheese-fondue dinner, and then a gift of Viking-guest made cheese (ours will be ready in four weeks and given to that wave of Viking guests).  Finally back on the bus and arrived at the hotel at 9:30 pm.  A long day of more than 13 hours, but what a way to end the adventure.  Out the door of the hotel by 6 am tomorrow for the long flight home.  Hope you enjoyed our trip with us!

The boat arrives to pick us up!

The Swiss Flag frames the mountains

On the cog train up to the top of Mount Rigi!

Heading down now....

The Monastery

Cheese-making / fondue-dinner

April 11

Day 8:  Disembark:  Basel to Lucerne

Welcome To Lake Lucerne

After bidding our friends and the amazing staff on the Viking Idi a fond (and sad) farewell we were on the Viking bus before 8:30 am for our nearly two hour trip to Lucerne.  We arrived about 9:45 and went to the Lion Monument which is carved into a stone hillside in honor of the Swiss Guard which fought to the death defending the Louis the XVI's palace.

Farewell Viking Idi - We'll be back on another Viking ship soon!

First glimpse of the Swiss Alps from the bus

At the Lion Monmument

Back on the bus for the short trip to our hotel where our bags and backpacks were stored for us and we immediately joined our Viking tour guide for a nearly two hour walking tour of Lucerne.  We explored the immediate area around the hotel briefly and then spent the vast majority of the time in "Old Lucerne" especially along the waterfront and the iconic Chapel Bridge.  A fun fact I did NOT know despite my research......as you look off the Chapel Bridge towards the mountains and past the tower the water on that side is Lake Lucerne, while the water under the bridge and beyond the other way is a river.  Apparently, or so we were told, the Swiss are VERY picky about if you ask for a location on the waterfront that you specify the "riverfront" or the "lakefront."  

First close-up view of the snow-capped mountains

The Chapel Bridge over the river

View from inside the covered bridge

Paintings in the bridge rafters, some originals!

MANY of the homes have frescoes like this painted on them

The bridge, the tower, the water, the river

When Berta ended the tour we were back on the riverfront and she gave us some suggestions for lunch.  As it was around 1 pm and our rooms were not promised until 3 pm, with a possibility of 2 pm we had a lunch along the water.  Here's the view over our shoulders.  Have to admit several times I caught myself thinking, this looks just like the photos of Lake Lucerne, oh wait, we ARE IN Lake Lucerne!

Tomorrow is our final day of touring as we have an all-day (13 hours) adventure that includes a boat ride on the lake; a cog train up the mountain; lunch with a panoramic view from the top of the Swiss Alps; a gondolla down the mountain; and a tour of a cheese farm before finishing the day with a cheese fondu dinner!  Then it will be up early on Friday for the long journey home.  We've enjoyed every day and every adventure, but we both have to admit that it's been an action-packed adventure and we are wearing down....too much fun!  :)  Hard to explain until you are on a Viking River Cruise - you are pampered and your every wish is their command, but you have to set your alarm to get breakfast before the first tour takes off; most days you have about an hour to grab lunch and right back at it.  Usually less than an hour before it's time for "happy hour" which includes the information meeting about the next day; and then dinner - which NEVER ends before 9 pm.  Right back at it the next day!  It's a rough life, but someone has to do it....no, no.....we've got this one for the team!

April 10

Day 7:  The Black Forest

The checklist for today while visiting the Black Forest:  Have Black Forest Cake, CHECK and buy a cuckoo clock, CHECK!  But first, last night we went through a couple of locks on the Rhine River and they are always cool to experience!

We were up early today and on the buses by 8:45 for the one hour and change trip to the Black Forest.  The scenery as we climbed through the German countryside and mountains was breath taking.  Upon reaching the pinnacle we pulled over at a hotel with several individual buildings.  I went to the "How Cuckoo Clocks Are Made" while Kim went on a guided hike.  Following the demonstration I found the clock I wanted and purchased it.  How fortunate that it was one of the ones on sale which basically paid for the shipping and insurance.  It will be on our wall in about six weeks!

Panoramic View of the Black Forest

"Babbling Brook" off the mountain side

Another panoramic View of the Black Forest

Bridge on Kim's hike through Black Forest

"The Group" helps me celebrate my cuckoo clock (to my right)

THE Clock!

Kim is "WOW"ed by the purchase (see her "W"-"O"-"W" facial/hand signals!!)

Kim returned and I showed her the clock then we watched the demonstration on how Black Forest Cake is made, then had some!

Preparing the final touches to Black Forest Cake

NOTE we are SHARING a piece of Black Forest Cake :)

Today is the final day on board the Viking Idi, so our big task this evening is to pack then go to the "Farewell Dinner."  We will be sad to say good-bye to our new-found friends from the St. Louis area:  Dennis, Mary, Bob & Nancy but maybe someday we can all travel together again!