River Cruises Are Hot

And the word is catching on as more travelers realize that this is one of the most enjoyable ways to explore Europe! For those who have cruised the Mediterranean, river cruising brings you to countries that you can't reach on ocean-going vessels - like Austria, Bulgaria, Switzerland and Hungary. They allow you to explore the heart of countries whose shores you've visited, such as France, Germany, Belgium or The Netherlands.  There's so much more to see!

Those who are far more learned in geography than I can tell you that most European capitals are not on the coast, but located on the banks of the great European rivers which, for centuries, provided the main source of transportation throughout the region. When the ship docks you're right in the midst of the city, and tours are included in the cruise fares! You can also enjoy time in well known regions outside the great cities; like Provence, the Balkan and Carpathian Mountains, or the Mosel River Valley.  Many river cruise lines also offer land extensions a little further inland to Munich, Prague or even Transylvania.  I wanna go, I wanna go!

I'm determined to do my first river cruise within the next year.  It's a goal.  I'd love to cruise the entire Danube from Luxembourg all the way to Bucharest; but I don't think my boss will give me 21 days out of the office. (She doesn't even give me Saturdays and Sundays off at the moment.) So my next best choice would be a Christmas Markets cruise that visits the magical cities of Vienna, Linz, Nuremberg and Budapest when they're all lit up with holiday decorations, maybe dusted with snow (yes, even though I'm a Florida girl) and the streets are filled with carolers.  Anybody want to join me?

Two days ago I received a flyer with some wonderful rates on AMA Waterways for sailings that still have space for 2010. A 12 day land & river tour of the Danube with pricing starting from $1499 on Nov. 11 or 20th.  A 7-night sailing from Amsterdam to Basel with 2 nights in Lucerne and 2 nights in Zurich from $1599.  There are several more, but I'm not trying to made this an advertisement. 

Wish I could do them all, but then I wouldn't be in the office to answer calls (guess I could get a satellite phone, couldn't I?).  Well, like I said, I doubt my boss would let me.

Roger and out.


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