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. 

Sailor Buries a Myth

Hi everyone, Sailor here. Had a little “mal de mer” this week, so I’ve been resting a lot.  (Don’t worry, my Dorothy is taking great care of me – she takes the term “pampered pooch” to an extreme level. Cookies on my pillow at night, really?)  Anyway, it gave me time to think and do a little research.  Do you know that most people think river cruising is only for older people?  And I’m not talking in dog years.  Popular opinion among humans is that river cruises are only for the 55+, one-foot-in-the-grave, eligible-for-Medicare, orthopedic-stocking set.  River cruises are not good family vacations.  Well that’s become another myth that I’d like to bury.

Think about this: would you go on a family vacation to walk the Freedom Trail in Boston?  Would you take your family to Colonial Williamsburg?  How about a vacation to see the Statue of Liberty or the Smithsonian Museum?  If your answer is yes to the above, then why not take them on a river cruise in Europe?

Making Strudel in Germany During a River Cruise

With the explosive growth of river cruising in the last few years some of the cruise lines have developed specially designated “family friendly” cruises.  In fact, I just looked yesterday and these are already SOLD OUT for June and July with just a few cabins remaining in August and on some of the Christmas Cruises.  Okay, so you may be too late for 2013, but there will be more family cruises in 2014 – let’s start planning!

When my Dorothy was barely a teenager her parents took the family on an oceangoing cruise.  Back then in the Dark Ages ocean cruises had no children’s programs.  There were only four children on a ship of about 800 passengers.  The glamorous activities were shuffleboard, ping pong and an indoor pool (NO DIVING!).  There were no teen discos, “Coke-tail” parties, scavenger hunts or pizza-pajama-trivia fests.   Yet that vacation is one of the strongest and most influential memories of her life!  She can’t tell you what she did on any given week in school when she was 13, but she sure can tell you about the ship she was on, the cable car to the top of the mountain in Caracas, the gorgeous hills and beautiful harbors of St. Thomas, the “natural bridge” in Aruba and the prisoner who was the only survivor of the eruption of Mt. Pelee in Martinique in 1902.  

Did you know that  at least 60% of adults, if asked what their happiest childhood memories are, will recount something to do with a family vacation?  What better reason to take your family on an educational and enriching vacation along a European River?  Madonna took her kids on a river cruise along the Seine, but being a rock star is not a pre-requisite!

So give family cruising along the rivers of Europe a thought - but think fast because these sell out.  Just might be a howling good time!

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.  

Bucket Lists

Hi everyone, Sailor here.  Today I want to talk about your “bucket list” – which is a term I’m not that crazy about.  I prefer your “treat list”.  Along with starring in a feature film and having a standing rib roast for dinner once a week, my list includes catching that turtle that keeps sunning itself at the edge of the lake.   Now that would be a treat!   I’ve tried a couple of dozen times, got my nose all the way up to the thing (as you can see), but it flipped into the water and disappeared.  At least I’m trying,  I don’t walk around the lake thinking “someday when I’m not so busy I’ll try to catch that turtle”.

Too many times I’ve heard my Dorothy talking with somebody who “wants to _________ (fill in the blank) …tour Europe, go to Victoria Falls, see the Mona Lisa, visit the Peterhof Palace … one day”.  One day when they have more time off, one day when they don’t have to replace the furnace or repair the roof, one day when there are no weddings, graduations or new grandchildren to celebrate.  And then something terrible happens,  it doesn’t matter what, and that day has come and gone.  They either no longer have the ability to travel or they don’t have anyone to travel with anymore – the long hoped for dream is lost.  

I think there’s a term in Latin, “carpe  dog ‘em”  or “carpe diem” or something, that sounds kind of like it should mean eat a fish every day, but which actually means “seize the day”.   I’m doing it.  I’m seizing every single chance I get to go for a walk, earn a treat, chew on a bone, enjoy a massage or chase that turtle.  You won’t find me turning down a trip to the dog park because I don’t want to take the time off of work! 

Are you putting off a long dreamed of vacation because  you’re waiting for the right time? Well, the right time is now, because you don’t know what tomorrow will bring and “he who hesitates gets lost”  or “is lost” or something.  What I’m trying to say is … chase that turtle NOW!  Savor that belly scratch NOW!  See the Mona Lisa NOW!

There are so many unfortunate stories of people who were going to see the world when … only they waited a bit too long.  You just can’t wait for all the right pieces to fall in place at once, you have to make it happen, plan for it to happen, don’t let it NOT happen.  Because time gets away from everybody.

By the way, I’ve just heard that air fares are likely to go up next summer, so if you’re thinking of a European River cruise this summer or next.  Go now!  There are great deals out there and air fare isn’t going to get any more palatable. 

 

It’s time for my massage, turtle hunting is hard work.  'Til next time, keep your nose to the wind and four paws on deck!

Dorothy Flannery is president of Top Sail Journeys.  If you would like to learn more about European river cruises, check out her sites at http://cruisethedanube.com and http://cruisetherhine.com

 

Five of My Favorite Things About River Cruises

Like most dogs almost everything is my favorite thing.  Walks are my favorite thing! Dinner is my favorite thing!  Going for a ride in the car is my favorite thing! Tummy rubs are my favorite thing!  It's a great way to live.

Recently someone asked my Dorothy what are some of her favorite things about river cruising.  Lord did she go on and on ... being more succinct than she is I am able to narrow down what I think are her top five favorite things:

1.       River Cruises are educational - and I'm not talking about obedience school. River cruises allow you to really see (and even visit) the small cities, towns and villages along the way.  Meals are often prepared using local delicacies purchased in small markets that you can even visit with the chef on your river boat.  You don't spend the day lying on a beach, you spend it visiting great palaces, monuments and cathedrals.   (River Cruises are the thinking man's cruise vs. the drinking man's cruise.)

2.       Pricing is inclusive -it's so nice not to have to reach into your wallet every time you turn around - or to come home to a credit card bill that precludes the likelihood of me getting another rib-eye bone for at least six months.  River cruises have shore excursions included in every port and wine is included with lunch and dinner every day.   Ocean-going ships try to maximize their "on-board revenue" per passenger because they pay no taxes on money earned at sea.  That doesn't apply to river cruises - they're always within the 12-mile limit so there's not nearly the profit opportunity with onboard sales. 

3.       No crowds - some people love crowds, I'm not one of them.  I hate getting my paws stepped on.  Most river boats only accommodate about 150 passengers.  That's enough to allow for a variety of people to meet, but not for 30 minute lines at the buffet or a rush to be first in to the dining room.

4.       You can forget about getting sea sick.  I mentioned this in an earlier blog, but believe me it's worth mentioning again.  River boat travel is smooth, calm and easy on the tummy.  Your kibbles and bits stay where they belong - even if that is a little bit too attached to your thighs.

5.       Rivwr boats dock right in town.  Until about 100 years ago, rivers were the highways of Europe so the cities, towns & villages were built on the rivers.   Once you dock, the sights to see are usually just a short walk from your boat .  Have you ever been on an ocean cruise that calls on Rome only to find out that Rome is NOT on the ocean?  It's about 35 miles away.  How about an ocean-going ship that calls on Berlin?  You actually dock in Warnemunde - about two hours away from Berlin.   Now that's what I call a good, long walk!

Remember, keep your nose to the wind and all four paws on deck!

Sailor’s owner is Dorothy Flannery, an award winning cruise and travel specialist.  Check out her river cruise websites at http://cruisethedanube.com and http://cruisetherhine.com