Winchester - England
Updated: 3 hours ago
Some journeys stay with you long after the suitcases are unpacked, and this was certainly one of them.
Our latest adventure began not at sea, but in the historic English city of Winchester, with a friendship that started twenty years ago in Thailand. It seemed a fitting way to begin a journey that would take us across the Atlantic on the beautiful Oceania Vista, through America, and into the beautiful Baltics to celebrate twenty years of marriage.
What followed was weeks of incredible experiences, reunions with dear friends, memorable dining moments and the discovery of two new countries.
Before embarking on our 18-day transatlantic cruise with Oceania in Southampton, we decided to spend a night in Winchester, another new UK city for us to discover!
We checked into the charming Hotel du Vin Winchester, a beautiful boutique hotel full of character, tucked away in the heart of this historic city. With its intimate atmosphere and classic British charm, it was the perfect place to settle in and enjoy our first night before the cruise.
One tradition we have come to love whenever we sail from Southampton is catching up with a dear old friend who lives in the UK.
We first met in Thailand twenty years ago, and here we are, two decades later, still finding opportunities to reunite whenever our travels bring us back to England.
Isn’t that one of the most wonderful things about travelling? The friendships you make along the way and how, even after all these years, you can pick up right where you left off.
This time, we enjoyed a lovely dinner together at The Ivy in Winchester, sharing stories, laughter and reminiscing about the adventures that first brought us together all those years ago. Do yourself a favour if you are a fan of Shepherd's Pie; The Ivy nailed it!
It was the perfect beginning to what would become an extraordinary few weeks of travel, filled with even more reunions, beautiful places and memorable moments.
And as we were about to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary, there was something rather special about beginning this journey with a friendship that had lasted just as long.
A little fun fact: Winchester was once the capital of Anglo-Saxon England and is home to one of Europe’s longest medieval cathedrals. The city is also famous for its Great Hall, where a legendary round table associated with King Arthur has hung for centuries.
After a wonderful evening, a comfortable night at Hotel du Vin and our first little taste of Winchester, it was time to make our way to Southampton.
Our beautiful floating home, Oceania Vista, was waiting, and our next six-week 20th anniversary adventure was about to begin!
Great pics and great memories .... as always with you and Sally, Wayne. Much love