Showing posts with label Viking Cruises. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Viking Cruises. 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!
Never think that what you have to offer is insignificant. There will always be someone out there who needs what you have to give.
// unknown
Colmar Alsace France | Caravan Sonnet | My Viking Story
a day in arles france / viking rhone river cruise / my viking story / arles, france
November 3, 2025
There are certain places where you feel as though you’ve stepped into a storybook — cobbled lanes, sun-warmed stone, whispering history — and Arles is one of them. Nestled along the southern curve of the Rhone River, this Provençal gem invites you into its embrace: ancient and alive, gentle and grand, quiet and full of texture. I will tell y'all right now that I have about a thousand pictures from Arles alone, but don't worry- I am not going to share all of them! Haha! On a serious note though- Arles was one of my favorite places we spent time in on this cruise (and yes, you will hear me say that often over these posts because I fell in love with these charming cities along this route).
Arles was our first full day (we embarked in Avignon (read a post HERE or watch an IG reel HERE) and then traveled to Arles) - and it was a highlight of the trip. Our tour lasted for approximately 3 hours and it was a lovely morning exploring and learning more about this charming French city. This was truly an amazing way to start off our excursions on our River Cruise… I was so enamored with this beautiful place that I went back in the afternoon to explore more. It is hard to pick a favorite place on this trip, but this was the absolute perfect way to start our tours! Arles to me was a place where you wanted to linger in corners that felt part museum, part film-set, part Beauty and the Beast dream.
After breakfast aboard the ship, we disembarked and walked into Old Town Arles. If you have been on other Viking trips- this was a bit different because typically you get onto a tour bus, but for Arles and many of the stops along the Rhone river you walked right into the town from the ship.
The air held that golden Provençal light; the stones beneath our feet seemed to hum with stories.
Our Viking guide led us through the Roman Theatre, the city walls, and the remnants of Roman Gaul’s urban might and artistry. Arles had been a hub — commerce, culture, empire — and you sense those layers everywhere, beneath shutters and behind arches.
We did spend a brief amount of time at The Arles Amphitheatre (Les Arènes d’Arles).
Built in 90 AD, it once held more than 20,000 spectators, alive with the thunder of chariot wheels and the roar of the crowd. Walking into its heart, I felt the weight and wonder of centuries.
The arena still hosts concerts and the distinctive Camargue bull games; the past is not locked away but still breathing. I have an entire post about this place coming, so for now I just am sharing a few brief pictures.
Mom and I had to smile at this point in our walking tour. Do you see the man above? He was singing and playing in the square and it was beautiful. It also made us smile because it reminded us of our time in Heidelberg, Germany on our Viking Rhine River Cruise- with a man singing in the square. Both were lovely experiences! You can read more about our time in Heidelberg (and our Rhine River cruise) HERE!
After our tour ended, mom and I headed back to the ship on our own and marved at our beatuiful morning as we meandered through the winding and beautiful cobblestone lanes.
After lunch, I decided to return solo to Arles. As many of you are aware mom had injured her knee severely the day before we embarked onto our cruise and we decided that it would be wise for her to rest it so that she could join in the future activities.
As the afternoon sun draped the city in amber light, Arles revealed a different side — gentler, quieter, introspective.
There was a wonder in stepping off the main path and into the side alleys, where vines climbed ancient walls and café chairs waited beneath pastel shutters.
I meandered through the Place du Forum, paused at the café that once captured the gaze of Vincent van Gogh in 1888, where he painted the light of the south and left more than 300 works behind.
In those moments I felt as if I had stepped into a Beauty & the Beast town (which I shared on Instagram- click HERE) — elegant yet wild, charming yet a bit uncanny in its preserved grandeur. The amphitheater by day, the silent courtyard by dusk — both real, both dramatic. I could almost hear the echoes of scenes past.
Travel often teaches us that the most luminous moments are the unhurried ones — when we let the place breathe us in, rather than rushing from one sight to another.
