Ipapashiwe: 22.10.2016
The excitement was great when I finally received the confirmation for my first seminar trip. All alone out on the open sea? That definitely made me quite nervous. Especially since it was also my first cruise. But my concerns were unfounded. I gained so many valuable experiences, had the opportunity to sail on a beautiful ship, and - not to forget - met so many amazing people.
And now, a little recap of 4 fantastic days with the AIDAsol on the route: Hamburg-IJmuiden/Amsterdam-Dover/London-Hamburg.
And whoosh...the next day we were already in Dover! It's amazing how easy, fast, and comfortable this way of traveling is. When in England, a trip to London is a must, of course. London by water and land is something I can highly recommend! We were able to see all the sights in a short amount of time, even with the long 2-hour drive. The bus ride to Covent Garden served as a mini city tour. When we arrived at our destination, I was totally thrilled. Covent Garden has a wonderful market with numerous small stands where you can find all sorts of treasures. But there are also small shops and restaurants, of course. After a bit of free time there, we continued to Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and London Eye. Only one highlight was missing...the Tower Bridge. But thanks to a little boat tour on the Thames, we were able to see it from the water side and take numerous selfies ;) In our tour of London, the red buses and telephone booths were always with us!
After the exciting days in the Netherlands, England, and the vastness of the North Sea, it was time to head back towards Hamburg. On our sea day, we were able to explore the ship, go shopping, and relax. The 4D cinema is really cute with its short films that not only children can enjoy ;). And the food, no matter which of the numerous restaurants you visit, is always delicious and there is something for every taste. Of course, we also tested the bars on the AIDAsol a few times and celebrated extensively in the Anytime Bar to end the trip!