Published October 24, 2013 on AOL Travel || You’ve chosen your cruise operator and picked which river you want to explore. Your airline tickets are booked and you’re eager to relax with a glass of wine as a dreamy landscape passes by. Before you go, here are five tips to help you make the most of your river cruise adventure. Read more…
Published October 23, 2013 on AOL Travel || A castle looms larger as it gets closer, jutting out over terraced vineyard hills that slope down to the cloudy river water. A crew member appears, clean gray vest buttoned over a white collared shirt, asking if you’d like another glass of wine. You smile, nod, sink deeper into the sundeck chaise lounge and watch as your river cruise ship floats serenely along.
Dream trip, right?
For many, yes. River cruising is hot right now, with more ships and new lines flooding waterways around the world. Smaller ships and passenger loads make for a more intimate experience than ocean liners. It’s arguably more scenic, too, as you’re always close to shore.
But it’s not a one-size-fits all vacation. Read more…
Published on October 22, 2013 on AOL Travel || One of the biggest draws of river cruising is that you pay a lump sum and your entire vacation is handed to you on a silver platter (or a black neoprene travel folder in Viking‘s case).
Included in the package are your hotel, which travels with you (unpacking only once, score!); all meals, some of which are three courses or more; ground transportation (again, the traveling hotel); and local tours and information. Perks can include air conditioning (rare in parts of Europe that can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit in summer) and a full-service staff to keep you informed and oriented despite any local language and cultural barriers.
The ease of travel is enough to justify a river cruise’s price tag for many. Others, myself included, who are used to coordinating every element of a trip, may wonder whether the cost is worth it. If you DIY, how much money would you save? Read more…
Published October 22, 2013 on AOL Travel || Onion-domed churches, vineyards chiseled into hills, ancient castles and grand palaces: a river cruise on the Danube is a scenic affair. In August I joined Viking River Cruise’s Romantic Danube trip from Nuremberg to Budapest. Along the way the boat stopped at historic riverside towns and cities, including Regensburg, Passau, Melk and Vienna.
Follow along to see what it’s like to spend a week on the water cruising one of Europe’s grandest rivers. Read more…
Published on October 21, 2013 on AOL Travel || One of the best things about river cruising is the slow pace of the trip. Boats float along peacefully and stop regularly at towns and cities for on-the-ground explorations. But if you’re short on time, you can see what an 8-day river cruise looks like in less than 2 minutes.
In August I rode on Viking’s Romantic Danube river cruise from Nuremberg to Budapest. Here’s a view from the bow as the boat sailed from Germany to Austria to Hungary. Watch the video…
