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mindtraptotravel · 4 years

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Everything You Need to Know and Do in Sydney

HISTORY OF SYDNEY

This influx of men and women directed for a number of the very first cities and after cities in Sydney. Whilst the age of golden rushes went and came, the evolution of suburbs and also improved transport additionally surfaced. The building of railways and tramways from the century helped this accelerated improvement. Through the twentieth century, Sydney had people of more than one million men and women.

Located across the Sydney Harbor,'' Sydney is popularly Called the harbor Metropolis' where residents and travelers May Enjoy such arenas like the Sydney Opera House and Harbor Bridge. A former sponsor of this Summer Olympics,'' Sydney is undoubtedly developing a vacation destination for those travelers of now as time goes on.

This lets Sydney become the perfect destination for many travelers who desire an awareness of development and history in addition to amazing weather and also neighboring pursuits. Sydney is significantly more than the usual secondary hot-spot; it truly is at which time has demonstrated that whatever may be accomplished with endurance and work.

Since their national funding of New South Wales (http://www.visitnsw.com.au) at Australia, Sydney is unquestionably high in history any traveler might love to find them. Launched in 1788 if Briton Arthur Phillip maintained Australia for England, Sydney has become one among many very renowned towns in the Earth, boasting four thousand people to its populace.

A number of those languages additionally have different dialects for assorted tribes and clans. All these languages have been gone today, however, stone carvings continue to be to share with the tales of all these prehistoric folks.

This Caused the British infantry settlement as based by Arthur Phillip. A couple of decades after in 1789, a celiac illness disperse across the territory, murdering the native inhabitants --most genuinely believe that this has been due to smallpox.

Together with all the 2nd largest immigrant population of almost any bigger world, Sydney is an intriguing mixture of expression and culture. In reality, 1 percentage of the populace will function as migrants of a few terms. This generates an alternative sense from the metropolis --just one of sharing and acceptance, as opposed to segregation.

The native Australians (http://www.dreamtime.net.au) after roamed the lands of Sydney along with the neighboring regions for around half a thousand decades ago And if the numbers dwindled ahead of the coming of Arthur Phillipsthey inhabited the location and left their domiciles at the area.

From 1820, there weren't many aborigines still left and also the time scale of culture commenced: both the instruction and Christianization of those natives. With all the direction of Governor Macquarie, the metropolis of Sydney started to have an even more coordinated sort. Roadways and wharves had been assembled and also nearby development proved to be quickly. Persons began coming from Britain and Ireland so as to discover a brand new life.

LIFESTYLE OF SYDNEY

Together with all the Sir Stamford merely a couple of moments walk away from a few prominent Sydney town center sights, visitors can readily and immediately enjoy this sort of region of attention whilst the Royal Botanic Gardens. Positioned on thirty hectares (nearly ninety acres) of native and native possessions, the Gardens give you the right spot to relaxing lunchtime wander between a complete day's family members excursion. Other intimate landscapes incorporate the famous Sydney Opera House plus also a huge variety of retailers over the Harbor, itself.

Eventually, for the Ease of an apartment Together with the luxury of the five-star resort, contemplate that the Quay Grand Suites Sydney situated on the eastern coast of this Round Quay. Whilst the title says, no"rooms," only self-appointed suites which have a couple of bedrooms, a spacious family space plus a superbly equipped bath with laundry, spa room, plus an in-wall connoisseur kitchen area. Balconies offering breathtaking views of Sydney Harbor encourage guests in which to stay to get a silent night observing the Harbor pursuits in the coziness of the owner's suite, or else they may possibly opt to flake outside in Jordon's, Sydney's leading fish restaurant, readily reachable by either ferry along with mono-rail.

Sydney Harbor additionally includes lots of outdoor tasks for additional adventuresome traffic: sailing, panoramic flights, jet boating, and climbing the Harbor bridge. Panoramic views of this Harbor may be obtained from your Stamford Plaza Double Bay lodge -- maybe not the very expensive resort in the city, but unquestionably a lavish, five-star adventure. Located only 10 minutes in your Sydney's Central Business District, the Plaza Dual Bay gives small business guests a small business center, seminar centers, and also much more shuttle solutions, however, do not let this fool you. Just about every space has it has minibar, Juliet terrace or balcony, icebox, and also much more data interface links to simply help guarantee equally satisfaction and convenience, along with also the total adventure is just improved with all the luxury appointments involving 18th century Louis XV and Georgian antiques in most shared locations.

Therefore for the visit to Sydney, proceed however you like! The town provides a few of their absolute most lavish and sumptuous lodging on the Earth, positioned in only about every single area you may possibly want or would like to see -- in your Central Business District into Harbor perspectives into the historical city-center -- and also an abundance of things to do to relish each of these as well. The traditional luxurious of that overall public is similar to an exclusive pub setting, and also every one of the one hundred and five guest rooms or suites offers visitors with a tasteful escape from busy sightseeing rounds or company experiences. Accommodations alternatives that range from this Superior metropolis Room into the govt Harbor Suite combination using pleasant, thoughtful services along with a large selection of comforts -- atmosphere conditioned rooms, private restrooms and laundry centers, on-site eating places and pubs, together with a small business centre and seminar centers -- to offer the best within contemporary sophistication and contemporary usefulness.

The Dual Bay located area of this Plaza is just one of Sydney's most prestigious districts, introducing friends with a large variety of stores and boutiques comprising a number of their planet's most renowned name brand traces of items and outfits. Dining can be actually a fantasy, as the lodge boasts it has classy dining space and did we say nevertheless the Stamford Plaza has just one of Australia's biggest private artwork collections? If guests elect to flake outside, a wide range of top excellent places to eat are right within just the Dual Bay spot, which ranges from high-brow bars to full-sized five-star dining places.

CHEAP HOTEL OF SYNDEY

On the opposite side, in the event that you should be on the lookout for enjoyment following your dinner or dinner, take a look at the Fox Studios or your Australian Centre for images. Thrilling sporting excursions and events could be obtained in the Sydney Cricket Ground along with also the Aussie Stadium, also Paddington's 2 cinemas frequently offer you independent or foreign movies.

Yet another Fair spot to Remain in the Core of Sydney is your Leisure Inn Barclay Resort. With airconditioned family and standard rooms, the Leisure Inn Barclay was noticed by most people since they have just one of those friendliest Managers round.

