Category: John & Sandy

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Rouen, France.

ROUEN, FRANCE
A taste of living life à la française
Oh la la! Prepare yourself for a taste of living life à la française in Rouen. Gothic architecture and history at every turn? Wide, leafy squares and timbered Norman houses? Does enough French food keep your stomach full and your taste buds happy for hours? Yes, Rouen is all that and more. Set on the banks of the Seine and less than two hours from Paris, Rouen is about as French as you can get.

The city’s roots go back to the 10th century when Vikings and Romans claimed the city. If you think the cathedral looks familiar, that is probably because Rouen’s most famous resident, Claude Monet, painted the town in his many canvases. But well before the impressionist painter immortalized Rouen with his beautiful brushwork, the city hosted many other famous faces. Take your pick: William the Conqueror, Richard the Lionheart, Joan of Arc. While the others may have metaphorically left their hearts, Joan left hers on a funeral pyre in 1431.

A museum of the Roman Catholic Saint was opened in 2015. Touring the city on foot is by far the best way to discover the riches of Rouen. The emblematic Gros Horloge (Big Clock) is by far the city’s number one must-see, but with gothic churches and streets at every turn, every sight is a marvel. If you get bored of strolling the cobbled streets, head for the ceramic museum, in the Hôtel d’Hocqueville, for a wonderful collection of Sèvres porcelain. The elegant seaside resort of Deauville and the D-Day beaches are just a short drive away.

SIGHTS
• Notre-Dame Cathedral
• The Gros Horloge
• Historial Jeanne d’Arc
• A stroll along the River Seine
• The Quartier Libre
• Panorama Sainte-Catherine
• Church of St Joan of Arc
• Rue Saint-Romain

SHOPPING
Plenty of restaurants are in the historic downtown and around the Church of St Joan of Arc, but interesting finds await in alleys outside the immediate city centre. The area is renowned worldwide for its apples, cider, pears, and dairy products like cheese and milk. You must try the apple brandy Calvados, one of the local specialities. Also, some of the best lamb, duck, and poultry in the world can be found here.

Shopping in Rouen is a dream come true for all art enthusiasts. The city offers numerous antique shops, art galleries, and markets. On and around Rue Saint-Romain, right in the city center, you can find many high-street and local shops and boutiques.

Today’s Activities included:

9:45 Destination Lecture with Dr. Glenn E. Robinson – Rouen, France: Gateway to Paris
From the Norman Vikings to Joan of Arc to Monet, Rouen has attracted visitors to its picturesque vistas, which are not far from Paris.

11:00 Intermediate Bridge

Today’s Excursion – Rouen on Foot
Rouen is a city that has stirred the souls of many great writers and inspired numerous painters. It is situated on the north bank of the River Seine and is considered the historic capital of Normandy.

Rouen Walking Tour
After a short drive from the pier, follow your guide on a walking tour of the old part of the city. The narrow streets are lined with more than 700 timber-framed houses, large and small, all characteristic examples of medieval building techniques.

Rue Saint Romain, Rue du Gros Horloge
Walk down rue Saint Romain, one of the town’s most fascinating streets, with the beautiful St-Maclou church of Gothic-
Flamboyant style and along the bustling and popular Rue du Gros Horloge, which features a unique medieval defensive clock
The tower and the nearby law court are in an outstanding Renaissance building.

Notre Dame Cathedral
Enjoy an inside visit to the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Rouen (built between the 13th and the 16th centuries), which is considered
one of the finest achievements of French Gothic art. The attraction of Rouen Cathedral lies in its infinite variety, including an
immense façade bristling with openwork pinnacles and framed by two different towers: the tour St-Romain on the left
and the tour de Beurre on the right.

Old Market Square
Before enjoying some free time, stop at the Place du Vieux Marché. It was on this old market square that Joan of Arc
was burned alive following her trial as a heretic in 1431.

Tonight’s dinner was a traditional London-style family meal at La Terrazza Restaurant.

