Would you rather go TO a country, or THROUGH a country?

1. It is as close to hassle-free as you can get. There are no lines to get on or off the boat and, when you arrive at your next stop, you can usually walk right off and be immersed in your destination. Europe grew up along its rivers, so there are some very charming and interesting small towns and big cities to explore. Very few ports require bus transfers, which makes it easy to come and go at your leisure. (And I personally LOVE the option of using bikes from the ship to bike around town).  The trip can be totally all-inclusive, depending on the cruise line and ship you have chosen. I had the great pleasure to experience a 7-day cruise on the Rhone River last March with AMA River Cruises and my bill at check-out was $50, to cover a massage I splurged on. And those of you who know me, know that I had at least a couple glasses of wine  during the awesome week (Ahem!)...AMA even includes first class shore excursions in every port, airport transfers, and Wi-Fi.   Some of the cruise lines even have butlers which you are not allowed to tip . . . imagine your coffee being delivered or breakfast every morning while you are admiring the beauty of castles and vineyards from your stateroom!
   
   I am a HUGE fan of independent travel, but this is definitely a great choice for the convenience!!  Imagine that you see multiple villages or countries but you only UNPACK once!!!  You can shower and dine while in route to your next village or country.  I never tired of seeing the variety & beauty as we cruised down the Rhone River.
   
   
2. The boats are smaller and more intimate (100-170 passengers) so you can actually get to know your fellow guests and not feel like you are being herded along like cattle...You may eat with whom you choose each evening and have a choice of a few onboard dining venues for variety.   We especially enjoyed the experience at the Chef's Table Restaurant (3 tables).  AMA Waterways is the only river cruise to be part of the Chaine Des Rotisseurs, a culinary society. 
3. Being on the river, there are no waves, so seasickness is not an issue.   Also, most cruises include transferring through a series of “locks” to accommodate the changes in elevation, which most people find super interesting to watch. (I was so geeked out with this pastime that I was usually late to dinner because I couldn't miss one of them).  You can literally touch the walls of the locks from your balcony as you pass through! Evening entertainment can be a little sparse, not the lively entertainment of an ocean cruise, but there is always live music in the lounge (I can neither confirm, nor deny that someone hijacked the mic and jam box to really LIVEN the crowd), lots of movies and entertainment on your in-cabin TVs and most cruise lines bring on local entertainers in some ports, such as an OomPah band in Passau Germany or Gypsy dancers in Budapest. (Personally, I preferred this low key, authentic entertainment).  Plus, there are informative talks on the ports-of-call and cocktails with your newly-made friends from around the world.  We even had wine tastings and wine class on board.
    
   The price tag of a River Cruise can cause a little bit of “sticker shock”, but when you figure out everything you are getting for the cost, it becomes much more manageable, and quite a good value. Viking River Cruises is the most well-known of the River Cruise lines because they spend boatloads (literally) of money on television and print advertising, and they have done a lot to introduce travelers to the River Cruise concept. However, there are many other River Cruise lines with higher customer satisfaction rates and more complimentary inclusions just waiting to show you the time of your lives as well. A travel agent who specializes in European River cruising (like me!) and who has actually experienced a cruise and has relationships with the sales reps from all the different lines can be incredibly valuable in helping you sort through all of the options and find the perfect fit!
   
   River cruising is also a great option for small groups of friends, family or even work colleagues who would like to travel together ....whenever I book a River Cruise, I always ask if there is anyone who might want to join you on the trip....most times at least 1 or 2 additional couples come forward! Who would you like to sip champagne with as you cruise through the incredible Wachau Valley in Austria’s wine country?
   
   
   So, if you think you are finished with the hairy chest contests and waiting in line with 3998 of your new best friends on the Ocean cruise megaships, why not give River Cruising a try? 96% of first time River Cruisers say they would recommend the experience to a friend!  VIP Travel Experience is authorized to sell all the lines and we would love to help match you (and your friends) to the perfect experience! Get on board the “civilized” River Cruise movement! I know I am already planning my next one!   
   
   But don't take just my word for it, DISNEY even chose AMA Waterways to host their Adventures by Disney cruises.  AND we all know the high standards Disney imposes.
    
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Escape Artists:  For those choosing to escape for the holidays or escaping with the whole family and make it just a little more special, like Christmas in the Swiss Alps. These clients would probably prefer something cozy and more intimate to enjoy the company they're with as well as the scenery surrounding them. This client wants experiences to last a life time and add a little something extra to the festivities. Some activities may include dining or cooking class in home of local chef or in clients private villa renal, as opposed to cooking school.

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• Paris is ALWAYS a Good Idea
  
  Who's ready for a visit to Paris? Our book club read several books last year set in PARIS and now I'm trying to figure out how to get a girls trip to Paris or a couples trip to Paris/Normandy/Beaune on my travel calendar PRONTO!!  If you love books about Paris and World War II, check these out!   "Paris Time Capsule" and "The House by the Lake".  
   
  WARNING:  You will have an urgent desire to visit Paris soon . . . and when you do, here are few tips for your next vacation to Paris.  Keep reading if bespoke Paris speaks to you, making a Paris trip even more MAGICAL.
   