Because of hosting the 2000 Summer Olympics, Sydney is now famous worldwide among its absolute most exquisite and pleasant cities on earth together with it has Sydney Opera House about the sanctuary, it has an amazing shore, and also the countless fantastic areas to remain. Possibly you have finally reserve time to get the fantasy vacation while in the earliest town in Australia, or perhaps you own a marketing firm journey scheduled to the recently formed firm, along with your very first stop will be the well-known capital of New South Wales. No Matter the Main Reason for the trip, in case you are staying in Sydney over a shoestring budget, then you also could find more details regarding the following Premium Quality, less Costlier, Pricier resort and motel Alternatives Available via http://www.hotelssydney.com

No matter whether you are enthusiastic about researching the nightlife of Oxford road, the pleasure outlets in Paddington, or else you also require quick accessibility into this Central Business District, Sydney provides a vast array of funds motels to match almost any budget range!

Additionally in easy strolling space will be Sydney's famous Oxford Street, household to specialization classic, vogue, publication, and gift outlets, like the Paddington marketplace Bazaar on Saturdays, together with stalls offering gourmet meals, hand made gift and cosmetic things, stylish garments, indigenous plants, and blossoms, and much far more. If you should be anti-gay, then you may like to steer clear. However, also for journeys to outlying locations, bear in your mind the Museum railroad station is just one hundred meters (roughly 300 ft ) off!

One other city center hotel that has only a brief walk out of your great Paddington and Oxford road areas could be your Crest lodge plus a"budget" resort with quite large customer evaluations. Offering airconditioned normal rooms, in addition to people using a perspective of charming Sydney Harbor, the Crest resort gives laundry services, spa, pool, and many massages. 1 customer categorized the resort as"affordability," also it is suitable spot is just one among its most significant worth -- near into the well-known restaurants and shops, but in addition directly close to the Kings Cross rail station.

Additionally within strolling distance to Oxford Street's renowned bars, eateries, and nightlife, and the Leisure Inn Barclay even now presents comfortable accessibility to buses, trains, and taxis -- fact that the bus stop is located right beyond the door. A number of the dining establishments inside your community are cultural you need to comprise black, Italian, Vietnamese, and lots of Meditteranean restaurants. In the event you would like to learn exactly what the sailors like, you'll locate a few of these preferred bars close to the home space of Paddington, only off Oxford, and also East of Paddington city is just one among the greatest regions to start looking for daylight cafes and bar eateries.

If this shoestring finances of yours are now becoming frayed, look in the Y in the Park, the YWCA's innercity lodge. With alternatives that range from storytelling fashion to luxury, studio, and company rooms, and also only concerning the most effective deals available, Y in the Park provides relaxation, comfort, and value.

Merely a 20-minute stroll into Oxford Avenue, the Acacia Lodge Provides the two En-suite rooms and Those Who Have shared amenities over Looking Moore Park using its own Moore Park Greens and also Effortless Accessibility into the Sydney Showground along with Fox Studios, in Addition to Aussie Stadium and the Sydney Cricket Grounds.

Produced by Portuguese architect Francis Greenway, the Barracks construction was the most important home for male convicts from New South Wales before it shut from 1848.

TRAVEL TO SYDNEY

Harbor Hopping along with Ferry Frolicking

Sydney conveys the biggest natural refuge on earth and will be offering divinely scenic sunset views out of any one of those 70 sanctuary shores at the metropolitan area region. The very optimal/optimally method to find that the sanctuary is by simply taking a ferry out of fundamental Sydney into the Taronga Zoo, at which koala, platypus and roughly 3,000 additional endangered or species that are rare like prime oceanfront real estate. Even the Royal Botanical Garden in fundamental Sydney can also be quite notable, including the maintained web page of this colony's very first searchable vegetable patch. On the southwest, Bondi Beach has been Sydney's sandy beachfront getaway, whole with gelato distributors, amazing bars and also a general atmosphere of comfort.

The glowing jack metropolis of Sydney has arrived away from the modest colonial start after the British came in the 18th century. City course goes together with suburban way of life, which makes a lot more than a chance to finding outdoors and research enjoy just Australians discover just how. Top-notch dining table, a large selection of species that are endangered, and also the signature Opera residence contrary to the gorgeous background of Port Jackson make it tough to suppose Sydney is scarcely 200 decades old.

After Captain James Cook's British Fleet arrived in Botany Bay in 1788, '' he attracted together with him a million convicts from Britain to set a penal settlement,'' that turned into the tiniest colony in The Rocks which could descend right into Sydney. As of the moment, aboriginal men and women had occupied the region for more than 30,000 decades and so were mostly murdered off or hauled to the Blue Mountains. The nearby area remains filled with rock that people can view now; travelers can additionally partake from the developing popularity and celebration of culture that is indigenous. Along with this predominantly Anglo-Celtic populace, the 20thcentury attracted Sydney a brand new tide of legislation from Croatia, Lebanon, both Argentina, and Turkey to call a tiny percentage and now the town turned into a cosmopolitan and culinary foundation of this planet maybe perhaps not to be overlooked!

In various ways,'' Sydney could be your soul and heart of Oceania. An actual melting pot of civilizations, ecology, and foundations, Sydney may be the funding of Australia in most facet nevertheless name. Uncover this interesting portion of this southern quadrant in the delights and paintings of Sydney, an amazingly various, older and contemporary metropolis.

You will find more ways to relish town proper once you go to Sydney, for example, a few of those funniest performances in the Opera residence patio throughout the summertime months. The mythical Harbour Bridge, also called the coat hanger' amid sailors, can be definitely an experience on the planet.

Climb the staircase of this south-west pylon to get an unthinkable opinion of this sanctuary or cover somewhat added in funds and spend a few hrs actually scaling the bridge by way of an avowed business. For more earthbound the Museum of Modern Art can be actually a matter of attraction, though merely for its excellent art-deco construction in that it resides, and also the memorial houses a remarkable selection of 18th and 19th-century functions. Adhering to a very long evening of harbors, beaches, artwork, and entertainment, King's Cross is only an ideal mix of hip underground and class subculture to get a nice dinner, chi-chi cocktail or round groove.

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babyconnectingworld · 4 years

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10+ Fun Ideas for Memorable Birthday Party Alternatives

/* custom css */ .tdi_71_1e5.td-a-rec{ text-align: center; }.tdi_71_1e5 .td-element-style{ z-index: -1; }.tdi_71_1e5.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_71_1e5.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; }@media (max-width: 767px) { .tdi_71_1e5.td-a-rec-img { text-align: center; } } This article may include advertisements, paid product features, affiliate links and other forms of sponsorship. Every parent wants to make their child’s birthday special. In the past, this has included celebrating with family and friends. The coronavirus has put a kibosh on nearly all social gatherings limiting the options for wishing loved ones a “Happy Birthday” and leaving parents scrambling for birthday party alternatives. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to make your child’s big day one to remember.

