In the past 4-5 years, river cruising has become the cruise of choice for many of our more mature vacationers.  One of the reasons for that is that the owner of one of the more popular river cruise lines, Viking River Cruises, has openly declared that the demographics of his ships is the 55+ passenger, and please, no children.

 One more indication of its popularity is that Viking, AMA Waterways, Uniworld and Avalon brought on two dozen new river ships in 2014.  Viking lead the way when they christened 14 new ships in March.

The river cruise is a leisurely experience, visiting many sights along the way, but leaving one with plenty of time to relax or explore on their own.

Many like the limited number of passengers; generally they carry fewer than 200 passengers, and this gives those guests the opportunity to get to know your fellow passengers.  Big crowds are relegated to the ocean liners.

Dining on the river cruises is a great experience.  The chefs are not harried by having to prepare a meal for 2000, so there is great variety in the menus; many local dishes are presented.  Some of the river ships even have their own gardens on board, raising their own small vegetables and herbs used on the ship.  Wine, beer, mixed drinks, and soft drinks are included for the lunch and dinner crowd, while coffee, hot and cold tea, and cappuccino are available all day long.

The excursions at each port are included with the price.  They are excellent 2-3 hour city tours with a local, English-speaking guide who furnishes each guest with their own listening device that allows one to hear the guide with clarity 50 yards away.

For all the above reasons and many others, we are inviting all our Big Country listeners and readers to go with The Travel Factory Gang this coming November on an exciting river cruise of the Danube River from the intriguing city of Budapest to Vienna, Melk, and Passau and concluding in the well-known World War II city of Nuremburg.

We are on one of Viking River Cruises new longships, and just this month only they have put a fantastic sale on their air program where for only $797 you can fly from DFW to Budapest and return from Nuremburg, more than half price.  That price also INCLUDES taxes and transfers.  What a deal!!!

Give the agents at The Travel Factory a call and join the Gang on a vacation that you will never forget:  698-1421 or toll-free 800-760-4040.