A&K Luxury Danube River cruises:
Founded in 1962, Abercrombie and Kent is one of the leading names in the competitive cruise industry. Originally formed in Nairobi, Kenya as a safari tour company A&K have been guiding travelers through exciting adventures from day one. If you choose to cruise Danube river locations with A&K you can plan on the best accommodations, guided tours and cuisine available on any river cruise ship.

AMA Waterways
To cruise Danube river locations with AMA is to know true comfort and service. The vessels used by this prestigious cruise company are immaculate and offer each and every guest the convenience of onboard amenities such as a 24/7 fitness center, world renown masseuses and a breathtaking lounge which includes a panoramic view of the ever-changing landscape. Though the crews employed on AMA ships are from all over the world, the cruises are specifically designed to cater English speaking visitors.

Collette Deluxe Danube River cruises:
What sets Collette Deluxe river cruises apart from other cruise companies is their impeccable attention to detail. Collette Deluxe chooses only centrally located hotels in each city and they make sure that all accommodations are an example of architecture and style of each unique location. Collette Deluxe also offers guests the opportunity to experience local entertainment, educational tours and even culturally inspired dinning experiences, all of which are sure to help in building lifelong memories.

Scenic Tours Deluxe European River cruises:
To cruise Danube river locations with Scenic Tours is to truly experience adventure as well as comfort. The four “Space Ships” operated by Scenic Tours are longer, wider and as a result more spacious than most other river cruise ships. Their unique luxury cabins offer every guest their own private balcony and personal butler service. Scenic Tours Deluxe European river cruises are the only way to experience and cruise Danube river locations.

Vienna Opera house:
The first opera house built in Vienna, this perfect example of neo-renaissance architecture is a must-see for anyone who is interested in both the arts and world history. This strong and beautiful structure survived World War 2 even though it was set on fire in 1945 by an American bombardment. The front section which still stands today is original to the structure and includes many frescoes by Moritz von Schwind. The Vienna Opera house is one of the busiest in the world with more than 200 performances a year. It is quite common for the house to perform a different opera on each day of the week.

The Iron Gates:
Considered to be one of the most fascinating cliffs in the world, the Iron Gates is a narrow passage way formed by both the Carpathian and Balkan mountains. It is also an unmarked border between Serbia and Romania. The gorge meets the Danube River and is 3.2 km long and only 170m wide. The water is incredibly rough while passing through the rock as the river narrows quite a bit and the water moves at a swift pace, making it an exciting addition to all Danube river cruises. The Iron Gates are also the location for one of Europe’s largest hydroelectric power dames.

Palace of Justice:
For any history buff this building is simply a once in a lifetime experience. This historic building is in Bavaria Germany and was the location for the now famous Nuremberg trials where after the Second World War many of Hitler’s henchmen were found guilty of unthinkable war crimes. The courtroom and prison are open during the week for tourists and is being renovated for the opening of Memorial Nuremberg Trials hosted by the Nuremberg Municipal Museums scheduled for 2010. This is an important stop for all Danube river cruises and is considered one of the world’s most significant historical sights.

Throughout history, towns and early settlements were not developed along the coast of the ocean or sea but by the edges of rivers. In the past rivers were a method of travel and were also the only way to have supplies shipped to different locations. This is why river cruises have become so popular. World travelers who want to experience the true culture and charm of the world’s oldest cities know that the only way to get to these secretive and undiscovered areas is by boarding a river cruise.

One of the most reputable names in river cruises is Viking. Viking river cruises has become known for its amazing service worldwide and is consider by frequent cruise-takers to be one of the best cruise companies available. This is not a surprise for anyone who has climbed aboard one of Viking’s many cruise vessels. The cabins are roomy, the cuisine is delightful and the crew members are welcoming. The entertainment offered aboard a Viking river cruise is also worth mentioning as many of their evening shows are inspired by the culture, folklore and music of the ship’s daily docking locations.

Viking river cruises are also known for their relaxed and crowd-free cruise experience. Due to the fact that many of Vikings vessels are deigned to only accommodate 150 to 300 guests the entire trip feels more intimate and personal. Another great thing about Viking river cruises is that unlike some cruise companies, Viking does all of the traveling from location to destination at night. So each day, guests can wake up to the sites, sounds and smells of each charming city’s center.

