AnhaltER1960
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Posts posted by AnhaltER1960
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Baedecker is the standard in Germany for travel guides, for more than 100 years now. Bit old fashioned, but you find all relevant information on the cities, sights, castles, but not the hippest bar in town. Baedecker guides on the Rhine are also available in english, just look on Amazon or at your local bookseller.
Personally I love their older editions too, like 1906 or so. Same landscape, same castles, but often more detailed descriptions and accurate sketches than in todays guidebooks. Ok, forget their prices and probably opening hours... :-).
And, of course, Mark Twain, A Tramp Abroad (though not only on the Rhine), and "Legends of the Rhine", https://archive.org/details/legendsofrhine01906rula
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On 4/1/2019 at 6:27 PM, suspaul said:
Heading for the Elegant Elbe (Viking) next week. Hope water levels are good 🤞🏼
They are. Water levels on the Elbe right now are well above the long-time average, but safely clear of flooding level. So enjoy a wonderful cruise.
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24 minutes ago, SBJB8184 said:
Sooooo.... is it true that Viking has cancelled all 2018 Elegant Elbe cruises, but CroisiEurope continues to cruise? Are the CE ships different than the viking ships that allow them to cruise in shallower water? Just curious.
Thanks
Yes and no. Viking have cancelled all remaining Elegant Elbe Cruises this Year. Croisi Europe are still operating some (I am not sure, if all) of their Berlin - Prague Tours, but in the way I described earlier in this thread: They sail on the channel Berlin to somewhere near Magdeburg, do some bussing then and continue sailing from Litomerice into Prague on another ship. So they do not cruise the Elbe either.
Indeed the ships are a bit different. But that does not do much difference, both Vikings Beyla and Astrild as well as Coisis Elbe Princesse I and II draw some 80 to 90 cm. Good, but not shallow enough for the Elbe this year.
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On 10/18/2018 at 11:25 AM, notamermaid said:
Has it rained in the Czech Republic or are they possibly just letting a wave of water from the reservoirs through?
They sent just one wave downriver, I am not aware of significant rainfall in the Czech Republic. I spent one day yesterday in the Elbe valley around Bad Schandau. Have never seen the Elbe that shallow there. Nevertheless, a calm sunny day, autumn colours in the forests, beautiful. Too much of a pity that no cruise traveler could see that. Some cayak and rubber boat paddlers could.
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As far as Viking are concerned, we could close this thread for this year. Viking have cancelled all their Elbe cruises in 2018. Sadly, so far there has not been significant changes of the far too dry weather and the water levels keep staying too low for ship traffic on the Elbe.
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Viking have cancelled all cruises in September (there were some still alive) and in the first week of October.
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... we really want to do the Viking "Elegant Elbe" in 2020... can anyone recommend the "best guess" month to go?
Needs a large crystal ball, one and a half or even two years ahead. April and May seem to bee the months, which are safe, though this year even May was a cliffhanger (if this year was a one off, then its weather, if it repeats, then its climate change).
You are talking on "Elegant Elbe", which is the product of Viking River Cruises. Notamermaid already reported their itinerary on the Elbe. There are pros and cons to this itinerary (I am not even sure, whether missing Magdeburg is a pro or con). However, as Viking are sailing the Elbe between Wittenberg and Decin only, this is leaving out some shallow parts around Magdeburg. In comparison with other companies, this Viking timetable has proven the most stable. No, they could not not sail all year this year, but Viking ships had still be sailing on the Elbe, when others long went into bus mode.
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..i did try to search german rail but looks like too early to book for june...
On their website www.bahn.de, German railways do not show trains after timetable change, which takes place on Dec. 9th. Train connections after that date usually are shown six to eight weeks before the timetable change, so keep a bit patient and look again in October. Do not assume major changes in the timetable though.
Reduced prices for long distance trains can be booked 91 days before the travel date. Standard flex price for ICE-long distance trains is 54 Euro one way in 2nd class, reduced tickets can be cheaper, but are valid only on the booked train. Train ride takes an hour and 10 minutes. Regional trains, which take some 40 minutes longer, can be considerably cheaper. Bavaria ticket, valid on any regional trains in Bavaria, comes 31 Euro for 2 pax in 2nd class, 52 Euro in 1st class. Valid on weekdays after 0900 hrs, Sat, Sun, publ holidays all day (maybe next year the prices will be an Euro or two up).
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Indeed the weather situation has changed - even on the Elbe. There has been some rainfall alonh the Elbe and the temperatures dropped. Means that more rainfall reaches the groundwater and/or the river, reduced evaporation.