Ten Birthday Activities to do at Home

There are so many fun activities to do at home as birthday party alternatives. Who needs friends when you have your family? Mix and match any of the following options for a day your child will always remember. Scavenger Hunt. Whether a list of items to cross off or clues leading to hidden treasure, a scavenger hunt can be as easy or involved as you choose to make it. Either way, you child will enjoy searching throughout your house or your neighborhood.Spa Day. Present the birthday kiddo a menu of spa services to select from and prepare a full day of pampering. From shoulder massages to face masks to foot baths, there are endless possibilities to do right home.Nerf War. Cue the Nerf darts! If your family has a plethora of Nerf artillery, replenish the Nerf darts and assign everyone a blaster of their choosing (birthday child gets first pick!). Spread out in your back yard or throughout your house…and every man or woman for themselves!Dress Up and Pretend. Who doesn’t have fun dressing up and pretending you are someone else? Get out costumes for the kids – and possibly formal attire for the adults – and pretend you are at a Royal Ball. Or that you are secret spy agents assigned to save the world. Or act out your favorite movie. So many fun options!Laser Tag. Whether you already have laser guns or order them for your child’s birthday present, team up and fan out. And don’t let the laser get you!Capture the Flag. Split into teams and assign areas of the house or your yard as each team’s home base. Grab two different colored washcloths/rags as each team’s flag and hide in plain sight. When both teams are ready, attempt to capture the other team’s flag and make it back to your home base without getting tagged!Have a Princess or Superhero Call or Facetime. Many of the companies that once dispatched your favorite princesses and superheroes are now offering one-on-one virtual visits at a fee. Give your child this surprise alone – or on a video conference with his or her friends!Water Balloon Battle. Easy and fun for everyone, don your bathing suits, and start filling up those balloons!King or Queen for the day. Possibly an idea for older kids, let the birthday child make all the decisions for the household for 24 hours. Ice cream for breakfast? Whatever your highness wishes!Overnight camping trip…in the backyard. If you don’t have a tent, build a fort in your backyard and grab your sleeping bags. Play outdoor games and grill out. Use the grill to make s’mores! And the best part? No need to use an outhouse when you are just in your backyard:) Read More: How to throw a birthday party on the cheap

Drive by Birthday Parties

If you live in a home that has a street conducive to traffic slowing to a stop, consider one of your birthday party alternatives a parade of family and friends. Set a time for everyone drive by with posters and balloons for the birthday honoree. Play some music and make it a party! Maybe even set out a box for people to drop gifts and cards for your kiddo. Craving more one-on-one attention? Assign each person a different time to drive by giving you time to talk and play at a safe distance. Use your driveway or sidewalk to outline a safe distance where each child can stand and visit. Kids are craving time with their friends and this is a great way to have quick and safe time with one another. Read more: How to photograph your child’s birthday party

Birthday Party Alternatives from a Distance

To avoid the temptation of getting too close to others, there are quite a few birthday party alternatives that involve the mail or dropping items off: Card Shower. A week or two prior to your child’s birthday, request family and friends send multiple birthday cards in the mail. Watch the cards pile up or surprise the birthday girl or boy on the big day with the greeting card love.Keepsake drop off. Before the big day, deliver little ceramic fairies or dinosaurs or a trinket of your child’s choosing for each friend to decorate and place in your yard on the birthday. Another great idea is to use stones/rocks with paint for children to personize messages giving the birthday child a rock garden of birthday wishes.Chalk messages. Set out baggies of chalk (to keep as party favors) and invite family and friends to write birthday wishes on your driveway and sidewalk. Maybe even put out a sign asking neighbors who walk by to add their love for your child!Yard signs and balloons. The majority of cities have local franchises that will set up yard signs to commemorate any occasion; Card My Yard and Sign Gypsies being two of these companies. A cheaper option includes purchasing balloons and affixing weights, placing them throughout the yard. Read more: How to make a birthday balloon wreath

Online Birthday Party Alternatives

The internet offers a number of online meeting places to host parties of more than 10 people. According to Business of Apps, Zoom daily downloads increased from 56k in January 2020 to 2.13 million in March 2020. While Zoom is used predominantly for business and educational meet ups, individual users can create an account and host an online party for free. If you prefer to use a different online option, there are a number of websites/apps that offer free accounts such as House Party, Google Hangouts, Skype Meet Now, Facetime, and many more. Any way you look at it, the world has changed. Daily lives along with its highs and lows has flipped itself upside down. One thing that remains constant: the need for family and friends and celebrating those we love. Although it looks different, your child will remember this year’s birthday as a happy milestone in his or her life and hopefully, this list of birthday party alternatives has given you some fresh ideas! WANT TO READ MORE? Looking for Creative Kids Birthday Party Ideas check out some additional ideas here. 💖 NEWSLETTER: DAILY READS IN YOUR INBOX 💖 Sign up to receive our picks for the best things to do, see and buy so you can relax and focus on more important tasks! Let us help you be the best version of yourself you can be! GET MORE FROM DAILY MOM, PARENTS PORTALNewsletter: Daily Mom delivered to you Facebook: @DailyMomOfficial Instagram: @DailyMomOfficial | @DailyMomTravel | @BestProductsClub YouTube: @DailyMomVideos Pinterest: @DailyMomOfficial 📌 LOVE IT? PIN IT!📌 Photo Credits: Unsplash.com Read the full article

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lethaderr-blog · 5 years

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A Norwegian fjords cruise is an amazing way to absorb the stunning scenery of .

What better way to see the captivating beauty of than by taking a Norwegian fjords cruise? Wake up to stunning and wondrous views each day from a new Norwegian town. Sail past towering mountains and rugged cliffs. Spot the tiny, colorful houses that dot the rocky mountains as you drift by. It’s truly a magical vacation that you need to take in your lifetime.

Justin and I embarked on the 7 day Viking Sagas cruise with Holland America Line. We sailed aboard their newest ship, the Nieuw Statendam, from Amsterdam to four Norwegian port towns: Oslo, Kristiansand, Stavanger, and Flåm. There were also two days at sea where we had the opportunity to relax and enjoy cruise ship living.

Reasons to Take a Norwegian Fjords

There are many advantages to taking a Norwegian fjords cruise over a land trip. First, it’s an easy way to travel from one place to the next. You fly into and out of the same airport (in our case, Amsterdam), board the ship with your belongings, and you don’t have to worry about transportation between cities. You spend each night in a comfortable room, waking up in a new place each day. And you’ll be able to unpack and get settled for the week. This is such a wonderful perk as we’re used to taking road trips where we essentially live out of our suitcases.

