THE FLAVOR OF BORDEAUX

  By Janet Steinberg, Travel Editor

“God only made water”, stated Victor Hugo, “man made wine.”  And what better place to taste that wine than in the world’s major wine industry capital?

Because our cruise ship, Silversea’s Silver Whisper, docked overnight in Bordeaux (the sixth-largest urban area in France) we had time enough to explore both the city and some of the surrounding wine region.

SILVER WHISPER DOCKED IN BORDEUX, FRANCE

BILBAO REIGNS IN SPAIN

By Janet Steinberg, Travel Editor

Thanks to “starchitect” Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum, the former industrial town of Bilbao, Spain, that was once dubbed the most ugly city in Europe, has had a vibrant rebirth that exceeded the townsfolk’s wildest imagination.  Little wonder that it was one of the highlights of Silver Whisper’s cruise itinerary from Lisbon, Portugal to Southampton, England.  

Our Silversea shore excursion departed the Getxo pier for a scenic 45-minute drive to Bilbao.  As we approached the city we passed through its industrial outskirts and took in the splendid panoramic view from Mount Artxanda. A lacy iron sculpture crowns the park from which you have a birdseye view of the Bilbao skyline and a distant glimpse of the iconic Guggenheim Museum.  Bilbao is linked to the recreational park atop Mount Artxanda by a funicular.

LACY IRON SCULPTURE CROWNS PARK ON MOUNT ARTXANDA

SILVER WHISPER: A CAPTIVATING, DIVERSE ITINERARY

By Janet Steinberg, Travel Editor 

My recent Silversea’s Silver Whisper cruise, from Lisbon, Portugal to Southampton, England, afforded me and 291 passengers from 14 countries a chance to experience one of Europe’s most captivating and diverse itineraries often overlooked by many cruise lines. 

SILVERSEA'S SILVER WHISPER

TWELVE IN TWELVE

BY: JANET STEINBERG

“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.”  Susan Sontag said it first, but I have to agree with Susan, I haven’t been everywhere, but everywhere is certainly on my list.

As a young widow many years ago, I learned that a single journey could change the course of a life.  I have since come to realize that my first trip alone truly changed my life.  I fell in love with travel and that love affair has continued for four decades.

Come along with me and share some of my favorite 2012 memories that will remain with me forever.

1. CRUISE: Silversea’s Silver Whisper is elegant, yet casually sophisticated.  She lavishes her guests with the luxuries of a private yacht, the amenities of a country club, and the fine services of an exclusive hotel.  Silver Whisper sailed me some 1418 nautical miles from Lisbon, Portugal to Southampton, UK with five fascinating ports in-between.  Highlights included shore excursions to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain; the sobering beaches of Normandy, France; and the fascinating Mont St. Michel in Saint-Malo, France.

SILVERSEA'S SILVER WHISPER IN ST. MALO, FRANCE