Normandy and Paris River Cruise
(40 Reviews)
100% Recommended
Rosemary Bartello
Oakville, ON
Ocean and River Cruise Specialist
Travel has always been a love of mine. From the time I graduated from university and spent six weeks in Europe I knew that I wanted to be a travel agent. However I took a detour for a number of years and started my “travel” career in 1997.
...
Travel has always been a love of mine. From the time I graduated from university and spent six weeks in Europe I knew that I wanted to be a travel agent. However I took a detour for a number of years and started my “travel” career in 1997.
My excitement surrounding travel coupled with extensive knowledge of various cruise lines, ships and worldwide destinations keeps my clients coming back time and again.
I have sailed on most Premium and Luxury ocean cruise lines as well as several River Cruise lines in Europe.
• These cruises have taken me to:
• Alaska
• The Caribbean
• West Coast
• Bermuda
• The Mediterranean & Europe
Let's explore the world of "cruising" together and plan an unforgettable cruise memory.
The opportunity to cruise on one of Uniworld’s newest and luxurious ships was not to be missed. The beautifully decorated interior mirrored the gorgeous scenery along the Seine. I traveled in August 2017 and was blessed with perfect weather – Paris was not stifling hot, and I wasn’t cold while visiting the beaches in Northern France.
In our suite, we also made use of the openable top of the French balcony, enjoying the breeze at night. The 8-day itinerary meant that I got to experience many beautiful and quaint ports of call including:
Giverny
There was the option to ride bicycles to the excursion Claude Monet’s house and grounds. Along flat terrain, through the countryside surrounded by beautiful flowers, it was a great choice! I enjoyed the tour of the house and gardens, especially the bridge over the water lily pond. I was surprised by how large Monet’s paintings were, as reproductions of his world famous works were decorating the walls of his home.
Rouen
This city near Giverny is home to a cathedral which Monet famously painted dozens of times! The art major in me was thrilled as we walked around the street and through the local market, sampling cheese and fresh fruit. There was also more to see – a monument honouring Joan of Arc, and the gros horlage (astronomical clock) dating back to the 16th century.
Honfleur
This beautiful and quaint town reminds me of Portofino with its brightly coloured buildings and it’s small town charm. After exploring St. Catherine’s Church built by ship builders, its double-vaulted ceiling looking like the hull of a boat, we enjoyed delicious seafood on a waterfront patio.
Versailles
The Palace of Versailles was absolutely stunning. Everything about the architecture, furniture, and decorations was over the top and amazing. I really got a sense of the history and the palace's significance in the French Revolution.
Normandy Beaches
While visiting the Normandy Beaches, the atmosphere was subdued. It was very humbling to see the site so significant in WWII. Any traveler with an interest in history would enjoy seeing the monument to the soldiers and taking part in a short guided tour of Juno Beach.