The views from this Holland America cruise are nothing short of spectacular. To fully appreciate the fjords, it’s best to view them from the middle of the water. You’ll be able to walk around the ship for 360 degree panoramic perspectives of the scenery all around you. There are ample opportunities for scenic fjord cruising. I also loved viewing each port or town from the vantage point of our balcony cabin (or from the top decks of the ship). It’s almost like having your own aerial view – no drone required!

In addition, having traveled through a couple of Scandinavian cities in the past (Copenhagen and Reykjavik, for example), we know that these countries are expensive. Dining out, spending the night, and most other costs of traveling in are not cheap. Sailing aboard a Norwegian fjords cruise helps keep the cost down. It isn’t necessary to dine off the cruise ship when all the meals on the ship are included in the price. Taking a coastal cruise is one of the most cost effective ways of traveling around the country.

When to Take a Coastal

The summer months are the best time to visit , with the chances of having the best weather. The Nieuw Statendam cruises around from May to September. There are also opportunities to extend your cruise to lengthier expeditions, like cruising to Iceland, exploring more countries on a Scandinavia cruise, and even crossing the Arctic Circle. Justin and I sailed at the end of July and into the beginning of August, which I’d consider to be the best time for a Norwegian fjords cruise.

Packing for the Weather

isn’t known for having stable weather, so expect a little bit of everything. We had days with bright sunshine and hot temperatures. We also had days of rain, wind, and seasonably cool temperatures. Expect everything, even all in one day. I recommend bringing a good mix of clothing: shorts and tank tops for the hot days, jeans and sweaters for the cooler ones. Pack everything from sunscreen to a rain jacket and umbrella.

Why Holland America Line for a ?

This was our first cruise with Holland America Line, and we absolutely recommend sailing with this cruise line for your upcoming holiday. We were both super impressed with the quality of service, the friendly and helpful staff, the level of care, the quality of the food, the comfort and cleanliness of our room, the on board entertainment, and the ports / destinations for the sailing. I’m so pleased to write such a glowing review of our vacation on the Nieuw Statendam. You’ll truly feel refreshed, invigorated, and enlightened after your cruise to .

It’s a total breeze to book and plan your Norwegian fjords cruise. You can book everything directly through the Holland America Line website. Book your cruise, your shore excursions, spa treatments or dinner reservations in advance. You can print your boarding passes and luggage tags in advance of your cruise. It’s easy to arrange transportation from the airport to the cruise ship ahead of time. Then, the check-in process is easy-peasy. Cruising is such a stress-free way to travel where you can choose to do as much or as little as you like.

Perhaps you’d like to wait to book some activities until you’re on board? That works, too. Once you’re on the ship, you’ll have access to a range of activities in the daily “When & Where” guide. These details also appear on your stateroom TV and you can even look them up on your smartphone. The Nieuw Statendam is a cruise ship that focuses on music and art. Out of all the cruises I’ve taken, this one has the best nightly entertainment that I’ve ever experienced. Justin and I spent every night at the Music Walk on deck 2. We floated between the Rolling Stone Rock Room, Billboard Onboard, and B.B. King’s Blues Club where you could always hear live music all night long.

Ship Life on Nieuw Statendam

One of our favorite aspects of cruising is life on board the cruise ship. It’s like a little floating city, but it’s not really like any typical city I’ve visited. First, it’s common place to greet everyone as you pass one another down the hallway or have small chats on the elevator. It’s easy to get to know the cruise ship staff because you’ll chat to them everyday. You can make friends everywhere you go: on excursions, at the pool, and at the music venues.

The carpet in the elevator also reminds you what day it is!

Our Verandah Stateroom

Justin and I stayed in a Verandah Spa Stateroom on the Nieuw Statendam, cabin (category VQ). This balcony cabin features one queen sized bed (can be made up into two twin beds), a sitting area with a couch, a private verandah, a shower, and floor-to-ceiling windows. This room is located on the Panorama Deck (deck 10), which meant that our verandah had amazing views from high up on the ship.

The style of the room feels light and airy, and more open and spacious than our past cruise ship cabins. I love the lighter colored wooden furnishings and the shades of turquoise and lime throughout the room. It really presents a breezy vacation vibe. I highly recommend choosing a verandah room during a Norwegian fjords cruise. It’s possible to wake up and watch the scenic sailings through the fjords right from your own room. Order room service breakfast and you don’t even have to leave your cabin to dine and enjoy the brilliant scenery.

There are many modern amenities throughout the stateroom. First, we loved the big flat screen TV across from the bed with a video on-demand service. This not only beats the smaller TVs we’ve seen on other cruise ships, but we’ve never had this amount of new movies to watch from the comfort of our room before. It’s like having a mini Netflix, right in the room. If you have some downtime on a sea day or want to unwind at night, feel free to curl up in your cabin and catch up on some movies.

There are also plenty of outlets in the cabin, both North American and European. You’ll find USB ports above both bedside tables for your phones. We also found that the Wi-Fi was quite speedy from inside our cabin, more so than other public areas on the ship.

We were also super comfortable in our cabin each day and night. The signature Mariner’s Dream bed was the perfect place to drift off into sleep and allowed us to feel well rested upon waking each day. There’s also an in-room safe, a mini fridge, ice service, complimentary fresh fruit on request, a magnifying make-up mirror, a blow dryer, 100% Egyptian cotton towels, and a premium massage shower head.

The nightly turn down service each evening by our cabin steward was made extra special with a new origami towel animal each night. We loved the special touch of having a new animal on our bed when we came back from dinner and drinks each night. It was always a surprise to see which animal would appear. Our favorite was definitely the monkey, hanging out in the middle of the room on a clothes hanger!

Public Spaces on Nieuw Statendam

There are lots of public spaces, both indoor and outdoor, for various interests and activities. There are two swimming pools, a larger one in the middle of the ship and one at the back of the ship, as well as numerous hot tubs. The bigger mid-ship pool is beneath a retractable roof, which stays closed if the weather isn’t cooperating. You can take a dip in this pool if it’s raining or chilly outside, and the water is heated, too. You can even watch movies by the pool at night with popcorn and snacks. There are a variety of seating options near the pool like loungers, tables and chairs for dining, and even larger couches and chaise lounges that are totally appropriate for a midday snooze.

Nieuw Statendam has a bright and modern fitness center with loads of cardio machines, weight machines, free weights, yoga mats, and a separate room for spin classes. While we only managed to make it to the gym once, it was such an enjoyable experience. There are cycling machines with digital monitors offering virtual riding experiences, which almost makes you forget that you’re working out. The treadmills face directly out to the front of the ship, so you can absorb the soothing ocean views as you exercise. If you’d rather get your exercise outdoors, there’s an outdoor jogging track, outdoor exercise machines, and a basketball court.

