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We are just back from a DIY trip in the Netherlands and Belgium, Brugge was beautiful at night!!!

Canal archive,

I made the Elisen Lebkuchen Recipe 2, very good and much easier than what I have made for years!  Thank you for sharing the recipe.

Deana

I have found it better to wear lighter weight Thermoball type jackets under a Gore-Tex jacket.  Layers are a lot more comfortable than a heavy coat!  If down coats get wet it is not pleasant if you do not have a dryer and tennis balls handy! On the rivers it is a damp cold so think hats, gloves and scarves!

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Very easy to get from the Munich train station to Marienplatz.  The department store Galeria Kauhof that has excellent windows decorated with Steiff animals!

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I tried some of the plant-based items that were GF on our cruise in May on the Legend, some were very good taste wise. Some the texture was lacking for the described item. Please note not all plant based items are GF.  I am an excellent cook and baker who now is gluten free (not vegan) so I am picky! Second seating

Uniworld and Windstar are wonderful with gluten free. Because I loved to cook and bake before GF I have managed to make it easy to eat GF. In a cooking class in France this year I used chestnut flour for the first time!  I bake cookies I cannot eat for friends during the holiday but I love Lebkuchen!!!

Deana

Thank You!!!

Canal archive,

I would love to have the recipe for Elisenlebkuchen, if it is one of the recipes.  This is the flourless cookie that I make during the holidays.  I am gluten free so I bake on Silpat instead of edible paper.

Thank you,

Deana

It will depend on where you dock but I think it should not be a problem.  The fee to enter was part of our tour, a very special Christmas Market. When we were there a bus took us because a lock was broken. We have docked near downtown on a summer stop.

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In Regensburg try to see the Romantic Christmas Market at Schloss Thurn and Taxis.  This is one of my favorites!

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I am partial to nutcrackers, this picture is from Dresden 2017 I think!

A view from the bar in the Electra Metropolis!

11 hours ago, texasstar said:

Does anyone have hotel recommendations in the Plaka area of Athens?  I am looking at the Electra Metropolis. 

Thanks for your thoughts.

We stayed at the Electra Metropolis after a SeaDream cruise in August 2022 very nice. I think there might be two nearby with similar names this is the one we stayed at!

Electra Metropolis

Valrhona is on my list!  I have used their cocoa for years and have gifted their chocolate.

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We are booked on Uniworld Burgundy to Provence in May!

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Esterhazy cake or anything chocolate at Cafe Gerbeaud!!!

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Picture of the same bridge in May!  We were there years ago in October.

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If you are doing a pre or post stay, some hotels have fresh trees in their lobbies like this one in Rothenburg ob Tauber. This small hotel had trees on every floor. A lot of fresh greens in the markets!

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Remember in December Europe is dark around 4:30!

14 hours ago, Got2Cruise said:

The Azamara ship is in Chioggia today also. Compare sizes😆

After cruising on Uniworld the large ships lost us!   We now prefer Windstar!!!  They are larger than a river cruise but acceptable in size and great food!

Got2Cruise "St Marks Basilica for a private entrance for the Uniworld pax only." 

This was spectacular, we did this cruise the second season it was offered.  We were docked where we could walk to St. Marks.

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Google maps on my phone (Verizon) worked well in Brugge's until it didn't!  At that time we were glad we had a paper map!!!

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Just take your patience and pack a few extra clothes in your carry on!!!  We have had a few delays, thankfully our luggage has made it to our destinations! Enjoy your trip!

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I am gluten free and Windstar does an excellent job!  They really go out of their way on this, I see a menu the night before to make my choices.  If there is ever a question someone can get a quick answer.

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