http://www.travelsignposts.com/ latest information from the Travel Info section of the Travel Signposts website: information, resource links and over 10,000 photos of European and Mediterranean tourist destinations to help plan a European tour or river cruise. From professional travel photographer and writer Tony Page. http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/rivercruiseRhMosroute.php Here is a typical itinerary for a river cruise on the Rhine and Moselle that visits Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland, in this case on the River Queen with Trafalgar. Most of these cruises last from 7 - 15 days, this is certainly one of the most extensive. Trafalgar and Uniworld uses the River Queen and River Baroness, INTRAV uses the Rembrandt, 2006-05-29T01:54:19Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/rivercruiseSeine.php If you want to experience the northern France's Normandy region in a relaxed, leisurely fashion, try a Seine River cruise. You'll discover the history, culture and beauty of this region, famous as the birthplace of Impressionism. Normandy is a region central to the history of France and also to much of Europe. William the Conqueror invaded England from here in 1066 (his castle 2006-05-29T01:54:19Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/rivercruiseRussiaVroute.php Here is a typical itinerary for a river cruise on the river Volga in Russia, in this case on the Kazan with INTRAV. Most of these cruises last from 9 - 16 days, often with a couple of days spent in Moscow at the start and/or St Petersburg at the end. INTRAV uses the Kazan and the Novikov Priboy. Trafalgar uses the Litvinov, 2006-05-29T01:54:19Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/rivercruiseHBroute.php Here is a typical itinerary for a river cruise on the rivers Ijssel, Schelde and Waal in Holland (The Netherlands) and Belgium, in this case on the Rembrandt with INTRAV. Most of these cruises last from 7 - 10 days, often with a couple of days spent in Amsterdam at the start. INTRAV uses the Rembrandt and the Amadeus Princess. Trafalgar uses the 2006-05-29T01:54:19Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/rivercruiseMosel.php Rhine river cruises are probably the most popular of all European river cruises, and combining them with a Moselle (Mosel in German) river cruise is especially worthwhile. Most Rhine Moselle cruises take a basic Rhine cruise and add in a return trip down the Moselle River to visit Trier and Bernkastel. So you start off the same way as a normal Rhine River 2006-05-29T01:54:19Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/thingstowatchfor.php Prices quoted are always for the cheapest option. This usually means the lowest deck which has smaller windows just above water level that cannot be opened. On the Avalon the Captain told people not to be alarmed if the water level sometimes came partially over the window as this was simply when the ship's ballast tanks were filled to make it ride lower 2006-05-29T01:54:19Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/rivercruiseRhine.php Rhine river cruises are probably the most popular of all European river cruises, although many "Rhine Cruises" are in fact day-trips down one particularly attractive section of the Rhine between Boppard and St Goar. The Rhine itself is one of Europe's major rivers, originating in the Swiss Alps and covering five countries. For over 2,000 years, this legendary river has greatly influenced the 2006-05-29T01:54:19Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/ab_vienna.php Previous page: Melk-Dürnstein-Vienna In Vienna, the boat is moored quite far out of town, however, the metro is quite accessible and an easy trip in, with Prater Park on the way. If you need internet access, there is a shop before you reach the metro and it only costs 1 Euro for 30 minutes compared to a ridiculous price on the boat. This 2006-05-29T01:54:18Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/rivercruiseDouro.php The Douro River is one of Europe's most western rivers, flowing through Spain and Portugal into the Atlantic Ocean. On a Douro River cruise, you'll see restored palaces, historic cities, steeply-terraced vineyards and picturesque rural villages along one of Europe's most charming and lesser-travelled rivers. Over the centuries,the river has carved a spectacularly wild and scenic valley through the Portuguese Highlands. As a 2006-05-29T01:54:18Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/ab_rudesheim.php Previous page: Cologne - Koblenz The first part of the day is spent sailing through the Rhine Gorge. Some