In Arles, I discovered that the old and the present don’t just coexist — they converse. Stone whispers to paint, shadows to sunlight, memory to moment.
When I returned to the ship that evening, the Rhone glinted like melted gold, and the city behind me seemed to glow with all I’d seen and felt. Arles had worked its quiet alchemy.
Thank you for stopping by and reading today! I hope that you enjoyed this brief overview of our walking tour and my time in historic Arles! 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: // The Incredible Crew of the Viking Delling (IG Reel) //
9 must have experiences aboard the viking delling / my viking story / rhone river cruise
September 9, 2025
Happy Tuesday friends! I hope you are having a wonderful week so far! Today I wanted to share 9 Must Have Experiences aboard the Viking Delling that you have to do on your Rhône River Cruise with Viking Cruise Line! There are obviously so many more things I could add to this, but these are my top 9 recommendations!
I also created a reel about this so if you would like to see the reel simply click HERE!
Here are my top 9 recommendations:
1. Eat in the Aquavit Terrace Once.
The beauty surrounding you is incredible and it truly is a memorable experience that you don’t want to miss!
2. Attend Evening Port Talks with Nuno, the Program Director.
While you have the option to view these in your room, the experience of joining with fellow passengers and connecting more is a truly special time. Nuno did an amazing job of providing information we would need about the port we would be at the following day, helpful tips for our excursions and also gave a cultural component related to where we were at and shared an art piece each night. His engaging personality drew everyone in and I highly recommend attending these!
3. Learn about the locks.
On this cruise you will go through 13 different locks and to be honest, I didn’t know that much about them before this cruise. After learning about it I honestly have to say that I was impressed and it was fascinating to understand this part of River Cruising.
4. Get to Know Your Fellow Guests.
The people with us on our cruise were fascinating, inspiring, and so interesting!
5. Attend the Taste of Provenance Dinner.
This was a special night and truly the crew did an amazing job of putting on such a special evening dinner menu. I heard several people say they weren’t going to attend and I felt sad that they missed out on such an amazing event. Do not miss this!
Want to hear all about my food and dining review on the Delling including a special part about the Taste of Provenance Dinner? Watch this reel by clicking HERE!
6. Participate in the Evening Music/Events.
Each night there were different things happening in the lounge and each was unique. One very fun night was the Music trivia night and Nuno did a great job of getting everyone involved- and there was just a lot of laughter and opportunity to get to know other guests!
7. Get to Know the Delling Crew.
If you have been around Caravan Sonnet for the past 13 years then you are well aware that I have done multiple cruises. The Delling crew is unparalleled to anything I have seen. The leadership of Captain Francois and Hotel Manager Daniel is a combination that is unique and provides a truly exceptional experience for not only the crew but the guests. Simply put the crew is amazing and getting to know the incredible people will make your trip all that more special.
If you want to hear more about the incredible crew of the Delling and how this makes this trip so unique, watch this reel by clicking HERE!
8. Visit the Wheelhouse.
On the 5th day of the cruise Captain Francois and First Officer Francisco open up the wheelhouse for a couple of hours where guests can go and visit, ask questions, and learn more about the Delling and the Rhône River. This was truly an amazing experience and I can’t recommend this enough!
If you want to hear more about the incredible leadership on the Delling and how this makes this trip so wonderful, watch this reel by clicking HERE!
9. Visit the Sun Deck for an Evening Sunset.
This was one of my favorite things that I did…. If it wasn’t dinner time where I felt rude leaving my mom and the guests at the table I probably would have sat up there for hours. Now I am not suggesting leaving… haha well I guess I am but it is worth it friends. Trust me. You will love it.
If you want to hear see more of my love of the sunsets aboard the Delling, watch this reel by clicking HERE!
I know that with money so tight right now everyone is looking for ways to save money- especially if you want to go on a trip like this. Here are two reels with a little description below that I created that share lots of money saving tips:
All the money saving tips for taking a priceless Rhône River Cruise on the Viking Delling
This reel answered a lot of questions I have received about costs/ money related to our Viking Rhône River Cruise that we took in the Spring! There were a lot of questions that I didn’t get to answer so if you have questions please feel free to leave a comment or send a message and I will try to answer them! The Rhône River cruise on the Viking Delling was incredible and I could not recommend it enough. It truly was an amazing experience that leaves a legacy on your life and was absolutely priceless.
