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.
The Perfect Beach vacation
10/25/2018 12:32:38 PM Link | | Add comment
Customers often for destination suggestions when looking for the perfect beach vacation. This will help you narrow down the choices and find that ideal spot.
Travelers on a tight budget will generally find that the cheaper options are relatively close, in the Dominican Republic and Mexico -- both the Pacific Coast and the Yucatan Peninsula.
For the broadest selection of all-inclusive resorts, where the upfront resort price covers accommodations, meals, beverages and activities, check out the options in Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Mexico. All-inclusive properties are plentiful and varied in these destinations.
Snorkelers and divers will find clear waters and colorful sea life throughout the Caribbean, but there are a few places that stand out. Cozumel has been a favorite diving destination since marine explorer Jacques Cousteau shot a documentary there in 1961; it boasts miles of protected coral reefs and more than 250 species of tropical fish. Grand Cayman, Turks and Caicos and Bonaire are other good choices for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts.
Costa Rica is a top ecotourism destination, abundant with rainforests, waterfalls, sparkling beaches and extraordinary wildlife. Nature lovers also can explore the scenic hiking trails and white-sand beaches of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands -- a national park covers two-thirds of the island. The forest preserves in St. Lucia, lush with giant ferns and wild orchids, are perfect for hiking and bird-watching.
For golfers, challenging courses in beautiful settings are abundant in nearly all of the tropical destinations we offer , but you'll find some of the best courses in Bermuda and Hawaii.
Fans of deep-sea fishing should browse our resorts in the Florida Keys and along Mexico's Pacific Coast --Mazatlan, Manzanillo and Los Cabos all are sportfishing meccas.
Hawaii is a top pick for whale-watching (December through May is peak season), as is Los Cabos (from December through March).
May through September is turtle-nesting season along the beaches of Puerto Vallarta, where some resorts operate conservation programs that allow guests to help return hatchlings to the sea. Scuba divers and snorkelers can spot swimming sea turtles along the Kona Coast of Hawaii's Big Island.
If you want to really get away from it all, some tropical retreats are truly off the beaten path. Nevis, St. Kittsand St. Vincent & the Grenadines all offer an exclusive experience. There is an extra cost for the seclusion these spots offer and the additional flight time to get there. There are fewer flights, and you'll likely have to make at least one connection to get to these destinations from the mainland U.S. or Canada.
Finally, if duty-free shopping is a priority, look at Nassau in the Bahamas or Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas.