By Barb Baumer, Willamette International Travel
Table of Contents
Some trips ask you to choose between adventure and ease. This one didn’t.
Over a couple of weeks this summer, we wandered geothermal valleys in Iceland, sailed out of Paris on a glass-walled riverboat, biked to Monet’s gardens, and stood quietly at Omaha Beach. It was the kind of itinerary that surprised us at every turn, and the kind we love to design for our clients.
Here’s what it actually felt like.
A Few Days in Reykjavik
We began in Iceland’s capital, staying at the Radisson 1919, a beautifully located property within easy walking distance of Hallgrímskirkja, the rainbow-painted Skólavörðustígur Street, and a wonderful jumble of cafés and shops. The staff couldn’t have been kinder, especially when our luggage took a slightly longer route than we did. (More on that in a minute. Spoiler: it worked out.)
A quick note for anyone worried about lost luggage: ours took an extra day to catch up with us, and Icelandair handled it beautifully. Text updates the whole way, a stipend for essentials, and a friendly transfer driver from Welcome Pickups who waited patiently while we filed our claim. We never felt stuck.
We booked two day trips, both small-group and both well worth the time.
The Golden Circle Direct Tour packed a tremendous amount into about six and a half hours: Thingvellir National Park (where you can quite literally walk between two tectonic plates), the bubbling pools at Geysir Geothermal Park, and the thunder of Gullfoss Waterfall.
The South Coast Adventure was a fuller day, around ten hours, and gave us our first encounter with Reynisfjara’s black sand beach, plus Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls. Keep in mind that the viewing platform for the falls was up 520 stairs, and then back down the same way. The drive itself, across that wide, almost moonlike countryside, was half the magic.
Arriving in Paris
There’s a moment driving in from the airport when you cross the Pont Mirabeau and the Eiffel Tower simply appears. I never get tired of that.
We stayed a night at the Mercure Paris Eiffel Mirabeau in the 15th arrondissement, a smaller, older property with a warm staff and an unbeatable location: less than a ten-minute walk from where our river cruise with AmaWaterways would board the next morning, and an easy stroll to the Tower itself.
Boarding the AmaLyra
The AmaLyra was already docked when we walked over with our bags, and the crew let us drop everything off so we could enjoy one last morning in Paris before boarding. Our cabin was a Category C French balcony, with floor-to-ceiling windows and two chairs angled toward the river. The kind of space that invites you to slow down.
That first evening, we slipped out of Paris on the Seine under a bright sky. Dinner was open seating, the dress code was relaxed, and the food was thoughtful and generous. By the time the city faded behind us, we knew we’d chosen well.
The Heart of the Trip: Normandy
The morning we visited the D-Day beaches, the ship had quieted in a way that’s hard to describe. Our guide was excellent, with the steadiness that this kind of day requires. We stood at Omaha Beach. We walked through the American Cemetery. We listened to histories told by someone who clearly carries them with care.
That evening, before dinner, AmaWaterways brought a local historian aboard to share more of the story, including personal anecdotes from those who lived through the planning and the landings. It’s a day that stays with you, and the cruise gave it the space it deserved.
The Slow, Beautiful Middle
The rest of the week unfolded with the pacing that river travel does best.
In Le Havre, we joined the included excursion to Honfleur, the fishing village where Monet and other Impressionists once painted. The harbor and the cobblestone lanes are every bit as charming as you’d hope.
At Château Gaillard, we hiked up for sweeping views of the Seine bending below us, with our guide layering in centuries of history.
In Rouen, we hopped on the ship’s bicycles for a guided ride through medieval streets and past the cathedral that Monet painted again and again. (The bike program is included in the cruise fare, and a single bike stays with you for the whole trip, which we loved.)
At Vernon, we biked from the dock to Monet’s Gardens in Giverny and strolled the lily ponds with our same friendly guide. Our last full day brought us to Malmaison, the country home where Napoleon and Joséphine once spent time. A quiet, lovely close to the journey.
A Last Night in Paris
The ship returns to Paris for a final evening, and AmaWaterways’s traditional Bateaux Mouche cruise made for the perfect send-off. Notre Dame from the water. The Eiffel Tower sparkling on the hour. A city saying goodnight.
Should You Go? Oui!
If you’ve been thinking about a river cruise but want it paired with something a little adventurous on the front end, this kind of itinerary is hard to beat. The combination of a few days in a place like Reykjavik (or Edinburgh, or London) followed by a slow, immersive sail through the French countryside gives you both energy and rest.
The AmaWaterways crew were genuinely warm, the small-group excursions made for easy days, and the active options (morning stretching, yoga, wellness walks, cycling) were a lovely surprise.
We’d love to help you put together a version of this trip that fits your own pace and interests. Reach out anytime, we’re here to make journeys like this one happen.
Ready for your own history adventure through France? Contact our excellent travel experts at 503-224-0180 or email inquiry@wittravel.com.
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