Do you have any "must have experiences" from a Viking River Cruise? Please share them in the comments below! I would love to hear them!
Happy Tuesday friends! I hope that you have a wonderful day! As always, please let me know if you have any questions!
Happy Tuesday friends! I am so excited to share about a new reel that I have created all about the incredible crew of the Viking Delling!
Since returning from our trip, I am often asked if I enjoyed our Rhône River cruise, France and its beauty. Emphatically I answer yes, a thousand times yes, and what made the trip even more incredible was a crew that went out of their way to serve guests in a way that is incomparable to anything I had seen before in 12+ years of travel blogging. Most of the crew didn’t even know I was a blogger and the beautiful thing was they accomplished something in minutes that many brands, groups, and organizations strive to master. Respect at the foundation and a care that incomparable to anything. I know that this video couldn’t include everyone, but please know each person was seen. Your work touched our hearts deeply. To the entire crew of the #vikingdelling thank you from thousands of guests that never get a chance to say thank you. Your kindness, care, and work do not go unnoticed and you have changed the lives of people in ways you will never know. Thank you for inviting us into a sacred space… the Delling.
You can watch, comment, and like it HERE!
This has been such a special time recapping on social media all about our trip with Viking on our Rhone River Cruise! Starting in the next couple of weeks I will be writing and sharing more in depth blog posts about our adventure. If you missed any of the posts so far on social media you can see them listed below:
Viking Story Highlight (Includes several Q & A that people asked)
Viking Delling Specific Posts and Reels:
Post: On the Balcony on the Delling / May 3
Intro Reel: Mornings Sailing on the Rhone River / May 7
Intro Reel: Early Morning Daylight... Dreaming of Going Back / May 12
Reel: Embarkation Day on the Viking Delling / May 15
Reel: Rhone River Cruise on the Viking Delling / May 19
Reel: Viking Delling Ship Review / May 21
Reel:Viking Delling Food & Dining Review / May 31
Reel: 9 Must Have Experiences on the Viking Delling / June 4
Reel: Stateroom 337 Review / June 17
Reel: Sunsets on the Viking Delling / June 25
Reel: All Your Viking Rhone River Money Questions Answered / July 28
Reel: Money Saving Tips for a Rhone River Cruise on the Viking Delling / August 8
Rhone River Cruise Experiences Posts and Reels:
Post: Arles, France / May 5
Post: Viviers, France / May 9
Post: Vienne, France / May 17
Post: Afternoon Walk through Arles, France / May 20
Post: Tiniest Details in Perouges, France / May 23
Reel: Palais Des Papes (Avignon Tour) / May 23
Post: Viviers, France / May 24
Reel: Viking Tours (Overview) / May 26
Reel: Arles Walking Tour / June 2
Post: A Walk Through Arles / June 2
Post: Arles, France / June 5
Reel: A Walk Through Arles / June 7
Post: Vienne Sunset / June 8
Reel: 13 Things I "Hated" on My Rhone River Cruise / June 8
Post: Avignon / June 13
Reel: Avignon Walking Tour / June 15
Post: Avignon / June 16
Post: Avignon / June 20
Reel: Viviers Walking Tour / June 22
Reel: Tournon Steam Engine Tour / June 30
Reel: Vienne Walking Night Tour / July 5
Reel: Panoramic Tour of Lyon / July 14
Posts While on the Cruise:
Embarkation First Day / April 23
A Beautiful Day in Arles Reel / April 24
Mom and I in Arles / April 25
Viviers Post/ April 26
Viviers Post 2 / April 26
Tournon Steam Engine / April 27
Vienne Post/ April 28
A Lasting Legacy / April 29
Let me know if you have any questions! Happy Tuesday friends!
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