This Nordic cruise aboard Nieuw Statendam has lots of bars and meeting spaces to gather with friends and loved ones. Meet over a drink while listening to a variety of music. There’s also a casino, on board shops, an art gallery, numerous dining venues, a full service spa and salon, and two coffee shops for your caffeine fix.

Entertainment Options

On sea days and at night on your Norwegian fjords cruise aboard Nieuw Statendam, you won’t have to worry about feeling bored. There are non-stop activities and entertainment throughout the cruise. However, it’s all up to you. If you feel like relaxing by the pool and reading a book, go for it!

We participated in a few of the entertainment options and activities on our Holland America cruise. One of our favorite things about cruising to on the Nieuw Statendam was the entertainment itself. In addition to performances and comedy shows in the theater, we spent most of our evenings at Nieuw Statendam’s Music Walk. There’s non-stop live music all night long.

In one space, there’s the Billboard Onboard bar and the Rolling Stone Rock Room. There’s a rock band that performs in the Rolling Stone bar, and there are a pair of dueling piano performers at Billboard. Each plays a set for about 45 minutes. When the band finishes playing at Rolling Stone, the music immediately starts up across the way at Billboard. When the pianists wrap up their set, the live music starts again at Rolling Stone.

And then there’s the band at B.B. King’s down the hallway. The musical act at B.B. Kings plays lots of pop hits, R&B, and blues music. In the band, there are vocalists, musicians on guitar, keys, drums, saxophone, and one of the most talented bassists we’ve ever seen. There’s a massive dance floor at B.B. King’s so you can shake what you’ve got.

On sea days, check the “When & Where” guide for daily activities. There are dance classes, ping pong tournaments, talks about history and nature, trivia and board games, and so much more. We took a tour of the kitchen one morning to gain insights into the behind-the-scenes operations in preparing the food on the cruise. Did you know that the average weekly consumption of melon on board totals a whopping 4000 lbs? And the total amount of fresh vegetables for the passengers on board for the week is 18,000 lbs? There are a lot of mouths to feed, and the kitchen staff runs a “tight ship” (pardon the pun!). There’s a huge focus on cleanliness, being quick and efficient, and following a set of protocols that even includes official guidelines on plating meals.

Another interesting activity for the wine fans on board is the intimate tasting and wine blending class, BLEND by Chateau Ste. Michelle. While Justin and I enjoy wine, we both like drinking beer a little bit more than wine. We headed to the European beer tasting at the Billboard Onboard one afternoon. We sampled a few different European beers in various styles and engaged in a small beer trivia session with the host.

Art on Nieuw Statendam

You won’t find the antiquated cruise ship art auction on Nieuw Statendam. Instead, the entire cruise ship acts like a floating art gallery. There’s a separate smaller art gallery on board, but the best art is spread throughout the ship. In every stairwell, you’ll find unique and impressive works of art that look straight out of a museum. When you get off the elevator, you’ll discover statues, sculptures, and other three dimensional art pieces in various styles.

The central atrium on Nieuw Statendam is an architectural marvel, too. With a dramatic sculpture at its center, the central atrium extends three floors up with winding staircases. At the top, there’s an impressive ceiling with changing colors and projections. You might see pastel colors, wispy clouds, or constellations up above when you’re wandering through the atrium.

Club Orange

Would you like to add a luxurious flair to your sailing? Club Orange is Holland America’s new exclusive program that offers an enhanced experience to your cruise. It’s a wonderful way to receive priority access, exclusive amenities, and escape the crowds during peak dining times.

Club Orange members can dine in the exclusive Club Orange dining room for breakfast and dinner. While it will feature the same menu as the dining room for dinner and the Pinnacle Grill for breakfast, there are some additional daily dishes added to the menu that you won’t find anywhere else.

Access to Club Orange also includes one of my favorite perks, priority check-in and disembarkation, as well as priority tender service (if your cruise uses tenders at the ports – ours did not). It’s a great feeling to skip the check-in line when you reach the cruise terminal. This really sped up the embarkation process and we were on the ship before we knew it. There are also lovely additional perks like a welcome glass of sparkling wine, premium bathrobes to use in the cabin, and a Club Orange tote bag.

The name pays homage to the rich Dutch heritage of Holland America Line as it’s the color of the Dutch Royal Family. For those booking the Neptune and Pinnacle suite categories, Club Orange is included in your sailing. For non-suite customers, Club Orange access is $50 per day, and both guests of the same stateroom are required to enroll. It must be purchased prior to sailing (you can’t upgrade once you’re on board).

Food on our to

On our Holland America cruise to , the food was top notch. Our dining experiences are different from the average cruise passenger as we both seek vegan and plant-based options on board. If you have a food allergy or follow a special diet, you don’t have to worry at all. You’ll find lots of delicious meals on board the Nieuw Statendam. The staff members will go above and beyond to ensure that you enjoy delicious and satisfying meals.

Vegan and Vegetarian Menu

When dining in the main dining room, you can request a vegan and vegetarian menu. You can order any dishes from this menu at any point in time throughout the cruise. There are appetizers, soups, salads, and entrees. Most of them are vegan, although there are a couple that are marked as vegetarian. In fact, there were so many options, we didn’t even have enough time to sample them all during our 7 day cruise. Some of my favorites included the Asian Noodle Soup, the Tempeh and Vegetable Kabob, and the Curried Cauliflower Steak. Justin really enjoyed the Grilled Portabella Mushroom with Zucchini Spaghetti.

There are also moments where some items on the regular dining menu are vegan or can easily be prepared vegan. There was a hearty tofu and coconut curry on the dining menu one night that was naturally plant-based. There’s also a few menu items at the Canaletto specialty Italian restaurant that are vegetarian and can be prepared vegan, like a tomato risotto dish. Some of the other specialty dining restaurants include the Pinnacle Grill, Rudi’s Sel de Mer, Tamarind, and Nami Sushi.

Lido Market

The Lido Market on Nieuw Statendam is not your typical buffet – it’s so much better. You don’t need to worry about picking through stale food, food that’s been manhandled by other passengers, or food that’s not at a good temperature any longer. The Lido Market has several individual stations where you’ll find freshly prepared food for many different tastes. The food is all scooped and served onto plates by staff members behind the glass. This prevents cross contamination and improper food handling that can often lead to outbreaks of illnesses on board.

We adored the salad station the most. I know, that sounds so typical for a pair of vegans, right? Well, you just needed to point at all the different veggies, toppings, and dressings that you wanted in your salad, and the staff will whip it up in a big salad bowl for you. I also loved the Asian food station where they always had some veggie and tofu sushi available, as well as some sort of vegetable noodle stir fry. In the evening, you can have a stir fry made to order with the protein, vegetables, and sauces of your choosing. It’s easy to order a tofu and veggie stir fry, prepared right before your eyes.