  1. Visit O Chateau for the absolute BEST wine experience! They offer so many options...ranging from a single glass of wine to a Champagne Cruise on the Seine to a full day small-group tour to the Champagne region of France! www.o-chateau.com/paris-wine-tasting
   
  2. Stop in to the L’Orangerie museum to get “up close and personal” with Monet’s incredible Water Lilies. This small museum is easy to get in and out of, usually with no crowds, and is a fantastic way to see some of the most amazing art in France – hassle free! CLOSED TUESDAY
   
  3. One of the best values in the Paris art scene is the Sculpture Garden at the Rodin Museum. For only 1 Euro per person, you can wander around and view some of Rodin’s most famous works, including “The Thinker”. There is also a quaint café in the gardens if you want to enjoy a coffee or glass of wine with your culture! CLOSED MONDAY 
   
  4. Be sure to save a few hours to spend on the incredibly charming market street, Rue Cler (in the 7 th arr). This area is a favorite of travelers  and you can find just about anything you might want to eat, drink, smell, see, hear or buy! If you are “munchy” try a freshly made crepe from the stand outside Ulysses restaurant...can't think of a better way to start your day with one every day (ha ha )! CLOSED MONDAY
   
  5. Buy the “fixings” for a great picnic at one of the many markets and eat “al fresco” for lunch! Where else can you enjoy such wonderful food in the shadows of the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame cathedral? A small bottle of slightly chilled French rose wine to share completes the experience!
   
  6. It is hard to go too wrong with Parisian cafes and restaurants....look for places with locals who seem to be enjoying themselves....avoid the ones with big “WE SPEAK ENGLISH” signs and “TOURIST MENUS” advertised out front. Most all have English-translated menus if you ask. Remember that Parisian waiters are paid well...not like here in the US! Slow service is good service...you are basically in no rush...the meal IS the entertainment. (Unlike here where we grab a quick bite before a movie). You must ask politely for the check when you are ready to leave...a waiter will never bring your check spontaneously because they don’t want to seem to rush you...it is considered rude! Relax and enjoy the experience!
   
  7. I know the Eiffel Tower is a “must” for many people, but there is really no reason to go all the way up to the top. The view is actually better from the 1st and 2nd levels since Paris is so flat. Reservations can (and should) be made at www.tour-eiffel.fr.  On the 1st level, there is a nice restaurant for lunch and you can walk around the perimeter that is marked with signs explaining what you are viewing – and if you have a reservation for the restaurant, you can bypass the massive line for the elevator. It is a great way to get the layout of the whole city without the crushing crowds at the top. 
   
  8. The Louvre is one of those museums that irritates the fire out of many! It is absolutely HUGE, hot and crowded...but everyone feels like they n

  

  eed to go. You don’t, unless you are a serious artist or art-history buff. If you r

   

  eally are in to art, be sure to purchase a Museum Pass that will act as your ti

   

  cket to most of the major museums in Paris....AND the card lets you bypass most of the lines! CLOSED TUESDAY
   
   

• Eating a fabulous Michelin starred 5 course dinner in the Eiffel tower with wine pairings.

• A private, personalized excursion with a local tour guide to take you to the most interesting sites  of  D-Day and Normandy Beaches to discover the battlefields you've always to see, or some you may not have heard of.
  

• An unforgettable, simply magical night at Mont Saint Michel.

• France has another city, Lyon. I dare you to go without a list of recommended eateries.  There are literally  hundreds of precious little cafes and restaurants in France's culinary /gastronomical capital, and it's also home to an amazing lights festival.  
• Private driver through gorgeous Burgundy countryside to get to charming Beaune.  You will absolutely LOVE it and feel like you stepped back in time

       

So depending on how much time you have and how far you want to stray from Paris, don't miss out on the many little hidden gems of France.

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• ”I came off the plane and then onto the resort property REALLY sick! My Butler didn’t leave my side and had special soup made for me. He then had the Spa bring in hot towels with these amazing smelling hot essential oils. Finally, he went and made up a natural eucalyptus treatment and rubbed my feet and hands (wrapped with HOT HOT HOT towels). I was amazingly CURED in 2 hours...no joke! Now, I never ever leave my special "potion lotion" bottle at home when I travel!” 

• "Having a Butler was the best thing for us as a family. When my husband and I went to a rare adult-only dinner, the Butler took the kids out to dinner, rode them around in the golf cart, played ping pong with them, etc. They loved our Butlers by the end of the week. A great perk for families!!!” 

• ”She walked us to dinner every night and made sure I had my favorite martini ready and waiting. She also reserved our spot at the beach and pool and had cold water in a cooler waiting. She also came over to us at the beach during lunch and took our order and brought us lunch. I can come up with many more"

• "I was surprising my husband with a new putter and the Butler wrapped it and had it waiting with breakfast on his birthday, along with reservations to play golf. He also whisked us to our reserved table at restaurants during the week while others waited in lines or with beepers." 
• "I had some clients at Sandals Royal Caribbean recently and they had their Butler take over a cooler full of water and booze to the private island every day and set them up with chairs and an umbrella. They would also have a bottle of chilled Champagne and pre-dinner munchies waiting on their balcony each day at a certain time."

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