The water levels on Rhine and Danube had been low, too low to sail some shallow parts. The recent rainfall apparently was enough to lift the water table beyond critical level. Not so on the Elbe, which was scratching at record lows (I read a newspaper article about ten days ago, that the Elbe at Wittenberg reached an all-time low since measurements started in the year 18xx).
So the recent rainfalls have risen the Elbe level from donteventhinkaboutsailing to no, not really. Though the Czech released one wave yesterday, which would even allow sailing, surfing that wave and getting the keel well sandbrushed. But that is not enough to resume regular sailing.
The weather forecasts see that low pressure area over central eastern Europe, which brought that rainfall for the Elbe (and as well for the Danube) to disappear and back to dry weather. I am still pessimistic for the remaining 2018 season. Even CroisiEurope went into cancellation mode after several weeks of bussing.
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It certainly does not look like we will be sailing on Elbe as planned this September 15th.
Viking have cancelled almost all Elbe cruises in September by now, so you should gotten the notification on the cancellation of your Elbe sailing in the meantime.
There had be some raindrops into the Elbe recently, lifting the water table from "donteventhinkaboutcruising" to "no chance to cruise", but falling again now.With no change of the weather pattern and a continued massive water deficit I start to doubt, whether there will be any cruises on the Elbe in the remaining season at all.
Croisieurope are still fighting and continue ther cruise/bus-mix as described earlier.
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Now I am worried. Our cruise is Berlin to Prague on Sept 15th. Called Viking today - not cancelled yet. As I have my own flight arrangements I am anxious to make alternate plans ASAP.
The first three days of your trip will be on land anyway (Berlin, Potsdam, Wörlitz, bussing to Wittenberg). Actual cruising on the Astrild is scheduled to start Sept 18th. Still more than three weeks to go and it needs a large crystal ball to look ahead that far.
However, yeasterdays/todays rainfall was way short of giving a sustainable impact on the water level. Weather forecasts for the next 10 days do not call for much additional rain. Of course one may doubt the reliability of long term forecasts, but the water deficit of the Elbe is enormous. It needs several days of continuous rainfall esp. in Bohemia to bring the water to a level, which allows sailing to resume. And even the worst long-term weather forecast cannot be that wrong to oversee the required rain.
Yes, it is a good idea to push plan b ahead.
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Conditions on the Elbe have not changed so far - still no sailing. Weather forecasts are calling for some rain/thunderstorms (not only) in Eastern Germany and Bohemia. It remains to be seen, if and how long these rainfalls will affect the water level.
Viking have cancelled all their Elbe cruises in August. A report on tripadvisor suggests the cancellations to continue into September (see https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187399-i889-k11514560-o80-Elbe_River_Low_Water_Level-Dresden_Saxony.html ).
CroiseEuropes Elbe Pricesse I is still sailing on the canal from Berlin to a place near Magdeburg and Elbe Princesse II between Litomerice and Prague with plenty of bussing and ship swap in between.
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Just send some rain over from the Rhine valley to the Elbe, we did not want keep it all to ourselves. ;)
Thank you. It helped me, I did not have to water the garden yesterday (still dont know what to do with that extra hour). The impact on river level of the Elbe, however, was negectible.
Navigation situation is still unchanged.
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The year is 2018 A.C. Europe is entirely occupied by the draught. Well, not entirely... One small company of indomitable Gauls still holds out against the elements. CroiseEurope are holding out against the Elbe and are, well, not cruising, rather bussing guests up and down the river with the Elbe Princesse having sailed from Berlin on the canal to Burg (near Magdeburg) and doing bus tours from there. Eventually there is a bussed ship swap to the Elbe Princesse II, which is stuck in Melnik for, maybe, sailing into Prague then, whilst another flight is doing the opposite direction.
No changes on the Elbe so far and on the weather. No rain, no cruises on the river..
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Recent thunderstorms have left a little bit of rain in the area - fsr not enough to lift the water level sustainably, just a short peak. Forecasts are calling for further dry summer weather.
Viking have hoisted the white flag now and apparently have cancelled all Elbe cruises for the rest of August. Sent home (some of) the crew, the hungarian bus drivers and locked the ships. Looks like quite a financial buff for Viking, as the cruises had been well booked.
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First of all, many (or even all) cruise lines offer slow walking groups (some call it gentle or leisurely walking groups) with reduced programme and/or a different ratio between walking and bus than the standard tours. And, of course, you are always welcomed to use the bus only as a shutlle and skip the offered guided tour or simply walk off the ship on your own or hire a cab. Often the ship is not moving during excursions, but that depends on the schedule.
