Diane, Really enjoyed your blogs...thanks for taking us along kerfluffles and all. We are waiting for more of Andrea's pictures!

Sorry to read of your "Peeper" trip coming to an end but 'home again...home again, jiggidy jig'always rolls around. You miss your dog and we'll miss your 'almost' Dave Barry and Bill Bryson commentary.
Thanks for taking us along, I enjoyed every word.

THE ANALYSIS

Tomorrow is Bruge, but in the meantime, the questions.

Will I river cruise again? You bet. Will it be on Tauck? Yes. Double yes, with one exception. I will not rely on the internet to check on my folks, but will bring a prepaid phone. The internet is untrustworthy, and I don’t think it matters on which line one travels. It is the nature of the rivers and locks.

Tauck went over and above in every aspect. You already know about my work, and how the staff brought dinner to my room. They did it again last night when I was sick. The booklet says inconsistently that there is no room service and that there is a charge, but I received such service, gratis. Just a bit ago, I told the desk person I would be happy to pay for the room service. She shooed me away, saying “We are 5 star. We do what makes you happy.”

Again with one exception, the tours were well organized, useful, informative, and fun—not too long, and not too short. The exception was the kerfluffle day, which was redeemed and redeemed again. A guide like Peter is an unheralded asset to this company. A gem. A knowledgable, funny, slightly sicko gem.

The rooms, although small, are lovely. I peeked into the higher level rooms on the third floor, and they are spacious, with a couch and room to walk around. There are only French balconies, but they give the room an expanding lightness, even in the rain.

Meals are usually open seating in the dinning room, during the two-hour meal window. Food was good, although I am not a gourmand. Breakfast and lunch are buffets, with an available entrée.

We ate one evening in the game room, which is a reservation-only 20-seater. It was great, even with a long gap between the soup and entrée.

Wines, beers are included in lunch and dinner, with the rest on your tab. It worked fine, since the staff knew everyone’s names and the process was so simple.

Not much nightlife, although there is supposed to be a classical music concert tonight. Most nights the place cleared out around 10 or so, but this was a port-intensive trip.

The age-group is mostly 60s-late 80s. Gracious people. One great lady, Carol, had a face that was a cross between Tyne Daly and Francis McDormand. So I called her Tyne-Francis, which made her mouth laugh like Tyne and her eyes bug wide like Francis. I hope I have made a permanent friend with Adrienne, a smart and engaging widow from California. And Andrea. Well, you know Andrea. I just love her. Love her.

I still love Steve, the cruise director. I love him more and more, as the bags under his eyes grow and ripple, what with the internet/locks problems. I fear I’m too old for him, and dining director Gabriel. Good thing re Gabriel, since the more I saw him, with that blond hair and those blue eyes, the more I got nervous as we travelled through the WW II areas. I told him this and he laughed, a little nervously, but he laughed nonetheless.

There was one group of six, traveling together, which apparently forgot others were on the trip, and even in front of them in line. Since they weren’t going to socialize with us peons anyway, the group was a hindrance more than anything. And every boat has them We were lucky to have only one. I don’t think they realized how they were acting or its import. I think they were just used to being “the ones.”

So, you should go on a river cruise and go with Tauck. The end. Except for Bruges.

One other thing. Some people were complaining to the guides or to Steve about something or another as to the excursions. I understand if you are dissatisfied with what is being offered or how it is being offered. Remember the kerfluffle day.

Still, there is a respectful way to complain, and a disrespectful way. Given how wonderful we have all been treated, and the wealth of many (but not all, including me) people aboard, you would expect decorum.

On the other hand, that early goodbye to the boat may be doing some people in.

Diane, So sorry your outstanding reports are nearing "the end." For you, your journey and experiences are almost over; for those who have enjoyed your installments of your trip, the conclusion of daily reading pleasures.

Alan and I have been huge fans of Tauck and river cruising for some time. However, we haven't experienced Tauck river cruising. Our one stellar experience with Dielmann made us river cruising believers. We will, no doubt, river cruise with Tauck in the very near future. Our 3 Tauck tours have each far exceeded our expectations. We will be land touring with Tauck, again, in September, to Northern Italy/Italian Lakes. Can't wait. We know we are in for an incredible time, thanks to Tauck's fine attention to every detail. You mix Tauck touring, outstanding service from start to finish, and overall quality of the Tauck product, and you have a stellar combination. Thank you for sharing your Tauck river cruising experience with us here on LCT. Your assessment of Tauck solidifies what I knew for years - you can't go wrong when choosing Tauck - even with a few kerfluffles. Wishing you all safe travels home.

Pictures from Floriade

Since we would be at Floriade during lunch, Tauck gave us €20 for lunch. Peter had told us about a wonderful restaurant on the grounds operated by a 1 star Michelin chef so we decided to dine there, and dine we did indeed!!

Breads



Beets with goat cheese



Fish with curry sauce & white asparagus



Strawberries & ice cream



Cointreau chocolates - interesting nut placement

Diane & Andrea - a great tag team!!!

Diane - there were a lot of dogs in Brugges. We loved that town.

Andrea, your pix are incredibly beautiful! You're a wonderful photographer! You can almost smell those lovely flowers and taste that delicious food!

Thanks Diane for your reports. I love it when you are on a trip you do such interesting posts.

Tauck has beautiful ships and although the standard cabins are very small they do offer some upgrades so that helps for people who want more space.

Glad you had a good time and the picture from Andrea and your reports were sensational!

Following along with you on your river cruise has been such a treat! Thank you so much, Diane and Andrea!

Love the pics, love the report, and really love Bruges-- we were there on a land trip a few yrs ago

"great nut placement" :D The cuisine looks amazing. Hate to see these reports and photo's coming to an end. Andrea, your photo's are Va Voom!
Kudo's to you and Diane :hug:

Great reporting, thanks Diane! And fabtastic pictures, thanks, Andrea!
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Helen

I loved your report!

My attorneys gave me a beautiful, all white arrangement for Christmas, and there were several of those fringed tulips in it. They are so unusual!