Page 225 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL FALL 2024 SPAIN

at our stateroom, unpacking and then be-
ginning pure enjoyment: great service,
meeting many different and wonderful fel-
low cruisers from many different and
unique places. Our next cruise will probably
be a California Coastal Cruise with Holland
America.”
We met Pattie and Brice Lenz from the
Seattle area one evening at dinner, and
dined with them often during the cruise.
This was their seventh cruise and Brice's
first trip to Europe. Most evenings after
seeing the theater shows, we loved sipping
drinks with them and hearing—and dancing
to--the amazing B. B. King's Blues Club
band.
“We enjoyed our days at sea and hav-
ing no agenda,” said Pattie. “And choosing
our own entertainment! Mine happens to be
curling up with a good book!
“Many of our ports were small towns or
villages and very walkable, giving us a
sample of the cultures and architecture.
The smaller port towns such as Brest,
France, and Portland (Weymouth), England,
are sweet and have a peaceful quaintness.
The scenic Hardangerfjord in Norway was
a beautiful sight that we hadn't expected
to be so thrilled by. We took it all in! And
we were very excited to see Edinburgh and
tour the Palace of Holyrood.
“The thing that draws us to travel by
cruise ship is the security and comfort of
having a home base to return to after visit-
ing the ports. It was a wonderful time in
our lives to visit Europe this way, and we
look forward to many more cruises!”

IF YOU GO Holland America
www.hollandamerica.com

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