GENERATIONS OF SOUL

HEADLINE ENTERTAINER JESSE HAMILTON JR.

Take a ‘Soulful’ stroll through the decades and over five genres of music! Inspired by the ‘Generations’ of musicians, starting with his own family.

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Southampton, UK, in southern England.

SOUTHAMPTON, UK
The departure point of the Titanic
Home of the ill-fated Titanic departure, Southampton has a long maritime history. Henry V’s fleet bound for the battle of Agincourt left from here, as did the Mayflower (not from Plymouth as many believe) and the great British ocean liners. Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary departed on their maiden voyages from the port. So, suffice it to say that Southampton is a seafaring place.

Today, Southampton is the cruise capital of Northern Europe, so expect a city that understands how to have fun. This comes in various ways: a castellated old town with lots of charm, some excellent museums (the most notable of which is the Sea City Museum), and extensive green spaces. Authentic Tudor remains provide a fascinating insight into 15th-century living, while other landmarks date back even further. A stroll around the city is generous in its attractions, so there is no better way to see Southampton than on foot.

Culture-wise, the city’s bustling Guildhall Square is the centre for art, education, and food and drink. Southampton’s location of the south coast of England means just a short distance away lie some interesting spots. Prehistoric enigma Stonehenge is less than an hour away, while Salisbury’s quintessentially English market town is perfect for shopping. Both are well worth a visit. For those who prefer their entertainment crafted by Mother Nature, a short ride to the New Forest will give you peace; think idyllic glades, ancient woodland, open moors, heathland, and cliff top walks.

SIGHTS
• John Hansard Gallery
• Seattle City Museum
• The Stage Door
• Tudor House and Garden
• Go Ape Southampton
• Royal Victoria Country Park
• City Eye
• Mayflower Studios
• Houdini’s Escape Room adventure in Southampton
• Harbour Lights Picturehouse
• The Mayflower Village

SHOPPING AND CUISINE
The city has the best tea rooms, cafes, shops, and restaurants to suit all your foodie needs. If you’re looking for a good drink, Southampton has award-winning cocktail bars, clubs, pubs, wine bars, and even speak-easy bars.

The Mayflower Village is a pub located next to The Mayflower Theatre, serving beer, wine, spirits, and food. It has recently been refurbished and features an area to play ping pong. The pub is well-known for its pizzas and burgers.

Banana Wharf is the perfect spot for birthdays, celebrations, lunch, or breakfast under the sun. It is the premier choice for waterfront al fresco dining. Large decorative murals depicting the industry in full flow can be seen inside all Banana Wharf venues.

Today’s Excursion – Historic Winchester
We discovered the history of Winchester and its legendary sights during this excursion.
Southampton, Central Winchester
We took a stroll to the entrance of Winchester Cathedral and proceeded on a guided walking tour. We learned about the history of Winchester and King Alfred the Great, who united the Kingdom of Wessex and made Winchester its capital in the late 9th century, and ordered the building of Winchester Cathedral and Winchester Castle. We saw the unchanged parts of this original Romanesque building and the fabulous Gothic Nave, which was modernised in the 14th century.

Burial Place of Jane Austen, Great West Window, Winchester Cathedral Tour
Next, visit the burial place of Jane Austen, author of Pride and Prejudice, and admire the Great West Window, which was
smashed by soldiers during the 17th-century Civil War and later repaired with medieval glass after the Restoration of Charles II
in 1660. Learn about William Walker, the diver credited with saving Winchester Cathedral in the early-20th-century, and
walk on floor tiles dating from the 13th century.

Tonight’s dinner was in the Atlantide Restaurant

EMOTIONS
A TASTE OF WHAT’S TO COME
Join the Silversea Singers and Dancers to taste what’s to come.
You will also meet some people who will keep you intrigued and entertained.

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Saint-Peter, Guernsey, in the English Channel.

