Oh the Things You Will See!

Hi all, Sailor here.  Came across this photo on Facebook and I want to assure you that this guy is not related to me in any way and you will not see this on a river cruise (the embarrassing things some dogs will do just to get publicity)! 

But let’s talk about the things you WILL see!  The Chain Bridge in   

Budapest – uniting the cities of Buda and Pest, St. Steven’s Cathedral – home of Europe’s largest pipe organ, The Fisherman’s Memorial in Budapest, the Justice Palace in Nuremberg where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946, the Vienna Opera House (originally considered by the Viennese to be an eyesore, leading to the suicide of the architect) and Schonbrunn Palace –seat of the Hapsburg dynasty – all on the Danube.

Cruising the Rhine?  On the Rhine you will see Cologne Cathedral – which took more than six centuries to be completed, and maybe visit the world’s oldest fragrance factory, picking up some Eau de Cologne to take home with you.  Of course you’ll cruise through the legendary canals of Amsterdam, and you may take an excursion to the famous Ann Frank’s house.  You’ll enjoy the scenery of the Black Forest, and sail past the famous Lorelei Rock – said to lure fishermen to their destruction (note: we haven’t lost a single ship here). 

And these are just a few highlights; on a river cruise you get to watch history unfold as you glide along the calm waterways, spotting the red roofs of ancient villages and the centuries-old vineyards and castles on the Rhine;  you may cruise past Europe’s Continental Divide, celebrate the heritage of Mozart in Salzburg or dance to a waltz by Strauss or Schubert.  (If you’ve got four left feet (like me)  maybe you’d just like to tap your paws to Hungarian folk music!

The easy pace sets a soothing atmosphere where you retreat into history and, although your ship is equipped with all the modern conveniences (Wi-Fi, flat screen TV’s, heated marble floors in the bathrooms, etc.) you may just take a much needed break from the hustle and bustle of modern society. 

Picture yourself sipping a glass of regional wine and taking a deep breath …  I’m getting sleepy just thinking about it.

 ‘til next time keep your nose to the wind and all four paws on deck!

Dorothy Flannery is president of Top Sail Journeys, Sailor C. Flannery is Director of Public Relations and all around dogsbody.  If you would like to learn more about European river cruises, check out their sites at http://cruisethedanube.com and http://cruisetherhine.com or for special event cruises go to http://eventcruises.co.