Indeed the Middle Rhine gorge is spectacular and well worth seeing, as it has been for visitor since the 19th century, that applies for the stretch between Mainz and Cologne. However, other parts of the Rhine, both upriver and downriver are more like a canal (between Basel and Karlsruhe it really is one) with not much scenery.
Scenic rivers are the Moselle, the Main and the upper Danube. So a river cruise, which combine some of these rivers, like Moselle to its confluence with the Rhine, then Middle Rhine Valley, Main, Rhine-Main-Donau Canal and maybe the Danube until Vienna or parts of that, might be something worth sailing. Also the Douro in Portugal is scenic river.
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Already some good suggestions. To add some more:
* Emigration Museum Ballinstadt, the counterpiece to the Immigration Museum at Ellis Island. Here is, where the emigrats were waiting for their ship. Great exibition, bringing history to life.
* Elbphilharmonie. Though notoriuos for overrunning construction times and costs, it now holds a visitor platform with nice views along the Elbe and the harbor. The concert hall is said to have a marvellous acoustics, so if you cab grad some tickets, this will be a memorable event
* Instead of a harbour cruise, take the public ferry # 62 to Finkenwerder. Harbour cruise at the price of a busticket. There are part of the public transport, so day passes or a normal single fare ticket will do
* Isemarkt (Tue and Fri only). Food market under the elevated U-Bahn between stops Hoheluftbrücke and Eppendorfer Baum. Wide choice of fresh fruit, veggie, fish, salads, spices. Buy and eat at the food stalls or, even better, collect food and drinks for a picnic at the nearby Aussenalster on a fine day.
Sleeping: I would suggest the srea around Altona station. Rather quiet residental or mixed with shopping streets, decent nightlife, good connections to public transport.
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Is the main shopping in the same area?
Yes, within the Galleria Umberto itself (great architecture btw) and streets around the Galleria Umberto like Via Toledo, Via Chiaia are an upmarket shopping area.
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If you look at Google Map satellite pictures you see plenty of sandy beaches to the south of Catania port, following the SS114, Via Presidente Kennedy. Might be a bit loud at times as Catania Airport is also located there (not sure how busy that is). And Google does not show the water quality right next to town. But there seem to be a lot of places where you can hire umbrellas and also do have facilities just a short cab ride, maybe 2 or 3 miles from the port.
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Things are not getting any better on the Elbe, still no(t enough) rainfall in sight. No sailing possible.
Apparently Viking have reacted now by cancellation their Elbe cruises starting August 6th and Aug 11th altogether. Certainly not good news for those, who booked their flights individually.
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The Elbe is so shallow, it even saved lives. Near the small town of Aken a 78-year-old driver drove down the ferry pier into the river (maybe he saw a ferry as a fata morgana, but there wasnt any). But the car did not get into deep water, so the driver could be saved by someone walking to the car and simply opening the door....
Indeed, some thunderstorm would not help. There had been some around since saturday, but the rainfall was shortlived and came down only locally, thus not really raising the Elbe water level sustainably. Now only a Genoa low, type Vb (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genoa_low) does help.
For the time being, however, no sailing possible on the Elbe. The situation is unchanged grom my recent posts. Viking have the Beyla berthed in Wittenberg, the Astrild berthed in Dresden and do bus tours with a ship swap instead. As far as I am aware, no other operator has Elbe cruises scheduled these days.
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The situation on the Elbe is unchanged. No cruise ship is sailing. The Viking Beyla is moored at Wittenberg, the Viking Astrild in Dresden. Passengers are transported by bus.
The Elbe Princesse has also converted her Elbe cruise into a bus tour, as the vessel did not get into the Elbe from Magdeburg.
Weather forecast ist on hot and dry summer weather without any rain in sight, so the (non)-cruise situation will not change in the next days.
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Still no cruises on the Elbe possible. And, with no(t much) rain in sight in the next days, the situation will probably continue for a while. Elbe Princesse is not sailing and the Viking ships are moored as hotelships in Dresden and Wittenberg with lots of bussing in between.
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Don't know which ship is involved, ship had come from Budapest / Vienna.
Article:
Article says, it was the Amadeus. She is already underway to her next cruise to Budapest. More luck with the kitchen hygiene next time.
Everything Viking France: Normandy, Paris, Provence
in River Cruising
Posted
Sad news for Paris travellers. Cathedral Notre Dame is ablaze and that does not look good. The whole roof is on fire. Damage cannot bei estimated yet.