ST. PETER PORT, GUERNSEY
Where the “action” is found
The picturesque capital of Guernsey proves that you don’t have to go to the Caribbean for white sand and crystal clear water. St Peter Port is wonderfully pretty and atmospheric, with blooming floral displays, tiny stone churches, and brightly painted boats. Moreover, summers are mostly sunny and comfortable, so you don’t have to worry about the weather.

As the capital of Guernsey, St. Peter Port is where the action is. This mainly takes the form of strolling the cobbled streets, stopping every now and then to admire and perhaps photograph the stunning views.

Once French (original name: St. Pierre Port), the town is at least 800 years old, with the stone castle and maze-like streets to prove it. Once you have made your way up to the ancient castle, make it like a local and find refreshment with cream tea, washed down perhaps with a glass of cider! If the weather is on your side, there is undoubtedly no more invigorating pastime than hiking up to the spectacular Guernsey cliffs, taking in stunning views of wildflowers, sandy beaches, and English Channel views.

For those who want to spread their wings a little further, the tiny island of Herm is just a 20-minute boat ride away, and homes no cars, one pub, a few cows, some puffins and about 50 people. Don’t be fooled by St Peter Port’s nostalgic exterior. The seaside town has made a name for itself as a foodie heaven, with everything from beach huts to Michelin-starred restaurants offering sumptuous, locally sourced fare.

SIGHTS
• Castle Cornet Victor
• Hugo House
• Town Church
• German Naval Signals HQ
• La Vallette Underground Military Museum
• Guernsey Tapestry Gallery
• Guille-Alles Library
• Candie Gardens
• Guernsey Museum & Art Gallery

SHOPPING AND CUISINE
The shop windows on the High Street and the Pollet are sparklingly clean and filled with local goods and more recognisable regional shops.

The high street twists through some St. Peter Port back lanes and flows up and downhill into the beautiful Market Square.

In the centre of St. Peter Port, where most of Guernsey’s shops are located, you can buy everything from UK brands, designer fashions, and high-class jewellery to unique, locally made goods you cannot find anywhere else. The beautiful port town is wonderfully compact and easily explored on foot.

Today’s Excursion – Castle Cornet and Town walk
We discover the charm and history of St. Peter Port, including the iconic, ancient Castle Cornet. We enjoyed seeing the legendary, 800-year-old Castle Cornet and its many museums housed within.

Town Walk
We began our St. Peter Port walking tour and learned the incredible history of this bustling place that has been an active port since Roman times. The harbor’s remoteness from France and safe anchorage have made it a significant destination among the Channel Islands. We enjoyed the picturesque harbor’s cobblestone streets, charming alleys, and regal buildings.

Castle Cornet
Castle Cornet was initially built on a smaller island, but was connected to Guernsey with a raised walkway in the 19th century. The tiered castle appears as a fortified village just beyond the forest of masts in the bustling Fish Quay. Castle Cornet has seen many iterations over the centuries, as it has been built, destroyed, and rebuilt from Medieval to Tudor to World War 2 and has remnants of these and other periods. The original castle was begun in the 13th century as an English fortification against the French following the loss of Normandy. Over the centuries, the castle has served as a prison, a garrison, and even an arsenal.

Militia Museum
Several museums have fascinating museum collections on this small fortified island, including the 201 Squadron RAF (Guernsey’s Own) Museum and the Militia Museum. Spend an hour and a half at Castle Cornet, visiting the “Story of Castle Cornet” exhibition or perhaps just wandering the buildings and four small gardens, including an apothecary’s garden and a
kitchen garden.

MOTOWN
TONIGHT’S FAREWELL SHOW

Join Silversea Singers in an upbeat, fast-paced performance featuring this iconic music style, alongside our Silversea Dancers with some stylish moves. Let us transport you back to the renowned Motown era, with memorable music ranging from the Supremes to the Temptations.

Dinner was in the Atlantide Restaurant

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Saint-Malo, France.