Those who book with Viking river cruises will also have the choice between professional, well organized guided tours and independent sight seeing. Whether you walk through the city with others on a planned excursion or wish to discover on your own, a Viking river cruise is the only way to truly experience Europe’s most fascinating places.

Day One:
Board your luxurious vessel in Strasbourg and settle into your comfortable and roomy cabin. After relaxing for a few hours, you, your family and the other guests will join together in the grand hall. There, you will be introduced to the captain and crew while admiring a full panoramic view. Dinner will be a meal inspired by the cuisine and culture of surrounding area and will be followed by an optional river boat tour through historic Strasbourg.

Day Two:
The first destination on many Rhine river cruises is Rudesheim. However, before reaching your final destination you will pass many charming and quaint villages, such as Speyer, home of one of the world’s most famous cathedrals. Your cruise will also pass the ports of Ludwigshafen, Manheim, Worms and Mainz. Just before reaching Rudesheim, all cruise guests will be served a hot, satisfying lunch and will then be invited to leave the ship for hours of self-guided tours, sightseeing and shopping. There will also be many guided tours available for cruisers and their families. An optional dinner will be served aboard the ship, but guests are also encouraged to stay on land to fully experience the restaurants and nighttime entertainment in Rudesheim.

Day Three:
The third and final destination on most Rhine river cruises is Koblenz. Sailing north your cruise will glide through the most romantic region of the Rhine River, Loreley. This final portion of the cruise is often the most fascinating as you will pass numerous ancient castles, all of which stretch high above breathtaking vineyards and rural landscapes. You will also come across the famous and mystical loreley rock before docking in Koblenz. And although scenic Koblenz is the end of your Rhine river cruise it is sure to be the beginning for many other memorable adventures.

Surf the web before setting sail: The internet is a great place to start when searching for discounts, coupons and other travel savings. Though there are many discount vacation sites, there are also sites which offer visitors the option to print off coupons. Many of these coupons can be used towards accommodations, attractions and in the case of a Danube cruise, onboard entertainment and meals.

Book through an Agent: Booking a Danube cruise through a reputable and trustworthy travel agent can actually end up saving you and your family quite a bit of money. Travel agents often have the inside scoop as far as seat sales, cheap cruise docking locations and affordable accommodations. They can also help you decide on the best cruise company for your personal needs such as family-friendly accommodations, onboard amenities and types of entertainment. A good travel agent will also be able to provide you with daily itineraries which outline your various cruise destinations and the events and attractions located at each.

Set Sail in the Off Season: All holidays are more expensive during the peak vacation seasons, and a Danube cruise is not an exception. To ensure that you and your family receive the best deals possible consider booking your cruise later in the year to take advantage of off-season prices. And although there may be a cooler breeze while sailing, the surrounding scenery will be just as breathtaking. You can also look forward to exploring, sightseeing and discovering with fewer crowds.

And make no mistake, just taking vacations in Europe does’nt compare at all to taking European river cruises.  Millions of people every year fly to Europe, and rent a car to drive around for a few weeks.  Or they take a train for their main means of transportation.  And there’s no denying that that’s a rich and rewarding experience which allows them to get to know the people of the different countries up close and personal.  But why not combine that with a cruise down one of Europe’s historic and beautiful rivers?  Seeing the beauty of the European cities from a distance, as can only be done from the water, is a truly unforgettable experience.

Don’t worry that European river cruises are going to be out of your budget.  If you can afford to visit Europe, you can certainly afford to take advantage of one of the most breath taking travel experiences possible.  Yes, it may add a bit to the budget, but even if you have to save up for a while, it’s worth it.

Once you go on the cruise, you’ll kick yourself for waiting so long to do it.  You’ll take so many pictures that your digital camera may well run out of space before your trip is over.  Don’t cheat yourself out of one of life’s greatest adventures.  Schedule a European river cruise.  You’ll be glad you did.

Imagine not having to book various car rentals, or make all sorts of train reservations, not to mention eliminating the often time consuming and difficult process of choosing and booking stays at different hotels.  You won’t have any of those worries at all.

Don’t misunderstand – European luxury river cruises are nothing like what most people think of, when it comes to a cruise vacation.  Most people, when they think about a cruise, imagine going out to sea for a week or two at a time, and spending most of their time on the boat.  That’s not how these work.  Every day you’ll be docking in a new city in Europe, so you’ll have time to do all the sightseeing you want.  Don’t think you’ll be cooped up on the boat and bored out of your skull, because that’s the exact opposite of what you’ll find.

