AIDA Metropolises 2024

In January 2024 we set off on AIDA's Metropolises tour again. We drove from Hanover to Hamburg. We had already booked a parking space with "Parken und Meer", including shuttle service. Hamburg greeted us with snow, which is very rare in Hamburg. Check-in was quick, and a short time later we reached our cabin, where a welcome gift was already waiting.

In the evening AIDA's sister ship sailed out ahead of us, heading for Norway. The mutual greeting was a little highlight.

Shortly afterwards we got under way too, heading for Southampton.

In Southampton we hadn't booked an excursion, as we had already been here by ship several times. A visit to the Titanic museum was on the plan. The museum can be reached on foot in just 20 minutes.

The Titanic museum in Southampton, officially known as the "SeaCity Museum", is an important landmark dedicated to the history of the Titanic and its deep connection to the city of Southampton. The museum opened in 2012 and offers a comprehensive and moving account of the events surrounding the Titanic disaster of 1912.

Afterwards we explored Southampton a little more on foot, and in the early evening we went back to AIDA.

The next morning we reached Le Havre. Here we had booked the AIDA excursion to Paris in advance. Early in the morning the bus took us straight to Paris – a journey of about 3.5 hours.

On arrival in Paris we first had a city tour with detailed explanations from our guide. That already gave us lots of impressions, and we also got tips for our free time in Paris.

After the tour we continued on foot for 2 hours and explored the beautiful area along the Seine.

The finale was a stop at the famous Eiffel Tower.

After a long day, but with lots of new impressions, we were back at AIDA in Le Havre.

A glass of sparkling wine as we cast off and a wonderful sunset rounded off this great day.

Our penultimate stop on this trip was Zeebrugge. Zeebrugge isn't that impressive, so we took the AIDA shuttle straight to Bruges.

The centre of Bruges is characterised by beautiful narrow lanes, a cathedral square and lots of small shops. Of course the famous Belgian chocolates and Belgian waffles can't be missing.

In the evening we had booked a table at Rossini in advance, as it was a very special evening.

The last stop on our trip was Rotterdam. Here we had planned several little highlights. In the morning we had booked a water taxi right from the pier (online via the app). The water taxi took us to the Euromast, where a visit was on the plan. A great and impressive view. A coffee in the restaurant on the tower was a must.

Then we took the water taxi on into the centre of Rotterdam, where the Markthal and the Cube Houses were on the programme.

The Cube Houses are residential buildings and all occupied; one house is open as a museum. It's worth seeing this alternative form of architecture for real.

Right next door we went into the Markthal. The Markthal is famous for its painted ceiling.

This trip was wonderful once again.