| No self respecting flower child, who backpacked | | | | river and the old town is never more than a short stroll |
| through Europe in the late 60's and early 70's, would be | | | | away from the river pier. |
| caught dead on a multi-day motor coach tour. The | | | | Another of the attractive features of the river cruise is |
| memory of the 1969 movie "If it's Tuesday, it must be | | | | that the voyage is as important as the destination. |
| Belgium" is still all too real. "No way", they say "That's | | | | Scenery along the way ranges from pastoral to |
| not for me." | | | | breathtaking. Dine or have a drink while you float past |
| Now, all these baby boomers are in their late 50's and | | | | castles, monasteries, towering cliffs and small villages. |
| 60's. They still feel the allure of European travel, but | | | | Free time in port is totally flexible. Join one of the |
| how to do it? | | | | excursions (often walking tours through the old town), |
| Many have discovered what the Europeans have | | | | go off on your own with your guide book, enjoy a |
| known for years, a river cruise is a hassle free, | | | | beer or some shopping on your own or just stay on |
| non-regimented way to travel. The travelers only job is | | | | the ship and read a book. You're in the heart of town, |
| to stow their suitcases and show up for meals. What | | | | so it's easy to disembark after dinner for a walk or in |
| could be easier? | | | | the morning for a run. |
| There are numerous choices. Short cruises are | | | | The largest river cruise ship holds 200 passengers; the |
| available from 3 - 6 nights on the Rhine, Rhone, Seine | | | | average ship has 70 cabins that accommodate 140 |
| and Danube. Longer cruises range from 7 to 28 nights | | | | guests. Barges are more intimate with 3 - 10 cabins. If |
| and will take you from Amsterdam to the Black Sea | | | | you take a barge cruise, it's a good idea to bring your |
| and almost everywhere in between. | | | | fellow passengers with you. They are ideal for small |
| Think of a country in Europe and there is probably a | | | | groups of family and friends. |
| navigable river or canal within its borders. Aside from | | | | Virtually all river cruise cabins are outside, affording |
| the obvious programs on the Rhine and Danube, there | | | | large windows to enjoy the scenery and provide lots |
| are cruises on Elbe connecting Europe's two hottest | | | | of light. Air conditioned, with TV, radio and hair dryers, |
| cities: Berlin & Prague. | | | | these are very pleasant "hotel rooms." Each cabin has |
| Portugal, Spain, Hungary and Italy have river cruises. | | | | its own facilities including shower, sink and toilet. They |
| France is served by 3 major rivers including the Rhine, | | | | are small but are very functional. |
| Rhone and Seine, as well as numerous canals that | | | | The cabins, while comfortable, are not the best places |
| crisscross Burgundy, Provence, the Loire, Alsace and | | | | for viewing the scenery. The cabin only has views out |
| the Aquitaine. There are even barge canals in England, | | | | one side and that's just half the scenery. The lounge or |
| Scotland, Sweden and Ireland. | | | | the sun deck is the best locations for enjoying the |
| River cruising was getting its start when those very | | | | scenery. |
| same backpackers were getting their first taste of the | | | | Meals are included and arrangements vary by cruise |
| continent. The first river cruise ships in Europe were | | | | companies but breakfast is usually buffet style. Lunch |
| converted cargo barges. But, times have changed. | | | | can be buffet or served. Dinner will be several courses |
| Now they are ships, specially designed to move | | | | but unlike ocean cruises, river cruises are not |
| passengers in comfort offering fine dining, great | | | | completely focused on eating every 2 hours. |
| scenery and interesting ports. | | | | The guest determines the pace of the cruise. Sit with |
| What makes the river cruise so attractive? Unlike | | | | a good book on deck, explore every back alley in |
| ocean cruises, where the ship is almost always | | | | each port of call or just sit with a beer in an outdoor |
| docked in some awkward or sketchy part of town, a | | | | café. |
| river cruise ship is more like a nice hotel that moves | | | | To re-explore Europe without the headaches, give a |
| from one central location to another. With very few | | | | river cruise a try. |
| exceptions, Europe's main cities grew up around the | | | | |