Dive In (Fast Food)

Craving something a little more sinful? Dive In has lots of fast food options, including burgers, hot dogs, and fries. There’s always a veggie burger on the menu, too. We dove right in to burgers and fries on more than one occasion!

New York Pizza & Deli

The New York Pizza & Deli was one of our favorite food stops on our Nieuw Statendam cruise. You can customize your pizza however you like it. I always ordered a pizza without cheese (there isn’t any vegan cheese on the ship) and with lots of vegetables. You can also get bagels in the morning (there’s more variety here than anywhere else on the ship!) and snacks at night, like kettle chips and popcorn. You can eat your pizza in the dining space near the pizzeria or take it away in a box back to your room. I absolutely love how New York Deli & Pizza stays open until midnight. Late night pizza, anyone?

Room Service Breakfast

I think we must have ordered room service breakfast every single day on the ship, including disembarkation day. Every evening, there was a card left in our room by our room steward with the turn down service. You choose a half hour window as to when you’d like your breakfast to be delivered. There are a variety of options on the room service breakfast menu. And like magic, the food appears on a giant platter at your door each morning. Justin and I enjoyed breakfast on our balcony, as well as breakfast in bed. We didn’t have to get dressed or face any morning breakfast crowds.

For vegan options, we often ordered bagels and bread with peanut butter and jam, bowls of cereal with soy milk, veggie sausages, fresh melon, fresh banana, coffee and tea. Up in the Lido Market, there are a few more options, mostly hot items like potatoes and hash browns. It’s amazing how dining in our cabin was one of the highlights of our Norwegian fjords cruise. It’s one of those things that you certainly miss once you’re back at home and you need to make your own breakfast. Room service is also available 24 hours a day. The menu is on every stateroom TV.

Where to Find the Best Coffee on Nieuw Statendam

If you read this blog regularly, I’m sure you’ve gathered that I’m a self-proclaimed coffee addict. I tend to write a lot of coffee guides and I’ve shared tips on making your own coffee on the road. Sometimes cruise ship coffee isn’t that great. However, you have no worries at all finding a great cup of coffee on Holland America cruises. Coffee culture in Europe is real, and Holland America doesn’t want to disappoint, I’m sure!

If you’re looking for delicious coffee on Nieuw Statendam, there are two great spots to find it. One is the Grand Dutch Cafe on deck 3. This Dutch coffee shop offers more traditional brewed beverages made with HAL’s Rotterdam 1873 coffee beans, which you can also purchase to bring home. There are also a few sweet treats to pair with your coffee. You can also buy beer and alcoholic beverages at the Grand Dutch Cafe.

On deck 12, the Explorations Central & Cafe at the Crow’s Nest offers another wonderful coffee experience. You can also order Americanos and lattes here, as well as iced coffees, frappuccinos, and other frozen concoctions. Enjoy your coffee in this room with a view at the top and front of the ship.

As a bonus for those who don’t drink coffee but love tea, why not head to Classic Afternoon Tea? It happens each day on Nieuw Statendam in the dining room on deck 3 from 3:00pm-3:45pm.

Ports on our Norwegian Fjords

One of the main reasons to sail on a Norwegian fjords cruise is for the ports. This 7 day Viking Sagas cruise has an amazing selection of ports that surely won’t disappoint. We sailed from Amsterdam to Oslo, Kristiansand, Stavanger, and Flåm. While I’ll be writing about each individual experience in port, here’s a brief overview of each of our stops.

Cruising to from Amsterdam

Cruising from Amsterdam on this Norwegian fjords cruise allows us to reach several ports in one week. Amsterdam isn’t too far from . I loved having the sea days to relax, acting as book ends to the ports. While the days in each town and city can be jam packed with activities, it’s great to have some time to unwind on either side of that. Cruising out of Amsterdam also has its perks. For us, the flights aren’t too long from Toronto to Amsterdam. Amsterdam is a pretty accessible location for those living in Europe, too. There’s also the option of extending your stay by booking a hotel in Amsterdam and exploring Amsterdam for a while longer.

Oslo

Oslo is such a fascinating city to explore, and it’s the largest city we visited on our Norwegian fjords cruise. While it’s impossible to see everything in Oslo in a day, it’s definitely the kind of city that will leave you wanting more. Justin and I booked the shore excursion, “Biking in Oslo”, which was a 3 hour tour along car free paths, parks, the fjord, and hidden back streets. We had a very informative and fun tour guide. Our small group made several stops along the way, learning about the history of the city. There were lots of opportunities to take pictures. We even got to visit the famous Vigeland park with over 200 sculptures by artist, Gustav Vigeland.

I loved taking the three hour biking tour in the morning, which allowed time for us to stop back at the cruise ship for lunch. Then, there were a couple of hours left to explore Oslo on foot and wander around the city. Once you’re back on the ship, enjoy the scenery of the fjords as you sail away from Oslo and towards Kristiansand.

Kristiansand

In Kristiansand, we booked the shore excursion, “Lillesand: The Jewel of Sorlandet.” First, we boarded a bus for a scenic drive to the village of Lillesand where he had some free time to explore. Next, we transferred to a boat for a ride along the coastline for scenic views of tiny coastal communities. Unfortunately, it poured rain for our entire trip, but that’s just how it works sometimes!

Thankfully, it stopped raining in the afternoon, just in time to explore the town of Kristiansand. There are lots of things to do in Kristiansand, including wandering through historic sections of town and down by the wharf. I discovered rows of white historic homes, checked out the Kristiansand Cathedral, walked up and down the main shopping street, found some colorful street art, and even had a yummy oat milk latte at a cafe.

Stavanger

Justin and I didn’t take any excursions or tours in Stavanger as the town looked rather interesting on its own. Instead, we walked all over town, visiting Gamle Stavanger (largest surviving wooden house settlement in northern Europe), the Stavanger Cathedral, a beautiful pond and park, a quirky and colorful row of buildings with restaurants and shops, and an industrial area turned into a playground. There are also walls upon walls of street art and murals to discover here, too.

Flåm

Saving the best for last, our day in Flam was quite possibly our favorite of our entire cruise. Sailing into and out of Flåm was such a treat, as we soaked up the most spectacular scenery of the entire Norwegian fjords cruise. To reach Flåm, our ship sailed through the Sognefjord, the largest and deepest fjord in .

