R. Wing Travel

09/07/2026

Travel can be exhausting and that’s when a sense of humor comes in handy. Have you ever had moments like this? You just have to laugh. It’s the best medicine.

09/06/2026

A 13-hour bus ride from Rotterdam to Strasbourg was definitely not on my European river cruise itinerary.

When water levels drop, the reality of "river cruising" looks a whole lot different. I just lived through the most extreme pivot short of an outright cancellation. Here is what actually happens when the river runs dry, and what you need to know before you book.

Low water levels on European river cruises can derail your itinerary. Discover what cruise lines won’t tell you and how to safeguard your next voyage.

09/05/2026

Thinking about booking a Rhine river cruise and wondering what happens during low water levels? Here is what a real detour looks like aboard the Viking Annar.

Instead of cruising into Germany as scheduled, low water meant Viking professionally pivoted: our ship docked in Lelystad, and we took an excursion out to the famous canal village of Giethoorn. Between the fascinating peat-harvesting history, thatched-roof cottages, and watching first-time boaters navigate slow-motion canal gridlock, it turned into an unforgettable day.

A major part of my work as a professional travel advisor specializing in river cruising is demystifying how these itineraries work in real life.

River cruises are intimate, scenic, and deeply rewarding, but they move with nature. From tracking seasonal river trends to navigating logistics and reroutes, I help my clients travel with total confidence and peace of mind.

Would you brave captaining an electric rental boat through the crowded canals of Giethoorn, or stick to the guided tour boat with some truffle fries? Tell me below!

09/03/2026

What’s it actually like down in the lowest cabin tier of a brand-new Viking Longship? Honestly? Surprisingly cozy, well designed… and home to a shower that requires strategic maneuvering.

Our time aboard the Viking Annar is off to a fantastic start.

But Mother Nature may have the final word.

European summer river levels reached historic lows our late August river cruise might be headed towards a massive detour.

When the unexpected happens halfway across the world, having someone who knows the logistics, the fine print, and the contingency plans makes all the difference. That’s exactly why having a trusted travel advisor in your corner matters. Because travel doesn’t always go by the brochure, and you shouldn’t have to navigate the pivots alone.

Stay tuned for the next episode to see how Viking handled the logistics, how we adapted, and what really happens when the river runs dry.

Would you book the entry-level cabin to save your budget for the destination, or are you strictly a balcony traveler? Let me know below! 👇
(Hosted by Viking)


09/01/2026

Correction: The Viking Annar

Behind the postcard-perfect views of Kinderdijk’s UNESCO windmills lies a story of engineering marvels and the unbelievable women who kept life running inside them.

It is so easy to romanticize living out here in the Dutch countryside until you step inside an active mill and realize what it took to raise children inches from bone-crushing sails and deep canal water.

Drop a 🇳🇱 in the comments if you’ve ever visited Kinderdijk, or let me know: could you have survived living inside one of these?

⬇️ A quick note on timing:
For safety and staying present, I don’t post in real-time while traveling. This scouting journey took place on a 7-night Rhine getaway aboard Viking (Amsterdam to Basel). All opinions, history obsessions, and red umbrella sightings are strictly my own.

08/29/2026

We’re on the Rhine!, and Mother Nature has other plans!

We just boarded in Amsterdam for what was supposed to be a 7-night sailing south to Basel, Switzerland. But due to historically low water levels on the Rhine, our ship can’t clear some of the shallowest stretches of the river.

In river cruising, when water gets too low, cruise lines often do a “ship swap”. You sail on one boat, cross the shallow bottleneck by coach, and step onto an identical sister ship waiting on the other side.

Because a ship swap isn’t an option for our route right now, we’re pivoting! The ship will serve as our floating hotel for part of the journey, and motorcoaches will step in for the rest of our journey.

Travel is all about staying flexible, rolling with the detours, and enjoying the view, no matter how you get there. And hopefully keeping a good attitude.

Have you ever had low water levels disrupt a river cruise?
Drop your travel pivot stories in the comments!


08/28/2026

There is luxury, and then there is hospitality; the kind that greets you at the curb with chilled ch*****ne and makes you feel like royalty when you arrive rumpled and jet-lagged across time zones. 🥂✨

Our recent stay at Hotel De L’Europe in Amsterdam was pure magic. Between the historic views along the Amstel River and the suites in ’t Huys (transformed by local artists into living galleries), it was a vivid reminder of why I fell in love with travel in the first place.

Where you stay shouldn’t just be four walls and a bed. It should have a heartbeat, tell a story, and bring back that spark of wonder.

Opening doors to these soulful, one-of-a-kind places is my absolute favorite part of what I do. Huge thank you to the team at De L’Europe for such a warm welcome!

Ready to skip the cookie-cutter bookings and plan an unforgettable escape crafted with genuine heart (and maybe heated bathroom floors)? Let’s connect!

08/27/2026

Day 4:
Amsterdam August 2026
Hotel De L’Europe ➡️ Viking Annar

🍳Morning Breakfast: Marie’s ()

🛍️Thrift store: Time Machine

☕️ Cafe: Rembrandt Corner

🧆 Poorly pronounced food: bittenbalen 

🏛️Rembrandt Museum: Jodenbreestraat 4, 1011 NK Amsterdam, Netherlands

🍩Bakery for the Munchies: Yummy Sweets Oudezijds Achterburgwal 122, 1012 DT Amsterdam, Netherlands

⛴️ Ship: Viking Annar

08/23/2026

Day 3:
Amsterdam August 2026
Hotel De L’Europe
Canal Cruise: www.lovers.nl Lovers Canal Cruises
Snert: Traditional Dutch pea soup (erwtensoep)
Cafe: ‘t hotel cafe
Fries: Heertje Friet
Painting: Gezicht op de Binnen-Amstel met het Rondeel - by Hendrik Cornelisz Vroom
Dinner: Marie’s (De L’Europe)

08/21/2026

Day 2 a continued
Too tired for captions.