of this section is often slotted into land-based tours as a "Rhine Cruise". We were blessed with a splendid temperature of 27C and as such everyone was on the sundeck enjoying the scenery and sights of castles. If you're lucky to have an informative 2006-05-29T01:54:18Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/ab_passaulinz.php Previous page: The Danube Gorge and Regensburg Stay in Passau and you can tour this "city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets". St. Stephen’s Cathedral houses the world’s largest church organ with over 17,000 pipes. Those who opt for the Salzburg tour (most people) leave by coach at 8.15 a.m. The coach trip from Passau to Salzburg takes you through lovely countryside. Along 2006-05-29T01:54:18Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/rivercruiseDBSroute.php Here is a typical itinerary for a river cruise on the Danube that takes you right down to the Black Sea. This one starts in Prague, in this case on the MS Poetry with AVALON. Most of these cruises last from 12 - 20 days, often with a couple of days spent in Prague or Budapest at the start. Avalon uses the Poetry, 2006-05-29T01:54:18Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/rivercruiseDanube.php Danube River (Central Europe) "The queen of Europe's rivers, the Danube is rich in history and enveloped in an aura of legend and myth". Rising in the mountains of Germany's Black Forest, the Danube (Donau in German) winds its way through romantic gorges and vineyard-clad valleys, flowing by castles, monasteries and picturesque, medieval towns and villages, surging through most of Central Europe to 2006-05-29T01:54:18Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/rivercruiseboats.php As you can see from the following list, many tour operators in the USA, the UK and Australia use the same river cruise boats for their European trips but package their deals in a different way. So if you like the boat but not the deal, check out other choices (note: our list is not exclusive). When we went on our Amsterdam-Budapest river 2006-05-29T01:54:18Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/rivercruiseAmstBudaroute.php The big one! Here is a typical itinerary for a river cruise on the Rhine, Main and Danube that takes you all the way from Amsterdam to Budapest, in this case with Tauck. The actual cruise takes 15 days or so, but some operators sell parts of it, eg to Vienna, which takes less, and some add on days at the beginning, which 2006-05-29T01:54:18Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/rivercruiseDnieper.php The Dnieper River, the third largest river in Europe, flows 1,370 miles from the heart of the Ukraine to the Black Sea. As far as I know, only Viking Cruises cover the Dnieper, but there are probably local options as well if you're feeling adventurous! The Ukraine as a nation dates back to the days when the Vikings, locally known as the Rus, 2006-05-29T01:54:18Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/rivercruiseDnieperroute.php Here is as far as I know, the only itinerary for a river cruise on the river Dnieper in Russia, or rather, the Ukraine, in this case on the Viking Lavrinenkov with Viking. This cruise is 14 nights, starting and finishing in Kiev. Viking River Cruises claims to be the only Western company to own and operate ships along the waterways of Russia 2006-05-29T01:54:18Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/index.php Get the information here you need to choose the right tour of one or more European countries or to travel on your own. Country info, tour routes, when to go, regional food specialities, holidays and other useful facts. And check out our City Guides for Venice and Paris (Rome on the way!). River Cruises in Europe River Cruise Routes in Europe Travel to 2006-05-29T01:54:18Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/rivercruiseDouroroute.php Here is a typical itinerary for a river cruise on the Douro in Spain and Portugal, in this case on the Douro Queen with Trafalgar. Most of these cruises last from 7 - 11 days, often with a couple of days spent in Lisbon at the start. Trafalgar and Uniworld use the Douro Queen, INTRAV uses the Douro Prince. Day 2 - Lisbon 2006-05-29T01:54:18Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/rivercruiseElbe.php Considered the gateway to Eastern Europe, a cruise along the Elbe river offers views of hilltop castles and medieval towns, contrasted with cosmopolitan cities such as Berlin and Prague. The Elbe, complete with towering cliffs, rococo palaces and charming riverside towns, flows from the Czech Republic through