SAINT-MALO, FRANCE
The ‘Pirate City’
Ship sails flutter in the breeze at the natural port of Saint-Malo, a historic and resilient walled city that watches out over golden sands and island fortresses. Strung tenuously to the mainland, Saint-Malo was the historic home of a rowdy mix of skilled sailors, new world explorers, and the plunderers who earned the place its ‘Pirate City’ title. Some of history’s great voyages have launched from here, including Jacques Cartier’s, which led to the settlement of New France and modern-day Quebec.

Founded by a Welsh monk, who made his way here in the 6th century, Saint-Malo’s castle is forged from sheer granite, and its steep defensive ramparts rise defiantly. The atmospheric walled town turns its back on the mainland and gazes longingly into the sea.

Explore streets that breathe with maritime tales and medieval charm, restored from the intense damage sustained during the Second World War. Cathédrale de St Malo rises above the tight paths, offering views of the peppered islands and fortifications. Boatloads of fresh oysters and scallops are heaved ashore – savour them or grab savoury crepes galettes, stuffed with cheese and ham. Wash Saint-Malo’s foods down with a Brittany cider, which challenges wine as the indulgence of choice in these parts.
A highly tidal region, the pocket-sized islands of Petit Bé and Grand Bé join the mainland, and you can explore at leisure as the tide recedes. The incredible island of Mont Saint Michel also looms in the estuary of the Couesnon River nearby, hovering like a cinematic mirage above high tide’s waters. Elsewhere, Cap Fréhel’s lush green peninsula juts out from the emerald coast towards Jersey, tempting with rich coastal hiking trails.

SIGHTS
• X Les Remparts de Saint-Malo
• Grand Aquarium Saint-Malo
• Saint-Vincent Cathedral of Saint-Malo
• Grand Bé
• Solidor Tower
• Demeure de Corsaire (Museum)
• Jacques Cartier Museum
• Plage du Mole
• Parc de la Briantais
• Petit Be Fort
• Champs-Vauvert Cavalier
• Bon Secours beach
• House Quebec

SHOPPING AND CUISINE
There are many shops spread throughout the city. You can find local products. The shopping malls of Saint-Malo are the ideal choice for an enjoyable shopping tour among the finest and most famous international brands. These malls allow you to purchase fashion products, perfumes, electronics, souvenirs, etc. There are three main shopping malls in town: Centre commercial La Découverte, Centre Commercial La Madeleine, and Centre Commercial Le Cezembre.

Today’s Excursion – Walking Saint Malo & Sweet Touch
Embrace the Old World beauty and flavours of Saint Malo on foot during this picturesque, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Saint Malo, Old City, Castle, Ramparts, House of Duchess Ann, and Cathedral.

Our walking tour of Saint-Malo strolls around the quaint, narrow streets of the Old City, seeing sites of historical interest, including the castle, part of the ramparts protecting the town, the town’s typical streets, the house of Duchess Ann, and the Cathedral. In addition, learn about some of the town’s past luminaries, including Jacques Cartier, Duguay-Trouin, Surcouf, and the renowned romantic writer Châteaubriand.

Rampart Walk, Creperie, and Crepes and Cider
Next, stroll along the ramparts, then proceed to a creperie inside the city walls for a crepe with a glass of cider (or soda).
Following your refreshment stop, continue your walking tour, which concludes back at the pier.

MASTER MAGICIAN
HEADLINE ENTERTAINER BRETT SHERWOOD

Back by popular demand with a different
show of laughter and mindboggling magic.

Dinner was in the Atlantide Restaurant

BEYOND THE ORIGINAL

“Beyond the Original” redefines musical expression as male vocalists reinterpret iconic female songs, and female vocalists infuse legendary male anthems with newfound depth. This seamless blend of modern artistry, with a touch of operatic grandeur, is enriched by dramatic harmonies soaring over the masterful arrangements of the Silver Dawn Band, as they perfectly complement the evening’s vocal performances. This show features standout talents – Beatrice, Francesca, Luke, and Sass – and offers unforgettable renditions bridging classic, modern, and contemporary music worlds. Experience a celebration of voice, harmony, and reinvention, where every note is reimagined and every performance transcends the boundaries of the original.

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Bordeaux, France.

