Showing posts with label Viking River Cruise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Viking River Cruise. Show all posts
Pérouges, France: The 15th century medieval walled town perched on a hill that felt as though time had simply decided to stay awhile. With its weathered stone walls, flower-filled windows, winding cobblestone lanes, and quiet corners tucked behind centuries-old doors, Pérouges was one of those places that invited you to slow down and notice every detail.
Click HERE to see many more pictures of this beautiful town!
Mom and I were so glad that we chose to do this tour with Viking Cruises on our Rhône River cruise. The tour was fascinating, the town was gorgeous, and the history was inspiring. This past year we have talked often about this tour and it has reminded us that beauty is not found in perfection. It is found in the worn places, the weathered places, the places that have endured. And perhaps the same is true for us. The chapters we never would have chosen, the unexpected turns, the seasons that seemed to change everything often become the very stories that shape us most deeply.
There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.
Mom and I were so glad that we chose to do this tour with Viking Cruises on our Rhône River cruise. The tour was fascinating, the town was gorgeous, and the history was inspiring. This past year we have talked often about this tour and it has reminded us that beauty is not found in perfection. It is found in the worn places, the weathered places, the places that have endured. And perhaps the same is true for us. The chapters we never would have chosen, the unexpected turns, the seasons that seemed to change everything often become the very stories that shape us most deeply.
There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.
// Leonard Cohen //
My Viking Story | Caravan Sonnet | Pérouges, France
My Viking Story | Caravan Sonnet | Pérouges, France
Happy Saturday friends!
It is hard to believe that it has been a full year today since our beautiful Rhone River Cruise! I am excited to share a few final reels of this beautiful adventure! Last night on IG I shared a reel all about days three and four which included time in Avignon and Viviers! Before you read anymore here, I would be honored if you would please head on over to watch, comment, and like this reel by clicking HERE!
I understand that in the world we live in and the constant reels and pictures it may not seem like a lot, but to me this means so much more than you realize. Every view, like, comment, and share on a reel truly matters more than most people realize. Instagram quietly uses those small signals to decide whether a post should be shown to more people. When you watch, tap the heart, or leave a thoughtful comment, you’re helping the story reach someone else who might need to hear it too. For a small content creator like me, those simple moments of encouragement from this community make a real difference and help Caravan Sonnet continue to grow in the Instagram space. So please take just a quick moment to click HERE to do this!
Thank you.
If you are interested in more information about days three and four please click on these links below and as always feel free to let me know if you have any questions!
Day 3- Avignon and Taste of Provence Dinner
Avignon Walking Tour (IG Reel)
Theatre of Avignon (Grand Opera Avignon) (Blog Post)
Carrousel Belle Epoque (Blog Post)
Palace of the Popes (UNESCO site) (Blog Post)
Viking Delling Food and Dining Review (IG Reel)
Day 4- Viviers and Cruising the Rhone River
Viviers Walking Tour (IG Reel)
Happy Saturday! I hope you have the most wonderful day!
When I went on my first Rhone River Cruise with Viking last year, I was a complete newbie. I had never been in that area of France and I didn't know much about the area prior to the trip. We had done our amazing Rhine River Cruise with Viking in 2017 so I was familiar with European River cruising but I searched for the best packing lists for the Rhone River as I didn't want to forget anything in all of the excitement! I narrowed a few items down that we found to be the most helpful and practical and here are five things that people often forget to bring on their first Rhone River Cruise
1. Local Currency
One of the most important things that you can do to prepare and bring on your trip is some of the local currency where you will be going. You can do this ahead of time at your bank or at a local vendor which will result in less fees than if you use a money exchange booth in an airport. While some people would prefer to use their credit cards - which is great, you will still need to have money for tips or for small shops that don't take credit cards so make sure to prepare for this ahead of time. I personally found that while many of the places took credit cards (especially in the bigger cities like Lyon), the smaller towns that we visited (like Arles) shop owners thanked me for using cash instead of a credit card as I spoke with them.
2. Passport Holder/Wallet
You will need to have your passport with you and I would definitely recommend carrying it with you at all times, even while you are on excursions. I use my wallet which is an older beautiful green Travel & Passport Wallet that is no longer available, but is very similar to THIS ONE and I love it!