Flåm also happens to be home to one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys. If it’s your first time in this Norwegian village, don’t miss riding the Flåm Railway. The journey and the destination are equally as beautiful. Mountains, valleys, waterfalls – the beauty was never ending! At our first stop, we admired a massive waterfall (Kjosfossen), and then soaked up the sensational scenery at our final stop (Vatnahalsen).

.kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap {background:rgba(206, 249, 248, 1);padding:20px 20px 20px 20px;border-width:0px 0px 0px 0px;} .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap:hover {border-color:rgba(238, 238, 238, 1);background:rgba(206, 249, 248, 1);} .kt-blocks-info-box-media {color: 0px 0px 0px;padding:10px 10px 10px 10px;} .kt-blocks-info-box-media-container {margin:0px 15px 0px 15px;} .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap:hover .kt-blocks-info-box-media {color:#444;background:transparent;border-color:#444444;} .kt-blocks-info-box-title {color: 0px 0px 0px;margin:5px 0px 10px 0px;} .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap:hover .kt-blocks-info-box-title {color:#444;} .kt-blocks-info-box-text {color:#444;} .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap:hover .kt-blocks-info-box-text {color:#444;} .kt-blocks-info-box-learnmore {color: 0px 0px 0px;padding:4px 8px 4px 8px;margin:10px 0px 10px 0px;} .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap:hover .kt-blocks-info-box-learnmore {color: <div id="" class="wp-block-kadence-infobox"><div class="kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap kt-blocks-info-box-media-align-top kt-info-halign-center"><div class="kt-blocks-info-box-media-container"><div class="kt-blocks-info-box-media kt-info-media-animate-none"><div class="kadence-info-box-icon-container kt-info-icon-animate-none"><div class="kadence-info-box-icon-inner-container"><span style="display:block;justify-content:center;align-items:center" class="kt-info-svg-icon kt-info-svg-icon-fas_camera"><svg style="display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle" viewbox="0 0 512 512" height="80" width="80" fill="currentColor" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M512 144v288c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V144c0-26.5 21.5-48 48-48h88l12.3-32.9c7-18.7 24.9-31.1 44.9-31.1h125.5c20 0 37.9 12.4 44.9 31.1L376 96h88c26.5 0 48 21.5 48 48zM376 288c0-66.2-53.8-120-120-120s-120 53.8-120 120 53.8 120 120 120 120-53.8 120-120zm-32 0c0 48.5-39.5 88-88 88s-88-39.5-88-88 39.5-88 88-88 88 39.5 88 88z"><div class="kt-infobox-textcontent"><h4 class="kt-blocks-info-box-title">Want to see more cruise photos?<p class="kt-blocks-info-box-text">Check out our entire travel photography album from our cruise to . You can also purchase prints, housewares and more from our photos. Click the ‘buy’ button by any picture!<div class="kt-blocks-info-box-learnmore-wrap"><a class="kt-blocks-info-box-learnmore" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=125747X1586856&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftravelphotos.justinpluslauren.com%2F&sref=rss">Learn More <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><a href="http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=125747X1586856&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftravelphotos.justinpluslauren.com%2F%2FNieuw-Statendam-2019%2Fi-7hc5cBn%2Fbuy&sref=rss" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com//Nieuw-Statendam-2019/i-7hc5cBn/0/5d753bba/XL/P1420201-XL.jpg" alt="Nordic with Holland America Line - Sunsets - Norwegian Fjords "/> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><a href="http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=125747X1586856&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftravelphotos.justinpluslauren.com%2F%2FNieuw-Statendam-2019%2Fi-fTFt5WK%2Fbuy&sref=rss" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com//Nieuw-Statendam-2019/i-fTFt5WK/0/9e2a4d66/XL/P1420206-XL.jpg" alt="Scandinavia to - Brilliant sunsets - Norwegian Fjords "/> <h2>In Summary <p>It was our first trip to , and it certainly won’t be our last. Our visits to the ports were highly memorable, and we loved the comfort and hospitality of cruise ship living. Nieuw Statendam is the perfect home away from home, from the food to the entertainment. We are so glad that our first experience in was aboard a Norwegian fjords cruise with Holland America Line. <ul class="wp-block-gallery columns-3"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest3-683x1024.jpg" alt="Norwegian Fjords on the Nieuw Statendam: An Insider's Guide to a with Holland America Line data-id="18667" data-link="https://justinpluslauren.com/?attachment_id=18667" class="wp-image-18667" srcset="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest3-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest3-200x300.jpg 200w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest3.jpg 735w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest2-683x1024.jpg" alt="Norwegian Fjords on the Nieuw Statendam: An Insider's Guide to a with Holland America Line data-id="18666" data-link="https://justinpluslauren.com/?attachment_id=18666" class="wp-image-18666" srcset="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest2-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest2-200x300.jpg 200w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest2.jpg 735w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest1-683x1024.jpg" alt="Norwegian Fjords on the Nieuw Statendam: An Insider's Guide to a with Holland America Line data-id="18665" data-link="https://justinpluslauren.com/?attachment_id=18665" class="wp-image-18665" srcset="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest1-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest1-200x300.jpg 200w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest1.jpg 735w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /> <div class="kt-simple-box" style="background-color:rgba(232, 232, 232, 1); min-height:1px; padding-top:15px; padding-bottom:15px; padding-left:15px; padding-right:15px; "><div class="kt-simple-box-inner"> <center><strong>Did you find this post useful? Show your appreciation with a small tip! <div id="JPL01" class="quid-slider" align="center" quid-currency="CAD" quid-product-id="JPL01" quid-product-url="https://justinpluslauren.com/norwegian-fjords-cruise-nieuw-statendam/" quid-product-name="Justin Plus Lauren" quid-product-description="A Tip for Justin & Lauren" quid-text="Tip Us!" quid-text-paid="Thanks!" quid-amount="1"> <p><em>A huge thank you to Holland America Line for hosting us on this cruise. We always provide completely honest reviews, and we were in love with this cruise adventure. This post contains affiliate links. 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How to tour Disney World and Universal Orlando VIP style

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How to tour Disney World and Universal Orlando VIP style

Confession. I love Disney World. I’m not ashamed and was not deterred when, before embarking on my recent holiday to America, I clocked everyone’s aghast faces when I told them that my first destination would be Orlando.

When Walt Disney himself decided to build his second American theme park in the 1960s he chose the Floridian swamp city of Orlando mainly because of the cheap land.

Just as well there was that incentive because, being blunt here, Orlando is hardly a glamorous mecca akin to The Hamptons.

When Walt Disney himself decided to build his second American theme park in the 1960s he chose the Floridian swamp city of Orlando mainly because of the cheap land. Without Disney and the influx of attractions that have cropped up since Disney World’s 1971 opening, Orlando may still be the swampy wasteland it once was

William took a VIP tour of Disney World

It’s not even Wolverhampton.

