5/01/2017

Every Traveler's Dream: European River Cruising

Few journeys are more endearing than traveling on Europe’s rivers. Embarking on a one-of-a-kind European river cruise allows travelers to step-off into the heart of great European cities, with ease, grace and anticipation.  Every traveler dream of being up-close and personal to iconic landmarks, flower-laden villages, and picturesque hamlets. With European river cruising you will experience vistas and sights that some only glimpse on postcards.
Scribbles and Smiles by J Christina
 Pont de Pierre  - Bordeaux, France - Garonne River
Seventeen magnificent arches - one arch for every letter in Napoléon Bonaparte. Connecting the left and right banks of the Garonne River, commissioned by Napoléon and inaugurated in 1822, the first bridge ever built in Bordeaux.
J. Christina has followed this traveler’s dream now for more than a decade. “With cruises down the plentiful and enchanting rivers of Europe, including her most recent along Bordeaux’s alluring Garonne and Dordogne and the not-to-be missed, gleaming waters of Portugal’s Douro River.” Where indulging in the sample, sip, and stroll among some of the world’s greatest vineyards and river destinations.




“Is European River cruising all that”?   Simply put – yes!   And brilliantly put, “It is an elegant way of travel, on-board a boutique designed river ship that cruises on the European waterways and rivers - where you are immersed and indulged in the local culture, surrounded by original art, and visit historical UNESCO sites; while dining on locally sourced ingredients for gourmet meals, and take respite in luxury hotel-style accommodations”.
Scribbles and Smiles by J Christina
Gleaming waters of Douro River Valley Wine Region - Portugal
 luxury hotel accommodations on-board
J. Christina has traveled on the “greats”; the delightful Danube, Rhine, Rhône and the ever-romantic Seine, just to name a few.   From drifting along the blue Danube to stops in the Imperials Capitals, tasting the terroir of Côtes du Rhône, tracing the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh; and cruising from Paris to beautiful Giverny  –  Monet’s most cherished home.   “And who doesn’t enjoy gliding down the romantic Seine in the City of Light?”

Scribbles and Smiles by J Christina
La Conciergerie is located on l'Île de la Cité, not far from Notre-Dame Cathedral - along the Seine River

Many inclusive tours range the gamut from romantic and stunning to awe-inspiring and humbling.  One of the great aspects of joining a European river cruise is the variety of excursions and options that are inclusive. For instance, some escorted land tours are unique to river cruisers who offer private in-home lunches in Croatia; a once war-torn country, accompanied by the opportunity to hear their strife and struggles of survival during the Homeland Wars of the 1990’s. 

Scribbles and Smiles by J Christina
Remnants of Homeland War - 1990's - Croatia

On the other hand, biking through the vineyard-laced Médoc wine region or hiking to the tippy-top of the Citadel of Blaye or a fairy-tale castle is a magical experience.

Scribbles and Smiles by J Christina
Atop Citadel of Blaye photo @ T. Sonnontine


One thing is for sure---you will create, capture and record countless photogenic, shareable, Instagrammable moments to last a lifetime. Yes, European river cruising is all that… and more!





About J. Christina:

J. Christina is the author, blogger, travel writer and hobbyist photographer behind Scribbles and Smiles, writing a personal travel blog from the USA. Christina (Christie) is married to John, a.k.a. Mr. Christie. Where Mr. Christie is right on-board with their travel jaunts around the world - sharing in their blogging endeavors. He supports, encourages, handles gadgetry and embraces the role of editor and assistant - hence, their bespoke pen name, J. Christina.



J. Christina’s blogging journey began before the word blog was trending, writing about European travel destinations on share-sites, forums and online sites. After many years of intrepid travel, they thoughtfully opened their treasure-trove of European travelogues, artfully sharing with a worldwide audience. Intentionally sharing the joie de vivre through their words and images, so others can travel vicariously. J. Christina believes smiling with your eyes is a beautiful thing.

You can read their most recent dispatches from aboard an elegant European river ship, sharing the allure of Europe’s great rivers and their capital cities. Or, follow them through serendipitous discoveries in the Cote d’Azur, where J. Christina captures the essence of a perched medieval village.

J. Christina’s work has been featured on France Today, Bonjour Paris, The Good Life France, and Perfectly Provence.




















2 comments:

Louise Scott said...

I would definitely LOVE to do a River Cruise, most certainly in France. I just love the idea, and have done a reasonable amount of ocean cruising in my lifetime. Yes, please! XX

J. Christina said...

Thank you for visiting S & S. You would enjoy European river cruising. I will leaving soon for another, plus more independent touring Switzerland & some stops in France. Merci.