You will need to have your passport with you and I would definitely recommend carrying it with you at all times, even while you are on excursions. I use my wallet which is an older beautiful green Travel & Passport Wallet that is no longer available, but is very similar to THIS ONE and I love it!
If you are looking just for a Passport Holder and don't want the entire wallet- there are so many different adorable passport holders that are available today! A favorite I found (for less than $10!) is THIS ONE (which has more than 22,000 amazing reviews and comes in TONS of different colors!!) The best thing is that many of the colors are currently are on sale!
3. OTC Medications
While it is true that you can purchase all different over the counter medication when you are off the ship- it can be more pricey and also be difficult to find depending on where you are traveling. There were several pharmacies at different places we stopped (so it is not impossible) but it is just easier to bring your medications with you. Most Rhone River Cruises do not have a doctor but there is a basic first aid kit available. You will want to think ahead and bring some of your own items.
Prone to seasickness when you travel? River Cruising is a beautiful answer for those that may struggle with this, but I did meet a few people on our cruise last year that were seasick. If you are very sensitive- definitely check out my post 4 Ways to Prevent Motion Sickness when Traveling by clicking HERE!
Even though river cruising is an excellent choice for those who are prone to seasickness, there were still some people who said the movement on our cruise was difficult to them. A lot of people use Dramamine (or the patch) for motion sickness on a cruise which is a wonderful option, but ginger can be a great natural resource to help with nausea. You can read more about ginger and its health benefits by clicking HERE. I have mentioned this in several posts but I swear by THIS ginger here. It is organic and for less than $15 you can save yourself a whole lot of sickness!
4. Comfortable Shoes/Sandals
I shared this in my post, 13 Must Pack Items for Your Caribbean Cruise, but it is a definite thing to remember. Pack comfortable shoes and sandals!! You definitely want to look cute and have fun, but you don't want your cruise ruined by blisters either so take the time to pick out cute and comfy shoes. On a river cruise you do TONS of walking and you will want to make sure your shoes are comfortable!
5. A Watch
I was surprised to hear this suggestion from those who had done a lot of river cruising but honestly, have now seen the value in having a watch. One of the best parts of a cruise is having the chance to take a break from the "real world" and simply enjoy the moment. But if you are wanting to make sure that you are ready to meet for excursions, meal times, etc. and want to put away the phone, you will want to know the time. Five years later, and I still love my fitbit versa and totally recommend it! You can find it HERE!
What about y'all? Any items that you wish that you had brought on your first Rhone River Cruise that you would recommend to a first-time cruiser?
Read more about our amazing Rhone River Cruise below:
And here are some cruising tips from over the years of blogging!
Cruising Tips:
Happy Tuesday friends! I hope you have a wonderful day!
Happy Wednesday friends!
It is hard to believe that it has been a full year today since our beautiful Rhone River Cruise! I am excited to share a few final reels of this beautiful adventure beginning with our first two days HERE!
Last night on IG I shared a reel all about our embarkation day and our beautiful day in Arles! Before you read anymore here, I would be honored if you would please head on over to watch, comment, and like this reel by clicking HERE!
I understand that in the world we live in and the constant reels and pictures it may not seem like a lot, but to me this means so much more than you realize. Every view, like, comment, and share on a reel truly matters more than most people realize. Instagram quietly uses those small signals to decide whether a post should be shown to more people. When you watch, tap the heart, or leave a thoughtful comment, you’re helping the story reach someone else who might need to hear it too. For a small content creator like me, those simple moments of encouragement from this community make a real difference and help Caravan Sonnet continue to grow in the Instagram space. So please take just a quick moment to click HERE to do this!
Thank you.
If you are interested in more information about these first couple of days please click on these links below and as always feel free to let me know if you have any questions!
Embarkation Day
Embarkation Day on the Viking Delling (IG Reel)
Embarkation Day on the Viking Delling (Blog Post)
Viking Delling (IG Reel)
Viking Delling Ship Review (IG Reel)
Viking Rhone River Tours (IG Reel)
Viking Delling Stateroom 337 Review (IG Reel)
Day 2- Arles, France
Morning on the Rhone River (IG Reel)
Thoughts from Arles France (Blog Post)
The Arles Ampitheater (Blog Post)
A Walk Through Arles France (IG Reel)
Sunsets on the Viking Delling (IG Reel)
Happy Wednesday! I hope you have the most wonderful day!
