Chamber News & Views: Travels with Marilyn

I recently returned from an amazing excursion to Scandinavia featuring a Hurtigruten Cruise along the Norwegian fjords. I loved everything about this trip that taught me so much about the culture of these friendly people.

I traveled with four others from Carson City, and we all agreed the experience was worth the arduous trip to and fro. I am not sure how the airlines can make flying a more negative experience unless you purchase the $5,000 plus business class seats.

I loved traveling on the cruise. This was not your typical cruise ship full of glitz, casinos and star-studded shows. No, this was a working ship that stopped at Norwegian ports we would not otherwise have seen.

During all hours of the day and night when at port, the ship took on and dropped off cargo and passengers, for this ship is the lifeline of most of these beautiful coastal cities. The scenery was amazing and as we cruised along, I thought to myself how wonderful it was to be able to sit on this ship and watch the amazing world go by.

My stateroom was comfortable, the food was terrific (lots of seafood as one would imagine) and the young staff couldn’t have been more accommodating. Our Collette Vacations tour guide handled every detail expertly.

Prior to the cruise, we saw the Scandinavian capitals. Local tour guides showed us all the major sites and explained the culture of their country. How fortunate I was to be able to see Vigeland Park in Oslo, the world’s largest sculpture park, full of amazing statues created by Gustav Vigeland and a site not to be missed.

I would recommend this cruise and tour for those who want to enjoy more culture than glitz.

Where am I going next? I have always wanted to see the colorful tulips of Holland, so have already booked the April 20 Collette River Cruise featuring the Dutch and Belgian Waterways. I love river cruising and invite you to join me. If you book before Oct. 15, you can save $500 per person! I’m also considering joining Iceland’s Magical Northern Lights tour departing Nov. 4. I saw photos of the Northern Lights on the ship and what a magical site that would be.

This year the Chamber Travel Club is going to some off the beaten path places: Peru is not the Third World country you would imagine. It’s clean, food is great and the scenery is unparalleled, especially from the top of Machu Picchu! For those who want to stay in the USA, the West Virginia Mountain Rails and Trails departing Oct. 12 at the height of the fall foliage season is becoming a great seller, and I am to remind you there are only a few rooms left for the North American Solar Eclipse tour departing Aug. 19.

Just when I think I’ve seen a lot, I find there’s just so much more to see. Stop by the Chamber to pick up a tour wish book or go online to www.carsoncitychamber under the Travel Club spotlight.