Not only will you not be bored on luxury river cruises, you’ll find that everything you need is taken care of.  You’ll be served excellent meals, and on many boats you’ll be able to enjoy live entertainment on most evenings.

But one of the best aspects of  these delightful cruises is being able to get to know your fellow tourists in depth.  Instead of just experiencing historic and beautiful Europe on your own, you’ll be able to discuss your experiences with them, too.  In the process, you’ll get to know them,and you just may wind up making a pen pal for life.  For all these reasons, it really is the best way to see Europe.

There’s so much to see and do in the cradle of Western history that you could spend a lifetime exploring the continent and never run out of new discoveries.  That’s one of the reasons that Europe is such a popular travel destination for people all over the world.  However, there’s more than one way go on a European vacation, and if you want an unforgettable experience, look into Danube River cruises.

The Danube is one of the longest rivers in the world, and many would argue that when it comes to beauty, there’s no other river that comes close.  Once you’ve experienced it for yourself, you’ll probably agree.  But just seeing it is one thing; using it to explore Europe will give you an entirely higher level of appreciation for this majestic river.  It’s so enjoyable, in fact, that many people return year after year for these cruises.

Imagine yourself taking in the beauty of country like Austria and Hungary by floating down the Danube river.  You’ll be docking in various cities, where you’ll be able to go out and do sightseeing on your own, and then return to the pampered comfort of your luxury cruiser over night.

Don’t worry about it being too expensive.  When you factor in how much you’d have to pay for car rentals and hotel reservations for a couple weeks, you’ll see that the price difference of Danube River cruises isn’t that great.  Plus, there are many wonderful package deals available that can save you a bundle of money on your trip.  Next time you go to Europe, make it a truly unforgettable experience by cruising the Danube.

There are a lot of reasons to go on Rhine river cruises, but most of them pale in comparison to seeing and experiencing these majestic castles for yourself.  One of the most amazingly beautiful castles in the entire world is the Neuschwanstein Castle.  One of the newer castles, it was built in the late 1800s by Ludwig, who created it in part as a place to stage elaborate Wagnerian operas.  Just seeing this structure from a distance will take your breath away.  Imagine being able to tour it?  Well, you can, at least during most parts of the year.  It’s something you’ll never forget.

And that’s just one of them.  One of the oldest castles in Germany is the Burghausen, which dates back to around 600 AD, believe it or not.  Located in Bavaria, It’s been expanded on many times.  It’s also one of the most massive buildings on the face of the earth,  stretching over a kilometer in length (six tenths of a mile.)    The Burghausen and  Neuschwanstein are just two of the many, many beautiful castles to be found in Germany.  Being able to see them for yourself, and actually tour them, makes  Rhine River cruises a great way to tour the region.

To make sure that you get full enjoyment out of your trip, here are some packing tips that you should make a note of before heading out the door to the airport.

It may sound redundant, but make absolutely sure that all your paperwork is in order.  When most people think packing tips, they think about clothes, shoes, etc.  But while it could be an inconvenience to get to Europe and discover you forgot your favorite sandals, screwing up your documents can mean not going on the trip at all.  Make sure your passports, airline tickets, cruise tickets, and all other necessary paperwork is on your person.

Next, if you have any prescription medications that you take on a regular basis, make sure you’ve got them in your bags.  The same goes for any over the counter remedies you rely on, as they may be unavailable during your trip.  (It might be a good idea to spend a few dollars on a bottle of motion sickness tablets, just to be on the safe side.)

Of course, you know what clothes you’re most familiar with, so just make sure you prepare for various kinds of weather.  Just like where you live, the weather in Europe can change rapidly, and you’ll want to be prepared.  If you plan to do sightseeing, bring along some comfortable shoes, because you’ll probably be doing a lot of walking.   Finally, make sure you bring along your digital camera, charger,  and some extra memory sticks.  If you’re like most people, you’ll find yourself taking far more pictures than you had anticipated, and it would be a shame to miss something because your memory stick was full.   These are some of the most important packing tips for European river cruises.  Double check them all before you leave to make sure you have a great time.