Sailing along the Dutch and Belgian waterways usually marks the beginning of the rivercruise season in Europe. A variety of cities and smaller towns are visited and we touch upon several typical themes likes bulbs, flowers, watermanagement. There is also the possibility to meet the dutch: this takes place in the city of Hoorn. Hoorn was a seat of the Dutch East India Company, which made the city wealthy. It shows, Hoorn has still lots of buildings dating from that time, the 17th century or Golden Age, and many of these buildings are monuments.
The hosted dinner doesn't take place with families at home, but in historic locations. The photo shows some of the Vantage guests enjoying a typical dutch evening meal in the 'Oosterkerk' in Hoorn. Oosterkerk can be translated as 'East Church'. The oldest part of this church dates to the year 1519. It is located close to the port, and used to be a typical church for seamen and fishermen.
Every table has a hostess or host from the area, eager to chat with our passengers about live in the area of Hoorn or any other subject that may come up! After this successful event, everybody walked the short distance back to the port where the MS River Splendor was docked. Some passengers got home a little later, making a bit of a detour to reach the ship in order to see a bit more of Hoorn.
We often bundle “Southeast Asia” together. It’s not until one is there talking to people and seeing villages and cities first-hand that you really realize how unique each country is. Like the US, Canada and Mexico, these countries are “same-same, but different.” And after spending some time there, you’ll come home same-same but different, too. 
We are used to the long flights and it was easy getting to Athens via Frankfurt. Upon arrival our ride and guide were ready to make our visit a remembrance. For me it’s the guide that made all the difference and throughout the visit we had one 24/7. Our ride from the airport to the hotel was not only a sightseeing tour but also a learning session as the guide took time to explain all the landmarks and history associated with them. Finally the hotel, one of top 3 in Athens, was a great place to land after a long flight. Our rooms were on the top floors giving us a spectacular view of Athens including the Acropolis & the Temple of Zeus.
modern Olympics. The stadium was full of school children in a program to support the Olympics in London. Now we are part of it too. We headed for our yacht around 4:00 PM and spent the next 7 days learning about a lot about ancient Greece, mythology, architecture, and art as we had lectures every day, visiting many islands and sailing around the “Peloponnese”.
Upon return to Athens, we went to PLAKA to wrap up shopping for family and friends and that afternoon we visited cape Sounion – the site of ruins of an ancient Greek temple of Poseidon. It takes about 2 hours and as always, the guide kept us busy during our drive to the site.
The ship’s staff greeted us with orange juice. My husband and I arrange our luggage under the beds, and plug in my computer under the TV to charge. (We brought an adaptor.) We hang a couple of outfits in the closet, but don’t spend much time unpacking; we head up to the lounge immediately to watch the mainland and islands roll by. 
Every three minutes someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with breast cancer and a staggering 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer. On May 19th and 20th, a group of Vantage’s Boston-based employees are doing their part to raise awareness and help support funding for this devastating disease by participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. The walk will take place in the Boston area over 2 days, and is 39.3 miles in length!
The ship is amazing! WIFI is good – online now! The rooms are incredibly spacious and allow one to fit their luggage below their beds. The iPhone docking station in the room is a great touch (and a lifesaver if you forgot your charger). The customers really love it! 
We are sailing to Schoonhoven now where we will be overnight. A lecturer came on board and gave a lecture on Dutch Waterways and Canals. Vantage Program Managers will give a Dutch language lesson a bit later.
The group had the ability to do the regular tour or walk a bit more on an “active walking tour” - all tours included our headsets. The tour ended with free time in the afternoon in Bruges. We were each provided 15 euro for lunch on our own – I opted for the frittes (fries) with tartar sauce! There were many toppings to choose from- be adventurous! During my free time, I walked along the streets, and bought some Belgian chocolates (that were delicious). I also found chocolates filled with onions, wasabi, and tomatoes! I bought them and I will let you know how are they are! Of course there is the beer. There are so many different beers here. Although I'm not a big beer drinker, the Raspberry flavored beer is quite good. All this talk of food... I should be hitting the fitness room or joining the ladies who walk the track. =) 
For more than 15 years, fortunate travelers have been introduced to the natural wonders of Antarctica by Vantage. Even so, 2012 stands apart. This year Vantage will not only feature the MS Fram, the best small ship cruising Antarctic waters, but it will be chartered exclusively for Vantage travelers. What sets Vantage apart: Hurtigruten's onboard EXPEDITION TEAM of experts in geology, geography, and ornithology will present lectures and escort the group on shore! 
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