Traverse City Record-Eagle

Kathleen Gest: Senior Focus

UPCOMING EVENTS

Cherry pie socials in honor of the National Cherry Festival start at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, July 5, at West Side Seniors in Interlochen (Golden Fellowship Hall) and Wednesday, July 6, at South County Seniors in Kingsley (The Rock of Kingsley Youth Center).

Seniors can stop by to check out the centers, give suggestions and pick up information on senior activities.

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  • Kathleen Gest

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July 2, 2011

Senior Focus: Cruise Europe in spring

By Kathleen Gest, Local columnist ----

For many travelers, motoring slowly down the waterways of Europe is just the right tempo for getting to know the countries they want to visit.

The Traverse City Senior Center Travel Alliance is organizing a European cruise in April 2012.

The “Tulip Time Cruise” explores the beauty, history and culture of Holland and Belgium by cruising their legendary waterways. The cruise takes you through the densest network of inland waterways in Europe — with as many as 269 waterways in the Netherlands alone.

Sitting on the top deck of a ship under brilliant blue skies, you gaze on fine old architecture, windmills, tulip fields and water everywhere, all defining the image of the heart of Holland. And, within the next three decks down, you have all the amenities of a modern hotel — restaurants, bars, lounges, fitness facilities, spas, Internet access and comfortable staterooms.

“Travel Alliance is doing this particular cruise because several people asked for a Dutch waterway cruise,” said Betsy MacGirr, travel coordinator. “It worked out much better for next year. Besides the wonders of Holland’s breathtaking tulip fields in full bloom, we are also able to offer the Floriade 2012 World Horticultural Exposition.”

Held only once every 10 years, the Floriade has been taking place across the world since 1851. Covering 60 acres in the Dutch city of Venio, 2012’s expo will have exhibitions from more than 30 countries.

The exposition offers a kaleidoscope of unique flora from around the world and countries the opportunity to showcase their economic, social, cultural and technical developments in horticulture.

This cruise begins and ends in Amsterdam, staying overnight in the Dutch city, so you have time to explore. As you cruise the waterways, you will be able to take photos of the captivating windmills at Kinderdijk; immerse yourself in the history of St. Baaf’s Cathedral in medieval Ghent; explore Antwerp; and see the blooming beauty of the Keukenhof Gardens.

In Veere, there will an excursion to the Delta Works, an area of major and auxiliary dams, protecting many parts of the Netherlands during storms and high sea levels. The building of the Delta Works was such an enormous project, that it was sometimes referred to as the “eighth wonder of the world.”

“The ‘Tulip Time Cruise’ includes the flight, insurance and the cruise, plus all meals,” MacGirr said. “When I traveled to Europe, I found that I couldn’t compete with a packaged deal.”

A presentation about the trip is scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 13, at the Senior Center, 801 E. Front St. To reserve a spot for the presentation, call 922-4911 or email lwells@tcseniorcenter.com.

The trip leaves April 14, 2012, for an eight-day cruise, returning to Traverse City on April 22. People reserving by Aug. 30 get a $500 discount.

Kathleen Bellaw Gest is a local freelance writer. For more about the Traverse City Senior Center, go to www.tcseniorcenter.com.

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