By Hank Schrader, USMA ’71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert
We are in the life enhancing business. One way we help enhance your life is promoting the exceptional value a river cruise can provide you for a vacation. We have a passion for Europe river cruising. There are many reasons why we have a passion for Europe river cruising, but for me, the two prime reasons are that 1) it will push your travel boundaries in a positive fashion and 2) it will provide you a unique travel experience that is almost impossible to replicate in another vacation.
A Europe river cruise vacation answers the 5 main reasons why folks travel. Let me explain—why you travel and what you expect to get out of the trip is the purpose for going on your vacation. River cruises push your personal boundaries by helping you explore new places in comfort, style and ease.
So what are the decision points on why you go on a trip? How does a river cruise meet those reasons? How does a Europe river cruise push your personal boundaries? How can we inspire you to get the best possible river cruise vacation? So, let’s explore these topics together.
Why People Travel
According to Phocuswright’s 2016 U.S. Consumer Travel Report survey of 1,724 people, there are 5 main reasons people travel. They are:
- Get Away/Take a Break 41%
- Spend time with family/friends 38%
- Take advantage of available vacation time 18 %
- Personal Celebration 15%
- ( Tied) See a natural/cultural/historical attraction or Attend a specific event 14%
I can promise you all of those reasons resonate with me—we travel for all the above reasons. The only thing I will tell you, is that the importance of the reason for travel changes with each trip and each individual—when you are celebrating a milestone event in your life, the percentages go way up—just read my blog about Milestones Memories –and -Celebrations if you want more proof that your priorities change with each trip. Here is the link LEARN MORE
How Does a Europe River Cruise answer Your Reason to Travel?
If you want a special break and want to spend quality time with your family or friends, for me, there is no better way than a Europe river cruise. I have written extensively about the value of a river cruise, but, if I had to explain the main reason you should take a river cruise, it is the almost all inclusive nature of the trip. You get a great stateroom, exceptional food and most drinks (on some lines all drinks), shore excursions and a chance to visit some of the key historic and cultural sights of Europe. It is practical luxury travel– fun, gourmet but not stuffy, you travel in a relaxed atmosphere, there are great sights and it is flexible and easy to tailor to your desires. Pretty cool, to say the least!
How Does a Europe River Cruise Push Your Personal Boundaries?
Going on a river cruise gives you permission to explore a world you do not yet know. I wonder how many of you would go on the Douro in Portugal or visit the Balkan countries of the lower Danube on your own? Some adventurous souls might, but for many, there is a degree of uneasiness about a visit where you do not understand the language, or cannot read the signs (sometimes in Cyrillic script). A river cruise removes these obstacles but still allows you a chance to reach out to the people of these new lands. When we went on a lower Danube river cruise, it was so easy yet fascinating to visit strange lands. You will be surprised what once seemed so exotic becomes more familiar. Not only does travel remove barriers in your life, you also will develop new perspectives about the world.
How We Can Inspire your next river cruise trip
We are river cruise experts. We have been on 13 Europe river cruises. We have sailed most Europe Rivers. Here is a list of rivers we have sailed on or sent folks on: Rhine, Danube (the entire river), Seine, Rhone, Dordogne & Garonne (Bordeaux Cruise), and the Douro.
So, with our extensive experience and knowledge about Europe river cruising, we will match you to the right trip and help get exactly what you expect from your trip. We are not selling travel, we are helping you make memories. We will get you the best value for your money on a Europe river cruise, if you will spend some time us. The more we can learn about you, the better we can serve you. Want some inspiration for a Europe river cruise?—visit our website!
Our Website River Cruises Section
Europe river cruising can be a complex subject. We help make it much easier for you by cutting through the clutter of information about river cruising and companies. We accomplish this by providing you the highest quality information on Europe river cruising on our website. In my opinion, this section is exceptional—you will not find anywhere on line as in-depth a description of Europe River Cruises. You can be sure it is authentic–the pictures are taken by us—it is the real deal. The Europe River Cruise Comparisons is even better—73 slides about the 8 major lines. We cite facts when possible but when it is our opinion, we clearly state it is our opinion.
Go ahead—pick one of the trips on the river cruise page. Go through the PowerPoint—can you see yourselves enjoying this trip?—we sure can see you there!
Technical Questions about Europe River Cruises
So what is the best route for you to go on? What is the best river cruise company? When will you get the best value on a river cruise trip? What is it really like on a Europe river cruise? How can I be certain I will get to see the sights that are so important to me? We know the answers to these questions and once we spend a little time with you, we will be able to recommend just the right river cruise for you. Have we got you interested yet?
Added Value
While there is no doubt in my mind we are river cruise experts, and will provide the river cruise that will match your needs, we also add more value in planning your trip by proving customized pre or post trips to your Europe river cruise. Our trips are unique and tailored to your desires. We have planned and have led pre/post visits to Amsterdam, Brugge, Paris, Prague, Nuremburg, Lyon, Arles, Amboise, Strasbourg, Bayeux (D Day area) and Budapest just to name a few great places.
Here are a couple of examples of these trips that should make you want to use us to plan your river cruise. By the time you read this, we have a group on a 7 day Seine River cruise. At the end of the cruise, several of the group will go on special D Day post trip we planned. Here is a presentation about this special trip: D Day Post Trip II
In November, we will also led a small group on a tour of Amboise in the Loire River region of France. Expect a special blog about this adventure in the future.
My Final Thoughts
We have tried to convey information about our specialties and how they can benefit you. We have also tried to get you to consider, when deciding whether to use us or not, why you should use us. We feel that you will get the highest quality, expertly planned trip because of our excellent credentials combined with our passion to help you and our attention to detail—it is a true winning formula! It is especially true for a Europe river cruise vacation.
It’s time to travel on a river cruise and push through your travel boundaries—please visit www.dreamdestinations.com, select Send Us Your Travel Request and contact us. This short form will start you on the road to a great travel location.
Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@dreamdestinations.com. We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!
HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 45 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:
- AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
- Viking River Cruise Specialist
- Scenic River Cruise Specialist
- Emerald Waterways Specialist
- Avalon Waterways Specialist
- Brit Agent
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