Category Archives: cruises

A River Cruise in the Bordeaux Region of France: Wrap Up in Bordeaux

Posted on August 13, 2025 by travelbynatasha

This post should have started with details on my tour of Libourne with an outing to either a flour mill, chateau, bike ride along the river, or an in-town villa along with a trip to the farmer’s market. Instead my … Continue reading →

Posted in cruises, international, River Cruise | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A River Cruise in the Bordeaux Region of France: Saint-Emilion

Posted on August 11, 2025 by travelbynatasha

Today we travel by bus only 8 km (less than 5 miles) from Libourne to Saint-Emilion which our cruise director referred to as a hill town. If you are thinking Tuscan hill town, you will need to adjust. Saint-Emilion is … Continue reading →

Posted in cruises, international, River Cruise | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A River Cruise in the Bordeaux Region of France: Blaye, Cognac, and the Route de la Corniche Fleurie

Posted on August 7, 2025 by travelbynatasha

Today we see another element in the estuary fortification known as the block of the estuary.  We sailed to Blaye to see the fortress of the same name.  There is a market in town today we can visit after our tour and … Continue reading →

Posted in cruises, international, River Cruise | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A River Cruise in the Bordeaux Region of France: Cadillac and the Cancan

Posted on August 4, 2025 by travelbynatasha

On our second full day aboard the SS Bon Voyage, we are once again sailing out of Bordeaux this time headed to Cadillac. We have two included tour options, a tour and tasting at a former royal residence and a … Continue reading →

Posted in cruises, international, River Cruise | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A River Cruise in the Bordeaux Region of France: Fort Medoc and Pauillac on Bastille Day

Posted on July 31, 2025 by travelbynatasha

Our first full day on the river cruise ship, Uniworld’s SS Bon Voyage, we left Bordeaux headed down the Gironde Estuary in route to Fort Medoc. The three forts that make up the ‘”Bolt of the Estuary” were developed to … Continue reading →

Posted in cruises, international, River Cruise | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A River Cruise in the Bordeaux region of France: Prelude in Paris

Posted on July 28, 2025 by travelbynatasha

Boris and I are finally off on another adventure.  The past year has included a lot of adventure-including a move to the Texas hill country-just not a lot of travel.  This summer we are going on a river cruise in the Bordeaux … Continue reading →

Posted in cruises, international, River Cruise | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kristiansand, Norway

Posted on August 19, 2024 by travelbynatasha

We have two sea days as we travel from one of the northernmost points in Norway, Honningsvag, to one of the southernmost, Kristiansand, Norway. Kristiansand sits at a strategic point between Denmark and Norway in route to Sweden and Russia to … Continue reading →

Posted in cruises, international | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honningsvag, Norway and the North Cape in the Arctic Circle

Posted on August 17, 2024 by travelbynatasha

Our last port in the Arctic Circle is in Honningsvag, Norway, the northernmost city in mainland Norway.  (I actually think this is an inaccurate description because Honningsvag is on an island, not the mainland.)   In spite of its location, Honningsvag has a … Continue reading →

Posted in cruises, international | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

In the Arctic Circle: Tromso, Norway

Posted on August 5, 2024 by travelbynatasha

After a day at sea when we crossed into the Arctic Circle, we reached Tromso, Norway.  We had expected more fanfare, even a simple announcement from the bridge when we crossed.  We slipped in and that was that.  Even the sea day’s lecture … Continue reading →

Posted in cruises, international | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Flam, Norway

Posted on July 31, 2024 by travelbynatasha

Flam, Norway sits at the end of a beautiful fjord, Aurlandsfjord, an arm of the larger Sognefjord, the world’s longest fjord.  It is primarily a departure point for off-the-boat excursions, but there are some charming buildings with bars, restaurants, and souvenir … Continue reading →

Posted in cruises, international | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment