We have taken several ocean cruises, but decided that a river cruise would be a new and fun experience. We were not disappointed!! We took the trip in October - this meant beautiful fall colors esp in the Wachau Valley. It was amazing.
Ports: Wonderful itinerary! Loved the small towns. Germany always feels like "home" to me in Europe. They seem to be the people most like me - except less litter!!! The Castles along the Rhine were magnificent - just like a fairytale. The concert in Vienna was an incredible experience.
Ship: New River Discovery II was very nice. Clean and functional. We had a suite with French balcony. It had an extra sitting area (important for DH as he has to sit up some nights). Had a refrig & coffee maker in room. (Yeah!) Enough outlets. Clothesline in shower. Umbrellas in closet. Fruit & Minibar. Heard some noise from the locks at night, but it is something that you get used to. Fitness center well equipped and used. 4 computers with printer and wifi available.
Dining: Good Quality of food. The soups, fish & vegetarian options were especially well prepared. Had a blue cheese gnocchi and eggplant parmigiana that was out of this world! Ice cream was heavenly.
Crew: Wow! These people work hard! They were a well-oiled machine. How they could keep their cool at times was great! The 4 program managers took your hand and would lead you every step of the way if you so desired. A wonderful lady named Leny was ours, and she was one of the most gracious women I have ever met. We gave the crew the recommended tip with credit card at the end, but needed euros for the PM's. It was well-deserved. The captain was very approachable and you could tell he really loved his new ship!
Excursions: All included expect 2 options. They use the head phones for easy listening. Good guides with lots of history teachers in the mix. On the whole day excursions, I will next time skip the included lunch and spend more independent time in the city. We like to eat what the locals are having - part of the fun. We liked it when they had "active walker" groups - seemed to make the flow better. (And we could use the exercise after all those desserts!)
Entertainment: I liked when they brought local talent onboard in the evenings. Piano player was good - but lots of older music. They had several lectures which I really enjoyed on pertinent subjects. The crew show was corny but fun!. Every evening at 6pm was cocktail hour with several times having 25% off or even free drinks. At 6;45 they would go over the next day's planned events.
Fellow travelers: Here is where our trip really shined. We met 4 other couples and a single on the pre-extension that we really "meshed" with. We did lots of things together. Some wonderful folks that we won't soon forget.
All in all a great trip! It would be nice to see the world on a river boat with Vantage and never have to pack & unpack!!!
Name: Barbara Dixon
City: Lee's Summit
State: MO
Trip: European River Cruises / Majestic Rivers of Europe (aka: Castles Along the Rhine & Danube)
Rating: 5 Stars ★★★★★
A trip of a lifetime. Can not say enough about our Vantage trip, It was like being in a dream.
Name: Patti Bemis
City: Ormond Bch.
State: Florida
Trip: European River Cruises
Rating: 5 Stars ★★★★★
The ship was nice and clean. We had a problem with water in the shower.
Food was wonderful with small portions which is good and great desserts.
Had champagne for our anniversary (50th).
Most passengers were friendly and lovely to have meals with.
Guides were excellent in each port/city and buses were comfortable. Walking not really a challenge for me. Wish we had a fridge in our cabin. Vantage is a good travel company.
Name: Diane Traylng
City: Safety Harbor
State: Florida
Trip: European River Cruises / Castles Along the Rhine & Danube
Rating: 5 Stars ★★★★★
It would be difficult to say what the highlight of the trip was, because there were so many memorable experiences. We loved all of our tours and excursions, especially the magical evening at the Kursalon in Vienna. We so enjoyed our "Kaffeeklatsch" with a family in Wertheim, in their lovely apartment.
It was a great trip and we shall recommend it to our friends.
Name: Renee Oppenheim
City: Riverwoods
State: IL
Trip: European River Cruises / Castles Along the Rhine & Danube
Rating: 5 Stars ★★★★★
In a word...fantastic! Loved every minute of our journey from the tours, tour guides, beautifully presented food and the amazing scenery. Another highlite----the many new friendships! I see another river cruise in our future.
Name: Joy pahl
City: Portland
State: Oregon
Trip: European River Cruises / Majestic Rivers of Europe: Castles, Cathedrals & Fairytales
Rating: 5 Stars ★★★★★
The trip was memorable fom start to finish. The extension in Amsterdam introduced us to Nico, our cruise manager, and from then on, he took great care of us. Each day brought beautiful scenery and an introduction to the cultures of each city and country. The crew of River Discovery II served us with eagerness and enthusiasm.
Name: Shirley McConnaughay
City: Springfield
State: IL
Trip: European River Cruises / Majestic Rivers of Europe: Castles, Cathedrals & Fairytales
Rating: 5 Stars ★★★★★
Our trip was five years in the making. It was certainly worth the wait. It was more than we could have ever imagined. We booked both the pre-extension in Budapest and the post-extension in Amsterdam which just gave us additional memorable experiences. Friends keep asking what our favorite places, and it's an unanswerable question. Every day was amazing, beautiful, and educational in so many ways. Our Program Manager was Sandor and he added so much to our trip. He is a walking encyclopedia with a quick his wit, sense of humor, and experiential knowledge of American culture. He made our "orange group" the envy of all on board because of the fun we had and the friendships we made. If anyone is on the fence about booking with Vantage, get off and book the trip of your dreams. Everything is well thought out, organized, and making your trip the best is the goal of everyone on board. My only hope is that we won't have to wait another five years to enjoy the Vantage experience.
Name: Phil and Nancy Williams
City: Penn Yan
State: NY
Trip: European River Cruises / Castles Along the Rhine & Danube
Rating: 5 Stars ★★★★★
This was our first River Cruise & choose Vantage because of all they included in the package. Highly recommend the pre extension & post extension. Sharing 6 days together with other passengers before boarding the ship in Budapest was a wonderful way of getting to know each other before we sailed. Vantage staff is the best...our Tour Director Claus was THE best, he is definitely "a keeper" All the tours were way beyond our expectations...well done. We did not have to worry about anything on the cruise, all the staff was @ our "beck & call" What a great decision Celebrating our 50th anniversary on this cruise. We are looking forward sailing on another Vantage ship in the near future.
Name: Susan Miklas
City: Germantown
State: TN
Trip: European River Cruises / Castles Along the Rhine & Danube
Rating: 5 Stars ★★★★★
Are you and a traveling companion free to take advantage of an amazing offer on our most popular river cruise this fall? If so, the two of you can cruise for the price of one -- for a total savings of up to $6,699 per couple!
You see, we have just a few staterooms left on the Oct. 31, Nov. 1, and Nov. 13, 2012 departures of our spectacular Castles Along the Rhine & Danube River Cruise. If you call right now - TODAY - you and your traveling companion can enjoy this Deluxe voyage on the Rhine and Danube during the lovely fall season. However, you must act now -- this special offer is valid TODAY ONLY!
Note: Above pricing is cruise only, based on double occupancy. To calculate your per person trip price
with airfare, add the per person airfare prices shown below from your departure city.
Remember, this unbeatable offer is available for one day only! To take advantage of this offer call Today 1-800-322-6677 and let your Vantage Travel Specialist know our promo code SM00210.
What a great trip this was. We have been to Europe several times and I think we had the most fun on this one.
Vantage definitely has many "advantages". We found all of the staff to be incredibly informed and friendly. Our Program Managers were excellent and never seemed to lose their smiles even though a few times, had it been me, there would have been some severe tooth grinding. The pacing of the trip was also excellent. There were a few people who had recently had illnesses or something injury and Vantage made special provisions for them. In fact, almost every night I discovered some thoughtful thing that Vantage had provided; special diets, anniversaries, birthdays, or religous preferenced foods. The rooms were adequate. We were on the second level and I would have preferred a slightly wider bed and black out curtains. I got up some nights to daylight and it would be three a.m..
Every tour was wonderful. There were a few days that were cut short but not many. The Informational Guides were just fabulous.
We are home now and suffering from jet lag but, believe me, you will love Vantage.
Name: Nancy Smigocki
City: Fairmont
State: W.V.
Trip: European River Cruises / Castles Along the Rhine & Danube
Rating: 5 Stars ★★★★★
Congratulations to Rosanne Vogen for winning our Discoveries Contest! We enjoyed reading all of your responses to the question: 'What has been your greatest discovery while traveling?" Roseanne won a $500 e-gift card to The North Face!
See Rosanne's entry below.
As a senior citizen, mother of two and grandmother of five, I have been blessed with enough years to have had almost countless experiences. Travelling has been among the greatest! In my journeys to countries like China, Egypt and Israel, I've discovered that Geography truly comes to life through travel and in spite of customs and life styles, people are very much alike the world over!
As a student, Geography was not one of my favorite subjects. Back in the '50s, travel was mainly done by the wealthy which excluded my family. My world was the home and city in which I lived. All those countries on the map seemed so unimportant. Then my life changed when I fortunately met and married a man who wanted to travel. He has literally shown me the world! Visits to London, Paris, Venice and Rome have brought Europe to life. I have flown over the Artic Circle and the Gobi Desert and can locate them on a map. I have learned with enthusiasm that Egypt is a country in northern Africa and that the Nile River flows North! Finally, I have experienced the warmth of the people in the tiny country of Israel and learned of their life of constant, impending danger.
