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,

This week, AmaWaterways and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises resumed operating cruises on the Danube River in Europe, and other lines will start sailing this river at the beginning of August.

The Danube is one of the most popular rivers for cruising, and today, I'll tell you about the best places to visit along its route. Flowing from the fabled Black Forest to the Black Sea, the Danube leads to historical sites, picturesque villages and beautiful Old World cities in 10 countries.

Many Danube itineraries start in Nuremberg, a beautiful 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 picturesque 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. Your itinerary may offer the opportunity to attend an optional concert of classical music in the Austrian capital.

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 red roofs 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 most visited sites in Budapest.

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.

---

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

1) Romantic Danube, 8 days with Viking River Cruises. Travels between Budapest and Regensburg. Fly from $399 per person and save up to $1,000 per couple. Starting at $2,699. Departures from August 1, 2021 through December 18, 2022.

2) Charms of the South, 9 days with American Queen Steamboat Company. Travels between Memphis and New Orleans. Save up to $2,200 per couple. Starting at $2,099. Departures from August 8, 2021 through November 14, 2022.

3) Lyon & Provence, 8 days with Viking River Cruises. Travels between Lyon and Marseille. Fly from $399 per person and save up to $1,000 per couple. Starting at $2,499. Departures from July 25, 2021 through November 15, 2022.

4) The Loire Valley, a Royal Legacy, 6 days with CroisiEurope. Begins and ends in Nantes. Save 15%. Starting at $2,531. Departures from April 4 through October 29, 2022.

5) Castles Along the Rhine, 8 days with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. Travels between Amsterdam and Basel. Save up to 10% on select departures, or save $400 per couple on others. Starting at $2,949. Departures from August 8, 2021 through October 30, 2022.

6) Danube Delights, 8 days with Emerald Cruises. Travels between Budapest and Nuremberg. Save up to $2,250 per couple. Starting at $2,995. Departures from August 30 through October 25, 2021.

7) Rhine Cruise to Switzerland, 8 days with Riviera River Cruises. Travels between Basel and Cologne. Save up to 15%, plus receive a free drinks package. Starting at $2,999. Departures from May 18 through October 12, 2022.

8) Columbia & Snake Rivers, 8 days with American Cruise Lines. Travels between Clarkston and Portland. Save up to $1,000 per couple. Starting at $3,795. Departures from July 30, 2021 through June 2, 2022.

9) Mississippi River Cruise, 8 days with American Cruise Lines. Begins and ends in New Orleans. Save up to $1,000 per couple. Starting at $3,795. Departures from November 21, 2021 through May 3, 2022.

10) Unforgettable Douro, 11 days with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. Begins and ends in Porto. Save up to $2,700 per couple. Starting at $6,895. Departures from July 30 through October 29, 2021.

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