River Cruise Newsletter

Below is a copy of our current river cruise newsletter. To subscribe to our weekly newsletter, absolutely free of charge, please click here. To email this newsletter to friends or family, click here. Please note that the FastDeals are subject to availability and sell out quickly.

Dear Vacations To Go Customer,

Today, I'd like to highlight a few of the grand castles and palaces that you can see while cruising along Europe's famed rivers. Each of these photogenic sights has a fascinating story to tell.

To see photos of these attractions, click the castle or palace name below.

Castles are common along the Rhine River -- a stretch known as the Upper Middle Rhine is home to more than 40 fortifications. Many Rhine itineraries include an excursion to the German city of Heidelberg, where the red sandstone Heidelberg Castle looms over the old town center. Once a grand Renaissance palace, the castle was destroyed during the Nine Years' War of the late 17th century. Some rebuilding was done (though never completed), and the edifice was later damaged by lightning strikes in 1764. The ruins caught the attention of 19th-century poets and artists and soon came to symbolize German Romanticism. Click here for Rhine River cruises that visit Heidelberg.

On the Mosel River, travelers can explore Cochem Castle, or Reichsburg, in Cochem, Germany. In 1294, King Adolf of Nassau pawned the castle and about 50 surrounding villages on royal land to the archbishop of Trier in order to finance his coronation as German emperor. Neither the king nor his heir could come up with the funds to reclaim the castle, and it remained with the Trier archbishops until 1794. The original structure fell to ruin, but in 1868, Berlin businessman Louis Ravene bought the site and rebuilt the castle around its Gothic foundations. Click here for Mosel River cruises that visit Cochem.

Climb up to the Imperial Castle for splendid views of Nuremberg, Germany, featured on Danube River sailings. It was one of the most important castles of the Holy Roman Empire during the Middle Ages. One of its oldest remaining parts is the double chapel -- two chapels with the same floor plans, one sitting atop the other. They are connected by an opening in the middle that allowed the congregation in either chapel to hear the service in the other one. Click here for Danube River cruises that visit Nuremberg.

Danube and Rhine river itineraries that include a stay in Munich also can provide an opportunity to visit the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps. Neuschwanstein was built on its spectacular mountain perch from 1869 to 1886 by Ludwig II, sometimes called "Mad King Ludwig." After losing sovereignty in his kingdom, Ludwig withdrew into his own world of myths and legends and built elaborate royal residences where he could feel like a true king. Neuschwanstein is the most famous, and among its highlights is the Byzantine-style throne room with frescoes and cobalt blue columns and a grotto built to resemble a natural cave. Click here for itineraries that include a visit to Neuschwanstein.

A stay in Prague is included on many departures on the Danube, Rhine and Elbe. Prague Castle is one of the world's largest castle complexes and the official residence of the president of the Czech Republic. Also called Hradcany Castle, after the neighborhood that surrounds it, it's comprised of palaces, churches, towers and gardens. The Bohemian Crown Jewels are housed here, though they're rarely displayed. These treasures are stored in what's been called the least accessible place in the castle -- an iron safe secured by seven locks. To open it, all seven keyholders -- which include the president and prime minister -- must be present. Click here for Danube, Rhine and Elbe trips that include a stop in Prague.

On Douro River cruises in Portugal, passengers usually head to Casa de Mateus during port calls in Regua. Built near the town of Vila Real in the first half of the 18th century, the palace is a fine example of Baroque architecture. Some might recognize it from the label that adorned flask-shaped bottles of Mateus rosé, a popular wine in the early 1970s. Mateus is most famous for its formal gardens, an elaborate display of topiaries, manicured hedges, tiered pools and a path shaded by a cypress tunnel. Click here for itineraries that visit Regua.

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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.

Themed River Cruises -- Find itineraries that are designed around a particular theme, such as culinary or musical interests.

Limited-Time River Cruise Deals -- Take advantage of fantastic offers for Vacations To Go customers.

Rhine River Cruise Attractions -- Impressive castles, charming towns and lush vineyards are highlights of this popular route.

AmaWaterways -- Receive special access to deals from one of the industry's most experienced river cruise operators.

Brand-New River Cruises -- Check out several brand-new itineraries debuting next year.

Viking River Cruises -- Consider a trip with the world's largest river cruise line.

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

Emerald Cruises & Tours -- Get exceptional value on these river sailings.

France River Cruises -- Read about top sights along the Seine, Rhone, Saone and other rivers.

Cruising America's Great Waterways -- Experience the country's rich heritage on a river cruise.

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

1) The Blue Danube, 8 days with Riviera Travel. Begins and ends in Budapest. Save up to 66%. Starting at $2,049. Departures from April 3, 2026 through October 25, 2027.

2) Taste of Bordeaux, 8 days with AmaWaterways. Begins and ends in Bordeaux. Save up to 50%. Starting at $2,090. Departures from November 27, 2025 through December 23, 2027.

3) Rhine Highlights, 8 days with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. Travels between Amsterdam and Basel or Zurich. Save up to 76%. Starting at $2,095. Departures from March 9, 2026 through November 12, 2027.

4) The Douro, Porto & Salamanca, 8 days with Riviera Travel. Begins and ends in Porto. Save up to 54%. Starting at $2,349. Departures from April 5, 2026 through November 7, 2027.

5) Romantic Rhine, 8 days with Avalon Waterways. Travels between Amsterdam and Basel. Save up to 43%, plus receive free prepaid gratuities on many sailings. Starting at $2,280. Departures from December 9, 2025 through December 14, 2027.

6) Sensations of Lyon & Provence, 8 days with Emerald Cruises & Tours. Travels between Lyon and Nice or Marseille. Save up to 72%. Starting at $2,395. Departures from March 28, 2026 through December 11, 2027.

7) Paris & the Heart of Normandy, 8 days with Viking. Begins and ends in Paris. Save with reduced cruise fares and special air offers. Plus, get $500 per couple in free shipboard credit. Starting at $2,799. Departures from March 20, 2026 through November 26, 2027.

8) Enchanting Danube, 8 days with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. Travels between Budapest and Passau. Save up to 31%. Starting at $2,881. Departures from April 5, 2026 through November 7, 2027.

9) Lower Mississippi, 9 days with American Cruise Lines. Travels between Memphis and New Orleans. Save up to 23%. Starting at $4,425. Departures from December 26, 2025 through July 7, 2026.

10) Heart of Belgium & Holland, 8 days with Tauck. Begins in Brussels and ends in Amsterdam. Starting at $4,690. Departures from May 6, 2026 through October 28, 2026.

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