d LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
Cruising Along
Welcome aboard! It’ s officially summer, and I’ m ready to take a Sunday kind of cruise— one where I can bask in the sun, take in breathtaking views, and wine and dine like royalty. More importantly, one where I’ m not rushed and can truly relax. When I read our editor Jill Becker’ s article reflecting on two memorable barge cruises on the canals of France( see page 16), I was immediately intrigued. Come to find out, luxury canal cruises are slower paced than their better-known European river cruise counterparts.
Me aboard the Roman Holiday, which takes passengers on a two-hour cruise down the Coosa River the first Sunday of every month. It’ s no luxury European cruise, but it’ s something.
As a massive fan of the period drama Downton Abbey that ran on PBS for five years, which was sponsored by the Viking cruise line, I’ ve long dreamed of taking a European river cruise. Several of my friends have raved about their river cruise experiences, which have taken them through France, Germany, and other countries. Although they aren’ t inexpensive, they are an experience of a lifetime. For a few years, I’ ve mentioned the idea to my husband and traveling companion, Jerry, who’ s never taken a cruise. In trying to convince him, I’ ve told him that, unlike the gigantic ocean liners that hold 3,000 people, river cruises typically carry no more than 200 passengers. And that while dinner isn’ t formal, it’ s elegantly casual and often features a four-course meal. The closest I’ ve gotten him to consider it is if we take one that has a pre- or post-cruise stay in Munich during Oktoberfest.( Jerry’ s 23andMe DNA data confirmed his heritage is predominantly German, which explains his love of beer.)
My cruise experience is limited, specifically to larger ships only. On one, I briefly lost my 11-year-old son, who had taken his newfound freedom hanging out with some older kids too far, and it had to be broadcast to the entire ship that Winston Wood’ s mom was looking for him. He probably got teased unmercifully, and deserved it. On my last cruise, on the morning of departure, the U. S. Customs and Border Protection knocked at my door at 6 a. m. Although I had a passport and driver’ s license, someone had stolen my identity and duped a bank out of a large sum of money in Chicago, so they needed further proof of who I was or they planned to arrest me. Thank goodness I lived in a small town, because after calling the Rome Police Department, they confirmed my identity. I’ ve maintained being a stable and resilient woman even though my life sometimes feels like a soap opera.
My choice of destination for a leisurely barge cruise like the ones our editor took is Italy. After recently watching Stanley Tucci’ s new show, Tucci in Italy, Jerry and I want to immerse ourselves in its culture and cuisine. We could hop off the barge for a bit and enjoy some wine and cheese or an espresso and gelato in a nearby village. Or we could take a ride on the barge’ s bikes and explore the local countryside. And with only around a dozen passengers, imagine how much fun we could have making new friends, possibly for life. With no stress and the freedom to do whatever we wish in a relaxed yet luxurious setting, it sounds bellissimo!
4 | NW GEORGIA LIVING JULY / AUGUST 2025
Meg Treglown, MegTreg Collective
JULY / AUG 2025 Volume 16 | Issue 4
Publisher and Founder Editor-in-Chief Laura Wood Erickson
Editor Jill Becker
Creative Director Andi Counts
Designer Mackenzie Allanson
Copy Editor Elin Woods
Contributing Writers Jill Becker Martin Cipollini Erin Clay Ande Frazier Ryan Griffin Kathy Patrick Robert Smyth Elin Woods
Contributing Photographer Megan Treglown, MegTreg Collective
Web Master Tracy Slack & Associates
Sales Laura Wood Erickson wood. laura @ yahoo. com
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