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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,
On behalf of the more than 1,000 employees at Vacations To Go, I'd like to start by wishing you a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah and a joyous holiday season. Please note that our office will close early on Christmas Eve and will remain closed on Christmas Day. We will resume our normal hours on Friday, December 26.Alan Fox
Executive Chairman
Today, I'll tell you about the best places to visit on the Danube River. Cruises on the river typically visit several countries, stopping at historic sites, quaint villages and beautiful Old World cities along the way.
Before we get to the highlights, here are some Danube cruise offers for our customers. Most of these deals expire December 31, so call right away if you see something you like.
Save up to 77% on departures with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours.
Save up to 77% off Emerald cruises.
Save up to 66% on sailings with Riviera Travel.
Save up to 50% on cruises with Avalon Waterways.
Save up to 46% on AmaWaterways sailings.
Save up to 31% on departures with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.
Save with discounted cruise rates and special air offers on Viking cruises. Plus, get $500 per couple in free onboard credit.
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 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.
10 Best-Selling River Itineraries -- See some of our most popular river cruises in Europe and the U.S.
Discover Europe's Grand Castles -- Learn about the castles and palaces that are often visited on river cruises.
AmaWaterways -- Receive special access to deals from one of the industry's most experienced river cruise operators.
Germany River Cruises -- Read about top sights along the Rhine, Danube, Mosel and other waterways.
Themed River Cruises -- Find itineraries that are designed around a particular theme, such as culinary or musical interests.
Brand-New River Cruises -- Check out several itineraries debuting next year.
Rhine River Cruise Attractions -- Impressive castles, charming towns and lush vineyards are highlights of this popular route.
Viking River Cruises -- Consider a trip with the world's largest river cruise line.
Emerald Cruises & Tours -- Get exceptional value on these river sailings.
France River Cruises -- Read about the Seine, Rhone, Saone and other rivers.
Here are this week's Top 10 River Cruises. All prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability.
1) Bonjour Bordeaux, 8 days with Avalon Waterways. Begins and ends in Bordeaux. Save up to 50%. Starting at $2,331. Departures from March 31, 2026 through November 16, 2027.
2) The Romantic Rhine Valley & the Rock of Lorelei, 5 days with CroisiEurope. Begins and ends in Strasbourg. Save 25%. Starting at $1,027. Departures from March 6, 2026 through November 15, 2026.
3) Captivating Rhine, 8 days with AmaWaterways. Begins in Amsterdam and ends in Basel. Save up to 46%. Starting at $1,550. Departures from February 5, 2026 through December 23, 2027.
4) Danube Delights, 8 days with Emerald Cruises & Tours. Travels between Budapest and Munich. Save up to 74%. Starting at $2,095. Departures from March 25, 2026 through October 13, 2027.
5) Burgundy, the River Rhone & Provence, 8 days with Riviera Travel. Travels between Avignon and Lyon. Save up to 54%. Starting at $2,149. Departures from April 1, 2026 through October 28, 2027.
6) The Douro, Porto and 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.
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, 2028.
8) Castles & Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle, 8 days with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. Travels between Frankfurt and Basel or Zurich. Save up to 71%. Starting at $3,223. Departures from April 15, 2026 through October 6, 2027.
9) Lower Mississippi, 9 days with American Cruise Lines. Travels between Memphis and New Orleans. Save up to 35%. Starting at $3,760. Departures from February 20, 2026 through August 18, 2026.
10) Heart of the Danube, 8 days with Tauck. Travels between Budapest and Munich. Starting at $4,990. Departures from April 11, 2026 through October 11, 2027.
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