From the Black Forest of Germany to the Black Sea, the Danube is a vital lifeline that pulses through the heart of Central and Eastern Europe. The Danube is not only Europe’s second longest river—more than twice the length of the Rhine and nearly three and a half times the length of the Rhône—but it flows through ten different countries and more than a dozen languages are spoken on its banks. Imagine the variety in food, architecture and history that goes with each of these languages and cultures. Enjoy an intriguing, panoramic view of two thousands years of European history as you travel along the lyrical “Blue Danube” on a river cruise.

Fast Facts
Countries: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine
Source: Black Forest, Germany
Mouth: The Black Sea
Length: 1,777 miles

Prepare to set sail on a European river cruise. This time as we return to the rivers of Europe we will cruise along the Rhone and the Danube, with stops along the way to take in the culture and the sights.

With new features, more details and unbelievable amenities, river cruising provides a unique and inspiring way to vacation.  Whether you’d like a 4-day getaway, an in-depth 23-day tour, or something in between, there is a river cruise just right for you.

So, join us as we board one of the youngest fleets and cruise through Europe.

California, the Golden State, is known for the famous Golden Gate Bridge in the heart of San Francisco.  On a day without fog, the bridge is a remarkable sight:

When vacationing in the Napa area make sure to take a trip to Sonoma.  Here are some of the area’s must-see sights to make your California vacation more memorable:

Sonoma Square
Visit Old Sonoma Square, site of the Bear Flag Revolt and the last of the 21 missions built in California.

Cheese Factory
Be sure to stop at the cheese factory, where you can sample some of the world’s finest cheese.

Sonoma State Historic Park
Visit Sonoma State Historic Park in the center of charming old Sonoma. In the center of a large, tree-covered park is the old city hall. The historic buildings of the state park border the city park, inviting visitors to rest and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. There is a $2 state park fee.

If you are looking for a relaxing California vacation, consider taking the Napa Valley Wine Train featuring beautiful scenery and spectacular food.

Few cities have been so entirely linked to a literary figure as Monterey is with John Steinbeck.  The Nobel Prize-winning author set three of his most popular novels here, including the whimsical Cannery Row, which he wrote after moving back from New York to California in 1944.  The title setting for the book was a colorful waterfront lane officially called Ocean View Avenue, whose inhabitants had long included Spanish, Japanese and Italian fishermen.  In the early 1900s, a boom in demand for canned sardines led to dozens of canneries sprouting up: Constructed from corrugated iron and worked by rough immigrant laborers, they became famous for their unpleasant odors, eccentric characters and less-than-hygienic conditions.  Steinbeck added even more color with eccentric characters such as the marine biologist Ed Ricketts, who became “Doc” in the novel.  Ironically, not long after the book’s release, the cannery industry collapsed from over-fishing.  But tourism came to Monterey’s rescue: In 1958, Ocean View Avenue was officially renamed Cannery Row after the bestselling book, and many of the rusting canneries were saved and restored, starting with the Sardine Factory Restaurant in the 1960s.   Today, the waterfront is one of the most beloved attractions in California.  Steinbeck’s character Doc would no doubt have approved that the ocean offshore is now a marine reserve – and also that, if he so chose, he would have little difficulty in finding the ingredients for his beloved Beer Milkshake in the Monterey waterfront bars.

When traveling the California coast, here are some of the must-see Monterey sights:

Lover’s Park
Visit Lover’s Park on the jagged coast of Pacific Grove and view the area that black and orange Monarch butterflies call their winter home.

Paths of History
Take the Paths of History self-guided tour that will introduce you to Monterey’s past and present. Many of the adobe buildings along the path are free and open to the public and represent much of Monterey’s architectural image.

Ventana Vineyards
Visit Ventana Vineyards and sample some of their award-winning wines. Then relax next door at Tarpy’s Roadhouse, where you can enjoy creative American country cuisine.

If you plan on traveling to San Francisco anytime during mid-October and early November, you simply can’t pass up the opportunity to attend a concert or two at the San Francisco Jazz Festival! Arguably one of the world’s best jazz festivals, this three week-long festival celebrates traditional and groundbreaking figures in the jazz movement bringing local and national musicians to venues throughout San Francisco and the greater Bay Area.

Musical entertainment ranges from jazz to bepop to big bands, ensuring there is a little something for everyone. Take in the big-name performances at the Herbst Theatre, club shows at the Great American Music Hall or take an afternoon jazz cruise aboard the SF Spirit Yacht, or admire the work of visual and performing artists in dance and photography. Most shows are throughout the evening, with family matinees in the afternoon. So get ready to sway to the smooth sounds and tap your feet to the beat at this a must-attend California cultural experience!

As anyone who strolls down Jack Kerouac Lane can guess, San Francisco is a city that relishes its literary memories.  In the 1950s, a flood of free-spirited writers rejecting the leaden conformity of Cold War society traveled here to create the “San Francisco Renaissance.”  These bohemians congregated in the low-rent Italian neighborhood of North Beach, frequenting the smoky jazz bars and cheap pasta joints in the area.

The most famous resident was Kerouac, author of On The Road, who coined the term “beat generation” to describe his restless friends.  (The name came from underground slang, and mixed a sense of being downtrodden and rebellious, Kerouac said, with “beatific” and saintly; San Francisco newspaper writer Herb Caen later transformed “beat” into the popular term “beatnik” a few years later).  Kerouac arrived here with his friend Neal Cassidy, who appears as the character Dean Moriarty in On the Road, and the poet Allen Ginsberg, who debuted his epic poem Howl at a riotous reading in the neighborhood Six Gallery, a literary event that turned into a famous all-night party.

Today, the City Lights Bookstore (cnr. Columbus Avenue and Jack Kerouac Alley) is one of the city’s most beloved shrines: It was founded in 1952 by the beat poet Lawrence Ferlenghetti, and remains one of America’s great bookstores.  After browsing the collection, pull up a chair at the Vesuvio Bar next door; in the ‘50s, this was the beats’ favorite watering hole.  It was here that Kerouac was way-laid on his way to meet the great author of Tropic of Cancer, Henry Miller; while the elderly Miller waited, Kerouac became too drunk to leave.  Kerouac’s boozing and willingness to push himself to the limits would finally be his destruction: He died of complications due to alcoholism in 1969, only 47 years old.

When traveling to California, here are some of the must-see San Francisco sights:

Cable Car Museum
Visit the Cable Car Museum and learn about the operation of one of America’s only moving national monuments. This is one of the top 10 things to do for free in the United States.

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market
Explore Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, open daily and offering everything from baby carrots and artisan-made cheeses to caviar and oysters. You may even brush elbows with renowned chefs from the Bay area and beyond.

Tadich Grill
Take the California Street cable car to Tadich Grill, the oldest restaurant in California, for an exquisite selection of fresh seafood, including pan-fired San Dabs, mesquite grilled Petrale Sole, and Lobster Thermidor. They don’t take reservations, but the superior service and extensive menu make it worth the wait.

Golden Gate Park
Visit Golden Gate Park’s de Young Museum with its impressive art collection and fabulous tower views. Also stroll through the Hagiwara Japanese Tea Garden, where you can enjoy a pot of tea while watching the koi pond.

Boudin’s Bakery
Learn the history and art of making sourdough bread at Boudin’s Bakery. Visit the museum, take the bakery tour, relax at their restaurant and bar, and shop for gifts in the marketplace.