点评:Introduction
There is something wonderful about beginning a river cruise by train. No airport queues, no baggage carousels and no early-morning flights - just the rhythm of the rails carrying you towards your destination. My recent Great Rail Journeys holiday combined two of Europe’s most enjoyable forms of travel; a scenic rail journey to Amsterdam on the Eurostar followed by a luxurious cruise along the Rhine aboard the elegant Amadeus Star.
From the moment our holiday began, everything was meticulously organised. Great Rail Journeys provided a dedicated rail guide, Rick, who accompanied the group on both the outward journey to Amsterdam and the return from Basel in Switzerland. His knowledge and organisation ensured that connections and transfers ran smoothly throughout. An added benefit was the return baggage handling service included with our booking where ‘The Baggageman’ collected a 23 kilo suitcase a week or so before the cruise and delivered it to the ship which allowed us to enjoy the journey rather than wrestling with suitcases on the trains.
Amsterdam provided the perfect starting point for our Rhine adventure. Moored in the Dutch capital was the impressive Amadeus Star. Accommodating just over 160 guests, the ship strikes an appealing balance between intimacy and luxury, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere from the moment guests step onboard.
Ship Facilities
The ship’s contemporary interiors are elegant and large panoramic windows flood the public areas with natural light, while polished wood finishes and tasteful furnishings create a sophisticated ambience throughout.
Our accommodation was a Deluxe Stateroom on Strauss Deck, the ship’s middle deck. Featuring floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows with a drop-down balcony operated at the touch of a button, the cabin provided wonderful views along the Rhine. Comfortable furnishings, generous storage space and a well-appointed bathroom plus modern amenities such as Rituals toiletries, air-con, a safe, coffee and tea making facilities and Wi-Fi made this an excellent choice of cabin.
On board, Cruise Director Andrew Thompson and Cruise Manager Debbie Perkins played key roles in ensuring the success of the voyage. Andrew’s daily briefings and destination insights were both informative and entertaining, while Debbie efficiently oversaw the many details that keep a river cruise operating seamlessly. Together they provided a reassuring presence throughout the week and helped foster the friendly atmosphere on board.
The Panorama Bar and Lounge served as the social hub of the ship. During the day, when not on tours, it offered comfortable seating for relaxing and enjoying the views, while evenings brought live music and opportunities to share the day’s experiences with fellow travellers.
One of the ship’s most attractive features is the River Terrace at the bow. This outdoor area provides forward-facing views as the vessel glides along the river and is the perfect place to enjoy a morning coffee while watching the landscape unfold ahead. At the stern, the intimate Amadeus Club and wine bar offers a quieter atmosphere, ideal for sampling regional wines or enjoying a peaceful drink after dinner. Here there’s a 24-hour tea and coffee station. The Sun Deck meanwhile provided plenty of loungers and shaded seating making it an ideal vantage point for scenic cruising.
Dining
Dining, which was open seating, took place in the ship’s elegant Restaurant, where large windows ensured that guests never missed the passing scenery. Breakfasts offered an extensive buffet selection, while lunches and dinners featured a varied menu combining regional specialities with international cuisine. Wine, beers and soft drinks are served complimentary with dinner. A light lunch buffet and afternoon tea was also available in the Panorama Bar and Lounge.
Itinerary
The cruise itinerary combined some of the Rhine’s most famous destinations with a selection of very well organised excursions. In Cologne, dominated by the magnificent Gothic Cathedral, we moored close to the city centre just a short walk away. We visited the wine town of Rüdesheim wandering through the famous Drosselgasse lined with half-timbered buildings and the many wine taverns was a delightful experience. A visit to Königswinter and a ride on the Drachenfels Railway, the oldest cog railway in Germany, to the top of the mountain gave us some fabulous views!
One of the many highlights of this cruise was the excursion to Heidelberg, one of Germany’s most beautiful historic cities. Overlooking the Neckar River, Heidelberg Castle provides spectacular views and a fascinating insight into centuries of German history. The city’s charming old town, with its cobbled streets, elegant architecture and shops proved equally appealing.
Another enjoyable excursion took us into the heart of the Black Forest. This picturesque region of rolling hills, dense woodland and traditional villages offered a contrast to the river scenery and provided an opportunity to experience another side of southern Germany. The combination of beautiful landscapes and local traditions made for a memorable excursion.