Traveling our amazing world is a living education and an eye-opening experience. But I have found that people and their basic needs and emotions are much the same worldwide. Almost everyone cherishes family, they socialize and dine together and seek a safe, comfortable place to rest and rejuvenate. Facial features, housing accommodations and menu items may vary but all human beings share so many similarities. I have been blessed to witness this first hand through the beauty of travel and hope that my education continues for many years!
FirstName: Rosanne
LastName: Vogen
Vantage holds many contest + sweepstakes. Visit and Like us on Facebook for you next cahnce to win!
Here is a list of our top 10 destinations that have received raving reviews:
• Castles Along the Rhine & Danube
• Waterways of Holland & Belgium
• Imperial Russian Waterways
• Romance of the Blue Danube
• French Waterways
• Best of Africa
• Gateway to the Black Sea
• Switzerland & the Heart of the Rhine & Moselle
• Grand Norwegian Coastal Voyage
• Heart of Africa
For trip information visit our website.
To read Customer Reviews click here.
For great travel tips, check out 151 Travel Tips.
For information on Small Group Travel, click here.
You can also connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn,YouTube & Flickr.
Devotees of French architecture will be thrilled on day 4 of our Champagne, Normandy, Paris & a Sein River Cruise journey. On this day, Vantage passengers will enjoy a guided visit of Château de Versailles, the opulent palace of King Louis XIV, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the perfect embodiment of classical French art!
Have you ever visited the Château de Versailles? What did you think?
Here is a list of our top 10 destinations that have received raving reviews:
• Castles Along the Rhine & Danube
• Waterways of Holland & Belgium
• Imperial Russian Waterways
• Romance of the Blue Danube
• French Waterways
• Best of Africa
• Gateway to the Black Sea
• Switzerland & the Heart of the Rhine & Moselle
• Grand Norwegian Coastal Voyage
• Heart of Africa
For trip information visit our website.
To read Customer Reviews click here.
For great travel tips, check out 151 Travel Tips.
For information on Small Group Travel, click here.
You can also connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn,YouTube & Flickr.
I started the trip with a broken leg in two places, dreading all the walking, climbing, etc. Much to my delight and pleasure, I found this to be the most wonderful experience of my life (as far as trips are concerned). The "highlights" are just too numerous to mention. Vantage Program Managers were outstanding, knowledgeable, considerate of passengers (and their disabilities). The trip was absolutely flawless: so many castles and cathedrals were seen and I only expected a few! They were so numerous and each one got better than the last. Thank you Vantage for an experience that is next to none - the crew, the chef(s), everyone was so pleasant. Loved listening to Albert at the piano each day/evening, too! Food was so delicious and specific to the countries we were visiting each day. Variety outstanding as well!
Yes, I'll want to travel with Vantage on the next trip. Thank you for making my dreams come true!
Name: Carolyn Carrick
City: Childress
State: Tx
Trip: European River Cruises / Castles Along the Rhine & Danube
Rating: 5 Stars ★★★★★
We had spent two weeks in Paris with friends, travelling to the Valley of the Loire and the many castles and vineyards there.
Then we took the Orient Express from Paris to Lausanne. My husband's jacket and wallet were stolen on the Orient, which we reported to the police on arrival.
Fortunately our four day tour of Switzerland could proceed because on names and payment were in their records. We went from Lausanne to Geneva, to Kleine Scheidegg where we attempted the Jungfrau but there had been an avalance on the tracks, so we went to Piz Gloria, shades of James Bond!
On arrival in Zurich we inquired of police about the theft of wallet and plane tickets on the Orient Express. Upstairs in a beautifully wood-paneled room we were informed: Alles in Ordnung!
They had heard from Interpol about
our report in Lausanne, and we could proceed with our trip.
We took a the train to Mainz where we stayed overnight, and then a
ship north toward Koblenz on our way back to Luxembourg. There were castles on both sides of the Rhine, and even one on an island in the middle of this most beautiful river we had ever seen.
At Koblenz we disembarked to take a train west, and on the train I had time to read about the cities along the Moselle. Trier, "the northern gate to the Roman Empire,"
sounded fascinating.
My quick thinking husband consulted the train schedules and said we could stay in Trier one hour or four hours. I chose four!
