River Cruise Newsletter

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Dear Vacations To Go Customer,

Today, I'll tell you about the best places to visit on the Danube River. Cruises along the river lead to historical sites, quaint villages and beautiful Old World cities on a route that can visit as many as 10 countries.

Before we get to the highlights, here are some Danube cruise offers for our customers.

Save 50% on sailings with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. Book by May 10.

Save up to 75% off Emerald cruises. Book by May 17.

Save up to 73% on departures with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. Book by May 17.

Save 50% off the cruise price of trips with Avalon Waterways. Book by May 24.

Save 50% on AmaWaterways sailings. Book by May 24.

Get up to 50% off sailings with CroisiEurope. Book by May 24.

Get discounted cruise rates and free or reduced airfare from select gateways on Viking cruises. Book by May 31.

Save $800 per couple on Gate 1 departures in 2025. Book by May 31.

Save up to $1,150 per couple on sailings with Riviera in select cabin categories.

Many Danube itineraries start in Nuremberg, an impressive medieval city in Germany. Built on a rocky hill, Imperial Castle was one of the most important castles of the Holy Roman Empire during the Middle Ages and provides great views. The city was the location of the Nuremberg war crimes trials in 1945 and 1946, and local guides show travelers the Palace of Justice, where the trials took place.

In Passau, Germany, you may be treated to a concert on the 17,974-pipe organ in St. Stephen's Cathedral. Passau also has some fine examples of Gothic and Baroque architecture.

Originally a Celtic settlement and then a Roman garrison, Regensburg is a cultural hub in eastern Bavaria. Here you can see the old Roman gate, explore the well-preserved medieval center and stand upon the 12th-century Old Stone Bridge. The Wurstkuchl (Sausage Kitchen) is one of Germany's oldest restaurants.

Many Danube River itineraries include an excursion to Salzburg in Austria, where you can seek out the yellow building where Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 and stroll through the manicured gardens of Mirabell Park, used in the filming of "The Sound of Music."

During a port call in Melk, many passengers head for the Benedictine abbey that sits high above the town on granite cliffs. The monastery was founded in 1089; be sure to check out the stunning ceiling frescoes, the large library filled with nearly 16,000 books and the terrific views from the terrace.

Austria's Wachau Valley is one of the most attractive stretches of the Danube, lined with terraced vineyards and picturesque villages like Durnstein, centered around the pretty blue and white tower of an abbey church.

In Vienna, attractions include Hofburg Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Ringstrasse, a broad avenue lined by stately buildings. You may also have an opportunity to attend a classical music concert.

Bratislava in western Slovakia is the only national capital that borders two other countries, Austria and Hungary. It has an attractive Old Town, Baroque palaces and a massive white castle with a red roof sitting above the Danube.

The Hungarian capital of Budapest is divided by the Danube. River cruise passengers usually visit the Fisherman's Bastion, a large terrace that overlooks the city and river, as well as the ornate parliament building and Heroes Square, one of the city's most popular sites.

Belgrade, Serbia's capital, is one of Europe's oldest cities, perched at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. Top sites include its fortress, the 1920s-era Royal Palace and Knez Mihailova -- the pedestrian-only, main shopping street. Upon leaving Belgrade, Danube riverboats sail through the Iron Gates, a spectacular gorge that forms the boundary between Serbia and Romania.



In case you missed any of our recent river cruise newsletters, I've provided links below for the last 10 topics we've covered. Click any link to read more.

American Cruise Lines, Hurtigruten Expeditions & More -- Get a few ideas that may help you plan your next vacation.

AmaWaterways -- Receive special access to deals and browse a wide selection of sailings.

Brand-New Itineraries -- Check out new river cruises debuting this year.

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours -- Browse this company's all-inclusive offerings.

10 Best-Selling River Itineraries -- See some of our most popular river cruises in Europe and the U.S.

Avalon Waterways -- Take advantage of flexible excursion options to customize your experience.

Germany River Cruises -- Discover top sights along the Rhine, Main, Mosel and other waterways.

Emerald Cruises -- Enjoy unique amenities and exceptional value.

Unique Ship Features -- Take a look at special ship amenities like onboard herb gardens and innovative designs for private balconies.

Viking River Cruises -- Read about the world's largest river cruise operator.



Here are this week's Top 10 River Cruises. All prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability.

1) Melodies of the Danube, 8 days with AmaWaterways. Begins in Budapest and ends in Vilshofen. Save 50%. Starting at $1,900. Departures from July 20, 2024 through November 4, 2024.

2) Five Different Rivers, 9 days with CroisiEurope. Begins and ends in Strasbourg. Save up to 50%. Starting at $1,496. Departures from June 23, 2024 through September 13, 2025.

3) Danube River Cruise, 9 days with Gate 1 Travel. Travels between Regensburg and Budapest. Save $800 per couple. Starting at $1,699. Departures from May 10, 2025 through November 15, 2025.

4) Romantic Rhine, 8 days with Avalon Waterways. Travels between Amsterdam and Basel. Save 50%. Starting at $1,900. Departures from May 25, 2024 through July 27, 2024.

5) The Douro, Porto & Salamanca, 8 days with Riviera River Cruises. Begins and ends in Porto. Save $500 per couple. Starting at $2,049. Departures from June 16, 2024 through October 26, 2025.

6) Delightful Danube, 8 days with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. Travels between Nuremberg and Budapest. Save up to 50%. Starting at $2,058. Departures from June 7, 2024 through November 2, 2025.

7) Burgundy & Provence, 8 days with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. Travels between Lyon and Marseille. Save up to 50%. Starting at $2,156. Departures from June 16, 2024 through November 2, 2025.

8) Rhine Highlights, 8 days with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. Travels between Amsterdam and Zurich. Save up to 73%. Starting at $2,504. Departures from May 22, 2024 through October 29, 2025.

9) Chateaux, Rivers & Wine, 8 days with Viking. Begins and ends in Bordeaux. Save with special cruise rates, plus get reduced airfare. Starting at $2,599. Departures from June 2, 2024 through November 15, 2026.

10) Tennessee Rivers Cruise, 9 days with American Cruise Lines. Travels between Nashville and Chattanooga. Fly for free, plus save up to $1,000 per couple off the cruise price. Starting at $3,720. Departures from June 7, 2024 through October 25, 2024.

Customers in the US and Canada can call us toll-free at 800-510-4002. For a list of our other toll-free numbers worldwide, click here.

Please e-mail me your comments, suggestions and questions at alanfox@rivercruise.com and I will respond the same day.

Sincerely,

Alan Fox
Executive Chairman
Vacations To Go