In fact, Wolverhampton could well be nicer.

Without Disney and the influx of attractions that have cropped up since Disney World’s 1971 opening, Orlando may still be the swampy wasteland it once was.

Now it’s home to a sun-soaked fantasy land and two of earth’s most popular theme parks.

However, as Jean Paul Sartre quipped, ‘hell is other people’. Even in somewhere as mesmerising as Disney World, as a Brit, you can be forgiven for getting slightly ticked with the bizarre habits of other people.

But before I left for America, a friend informed me of something I had no idea existed: a Disney World VIP guide.

The VIP tour is a service that anyone can book (thank heavens).

Whilst I’m mad about a big dipper and always enjoy watching the evening spectacular Fantasmic, there are certain elements of all theme parks – not just Disney World – that I’d rather skip; as a child I didn’t notice these flaws, but as a discerning adult, they are glaringly obvious.

The VIP experience made me wonder if it was possible to do a luxury version of the Orlando experience.

It absolutely is, it turns out (with a little help from the Waldorf Astoria Orlando hotel).

Our dedicated VIP guide, the lovely Kevin, collected us from our hotel in a private 4×4 bigger than most British houses.

We were quickly whisked towards the Magic Kingdom (you can’t go to Disney and not start at the epicentre of the 40 square mile site), through a discrete entrance and suddenly, having been offered water, soft drinks and snacks, we cut through a small gap and were staring up at Cinderella Castle.

No queuing, no sussing out other people, no losing interest. Even without the build-up of the usual monorail into the park, the magic was still there.

Kevin knows how to do Disney.

Most visitors of any park will work clockwise, so Kevin’s prudent suggestion was to do the opposite.

Whichever way Kevin, my partner and I may have turned it would hardly have mattered as Kevin’s face alone was enough to get us into all the Fast Pass lanes. We hardly wasted time or waited at all. (Even if you are a regular visitor to the park you only get three Fast Pass entries per day.)

The line-jumping access is the main draw for guests who opt for the VIP experience, although you are also given access to dedicated, prime spots to watch most shows and parades.

After an unusually leisurely day of meandering around the parks with Kevin, it was time for some much needed sustenance.

Disney destinations have a rather unfair reputation for having bad food. Whilst in some places this may be true, it is by no means the rule.

William dined at one of the signature restaurants within Disney’s most upscale resort hotel, the 867-bedroomed Grand Floridian, pictured, namely Citricos

Classic aethestics: The Grand Floridian has a truly spectacular lobby, with elegant furniture and fittings

If you are prepared to do a bit of research in advance you can dine like a Princess, which, thankfully for us, was right up our Main Street.

We opted for a meal at one of the signature restaurants within Disney’s most upscale resort hotel, the 867 bedroomed Grand Floridian, namely Citricos.

We entered the sun-drenched Provençal coloured restaurant and enjoyed surprisingly light (for southern American food) local Floridian flavours.

Having a short break away from the park meant we were suitably recharged before we went back for the new ‘Happily Ever After’ night-time fireworks show, which uses highly complex projection mapping technology to make the castle almost dance in front of you and showcase different characters from the films.

It was a fitting and memorable end to our day at Disney.

There are many above-decent hotels on the mammoth Disney estate, but for the duration of our time in Orlando we chose to have another mental and physical break from the happiest place on earth and opted to stay at the second happiest place on earth, the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, in one of their king deluxe suites.

The hotel took inspiration and key themes from the original Waldorf in New York (currently closed for a three-year makeover) and was the first purpose built Waldorf Astoria, opening in 2009.

The Waldorf Astoria Orlando was William’s luxurious lodge for the duration of his Orlando break

The bedrooms at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando are the perfect place to unwind after a day of magical theme-park thrills

One mistake many Orlando travellers make is cramming too much time in the parks and not planning any R&R in between.

We were extra worn out from watching the heady excitement of a Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It parade in the Magic Kingdom – where characters and stilt walkers dance pass the crowds – and the Waldorf’s spa came in very handy for a post-park Tupelo honey massage (admittedly, I didn’t experience this – my partner did – as I don’t like people touching me).

The Waldorf also offers newly refitted pool-side cabanas, each with fridges with complimentary soft drinks, fruit platters, chaise lounges, Wi-Fi and an LCD television.

Once the hotel had fully recharged us (the breakfast choice was one of the best selections I have seen for some time) we decided we’d be glutton for punishment and head to Orlando’s biggest non-Disney draw, Universal Studios.

Having had such luxury treatment from Disney, I had foreseen that traipsing around Universal and queuing again like the public would be fairly difficult.

Thankfully, it too offers a similar ‘VIP experience’.

The lovely Kevin became the lovely Cindy and as with her Disney counterpart she whipped us around the park, dispensing her 20-plus years of advice and knowledge about Universal.

William also took a VIP tour of Universal Studios, which included a wand-erful visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been assembled with uncanny attention to detail

If the rumours are to be believed, the park was in slight trouble until 2010 when The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened, bringing in the legions of Potterheads to the park.

All the Harry Potter areas of the park have been built with uncanny attention to detail: it’s magically disorientating being in 32-degree-Floridian heat, wearing short trousers and clocking a trains departure board in the (much cleaner) replica of Kings Cross displaying ‘Doncaster – First Capital Connect – Cancelled’.

Universal may lack the presence of Mickey and friends but the dining element of the VIP experience was certainly a few notches above, with a dedicated dining room just for VIP tour guests offering an extensive sweet and savoury buffet.

Again, after a serenely easy day at a theme park, we returned, blister-free to our delightful digs.

Never again when I revisit any of Orlando’s crowd convocations will I have to cope with taking off my loafers to reveal blistered end-of-day feet – there are ways for those of us more highly strung than others to enjoy the fairy-dust filled memories of our childhood.

TRAVEL FACTS

Disney World

VIP Tour – between $425 and $600 per hour, depending on season. Valid park admission is required and not included in price. To book a VIP Tour call +1 (407) 560 4033.

Dining reservations for Disney can be made online (www.mydisneyexperience.co.uk), via the My Disney Experience app or by calling the dining reservations line on +1 (407) 939 346.

Accommodation at Grand Floridian Resort – four nights – £1,304 pp for two people.

Visit disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_GB/.

Universal Orlando

VIP Tour – Starting from $189 per person plus tax. Valid park admission is required and not included in price. To book a VIP tour call +1 (866) 346 9350. Click here for more information.

Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Visit www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com for more information.

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#disney #orlando #style #universal #World

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