It was a delight. We had not seen Roman ruins in France or the Alps, but here was a Protestant church which had once been a seat of Roman power, a cathedral next door, Roman baths, and the famous northern gate, about which I had read only a few hours earlier. It was our own discovery and a treasure!
We returned to Europe six years later and you will not be surprised to learn that our second trip began in Trier, the northern gate to the Roman Empire. We stayed in a pension along the wall and looking our our window we could see the towers.
FirstName: Sally C,
LastName: Miller
Government taxes and fees and fuel surcharges are included when you purchase Vantage airfare. Port charges are not included. These offers are not available to passengers traveling as part of a group. These offers cannot be combined with other offers promoted through our catalogs or direct mail promotions. Pricing and availability may change without notice. Bookings made within 90 days of the departure date require payment in full. Every effort has been made to produce this information accurately. Vantage reserves the right to correct errors.
Here is a list of our top 10 destinations that have received raving reviews:
• Castles Along the Rhine & Danube
• Waterways of Holland & Belgium
• Imperial Russian Waterways
• Romance of the Blue Danube
• French Waterways
• Best of Africa
• Gateway to the Black Sea
• Switzerland & the Heart of the Rhine & Moselle
• Grand Norwegian Coastal Voyage
• Heart of Africa
For trip information visit our website.
To read Customer Reviews click here.
For great travel tips, check out 151 Travel Tips.
For information on Small Group Travel, click here.
You can also connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn,YouTube & Flickr.
Travel FREE as a Group Leader with the BEST!
Nothing beats traveling the world with a group of like-minded companions and other lovers of travel who mean the world to you. Nothing, that is, except traveling for FREE! Our group travel program gives you the chance to do just that. Best of all, you’ll earn your FREE trip when you gather as few as 10 paying travelers!
Our Compensation Package
Here’s how it works: Simply gather together as few as 10 paying travelers on one of our trips, and as the 11th group member, you’ll travel FREE!
Our Easy Online Interactive Tools Support You and Your Group
With our newly enhanced technology, we can help you sign up your group members with the click of a mouse. Whether you’re hosting a cocktail party to spread the word about your trip or organizing a church social, we can be there with you through video and conference calling and online Webinars. Or, share our previously recorded presentations about select journeys. Call 1-800-994-6321 to learn more!
Refer New Group Leaders & Earn $1000 CASH!
You can earn $1000 CASH by referring a group to Vantage. Just call our Group Department at 1-800-994-6321 with names of potential Group Leaders who would like to travel FREE when they gather some travelers for an incredible journey. When they return from their first Vantage trip, you will receive $1000 in CASH. Note: for you to receive your cash, groups must consist of 10 or more travelers, and must be new to Vantage.
Up to $600 airport transfer reimbursement
If you have a group of 20 or more travelers, we will reimburse you up to $600 for your group's airport transportation. Call for details.
It's Easy to Become a Vantage Group Leader
Anyone can be a Vantage Group Leader. And your group can be as diverse as the vacation destinations offered by Vantage: family reunions, friends & neighbors, senior groups, club members, church groups, alumni groups, business associates, customer appreciation. The possibilities are endless!
Plus, if you gather more than enough people to earn FREE travel, you'll earn cash or additional Travel Rewards to use toward your next Vantage vacation!
We'll Take Care of the Details
Get started today with our Group Leader Kit! You’ll find it full of useful information about becoming a Group Leader, forming a group, choosing a trip, and earning FREE travel or cash commissions. Just follow the link, and we'll email you a printer-friendly version (pdf). If you prefer a kit by mail, just give us a call toll-free 1 800 994-6321. Get your Group Leader kit today, and enjoy FREE travel tomorrow!
Here is a list of our top 10 destinations that have received raving reviews:
• Castles Along the Rhine & Danube
• Waterways of Holland & Belgium
• Imperial Russian Waterways
• Romance of the Blue Danube
• French Waterways
• Best of Africa
• Gateway to the Black Sea
• Switzerland & the Heart of the Rhine & Moselle
• Grand Norwegian Coastal Voyage
• Heart of Africa
For trip information visit our website.
To read Customer Reviews click here.
For great travel tips, check out 151 Travel Tips.
For information on Small Group Travel, click here.
You can also connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn,YouTube & Flickr.
This was our first ever river cruise and it did not disappoint.
We had cruised many times on the large cruise ships and really didn't know what to expect of the much smaller river ship.
We loved every minute!! The food was outstanding, the service was excellent and the sights breathtaking. I never tired of the many, many castles, quaint medieval villages, and acres of vineyards.
Our Program Manager George Bihoi (sp?) was a tremendous asset to our trip and made everything easy and fun.