BORDEAUX, FRANCE
Les petits Cannelés
“Les petits Cannelés”, as French people call them, are a traditional pastry from Bordeaux. They are small, cylindrical cakes with a caramelized crust and a soft, custard-like center. They were created by nuns in the 18th century, who used leftover egg yolks from wine-making to make the batter (egg white was used to precipitate the suspended matter in the wine and clarify it). Traditionally, they are cooked in copper molds, giving them a distinctive shape and crispy exterior. The name “cannelé” comes from the French word for “fluted,” which describes the shape of the pastry.

Cannelés are traditionally served as a dessert or as a snack with coffee, but they can also be served with savory dishes like foie gras or cheese.

A well-kept secret, there are as many recipes as there are bakers in Bordeaux, even though in 1985, a group of Bordeaux bakers formed the “Brotherhood of the Cannelé,” which promotes and preserves the traditional recipe and method of making cannelés. In 2013, “les petits cannelés” were awarded protected geographical indication (PGI) status by the European Union, recognizing them as a traditional and authentic product of the Bordeaux region.

Of course, the best way to discover it is to taste it. Many bakers even sell them in gift boxes for home use.

SIGHTS
• Place de la Bourse
• Cathédrale Saint-André de Bordeaux
• National Opera of Bordeaux Grosse Cloche
• Monument aux Girondins
• La Cité du Vin
• Porte Cailhau
• Musée d’Aquitaine
• Basilique Saint-Michel
• Pey Berland Tower
• The Bordeaux Museum of Fine Arts

SHOPPING AND CUISINE
The shops in the pedestrian streets of downtown Bordeaux have the longest pedestrianized shopping street in Europe, rue Sainte Catherine! It is a good address in Bordeaux, with all the major brands, luxury and designer boutiques with vintage or modern decoration, and independent cultural spaces. It is a temple of fashion, design, and gastronomy! North of the street, do not miss its typical mall 19th century. Rue Porte Dijeaux is another commercial institution in Bordeaux, and Place Fernand Lafargue has a more bohemian atmosphere.

Today’s Excursion – Scenic Bordeaux & Wine Museum
Indulge your senses with the exquisite beauty and flavours of Bordeaux during this half-day sightseeing excursion, and a visit to
the splendid new La Cité du Vin Museum.

Bordeaux City
Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately one-hour orientation drive through the city of Bordeaux, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the way, take in the exquisite beauty of Bordeaux’s architectural heritage, which has developed harmoniously over the centuries and remains remarkably well-preserved.

Bordeaux Landmarks
See the Chartrons Riverfront, where the city’s wine trade began, and L’Esplanade des Quinconces. With an area of
approximately 30 acres (about 12 hectares), this esplanade is one of Europe’s largest squares and features a column
commemorating the French Revolution. Continue past the 18th-century Place de la Bourse, 15th-century Cailhau Gate, 14th-century Big Bell, 18th-century Palais Rohan, now the City Hall, 13th-century St. Andrew Cathedral, where Alienor d’Aquitaine
married Louis VII, and the 18th-century Grand Theatre, the opera house built by Victor Louis.

La Cité du Vin Museum
Next, a visit is made to the La Cité du Vin Museum. Bordeaux’s newest highlight is a unique facility set within an evocative
architectural design, and it offers a unique view of wine that transcends the world and its history, cultures, and civilizations. Your
self-guided tour of this expansive museum’s 10 levels is punctuated by 20 themed spaces explaining the culture of wine in an
immersive, interactive, and sensorial setting. Afterward, proceed for a wine tasting in the approximately 115-foot-high (about
35-metre-high) Belvedere of La Cité du Vin offers a spectacular, 360° view of the city.

IL BEL CANTO
HEADLINE ENTERTAINER GIOVANNI PALMINTERI

A recital of arias for baritone from some of the famous operas in the world (Barber of Seville, Traviata, Don Pasquale, Pagliacci…) and a selection of well-known songs made in Italy. The Sicily Philharmonic Orchestra arranged the music.