Page 176 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL EATING IBERIA

Left to Right: The Viking version
of the festive gingerbread house;
Warm greetings upon our return
on cold winter days and Crowns
filled with Kolsch beer

It’s December, and it’s cold, and although a balcony of Kinderdijk, a village in South Holland. Only 19 re-
mightnotbetheperfectchoiceforthewinterweather, main in the Kinderdijk area, a UNESCO World Her-
I couldn’t imagine sailing down the Rhine without a itage Site. As our guide who towered way over six feet
front row seat. It was good that wool sweaters erased and was steadied by his massive wooden clogs shared
chill bumps. And if that didn’t work, the heated bath- the stories of the village, we walked in awe of the sim-
room floor would warm me from my toes up. plicity yet intricate workings of the houses with wings.
After a glass of champagne, Captain Bartosz Bal- From South Holland, the long ship drifted into
wierz’s welcome and a four-course meal presented by Germany where our first stop would be Cologne and
Executive Chef Mark, it became clear that my journey Germany’slargestcathedral,theCologneCathedralor
would equal the sum of all parts. The first three pieces Dom. Our local guide shared the history of the twin
were stellar. spire Gothic masterpiece which loomed over the city
Ourmorningstopbroughttolifestoriesofwindmills as a reminder of its Christianity. Of its most beautiful
I remembered from childhood; these are the windmills artifacts, the Shrine of the Magi drew people inside.
Outside, a woman knelt with a paper cup at her knees.

176 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE 2020