By Joan Wicklund, 2-time traveler, Minneapolis, Minnesota
My son was in the Air Force, so he’s explored many exotic destinations around the world. When my husband and I retired, we decided we wanted to travel. So, we asked my son where he thought we should travel next. He told us that we needed to see Prague and Vienna. And so that’s where we decided to go.
Before our trip, I lost my husband unexpectedly. But since this was a vacation we were planning to do together, I was determined to go through with the trip to honor his memory. So, once I reserved my vacation, I chose to have Grand Circle match me with a roommate—and they helped me find someone pretty soon after I made my reservation.
Joan visits Vienna during her River Cruise—a location her son urged her to see.
I wasn’t really hesitant about the trip—and as it turned out, my roommate, Beulah, and I had a great time. We were able to adapt to each other and enjoy one another’s company. Beulah was traveling with two of her friends, and I was not only able to meet them, but I also had a chance to interact with many others in my group—and I’ve remained in contact with several of them. They live all over the United States, including California, New York, and Wisconsin. And I even visited Carol and Peg, both from Wisconsin, during a trip to their hometowns after we returned from the trip.
From left, Peg, Carol, and Roz—three women Joan grew close to during her trip—enjoy some time aboard their river ship.
I had a better time on Grand Circle’s Old World Prague & the Blue Danube River Cruise than I thought I would. I was worried that I would be sad on my trip—since this was my first time traveling without my husband—but the history of Europe was so fascinating, and I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful architecture and art of the countries we visited.
I truly experienced one “aha” moment after another. St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague and St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna were overwhelming. I had two of the photos I had taken of each enlarged and they’re now hanging in my home. Each time I look at them, I remember all of the amazing things I saw during my journey along the Danube River.
Everything about the trip was amazing. The ship and crew were wonderfully accommodating, the meals were definitely a cut above, my cabin was spacious and well-designed, and our Program Directors were intelligent, knowledgeable, and went out of their way to assist travelers with anything they might need. The cities we visited were truly architectural gems and presented unending photo opportunities. Budapest was magical at night, Český Krumlov was an eye-opener and a wonderful place to shop for local wares, and Prague was definitely not to be missed.
Prague’s St. Vitus Cathedral—pictured here—left a lasting impression on Joan.
As a woman traveling on her own, I can honestly say that Grand Circle did a wonderful job of making me feel safe throughout my journey. I also enjoyed getting to know my fellow travelers; our personalities really clicked.
I’m so glad I decided to travel on this trip for both my husband and me. I know he would have loved the beautiful sights and interesting histories as much as I did. But this trip also helped me learn that I can travel on my own and still have a wonderful time. I can’t wait for my next River Cruise with Grand Circle.
Experience the architectural treasures of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, and Hungary on our Old World Prague & the Blue Danube River Cruise.