Imagine spending precious time on an ancient waterway.  Cruising an ancient continent where centuries of art, culture, and history fascinates even the amateur scholar.  The European waterways from Amsterdam to the Black Sea are fabulous cruises in which to see the beautiful landscapes and cities of this old world.  A lifetime could be spent on the waterways of the world.  A river cruise is meant to be savored.  Drink in the riverscapes, sites, aromas, and sounds of life all around you as cities and villages drift slowly by.  Spend a quiet and lazy afternoon soaking in the sun while you contemplate your past and your future.  In Europe, the rivers Rhine and Danube are lifelines to the people they serve.  Exotic excursions are just a portion of the beauty of these cruises.  Whether on board or on shore, you’ll enjoy the exquisite tastes of Europe found only in the wines of the countryside and the cuisine of kings and royalty from centuries past.

“Enjoy a cruise on one of the most beautiful Danube stretches through 4 Danube countries and get to see world famous cities on the Danube such as Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava.

On how many millions of people has the Danube already worked her magic? She has inspired countless artists, and Johann Strauss dedicated one of his most lovely waltzes to her...”  The Danube Rhapsody awaits her crew and guests for a grand 8 day sail through the magic of the Danube River.  According to www.world-ventures.com  Europe's most popular river guide is through four countries in eight days.  While leisurely, the excursions require one to be energetic and prepared to see many artistic elements, meet the people of Europe, and shop through markets.  Castles, monasteries, markets, and nature are portions of fun packed excursions. 

Just imagine sailing through Passau, Vienna, Budapest, Kalocsa, Esztergom, Bratislava, Wachau, and return back to Passau.  Perhaps you’ll return inspired to become creative as the artisans of old. This is not just a “lay back and sleep in the sun cruise.”  No, rather it is a learning experience!  We are never too old to learn! While on this cruise, learn about the famed Johann Strauss dedicated to Viennese music with a “pushy 1,2,3 waltz.”   He wrote and dedicated one of his most lovely and most popular waltzes to the Danube River – “Blue Danube.”  Perhaps while cruising along this powerful river, you’ll hear the music of Johann Strauss as the river surges almost through the continent of Central Europe.   A magical bridge between the East and the West, this powerful Danube not only embraces those who cruise her waterways, more so she has carved the landscapes and valley gorges as if to wield her magic in the earth. 

“A Classical Danube cruise with absolutely fascinating scenery, and a great deal of art, music, history and culture. The cruise takes you through four countries (Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and Germany). You admire the most magnificent, fascinatingly varied scenery (ranging from the loop of the Danube at Schlogen, the picturesque Wachau region, home of many a legend, to the charming Knee of the Danube at Esztergom and the famous, vast Hungarian plain), see some fabulous sights and get to see no fewer that three capital cities (Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava). 

Special features of this cruise are:

• You get to know four European countries on one single trip
• You see the sights of three European capitals: Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest
• The river voyage passes through fascination landscapes such as the "Schlogener Schlinge", Austria's Wachau Wine district, the "knee" of the Danube near Esztergom and the great Hungarian plain”

If a European Waterway cruise seems to be just the relaxing, magical cruise you are looking for – be sure to contact www.world-ventures.com for an updated itinerary schedule for 2007.  While the 2006 season has just ended, you’ll want to begin now saving for this extra special cruise of a lifetime.  

And if you just can’t get enough river cruising, check out www.bluedanubeholidays.com for their Christmas cruises on the MS Amadeus Princess.  Here you’ll find cruises to suit your Christmas holiday wishes and fulfill dreams of a lifetime!  “Christmas markets have been popular in Southern Germany for over 700 years, providing opportunities for local craftsmen to show off their wares in atmospheric settings when towns and villages lie under a carpet of snow. This is cruise is offered on MS Amadeus, one of the most modern and comfortable river cruise ships. Visits to traditional Christmas markets provide opportunities for Christmas shopping while you encounter sleepy villages and romantic towns adorned in magical Christmas decorations emitting aromas of ginger breads, hot ciders, toasted almonds and other flavors and sounds of romantic Old Europe.”

 A sample itinerary during the Christmas season would be:

Itinerary:  Nuremberg – Vienna

Day 1 - Embarkation on to the AMADEUS PRINCESS in Nuremberg begins at 3.00 p.m. When you have found your way round your floating hotel our cruise managers invite you to take a welcome cocktail in the Panorama bar before our special welcome dinner. The vessel remains in Nuremberg overnight.

Day 2 - Nuremberg is a city with a long and varied history.  Our sightseeing tour this morning will give you an impression of the city’s cultural and historical importance.  Then you visit the world famous Christmas market in the old quarter of Nuremberg. During lunch on board, the AMADEUS PRINCESS casts off downstream towards Regensburg. There will be a concert this evening in the Panorama Bar.

Day 3 - You reach Regensburg at 8.00 a.m. This city captivates all its visitors with its mass of about 1,400 historical buildings, forming one of the best preserved medieval cities in the whole of Germany. The most important of Regensburg’s sights can be seen in the course of a city walk. After lunch a coach ferries you to the atmospheric Regensburg Christmas market. At 10.00 p.m. the AMADEUS PRINCESS slips out, and continues in the direction of Passau.

Day 4 - Your cruise ship reaches the fine Bavarian city of Passau, which lies at the confluence of three rivers (the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz) while you are still enjoying the substantial breakfast served on board. You may join the morning’s city walk to get to know this delightful miniature city. The AMADEUS PRINCESS will leave Passau at about 4:00 p.m, and continue downstream. You can spend the rest of this day listening to a concert in the Panorama bar.

Day 5 - In the morning we reach the mythical region of the Wachau. The AMADEUS PRINCESS halts at Melk/Emmersdorf, and you have an opportunity to join the "Beauties of the Wachau" excursion, which consists of a visit to the town of Dürnstein (guided tour on foot) and to the imposing Benedictine Abbey of Melk, one of Europe’s largest monasteries.  The AMADEUS PRINCESS meanwhile proceeds to Weissenkirchen, where everyone re-embarks, and heads off in the direction of Vienna during lunch.  You can spend a pleasant afternoon on board, letting the fascinating scenery of the Wachau float by.  You reach the world famous Danube metropolis of Vienna at about 5.00 p.m. There will be an opportunity to drive into the centre of the city by coach, and to visit the Christmas market near Vienna’s city hall. 

Day 6 - In the morning you can join our Vienna sightseeing tour, during which you can admire the Hofburg palace, the impressive Vienna opera house, the majestic inner ring road and St. Stephen’s cathedral. In the afternoon there will be an excursion to the "Schönbrunn castle", where there will be a performance in the Marionette theatre. 

On the final evening of your cruise the captain of the AMADEUS PRINCESS invites you to

his special dinner, and the ship’s orchestra will not fail to inspire most of the passengers to round off their cruise on the dance floor. 

Day 7 – Bon Voyage!  Happy Cruising!

(photos and captions courtesy of www.world-ventures.com and www.stock.xchange.com – photographers Hannah Gleghorn, Ana Schaeffer)