I will definitely recommend Vantage to anyone looking for a quality experience.
Name: Mary Ann Collins
City: Chesapeake
State: Virginia
Trip: European River Cruises / Castles Along the Rhine & Danube
Rating: 5 Stars ★★★★★
Here is a list of our top 10 destinations that have received raving reviews:
• Castles Along the Rhine & Danube
• Waterways of Holland & Belgium
• Imperial Russian Waterways
• Romance of the Blue Danube
• French Waterways
• Best of Africa
• Gateway to the Black Sea
• Switzerland & the Heart of the Rhine & Moselle
• Grand Norwegian Coastal Voyage
• Heart of Africa
For trip information visit our website.
To read Customer Reviews click here.
For great travel tips, check out 151 Travel Tips.
For information on Small Group Travel, click here.
You can also connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn,YouTube & Flickr.
Feel like staying closer to home in 2012? Choose from two fantastic North America journeys – both annual best sellers! See some of the most amazing scenery our country has to offer on our America's National Parks, or witness Canada's breathtaking views on our Trans-Canada Rail Odyssey.
Visit our country's greatest natural treasures on the most in-depth National Parks tour, which Vantage travelers have been raving about for more than 27 years. Discover the vast differences in the scenery of the Continental Divide as you journey to 6 U.S. National Parks. Along the way, your experience will be enhanced as you spend 7 nights at official National Parks Lodges in Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion.
This exciting adventure through our neighbor to the north includes two railway journeys on The Canadian and the world-renowned Rocky Mountaineer. You'll also enjoy visits to Banff and Jasper National Parks, a tour of cosmopolitan Vancouver, a "sno-coach" ride atop Athabasca Glacier, and a thrilling ride aboard the Maid of theMist at Niagara Falls. And you'll do it all in comfort and style, staying in Five-Star hotels in Vancouver, Banff, and Toronto. This is one of our most popular journeys!
Here is a list of our top 10 destinations that have received raving reviews:
• Castles Along the Rhine & Danube
• Waterways of Holland & Belgium
• Imperial Russian Waterways
• Romance of the Blue Danube
• French Waterways
• Best of Africa
• Gateway to the Black Sea
• Switzerland & the Heart of the Rhine & Moselle
• Grand Norwegian Coastal Voyage
• Heart of Africa
For trip information visit our website.
To read Customer Reviews click here.
For great travel tips, check out 151 Travel Tips.
For information on Small Group Travel, click here.
You can also connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn,YouTube & Flickr.
Best Value Ever – our 2013 prices are now LESS than 2012!
New For 2013 - Cruise Southern France on our own Deluxe ms River Navigator! Plus, the value is even better! Our 2013 Prices are now lower than 2012! Rejoice in an enchanting river cruise that is a true French feast for the senses. From the grand boulevards of Paris to the Belle Époque palaces of Nice, you'll sail along the Saône and Rhône Rivers through robust Burgundy to enchanting Provence, where the magical light inspired the timeless paintings of Van Gogh and Gauguin.
Epicurean delights await you with ... a visit to Dijon, renowned for its culinary wineries, cheeses, and mustard ... a walk through Halles de Lyon, the famous food market where gourmet chefs select ingredients ... and a sampling of local wines from the vineyards of the Côte du Rhone.
This fabulous French River cruise is on the 5-star ms River Navigator exclusively designed for the Vantage traveler, included sightseeing & Cultural Connections, most meals, 3 Vantage European Program Managers, and more!
2012 departures are selling out – Reserve your 2013 French river cruise today!
French Waterways: Highlights of Burgundy & Provence
Don't miss out on this experience of a lifetime. All 2013 departures are now open for sale, so be sure to reserve now for the best date! One of our experienced, courteous Vantage Travel Consultants would be happy to answer any of your questions and assist you with every detail of your trip.
Viva la France! Make 2013 the time to experience fantastic French cuisine, delightful sightseeing, and so much more!
French Waterways: Highlights of Burgundy & Provence
Here is a list of our top 10 destinations that have received raving reviews:
• Castles Along the Rhine & Danube
• Waterways of Holland & Belgium
• Imperial Russian Waterways
• Romance of the Blue Danube
• French Waterways
• Best of Africa
• Gateway to the Black Sea
• Switzerland & the Heart of the Rhine & Moselle
• Grand Norwegian Coastal Voyage
• Heart of Africa
For trip information visit our website.
To read Customer Reviews click here.
For great travel tips, check out 151 Travel Tips.
For information on Small Group Travel, click here.
You can also connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn,YouTube & Flickr.
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