Germany’s northeast. Between the German capital, Berlin and the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague, where 2006-05-29T01:54:18Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/rivercruiseElberoute.php Here is a typical itinerary for a river cruise on the Elbe from Berlin in Germany to Prague, capital of the Czech Republic, in this case on the Viking Schumann with Viking Cruises . Most of these cruises last about 11 days, usually with a couple of days spent in both Berlin and Prague. General Tours uses the MV Dresden and Gate 1 2006-05-29T01:54:18Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/euroriverboat.php MS Poetry (Avalon) at Dürnstein A river cruise boat is a relatively small vessel compared to a cruise ship, with an amazingly low draft (under two metres in normal sailing), able to navigate larger rivers, waterways and inland lakes; the largest carry as many as 200 passengers, although most carry less (see our River Cruise Boats in Europe page for some specifications). These 2006-05-29T01:54:18Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/amsterdambudapestphotoguide.php M/S Avalon Poetry This is the river cruise we did in August-September 2005 with Avalon Waterways aboard the MS Poetry. Below are links to the photo albums that cover the trip, or you can read our 15 page review of the trip which also contains links to the photos. The Photo Albums: Amsterdam, Cologne, Rhine Castles, Rudesheim, Wertheim, Miltenberg, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, 2006-05-29T01:54:18Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/amsterdambudapest2.php The next 15 pages detail the 2005 cruise itinerary (no change in 2006) with comments from Helen. You can jump to wherever interests you or just follow our links at the bottom of each page: Here are links to Avalon web pages giving details of the ship facilities and accommodation: Avalon Poetry description Avalon Poetry Deck Plan Avalon Poetry Cabins Avalon Poetry selling 2006-05-29T01:54:18Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/rivercruiseGermany.php Make your choice from these five main German river cruise options, they're all exciting and varied experiences, and most routes have cruises of different durations: Rhine river cruises are probably the most popular of all European river cruises, and are often combined with other waterways. Most Rhine Moselle cruises take a basic Rhine cruise and add in a return trip down the Moselle 2006-05-29T01:54:18Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/rivercruiseFrSroute.php Here is a typical itinerary for a river cruise on the Saône and Rhône emphasising Burgundy and Provence, i.e. southern France, in this case on the Princesse de Provence with Uniworld in 2005 (note: in 2006, Uniworld appear to be offering the same cruise as Trafalgar on the River Royale). Most of these cruises last around 7-9 days, and can be combined with 2006-05-29T01:54:18Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/amsterdambudapest.php M/S Avalon Poetry This is the river cruise we did in August-September 2005 with Avalon Waterways aboard the MS Poetry. We had a cabin on the Rhine Deck (ie the top deck) with a second cabin next door for Tony's 89 year old mother who lives in England. This was convenient for her because there were no steps to negotiate on her way 2006-05-29T01:54:18Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/rivercruiseFrance.php Sail on a leisurely-paced cruise along the Saône and Rhône rivers through the heart of Burgundy and Provence, or further north, cruise along the Seine from Paris through the historic heart of Normandy to the long beaches of the Atlantic Coast. In either case, you can look forward to a cruise experience that is rich (in every sense of the word) in legendary 2006-05-29T01:54:18Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/ab_wurzburg.php Previous page: Miltenberg - Wertheim This morning's city tour of Würzburg leaves quite early at 8:15 a.m. After a night of rumbling through 7 locks, Helen wasn't pleased with the early start and did some grumbling herself. Würzburg is set in a picturesque position on the banks of the Main river. Its main university is one of the oldest in Germany and hence 2006-05-29T01:54:18Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/ab_budapest2.php Previous page: Budapest The previous evening saw our Farewell Dinner on board the M/S Poetry, and the whole crew made an effort to give us a memorable send-off. After 15 days on the ship, we had all made friends and got to know the crew quite well, so it was a warm-hearted and alcoholic