Page 7 - AAA Central Penn – Discoveries AAA Now! – July/August 2018

TRAVEL AGENCY
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Let’s Talk Travel
River Cruising is a Wonderful Way to Experience Europe
By Sandy Fenton
Sandy Fenton with Uniworld's River Queen
If you’ve been dreaming of taking a river cruise through the heart of Europe, there has never
been a better time than right now. European river cruising continues to be a top vacation destination for Americans and there are more ships, fresh itineraries, expanded port excursions and onboard amenities than ever before.
There’s no more carefree way to explore Europe than on a river cruise, and now there are many more choices available for travelers, from budget basics to all-inclusive, ultra-luxury and everything in between.
Beginning in March and ending after the Christmas markets season, European river cruises visit elegant and important grand cities combined with Old World villages, picturesque rolling farmlands, and inspiring UNESCO World Heritage sites along the way.
If you are a history buff (particularly World
War II landmarks and Jewish Heritage sites) and love scenery, the Danube River offers voyagers opportunities to get an up-close and personal look throughout Budapest and Nuremberg, plus cruise the stunning Wachau Valley (for those foodies
and wine lovers). The Rhine, Moselle and Rhone itineraries will not disappoint either, especially
the glorious vineyards and wine-making history throughout the region. Or, if you dream of snow- dusted hills with ongoing sights of clifftop castles and charming cobblestone villages decorated with millions of twinkling lights and candles, handcrafted gifts and ornaments, and decorated pine trees, a Christmas market sailing may be
your perfect choice.
The options are plentiful and varied, and after our first European river cruise, sailing the Danube
in 2011, I was totally hooked. I still gush about our fairytale, picture-perfect experiences gliding
on these great rivers
in total comfort, and highly recommend it to all travelers.
The ships are not
floating cities, nor
are they Vegas-style,
with 24/7 onboard
activities, entertainment
and casinos. Rather,
guests take daily port excursions, from active bike riding tours through the windmills and tulip fields of Amsterdam’s countryside, to relaxing motor coach city sightseeing in Vienna. Along the ways, guests enjoy cocktails and conversation during the pre-dinner daily lecture from the ship’s senior staff; regional wine and craft beers with lunch and dinner, and after-dinner drinks or specialty coffees in the lounge with local musical performances.
A river cruise is all about beautiful scenery and immersing oneself into another culture in another country on the other side of the Atlantic.
Today’s river ships are modern, comfortable and small (fewer than 200 passengers) with a friendly, like-minded atmosphere; attentive service; and all the upscale amenities found in fine European hotels.
A river cruise is seamless. You pack and unpack once while enjoying the scenery of several countries as your floating hotel takes you from picturesque villages to ancient town centers. You don’t have to worry about long lines, tender service to go ashore or sea sickness. You just walk right
off the ship and at most stops you are only steps away from the world’s greatest cities, port towns and historic river cultures. Pretty much everything is included – accommodations, all meals, snacks, daily excursions, Wi-Fi, onboard entertainment and transfers. It’s always a good value for your travel dollar. Some of the luxury lines, such as CRYSTAL, UNIWORLD and TAUCK offer complimentary unlimited fine wines, craft beers and top-shelf
spirits for the cruise duration, while others (VIKING, AMAWATERWAYS) offer wine, beer and soft drinks during lunch and dinner.
As with ocean cruising, several river cruise options exist and it is very important to meet with a AAA cruise expert to learn about them. All river cruises go on sale, and depending on the time of year and itinerary, you may be able to find some excellent AAA member sales and promotions; but buyer beware, river cruises sell out quickly and space is very tight for the remainder of this year, including the growing popularity of the Christmas market sailings. Be sure you are getting on the right river ship for your personal tastes, lifestyle and budget.
Tauck, ms Joy
Crystal Mozart
"Let’s Talk Travel with AAA," hosted by Sandy Fenton, is broadcast Saturdays 11:00AM to 12:00PM on iHeartMedia’s WHP580. For more information, go to whp580.com and click on the link to "Let’s Talk Travel."
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