TRAVEL River Boats for all Reasons
Summer: June - August The grand cities you can see from your
window along the Danube are just a cobble- stone walk from your dock as you leisurely make your way from Budapest, stopping in Vi- enna for some chocolate and ending in Nurem- berg for some WWII history, all the while listening to the stirring music of Strauss and Mozart. Depending on the cruise line, many tours
...and Seasons story & photos by Maggie Zeibak Enjoy a glass of wine waiting for the sunset at U Bein Bridge, Burma. C
hoosing a river cruise is a lot like cook- ing. We have to choose the ingredients, make sure the recipe appeals to every-
one, weigh and measure the quantities, and then select seasonings and temperature. Mixing in some optional choices and stirring around some magic, we can pick the right container and serve up an interesting foreign dish with a
side portion of safe homeland tastes, well within our budget. The appeal of a river cruise is spreading like
wildfire and bookings are hot, so a little ad- vance planning is in order. First … decide where you want to go; is it Europe, Asia or the United States? Then, do you want to see archi- tecture, vineyards or enjoy bluegrass music?
Naturally, you’d like to consider a complete cultural experience, but how ‘foreign’ do you want to get? Let’s explore some options.
Spring: March - May April in Paris is a dream in most people’s
minds and although there are week-long trips on the Seine to Normandy, wine aficionados might gravitate to the Burgundy countryside on the Rhone River. Many of the included tours in Europe are to wine-tastings, but one of the perks on board most boats is compli- mentary wine with dinner, which makes for a very convivial trip. After all, you’re going to meet lots of new people, not as many as on a huge cruise ship, but up to 200 new best friends. The appeal of unpacking just once seals the
deal for many people, plus you don’t have to take formal attire – “resort casual” is just fine. After a walking tour around the museums and city centers of the Netherlands, glowing from the spectacle of Keukenhof Garden’s magnifi- cent display of tulips, no-one wants to get gussied up and get to bed late. There is enter- tainment, of course, but it is low key, besides the cabins are comfortable and not reminiscent of the tiny rooms offered back in the ‘90s.
Expecting family, friends or clients? Why not reserve a room that has
all the comforts of home? • Spacious, Full Suites w/Kitchens • Individual Patios • Lighted Tennis Court • Outdoor Heated Pool • Spa, 2 Saunas • Workout Room • Gameroom, Shuffleboard • Free In-Room Wireless
And all next door to San Clemente State Beach! follow us on: 60
Call for Reservations: 949-492-6103 Or visit us today at:
2600 Ave. Del Presidente, San Clemente, CA 92672
www.sanclementeinn.com Relax and enjoy life on the River. SAN CLEMENTE JOURNAL A friendly Cossack in the all-male compound.
places such as cathedrals when there are many other groups and the noise level escalates. Staying closer to home, American Steam-
boat Paddlewheelers can help you follow the Lewis and Clark Expedition on the Columbia River, or if the Mississippi draws you with the idea of sitting on the porch in a rocking chair
are included with optional excursions offered so that you can pick and choose your activities. Classical concerts aren’t for everyone, neither are castles, but perhaps a glass-blowing, clock- making or cooking demonstration is more to your taste. One of the best innovations these past few years is that the group is offered indi- vidual earpieces so that they can hear the guide explain without having to push to the front to hear the narrative. This is most welcome in
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