This week, we continue to explore the adventures of Noosa-based Olivier Miller and her husband Ian.
Olivier is the owner and principal of four Laguna real estate offices on the Sunshine Coast and Gympie, specialising in prestige and waterfront properties. The two have travelled extensively by sea and land throughout Olivier’s 40-year real estate career.
They recently returned from the 23-day Viking ‘European Sojourn’ sailing three rivers and eight countries.
Olivier said her most favourite place was Budapest (Hungary).
“A very lively country, the tours took us right into the CBD and of course a lot of churches and castles but the architecture and the actual port was virtually in the heart of town, so we got a really good sense of what it had to offer. This was a highlight.
“Because of the size and construction Viking can get closer to ports which makes the trip easier and more special because we could walk off the boat.
“In Kalosca, Hungary we travelled to a local farm which bred horses and saw a horse show. It is the town where paprika is from so we went to a paprika museum and had a day in the country.”
“In Osijek, Croatia we went into a local’s house and had morning tea, and she made a plum liquor and pancake, and the houses are all very neat and tidy with lovely hosts.”
“The weather ranged from eight degrees to about twenty-one with the average 14 to 20 degrees, so we layered up as it was nice in the sun.”
“In Serbia we saw the Iron Gate which was impressive, and we enjoyed our time when we were on the boat lounging and weather permitting on the top deck.”
“We had a couple of days in Bulgaria and then Bucharest which was another of my favourites. There were lots of historic and cobble stone alleys, inns and shops and the biggest Parliament House I have ever seen. We had a bit of fun there as well and we left the cruise there.
Olivier noted that the embarking process was straightforward, and they stayed at the Marriott, a large hotel with ample space.
“Once again, the food on the boat was always buffet breakfast from about 7am to 10am and the wait staff were exceptional. For lunch, the choice was the deck or downstairs which had a western menu as well as a local menu which changed daily depending on where we stayed,” she said.
After we embarked, we were again looked after by Viking staff and then transported to Transylvania and once again took tours including Dracula’s castle and we were then escorted to the airport and virtually escorted to the ticket counter, and it was amazing.”
“For those who find travel daunting, Viking do this very very well. We can’t praise the staff enough, they were all brilliant and if someone said would I recommend it I would say definitely,” she said.
“They have a tour director on that boat which was amazing and nothing was too much trouble. There were so many highlights, and you can do as much or as little as you like.”
“As a foursome we really enjoyed what we did and had a lot of laughs.”
“You do have opportunities to interact with other people, and I did notice a lot of Aussies did mix well.
“If there was one thing I noticed from start to finish it was the Viking staff were absolutely six stars with our room cleaned twice a day and anything you asked for addressed immediately.”
For more information on Viking please call 138 747 or visit www.viking.com
