02/12/2024
Amazing Days Travel with Lisa Rees
February 2024
River cruising
This month’s topic is river cruising. Sailing by river means enjoying all the conveniences of a traditional cruise, along with all the benefits of inland travel. It means stopping in multiple destinations on every trip, you'll visit bustling cities and hidden gem villages, only unpacking once. It’s traveling to different places and taking your hotel with you!
Some of the benefits to river cruising include:
• Small number of guests
River cruises offer an exclusive, luxurious option for travelers. A smaller vessel means a more intimate vacation setting with staff focused on each guest.
• All Inclusive
All-Inclusive— Most food, beverages, and often excursions are included in the overall price, allowing travelers to enjoy a decadent vacation without the stress of planning every detail and pinching every penny.
• Daily Discoveries
River cruises stop at new ports almost daily offering passengers an itinerary full of unique destinations to discover. With access to narrow ports and through shallow waterways, river cruising offers a cruise for travelers who love to experience new cultures, visit historical sites and relax in cruise luxury.
• No sea sickness
It is extremely rare to become seasick on a river cruise as the waters are much calmer. No waves or rough seas on a river means rocking is non-existent. Plus, river ships move at a fraction of the speed of ocean vessels so there is hardly any speed to create seasickness onboard.
There are plenty of river cruise destinations to choose from.
Central Europe
If you want to see the sights of Central Europe, consider a river cruise on the Danube. This sparkling river can take you from the beauty of Vienna all the way to the Wachau Valley in Austria. You can choose from shorter four- day river cruises on the Danube or go all out with ten to fourteen days of seeing stunning sights throughout Central Europe.
I recommend thinking about which ports of call you want to visit, then choose the river cruise length that will allow you to see them all. This will ensure you won’t skip past some of the must-see sights in this part of the world. I can help you decide which ports of call will be best for your vacation if you are struggling. I will tell you now that Vienna and Budapest will be on that list. These two cities are packed with thrilling activities. I personally just returned from a river cruise on the Danube and loved every minute of my adventures!
Switzerland and Amsterdam
A river cruise on the Rhine will be exactly what you will need if you want to see Switzerland’s countryside, as well as the streets of Amsterdam. Imagine watching the hills of the Black Forest pass on by as the ship cruises down the river or wandering through the castles that dot the land along the Rhine Gorge. The cathedral in Cologne will pique your interest. Culture is everywhere in the city of Amsterdam including the Anne Frank House Museum.
Just don’t focus solely on the museums and galleries there. Gondola rides through the canals will allow you to enjoy this city from a different perspective.
Stay tuned for an escorted cruise on the Rhine in early Sept 2024. Information coming soon.
Paris and Normandy
One of the most sought-after river cruises in Europe is the one that takes you from Paris to Normandy. Numerous river cruise lines take this route along the Seine and you can choose to go in either direction. I recommend staying in Paris and Normandy for a couple extra days on either end of your river cruise. This will ensure you can truly enjoy the areas outside your cruising time.
While in Paris, you can wander along the streets visiting the museums, go shopping in high-end boutiques, and don’t forget to eat a croissant for breakfast each morning! If one of your ports of call includes the small village of Giverny, head to Monet’s beautiful garden. Don’t skip the D-Day beaches, you will want to experience the heroism that took place on these beaches.
Asia
Yes, you can take a river cruise through Asia! The Yangtze is the longest river in Asia however, most river cruises focus on a smaller section of this river. That section is the Three Gorges, which is near China. In this area, you can experience the bright lights of Shanghai, wander through the Forbidden City in Beijing and check out the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an. If you have the chance, exploring Fengdu Ghost City on Ming Mountain is another must-do activity during a river cruise.
The hottest new destinations for river cruising in Asia include Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. Discover the beauty of Southeast from the colorful markets to the stunning architecture to the friendly locals, you’ll fall in love with the grandeur of this region. On your Cambodia cruise along the Mekong River, you’ll tour ancient temples of Angkor Wat, participate in traditional ceremonies and learn techniques for handmade crafts.
I recommend taking a river cruise in Asia during the months of April and May or September and October. This is when you will find the best weather. It won’t be too hot or freezing cold!
Christmas Market Cruises
Sail into the season of European Christmas markets, aglow with the warmth of a simpler time. From wooden stalls with handmade ornaments and hot-mulled wine to grand Christmas cathedrals and glistening lights, a winter cruise on the Danube, Main, or Rhine Rivers is a true gift of timeless tradition. See musical instruments come to life in Rüdesheim, Germany; taste Austrian Christmas cookies while sailing to Vienna; visit Melk’s Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings; and see the magical Christmas markets of Budapest, Prague, or Strasbourg. Some of these cruises include children, contact me for more information.
Family River Cruising
While most river cruises are adults only, there are some cruising designed for families with children and are a wonderful option for multigeneration family trips.
One company that offers family river cruises is Adventures by Disney include river cruise vacations designed for Adventurers and families traveling with or without children. Many itineraries that offer a variety of experiences that parents, children and teens can enjoy—ranging from active excursions, castle and museum tours and unique onboard activities. While adults enjoy wine-tasting and adult-only dinners, there is plenty of programming for our teen Guests, including a special welcome party, teen and Junior Adventurer dinners and Disney movie nights. Destinations include most of the rivers above. Contact me for more information.
Highlighted River Cruise Deals: Contact me to book a fabulous river cruise!
• SAVE $500 PER COUPLE ON SELECT 2024 AVALON WATERWAYS EUROPE RIVER CRUISES (PLUS FLY FREE FROM SELECT U.S. CITIES)*
o Booking Window:September 5, 2023 through March 2, 2024
o Travel Window:January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024
• $599 AIR FROM SELECT U.S. CITIES ON SELECT 2024 AVALON WATERWAYS EUROPE RIVER CRUISES.*
o Booking Window:March 1, 2023 through March 2, 2024
o Travel Window:January 13, 2024 through December 31, 2024
FLY FREE (PLUS SAVE $500 PER COUPLE) FROM SELECT U.S. CITIES ON SELECT 2024 AVALON WATERWAYS EUROPE RIVER CRUISES.*
o Booking Window:September 5, 2023 through March 2, 2024
o Travel Window:January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024
If you are ready to start planning your next vacation, contact me to get the conversation started. And if you are still in the thinking stages, sign up to receive my emails. Each email is packed with travel information that will help you enjoy amazing vacations in the future.
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