Happy Tuesday friends! I hope you had an incredible day!
It is hard to believe that it has been a full year today since our beautiful Rhône River Cruise with Viking Cruise Line began! I am excited to share some special memories from our trip and today excited to share all about our travel from Newark to Marseille!
Tonight on IG I shared a reel all about our travel from Newark to Marseille! for part two of how I paid off $260,000 in medical debt. Before you read anymore here, I would be honored if you would please head on over to watch, comment, and like this very important reel by clicking HERE!
I understand that in the world we live in and the constant reels and pictures it may not seem like a lot, but to me this means so much more than you realize. Every view, like, comment, and share on a reel truly matters more than most people realize. Instagram quietly uses those small signals to decide whether a post should be shown to more people. When you watch, tap the heart, or leave a thoughtful comment, you’re helping the story reach someone else who might need to hear it too. For a small content creator like me, those simple moments of encouragement from this community make a real difference and help Caravan Sonnet continue to grow in the Instagram space. So please take just a quick moment to click HERE to do this! .
Thank you.
Happy Tuesday! I hope you have the most wonderful day!
When you arrive in Avignon during a Rhône River cruise, the first things most travelers notice are the grand stone walls, the winding medieval streets, and of course the towering presence of the Palais des Papes (which I shared about HERE). But tucked into the lively Place de l’Horloge — where cafés spill onto the square and church bells echo softly through the afternoon — stands another building quietly carrying centuries of history: the Opéra Grand Avignon. Located across from the Carrousel Belle Epoque that I shared about last week (read HERE), this European theater is beautiful and elegant and holds a history that is far deeper than you may first imagine.
A Theatre Born From Revolution
The site of the Avignon theatre has been connected to performance and public gathering since the early 19th century. The first theatre on this location opened in 1825, during a time when France was still reshaping itself after the upheaval of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era.
The theatre quickly became a cultural centerpiece of Avignon. Opera, music, drama, and civic gatherings were held here — bringing together people from across Provence.
Yet the building that stands today is not the original structure.
In 1846, tragedy struck when a fire destroyed the first theatre. Fires were unfortunately common in 19th-century theatres, where candles and gas lighting were used during performances. Within just a few years, however, the city rebuilt the theatre, reopening it in 1847 in the Italian-style opera house design that remains today.
Inside, the theatre reflects the grand tradition of European opera houses:
• velvet-lined balconies
• ornate gilded decorations
• a horseshoe-shaped auditorium designed for perfect acoustics
For nearly two centuries, this theatre has hosted operas, orchestras, ballets, and theatrical productions — serving as one of the cultural hearts of Avignon.
A City of Theatre
Avignon today is known across the world as a city of theatre, largely because of the famous Festival d’Avignon, one of the most important performing arts festivals in Europe.
Every July, the entire city transforms into a stage. Posters cover ancient stone walls. Actors rehearse lines in the streets. Performers invite passersby to their shows in tiny theatres tucked into medieval courtyards. The courtyards of the Palais des Papes themselves become dramatic open-air stages and as I shared in my post, you can see these performances throughout the summer. But while the festival uses dozens of venues across the city, the Opéra Grand Avignon remains one of the most important traditional performance spaces.
Standing in the Square
One of the quiet joys of river travel is that it slows you down enough to notice places like this.
On our Rhône River cruise, the theatre appeared almost unexpectedly as we walked through the square. It was early morning so cafés were not open yet, and the carousel was still, but the theatre still jumped out to me for the incredible architecture and elegance.
If you know me you know that I love live performances and music of all kinds, so this building quietly struck me in deep ways. And learning the history of it made me pause. It reminded me that Europe’s great stories are not always only found in palaces or cathedrals. Sometimes they are held inside places built for music, storytelling, and the simple human desire to gather together.
When we travel, it is easy to focus only on the famous landmarks. But places like the theatre in Avignon remind us that history is also preserved through art, performance, and community life.
