Is a river cruise right for your group?

River cruising is ideal for families or friends and groups with shared interests.You can select a cruise suited towards your group’s special interest, such as a wine and culinary cruise or a cultural event.

Or pick an itinerary that will include stops that appeal to your group. Mozart or opera aficionados? Try a Danube cruise that includes Vienna, Salzburg, and Prague. Gardening enthusiasts? Maybe a tulip cruise in The Netherlands. Additionally, your group can enjoy private excursions and activities tailored exclusively for you.

If you’d prefer, you can easily separate during the day for activities and tours that appeal individually, and then meet up again later for dinner or evening relaxation to share experiences.

River cruising has some of the advantages of larger ship cruising such as moving from one location to another without unpacking, but the ships are smaller and go to villages and cities a large vessel would never make. Riverboats dock right in town. No tendering or long road trips to get to the main city. Step off the ship and you’re off and discovering immediately. You’ll be able to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations, participate in authentic experiences, and have more free time to check out local cafes, markets, and sites

Most riverboats hold 150-160 guests and can handle group sizes from 10 to a full ship charter. No lines getting on/off the ship. On-board entertainment includes local performers, artists, lecturers, culinary lessons, and wine and beer tastings. There are special interest cruises with added focus for art, history, food, and holidays of various regions throughout the world.

River cruising is best known for the rivers and canals of Europe – Danube, Rhine, Seine to name a few. But, the convenience combined with the ability to immerse culturally in destinations has broadened river cruising’s appeal to other regions of the world. Indochina, the Amazon, Africa, Russia, China all have well-established river cruise offerings.

Which river cruise is right for your group? Give me a call, I’d love to help you choose the perfect ship and itinerary. 888-429-1929

Why is it Called City of One Hundred Spires?

Or, perhaps you know it as the “Heart of Europe”? Or, “Rome of the North”? "The Golden City"?

Prague, one of the most beautiful cities of Europe and a UNESCO heritage site was nicknamed “City of One Hundred Spires” in the 19th century by mathematician, Bernard Bolzano. His math was off. There are between 500 and 1000 spires, depending on who’s counting in this unique and historical city.

Prague’s history dates from the early 9th century as a capital of Bohemia, through its significance as a seat of power of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It became the capital of Czechoslovakia and then when the country split into two, capital of the Czech Republic.

The city emerged from WWII relatively unscathed and has become one of the most visited cities in Europe. Whether you are a student of history, archeology, culture, arts, or fabulous food and drink, Prague has it all.

The Old Town Hall with the famous Prague Astronomical Clock. The winding lanes of the Jewish Quarter, which you know from the novels of Franz Kafka, steeped in the legend of the Golem. Cafes, boutiques and cruises on the Vltava. The Gothic Charles Bridge and Church of St. Nicholas in the Lesser Town, the most beautiful Baroque church in Prague. Petřín with a lookout tower reminiscent of a small Eiffel Tower and Prague Castle.

And, last but not to be missed, Czech beer. The first brewery was founded in 993 at Brevnov Monastery (those monks!) and the country currently has 400 breweries.

Are you ready to visit the City of One Hundred Spires? We have a group going in May 2018. Click here for itinerary and more information.

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Where is Bratislava?

Do you know where to find Bratislava? Here is a mini quiz to test you!

Question - Bratislava is:

1. A European capital city
2. A small island in the Mediterranean
3. A volcano in Southeast Asia
4. A tasty sausage popular in Germany

Answer: 1. The capital of Slovakia, or more correctly the Slovak Republic, has a long and storied history. One of the Imperial cities of the Hapsburg and Austro-Hungarian empires, it was also a regional capital of Czechoslovakia before its dissolution into the Czech and Slovak Republics in 1993.

A determined and planned renaissance has been in force since the re-establishment of Slovakia’s independence. After years of communist indifference, restoration of historical buildings, new and creative architecture and artworks, as well as a teeming nightlife have turned the city into a popular destination.

Aside from being a fun city with a thriving night scene, there are many historical and cultural things to see and do.

Bratislava’s Old Town is an attractive place to visit and stroll. Charming cobblestone streets full of shops, restaurants, and cafes. Musicians, artists, and street vendors abound. But, the quirky sculptures throughout the city are one of most fun public art displays around. Scattered throughout Old Town, they appear with no rhyme or reason. Just fun.

Old Town Hall, the former seat of government is home to the Bratislava City Museum. And don’t miss Maximilian’s Chocolate Shop for a break. Schokocafe Maximilian has, arguably, the best hot chocolate anywhere. It is so thick, you can eat it with a spoon. Mmm it was yummy. We went back twice!

Bratislava Castle sits high above the city – once the coronation castle of the Hapsburgs and Austro-Hungarian empires and home to the coronation jewels. The spectacular view is not just of the city, but three countries: Austria, Hungary, Slovakia.

For modern art aficionados, the Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum rests on a peninsula on the Danube and houses a new collection of Dutch and Slovak masterpieces, as well as a sculpture garden.

Devin Castle is a great place to enjoy a picnic, hike or bike after exploring the ruins of this strategically located fortress that has been controlled by Hapsburgs, Napoleon, Nazis, Soviets, and numerous medieval forces.

Now you know not only where to find Bratislava, but you have an introduction for your visit!

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