Me and my sister are opposites - what happened when we shared a cabin
My sister and I may be close in age, but we’re complete opposites in almost every other way. I’m extrovert; Eve is an introvert. I love trying new food; she prefers the classics. I like active trips; she wants to relax in comfort. In fact, finding a getaway to suit both our tastes seemed an impossible task, so we’d hadn’t been away together since we were two kids bickering in our caravan bunkbeds.
But then we decided to try a river cruise (we chose the TUI River Cruises itinerary Rhine Explorer) – an apparent sweet spot between both of our tastes. Perhaps we could put our childhood squabbles behind us?
Sailing from Amsterdam to Basel in Switzerland, we explored a medley of French and German destinations as we made our way along the picturesque Rhine. There was no need to pack up and board planes or trains to get us from place to place, as our Superior French Balcony Cabin came with us. As did two on-board restaurants, lounge spaces with cocktail bars, a wellness centre and a spacious deck from which to enjoy the incredible views.
On our first morning, we meandered along the banks of Amsterdam’s flower-lined canals, passing the historic house of Anne Frank. The next day, we woke in the German city of Cologne, famed for its padlock-laden Hohenzollern Bridge and magnificent World Heritage Site cathedral.
After sharing a soft pretzel and a cheesy dish of traditional späetzle (dumpling-like noodles) with a stein of local beer, in the old town, Eve and I attached a small red lock of our own to the famous bridge, vowing we’d return together one day to find it. Then, an attraction neither of us could resist: the city’s Chocolate Museum, where we learned about the history of the cocoa bean and indulged in delicious Lindt samples.
A typical day on the river cruise began with breakfast (eggs Benedict for me, hash browns and scrambled eggs for Eve) while enjoying panoramic window views over the water. We’d explore the day’s destination and eat locally, or return for the three-course lunch and buffet options on board.
As we cruised gently to the next location, we’d unwind with a piña colada (the all-inclusive package includes cocktails) on the deck’s sunloungers, or play deck games before dinner. I loved trying the ever-changing regional menu – in Germany, for example, there was lentil stew followed by beef goulash and apple pancakes, with a glass of local Riesling. Eve, on the other hand, would order vegetarian options from the home comforts menu: a goat’s cheese starter, a main of vegetable lasagne and Eton mess for dessert.
Every evening, there was fabulous entertainment, either from our friendly cruise entertainer, Lucrezia, or special guests such as a comedian one evening and a local classical musician duo the next.
During our week-long trip, we split our days between self-led exploration and booked TUI excursions. In Germany, we rode a cable car up to a historic fort for a guided tour in the cobblestoned city of Koblenz.
In France, we were taken to the picturesque town of Colmar, which was the inspiration for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Nowhere did the streets feel more fairy-tale-like than the fishmonger’s district, which was lined with charming pastel-coloured houses.
Even the larger French city of Strasbourg retained the air of a tiny medieval village, thanks to its wood-beamed buildings with chocolate-box windows.
On our final evening, over a six-course gala dinner, Eve and I reflected on our week visiting eight destinations across four different countries. Despite our many adventures, we both felt blissfully rested, thanks to the gentle journey between locations. With so much to cater for both our tastes, it was the ideal trip for our opposite personalities – with no sisterly squabbles as a result.
Visit the TUI River Cruises website to find out more about booking your own getaway.
EXPLORE RIVER CRUISES WITH GH HOLIDAYS
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