For nearly two hundred years, this building has welcomed audiences who came to laugh, listen, reflect, and imagine. And perhaps that is part of the deeper beauty of Avignon itself that I experienced -a city where medieval stone walls surround a living tradition of theatre that continues even today.
Thank you for stopping by and reading today! I hope that you enjoyed this brief history of the Opéra Grand Avignon! I can't wait to share more about our adventures on this cruise! If you are interested in reading more about our Rhone River Cruise with Viking, you can click on the links below:
Viking River Cruise (2025):
Viking Cruise Specific Posts: // Embarkation Day on the Viking Delling //
// Viking Rhone River Cruise: Answers to Your Most FAQ's // 9 Must Have Experiences on the Viking Delling //
Viking Rhone River Specific IG Reels:
Happy Tuesday friends! Today I am excited to share with you a bit more from our Rhone River Cruise that we took last April! This beautiful and whimsical carrousel was so delightful to see that I had to write an entire post just about it! If you are visiting Avignon on a cruise or a different trip, make sure to stop by the square and see (or have children ride!) the carrousel. It is so beautiful!
Located in the heart of Avignon in the Place de l’Horloge, just a short distance from the Palais des Papes (you can read about our visit to the Palais des Papes HERE!), the Carrousel Belle Époque is a modern carousel designed in the style of late 19th- and early 20th-century French fairground rides.
Our tour started early in the morning before the carrousel opened, but later in the afternoon it was in full use!
The Belle Époque Carousel Tradition
Carousels became especially popular in France during the Belle Époque. Advances in steam power and later electric motors made it possible to construct elaborate rotating platforms adorned with:
* Hand-carved wooden horses
* Gilded mirrors and painted panels
* Ornamental canopies with decorative lighting
* Mechanical organ music
French carousel makers were known for craftsmanship and detail. Unlike some American carousels that emphasized speed and dramatic motion, French designs often focused on artistry and refined decoration.
The Avignon carousel follows this tradition visually, even though it is a later installation.
Location and Cultural Setting
The Carrousel Belle Époque sits in Place de l’Horloge, Avignon’s central square. This square has been a civic gathering space for centuries and developed into a social hub during the 19th century as cafés, theaters, and public life expanded.
* The 14th-century Gothic palace, built when Avignon was the seat of the papacy (1309–1377)
* A Belle Époque–style carousel representing leisure culture of the modern era
This juxtaposition reflects how French cities layer different historical periods within a single public space.
Public Carousels in Modern France
As I was reading more about carousels in France, I learned that today, Belle Époque–style carousels remain common in French town squares. Many are:
* Privately owned and operated
* Installed as semi-permanent fixtures in tourist centers
* Designed intentionally in nostalgic, historic styles
They function both as children’s attractions and as decorative heritage elements that reinforce France’s cultural identity around craftsmanship and public square life. The Carrousel Belle Époque in Avignon fits within this broader national tradition rather than representing a specific medieval artifact.
As I mentioned above, the carousel is easily accessible on foot from Avignon's historic center. It is operated much of the year (and definitely during tourist season).
While it is not a major historical monument, it reflects:
* The evolution of public entertainment in France
* The Belle Époque fascination with mechanical artistry
* The continued importance of town squares as communal spaces
In a city known primarily for papal history and Gothic architecture, the Carrousel Belle Époque offers insight into a later chapter of French cultural life — one shaped not by ecclesiastical authority, but by leisure, craftsmanship, and urban civic identity.
Thank you for stopping by and reading today! I hope that you enjoyed this brief overview of Carrousel Belle Epoque! I can't wait to share more about our adventures on this cruise! If you are interested in reading more about our Rhone River Cruise with Viking, you can click on the links below:
Viking River Cruise (2025):
Arles: // The Arles Ampitheater (Les Arenes D' Arles) //A Day in Arles France //
Viking Cruise Specific Posts: // Embarkation Day on the Viking Delling //
// Viking Rhone River Cruise: Answers to Your Most FAQ's // 9 Must Have Experiences on the Viking Delling //
Viking Rhone River Specific IG Reels: // The Incredible Crew of the Viking Delling (IG Reel) //
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