Lyrics from a favorite song can serve as an inspiration to observe things you thought about or hoped you would be able to experience.
For instance, “If I never get to see the Northern Lights. If I never get to see the Eiffel Tower at night,” can provide motivation to travel.
Growing up in Northern Illinois, I would see the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis in the winter. So, I hoped, while traveling to the fjords of Norway and Iceland, we would be lucky enough to experience the sheer beauty of the lights bouncing off the glaciers. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate, not giving us lovely clear nights. I did find out January and February were the best viewing months, usually late at night or early morning. Perhaps that will be another trip.
One of the unforgettable experiences in Norway is Pulpit Rock, perched high above the Lysefjord in Stavanger, Norway. It is one of the area’s most profound tourist attractions. This natural rock formation, with a 25-meter squared plateau, stands 604 meters above the sea. You could hike to the top, or do as we did, travel by boat through the spectacular fjord. The locals are unsure of the origin of the name, but it could be due to the shape, or it might have been a place of sacrifice. In either case, it truly was a spectacular sight.
I had always heard about the geothermal activity in Iceland, but experiencing the steam escaping from the vents in the earth was amazing. Just as amazing were the beautiful waterfalls, which seemed to pop up everywhere from a flat and treeless landscape. However, as we walked around the beautiful City of Reykjavik, I did decide not to experience one of the local dishes of puffin and whale. Instead, I opted for a local pizza.
In Bergan, known as the gateway to the beautiful Norwegian fjords, as we were walking around this delightful city, we happened upon a tasting tent. There, local chefs were preparing local dishes available to sample. Bruce got brave and tried the whale stew. Luckily, he could wash it down with a delicious local waffle. It truly was a laughable and memorable experience.
Another memorable experience was viewing the Eiffel Tower at night. We previously had visited the Eiffel Tower during the day and were in awe of its splendor. On a return trip to Paris, however, we saw the true beauty of the lights at night. A local stated we had to stay long enough to see the lights twinkling. It was worth the wait to experience the Tower at night.
Being overseas at Christmas was something I always wanted to experience. I learned the cities decorate more than the locals and the focus is on city activities. The celebrations were held on different days in December, with Christmas Eve being the end to the events. If you would like to experience the Christmas Markets of Europe on a river or ocean cruise, give us a call. We will help tailor an amazing vacation experience for you.
Our next experience will be crossing the Atlantic, leaving from Miami and ending in Copenhagen. Now, it is time to start looking for our next experience.
Please contact Sue or Bruce Mitchell, your Cruise Planners travel specialists, with any questions about travel. Visit our website at www.redmountaintravel.com. You also may send an email to smitchell@cruiseplanners.com, or call (480) 396-8084.