Of course, no Rhine cruise would be complete without sailing through the UNESCO - listed Middle Rhine Valley. Here, medieval castles crown hilltops, vineyards cling to steep slopes and picturesque villages line the riverbanks. Passengers gathered on deck and in the lounges to admire the scenery, particularly as we passed the legendary Lorelei Rock. According to local folklore, the beautiful maiden Lorelei lured sailors to their doom with her enchanting song. Whether myth or reality, the dramatic setting remains one of the Rhine’s most iconic landmarks. Cruising along this part of the Rhine was a fantastic experience.
As the voyage approached its conclusion in Basel, there was a growing appreciation of just how much had been experienced during the week. River cruising offers a uniquely relaxing way to travel, combining comfort, culture and constantly changing scenery, and Amadeus Star is an excellent ship from which to enjoy it.
The return rail journey was every bit as enjoyable as the outward trip. Once again, Rick ensured that transfers and train connections ran smoothly. However, a hold up on the TGV train from Basel to Paris put us behind schedule but Rick’s organisational skills managed to get our group across Paris and onto the Eurostar with 10 minutes to spare!
Conclusion
Combining the convenience of rail travel with the comfort and elegance of Amadeus Star, this Great Rail Journeys holiday delivered a wonderful cruise along of one of Europe’s most celebrated waterways. Excellent onboard facilities, fascinating excursions, first class service and the professionalism of rail guide Rick, Cruise Director Andrew and Cruise Manager Debbie combined to create a truly memorable holiday that showcased the very best of the Rhine. I can’t wait to experience another Great Rail Journeys holiday!
翻译:引言
乘坐火车开启莱茵河游轮之旅,别有一番美妙之处。无需机场排队,无需等待行李转盘,也无需早起赶飞机——只有铁轨的节奏载着你驶向目的地。我最近参加的“Great Rail Journeys”旅行团,将欧洲两种最令人愉悦的旅行方式完美结合:先乘坐欧洲之星列车,欣赏沿途美景抵达阿姆斯特丹,随后登上优雅的“阿玛迪斯之星”号游轮,开启莱茵河上的奢华之旅。
