10 of our best-selling river cruise itineraries, listed below in no particular order.
On these vacations, you'll glide along scenic and historic waterways on an intimate and comfortable vessel, enjoying river-view staterooms, superb dining and personalized service. Daily excursions ashore and onboard entertainment and enrichment activities also are generally included in the upfront rate.
Rhine Getaway, 8 days with Viking River Cruises -- On a route between Amsterdam and Basel, you'll visit 700-year-old Marksburg Castle, the Alsatian city of Strasbourg and Rudesheim's Drosselgasse, a cobblestone lane lined by taverns, shops and restaurants.
Charms of the South, 9 days with American Queen Voyages -- Travelers cruise the lower Mississippi River on a modern-day paddle wheeler, learning about Vicksburg's role in the Civil War and visiting 19th-century mansions in Natchez.
Burgundy & Provence, 8 days with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises -- A cruise of France's Saone and Rhone rivers reveals Roman ruins, a 14th-century papal palace and the culinary treasures of Lyon.
Melodies of the Danube, 8 days with AmaWaterways -- This trip starts in Budapest, where you'll take in the views from the Fisherman's Bastion. See St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna and enjoy a hike up to Bratislava Castle in Slovakia.
Paris to Normandy, 8 days with Avalon Waterways -- Tailor this French cruise to your interests: In Vernon, tour Monet's Giverny or 18th-century Chateau de Bizy, and while in Caudebec, choose a trip to D-Day landing beaches or a "Taste of Normandy" culinary excursion.
Secrets of the Douro, 8 days with Emerald Cruises -- Sail Portugal's Douro River in a region known for its port wine production. Enjoy dinner at a local wine estate and also cross into Spain to visit Salamanca, a lively university city.
Columbia & Snake Rivers, 8 days with American Cruise Lines -- Discover the Pacific Northwest's rugged beauty, particularly along the Columbia River Gorge, and visit Mount St. Helens and sites associated with explorers Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery.
Gems of the Danube, 8 days with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours -- Guests can choose from a variety of included excursions on this itinerary. In Vienna, tour opulent Schonbrunn Palace or journey to the city's acclaimed wine region. In Nuremberg, visit World War II sites or sample beer in the city's underground cellars.
Grand European Tour, 15 days with Viking River Cruises -- See the sights along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers on a panoramic sailing between Amsterdam and Budapest. Guided tours reveal the history and culture of Vienna, Regensburg, Cologne and more.
Romantic Rhine, 8 days with Avalon Waterways -- Classic highlights of this itinerary include the picturesque Rhine Gorge, Heidelberg Castle and Strasbourg's pedestrian-friendly old quarter. You'll also visit whimsical spots like a museum devoted to mechanical musical instruments.
Crime is down 90 percent in Los Cabos since 2017
8/1/2018 10:16:32 AM Link | | Add comment
Crime is down 90 percent in Los Cabos since 2017, according to the latest statistics released by the Los Cabos Tourism Board. Mirroring recent comments made toTravel Agent by Los Cabos Tourism Board Managing Director Rodrigo Esponda, the Tourism Board reports that the implementation of a new security plan has resulted in a sharp decline in crime, following a spike in gang violence last year.The five-point security plan involves working with the U.S. State Department to enhance security protocols, creating a “Rapid Response Network,” an accelerated security surveillance program, adding new security bases and personnel, and a hotel security committee.On the subject of the gang turf war that was at the center of the violence, one villa owner told the Tourism Board, “…the Mexican federal government brought in literally thousands of military and federal police, totally cleaned it up, and left a small presence to insure everything was fine. It’s now been six months, and I can tell you being there a third of the time, every month, that I feel safer there than in parts ofCosta Mesa and Santa Ana, 15-20 minutes from my home in Newport Beach, CA.”During the decline in crime, tourism numbers in Los Cabos have been on the rise. Esponda told Travel Agent that the destination saw an 8 percent uptick in air arrivals through the middle of this year, with hotel occupancy remaining at around 70 percent on average.The violence in 2017 prompted the State Department to issue a Travel Warning for Los Cabos. In January of this year, the destination was downgraded to Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, as part of a larger overhaul of the way in which the State Department presents travel safety information.