Part 1 of our European Adventure
June 10, 2016 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C
We will discover the best of Europe on one grand journey from the North Sea to the Black Sea.
We will travel the length of Europe through eight nations, exploring wonders of the Old World and theRead more
Leaving on a Jet Plane
June 10, 2016 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
The start of our European Adventure - 12 countries in 52 days by air, land and sea.
Let the fun begin with the first leg to Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi Airport
June 10, 2016 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ 🌙 32 °C
First stop Abu Dhabi Airport awaiting next flight to Amsterdam. One more flight and the Hopwood's European Adventure begins.
Hotel Estherea
June 11, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ 🌧 13 °C
Amsterdam is home for the next 5 days staying at Hotel Estherea. It is a quaint Hotel over looking one of the many canals in Amsterdam. Once settled we walked around the area to get our bearings.
The Adventure Begins - Amsterdam
June 11, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
Amsterdam Canal district near we are staying is very pretty with lots of lovely old buildings and cheese shops.
Amsterdam
June 11, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
The walking continues up and down streets, in and out of museums, past buildings, flower markets. Amsterdam has so much to see.
Anne Franks House
June 11, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Our Hotel is very close to Anne Franks House and the tour of the house was sad and informative experience walking from room to room and learning about her life through her diary and thinking what itRead more
Zaanse Schans
June 12, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Today we went on a bus tour to the countryside and visited Zaanse Schans, Volendam, and Marken where we saw working windmills in a unique dutch village including chocolate making.
Marken
June 12, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
On our way to Marken we stopped by a little village to watch clogs being made. Marken is a little village port where we took the ferry across the largest fresh water lake in Europe disembarking inRead more
Volendam
June 12, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
Volendam is a port village larger than Marken. We walked through the township and tasted a number of different cheeses.
Tour ended with a bus ride back to the city.
Bike Ride
June 13, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
The morning started with a bike ride it was a bit scary as I thought John was going be wiped out as he kept riding on the wrong side of the road and looking the wrong way.
The bike ride was onlyRead more
Out and About
June 13, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ 🌧 16 °C
The long walk around the city began. We walked all the way to the other side of the city as Amsterdam is very flat which makes it easy to walk everywhere. Lots of lovely houses, cute laneways and artRead more
Canal Tour of Amsterdam
June 13, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ 🌧 16 °C
We continued walking to where the Blue Boat Company Canal Tours started. The canal tour was great seeing the houses lining the waters edge and hearing the stories of many of the houses along the way.
Heineken Experience
June 13, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
It was then time to hit the Heineken Experience and what an experience it is. They even have a multi dimensional ride which was fun. I even had a few beers. Still not my favourite refreshment though.
Clever Photography
June 13, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Today I thought I would be clever with my photography and take a photo through the bike wheel. We found a bike which was not attached to a railing so John picked up the bike and held it on its end soRead more
Red Light District
June 13, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
At night we walked to the Red Light District most of the girls looked so bored and disinterested.
No photos of the girls as they are not allowed.
Jordaan Food Tour
June 14, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Today was another fun filled day as we walked around the Jordaan area of Amsterdam on a 4 1/2 hour food tour. So much food I think we tried 8 different types of foods in some very old historicalRead more
House Boat
June 14, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ 🌧 15 °C
Still walking around the city we came across a House Boat Museum, it was so cute. Not sure I could live this way but what fabulous real estate.
Food and Drinks
June 14, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ 🌧 17 °C
Just some examples of the food and beer we tried in Amsterdam I even enjoyed the beer as it was strawberry. Such a shame we cannot purchase in Australia
Still Walking
June 14, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Amsterdam is such an incredible safe easy walk place to visit the history is everywhere. The buildings, flowers canals are just beautiful. Definitely a place to come back and visit another time.
Those Cakes
June 14, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
This is our last night in Amsterdam and yes we ate those cakes. Maybe when we return one day we might try those cakes in a more up market cafe.
Amsterdam - River Duchess
June 15, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ 🌧 15 °C
Today we board The Uniworld River Duchess to start our European River Cruise for 25 days. River Duchess is much smaller than other ships we have cruised on and is very elegant, more like a luxuryRead more
The Crew
June 15, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ 🌧 15 °C
The staff are wonderful and the bar staff have already made a few different cocktails for me. Ten ton tessie here we come.
River Duchess
June 15, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ 🌧 15 °C
Now leaving Amsterdam to start our cruise. We are looking forward to cruising the rivers passing by the many villages and going through the many locks . By the end of the tour we have been told thatRead more
Cruising The Rhine
June 16, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Flowing through six countries, the Rhine River has served as a link between southern and northern Europe since Roman times. Originating from mountain brooks in the Swiss Alps, the Rhine travels northRead more