affair... Over dinner, we were treated to chardash folk 2006-05-29T01:54:17Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/ab_nuremberg.php Previous page: Bamberg The City tour of Nuremberg was another early morning start. When we arrived at the Zeppelin Field, we were disappointed that the area had been cordoned off for rally of a different kind - there was a motorbike race on later in the day and all we could do was drive around the area. The visit to the Justice Palace 2006-05-29T01:54:17Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/ab_budapest.php Previous page: Bratislava, Slovakia The ship arrived in Budapest at 10.00 a.m. and the program indicates that on Saturday the shops will be open only in the morning. So this was the time for shopping and many of the ladies were keen to dash off to get souvenirs and gifts for friends and family, but a loudspeaker announcement stopped the stampede as Hungarian 2006-05-29T01:54:17Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/ab_amsterdam2.php Previous page: Amsterdam Arrival After breakfast, we were transported by coach to the canal boat mooring. During this short coach ride, the most amazing sight that you will see is the number of bicycles. We drove past this multi-storied bicycle station and there were thousands of them parked side-by-side. The guide told us that there are 14 million bikes in the Netherlands to 2006-05-29T01:54:17Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/ab_miltenbergwertheim.php Previous page: The Rhine Gorge and Rüdesheim Today we visited two charming towns which are known for their beautiful wooden framed houses. Good photo opportunities. Miltenberg's cultural wealth and affluence are reflected in its beautiful mediaeval and Renaissance architecture. Gasthaus Zum Riesen at no. 97 Hauptstrasse is Germany's oldest inn, offering traditional food and a range of specialty beers. Don't just stay in 2006-05-29T01:54:17Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/ab_melkdurnstein.php Previous page: Passau - Linz, Austria The ship arrives in Melk at 7:30 a.m. and shortly after breakfast, we were taken by coach to visit Melk Abbey. A word of advice: pay attention to where the ship is moored because after the Abbey visit, you'll have the choice of transferring back to the ship by coach or making your own way back. It's 2006-05-29T01:54:17Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/ab_bratislava.php Previous page: Vienna The first stop on this morning's city tour is Bratislava Castle. Locals call the Castle the "upside down table" due to the four towers. The castle is the seat of the Slovak National Council and within it are collections of the Slovak National Museum including exhibits of ancient treasures and historical artifacts. The only access open to us was the 2006-05-29T01:54:17Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/ab_danuberegensburg.php Previous page: Nuremberg and the Continental Divide We actually did the Danube Gorge cruise in the afternoon, first spending time in Regensburg. This was good because the light was better in both places. The walking tour of Regensburg started at 9.00 this morning. Regensburg has many mediaeval buildings that survived the war and its patricians' houses are famous in Germany. Things to see 2006-05-29T01:54:17Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/ab_colognekoblenz.php Previous page: Amsterdam Tour We arrived in Cologne at 9:45 a.m. and by 10 a.m. we were transported by mini-trains to the Kölner Dom, Cologne's famous gothic cathedral in the main square. We were given time to visit the inside of the cathedral on our own before a guided tour around the city. The time given to roam was limited and on the 2006-05-29T01:54:17Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/ab_bamberg.php Previous page: Würzburg After lunch, we are transferred by coach to downtown Bamberg. Mediaeval Bamberg is a World Heritage site and is one of my favourite towns. A city of gardeners and wine growers, it receives some 2 million visitors each year. It has an impressive cathedral up the hill, the Old Town Hall straddles the river, and there's a beautiful rose garden 2006-05-29T01:54:17Z http://www.travelsignposts.com/travelinfo/ab_amsterdam.php Previous page: Amsterdam-Budapest river cruise route A 10 minute taxi from the airport landed us at the NH Center Hotel where all passengers were to meet. Two rooms were provided for people to freshen up, but apart from that we were all gathered in a rather crowded conference room. Checking in was efficient. We arrived early in the day, and as the NH 2006-05-29T01:54:17Z