European Travel: European River Tours
23. June 2008
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European river tours can take you across the heartland of France, the mountains of Switzerland, and down into the vineyards of Bavaria. You can access one of the continents six main river systems–the Po, the Danube, the Rhine, the Rhone, the Seine, or the Douro. In addition, dozens of tributaries sprout from these six main rivers, offering tourists a panoply of vacation options that would take literally years to exhaust.
Unlike open ocean cruises, which offer somewhat stagnant scenery and depend largely on on-boat events, European river cruises introduce you to cities and cultures. Indeed, many river tourists get to drink in more European culture than their by-rail counterparts. After all, river cruises deliver permanent floating hotel housing for the duration of the vacation.
Gorgeous European River Tour Opportunities
Since most nations on the continent now accept the euro as standard coinage, you should check the euro-to-dollar exchange rate before you catch your flight. Given the tumultuous financial relationship between the European Union and the United States, the exchange rate can vary quite substantially from week to week. If the dollar is at a particularly high point relative to the euro, you may wish to exchange early, so you dont catch low rates when its time for your trip.
Europe is by and large a very safe place to travel, provided that you stay with your guide group. It may not hurt to bring along an adventurous guide book, such as Lonely Planet, so that you can visit unique curiosities while on shore. Talk to the locals and research regional festivals and events in advance to expand your personal itinerary.
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European Travel: Cruise Itineraries
22. June 2008
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To the uneducated traveler, cruising tours may seem somewhat stifling. After all, if youre on vacation in a foreign land, such as Europe or China, you dont necessarily want some tour guide telling you what to do or where to be all the time. Yet in practice, visiting foreign nations via riverboat cruising is a great way to structure your vacation to maximize your cultural exposure.
While you can participate in luxury cruises, youll likely pay through the nose for extra amenities. Instead, what many more rugged travelers do is to use their cruise ships as a home base. In other words, instead of making the cruise ship itself the center of your vacation, you turn it into a mobile portal to experience the wonders of the land.
The Advantages of Cruising Tours
River cruising tours can get choppy, particularly in the mountains, so it may be smart to bring along Dramamine. Check with your tour operator to see what, if any, medications or vaccinations you should get before commencing with the tour. Preparation is the key to a vital and organic vacation. If youre constantly seeking logistical support during your trip, youll miss out on the best adventures.
Of course, cruising tours dont have to be completely organized. Indeed, some tourists enjoy breaking away from the main group for a few days to explore a particular region or to take in a pre-arranged home stay. If you structure your tour such that you know generally where you need to be and when, you can enjoy spontaneous events without having to worry about whether they jibe with your overall travel plans.
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European Travel: Russia Cruises
21. June 2008
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Since the collapse of communism, the Russian tourism industries have been booming. The two most popular tourist destination cities in Russia are Moscow, the capital, and St. Petersburg, previously known as Leningrad. A good Russian river cruise will take you to these main metropolises as well as to the tiny hamlets beyond them, such as Vladimir and Suzdal.
The rivers between Moscow and St. Petersburg are colloquially known as the Waterways of the Tsars. On a Russian river cruise, not only will you get to experience the Hermitage in St. Petersburg and the Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow, but youll also get to see the vast and brilliant Russian countryside. Most tourism experts recommend taking your Russian cruise in the summer, as youll get more daylight, and youll enjoy much warmer weather.
Exploring Russia on a River Cruise
I visited Moscow and St. Petersburg in 1991, just prior to the collapse of the Soviet Empire. Back then, Russia was a country in transition, collapsing under the weight of economic and cultural stresses. Todays Russia is far different. Buoyed by the successes of democratic and economic reforms, the Russian bear has emerged from its hibernation ready to join the Western world.
Russian cruises can truly provoke the imagination. The most brilliant Russian writers of the 19th and 20th-century, including Tolstoy, Pushkin, and Chekhov, were all inspired by Russias rushing waterways. In addition, the historical importance of these waterways is profound–the rivers have acted as trade conduits, military blockades (especially during Hitlers siege during World War II), and profound and enduring symbols of Russian national identity.
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European Travel: French River Cruises
20. June 2008
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Journeying across Frances gorgeous water thoroughfares on a river cruise is a fantastic way to spend a European vacation. It is an opportunity to experience fine culture and native haute cuisine, all while living in style along with 100 eager fellow travelers. Most French cruises stop in Paris, so you can see famous attractions, such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysees, and the Louvre Museum, home to some of the worlds most stunning artistic creations.
Yet theres more to France than just the Eiffel Tower and the romantic Parisian boulevards. You can cruise down the Rhone River, a waterway that will take you through both city and country. In Avignon, you can sip local wine and experience the splendor of the vineyards. Farther along the shores of the Rhone, you can stop at Lyon and patronize some truly delicate and refined cuisine.
Floating Across France
The Rhone then ventures into Provence, the rustic heartland of France, which is rich with great wine, amazing traditional food, and gorgeous fields of flowers. Indeed, the lavender fields of Provence inspired numerous paintings by the worlds most famous master, Vincent van Gogh. Finally, the Rhone leads down into the Camargue, a national wilderness where wild horses run free.
Unlike ocean cruises, where passengers are generally trapped on deck or in the bowels of their ship for days at a time, French river cruises are designed to allow you to participate actively in land life. Moreover, the constant changing of scenery gives you the chance to develop a complete narrative of your adventure. You can touch upon sights and sounds that you wouldnt ordinarily experience.
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European Travel: Peter Deilmann Cruises
19. June 2008
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Peter Deilmann cruises are luxury events designed for aristocratic passengers who want to experience the flavors of Europe without suffering any inconveniences of travel. Peter Deilmann has been in business for over a quarter of a century, providing excellent service to patrons. The fun of a European river cruise is that you get to traverse from city to city without sacrificing style or comfort.
Deluxe river cruises are very different from other luxury vacation packages. Passengers are encouraged to go out into the towns and explore sites, such as ancient castles, local vineyards, sweeping piazzas, and old mysterious churches. Yet youre also allowed to adjust your personal itinerary as you see fit. If you want to skip a sightseeing date and spend the day playing cards on the deck of your ship, youre welcome to do so.
Luxury Peter Deilmann Cruises
This is an important point. While hard-core European travelers might dismiss the idea of a mid-vacation rest as somehow inconsistent with the principles of adventurism, I believe that a mid-trip hiatus can actually highlight the experience of your journey. After all, if you spend every day relentlessly traipsing through different cities searching for tourism, eventually youre going to become numb to the exposure.
On the other hand, if you alternate between luxuriating in the comfort of your cruise and wandering the crooked hamlets and twisted streets of old Europe, youll have a much more varied visit. A great river cruise is one which simultaneously relaxes and exhilarates you. Europe is a splendid place to lose yourself in transition, as you can traverse from country to country and town to town without worrying about relocation logistics.
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