从假期开始的那一刻起,一切都安排得井井有条。“Great Rail Journeys”为我们安排了一位专属的铁路导游里克,他全程陪同我们前往阿姆斯特丹,以及从瑞士巴塞尔返回。他丰富的知识和周到的安排,确保了整个行程的衔接和转乘都非常顺畅。更令人惊喜的是,我们的预订还包含返程行李搬运服务。“行李员”会在游轮出发前一周左右,帮我们取走一个23公斤重的行李箱,并送到船上,让我们能够尽情享受旅程,而无需在火车上费力地搬运行李。
阿姆斯特丹是我们莱茵河探险之旅的完美起点。停泊在荷兰首都的阿玛迪斯之星号邮轮令人印象深刻。这艘可容纳160多位宾客的邮轮,巧妙地融合了私密性和奢华感,从宾客踏上船的那一刻起,便营造出轻松愉悦的氛围。
邮轮设施
邮轮的现代内饰优雅别致,宽敞的全景窗户为公共区域引入充足的自然光线,而抛光的木质饰面和雅致的家具则营造出贯穿始终的精致氛围。
我们入住的是位于邮轮中层甲板施特劳斯甲板的豪华客舱。客舱配备落地全景窗,只需轻触按钮即可开启下拉式阳台,饱览莱茵河的壮丽景色。舒适的家具、充足的储物空间、设施齐全的浴室,以及诸如Rituals洗浴用品、空调、保险箱、咖啡和茶具以及无线网络等现代化设施,使这间客舱成为绝佳之选。
在船上,邮轮总监安德鲁·汤普森和邮轮经理黛比·珀金斯为此次航程的成功做出了重要贡献。安德鲁每日的简报和目的地介绍既信息丰富又妙趣横生,而黛比则高效地统筹安排了河轮航行的各项细节,确保航行顺利进行。他们两人携手合作,在一周的行程中始终给人以安心之感,并营造了船上友好的氛围。
全景酒吧和休息室是船上的社交中心。白天,在没有游览活动时,这里提供舒适的座椅,供客人放松身心,欣赏美景;而到了晚上,这里则有现场音乐表演,并为旅客们提供与同伴分享一天体验的机会。
船上最吸引人的特色之一是船首的河畔露台。这片户外区域视野开阔,可欣赏到游轮沿河缓缓滑行的壮丽景色,是享用晨间咖啡、欣赏前方美景的理想场所。船尾的阿玛迪斯俱乐部和葡萄酒吧氛围更为静谧,是品尝当地葡萄酒或在晚餐后小酌一杯的绝佳去处。这里还设有24小时茶水和咖啡供应站。与此同时,阳光甲板上摆放着许多躺椅和遮阳座椅,是欣赏沿途美景的理想地点。
餐饮
船上优雅的餐厅提供开放式用餐,透过宽敞的落地窗,宾客可以饱览沿途风光。早餐提供丰盛的自助餐,午餐和晚餐则提供融合当地特色和国际美食的多元化菜单。晚餐时免费供应葡萄酒、啤酒和软饮。此外,全景酒吧和休息室还提供简餐自助和下午茶。
行程
游轮行程将莱茵河沿岸一些最著名的景点与精心安排的岸上观光活动相结合。在科隆,我们停靠在靠近市中心的地方,步行即可到达宏伟的哥特式大教堂。之后,我们游览了葡萄酒小镇吕德斯海姆,漫步在著名的德罗塞尔街,欣赏两旁林立的半木结构建筑和众多葡萄酒酒馆,是一次令人愉悦的体验。参观柯尼希斯温特 (Königswinter) 并乘坐德国最古老的齿轨铁路——德拉亨费尔斯铁路 (Drachenfels Railway) 登上山顶,让我们饱览了壮丽的景色!
此次游轮之旅的众多亮点之一是前往海德堡的游览,海德堡是德国最美丽的古城之一。海德堡城堡俯瞰内卡河,景色壮丽,也让我们得以深入了解几个世纪以来的德国历史。这座城市迷人的老城区,鹅卵石街道、优雅的建筑和琳琅满目的商店,同样令人流连忘返。
另一次愉快的游览带我们深入黑森林的腹地。这片风景如画的丘陵地带,茂密的森林和传统的村庄与河畔风光形成鲜明对比,让我们有机会体验德国南部的另一面。美丽的景色与当地传统交相辉映,成就了一次难忘的旅程。
当然,如果没有航行于联合国教科文组织世界遗产名录上的中莱茵河谷,莱茵河游轮之旅便不算完整。在这里,中世纪城堡傲立于山顶,葡萄园依偎在陡峭的山坡上,风景如画的村庄点缀着河岸。乘客们聚集在甲板和休息室里欣赏美景,尤其是在我们经过传说中的罗蕾莱岩时。根据当地传说,美丽的少女罗蕾莱用她迷人的歌声引诱水手们走向毁灭。无论神话传说还是现实,这处充满戏剧性的景观仍然是莱茵河最具标志性的地标之一。沿着莱茵河的这一段航行是一次奇妙的体验。
随着航程接近尾声,抵达巴塞尔,大家越来越意识到这一周的经历是多么丰富多彩。河轮旅行提供了一种独特的放松方式,将舒适、文化和不断变化的风景完美融合,而“阿玛迪斯之星”号正是享受这种旅行的绝佳选择。
返程的火车之旅与去程一样令人愉悦。里克再次确保了换乘和火车衔接的顺利进行。然而,从巴塞尔到巴黎的TGV列车出现延误,使我们错过了预定时间,但里克出色的组织能力最终让我们一行人顺利穿过巴黎,并在最后10分钟登上了欧洲之星列车!
总结
此次“伟大铁路之旅”假期将铁路旅行的便捷与“阿玛迪斯之星”号的舒适和优雅完美结合,为我们带来了一次精彩绝伦的莱茵河之旅。一流的船上设施、引人入胜的岸上观光、顶级的服务以及铁路导游里克、游轮总监安德鲁和游轮经理黛比的专业精神,共同打造了一次真正令人难忘的假期,展现了莱茵河最美的风光。我已经迫不及待地想要体验下一次“伟大铁路之旅”假期了!