Travel City Direct - River Cruising Down the Rhine Or Danube Or Beyond

Deciding on which river to explore is a tough decision as they flow in different directions through two completely different regions. The Rhine and Danube River systems are the most traveled in Europe.

Then swings northward through the heart of Germany and finally ends up split into several smaller rivers in the Netherlands, it forms the border between France and Germany for a while, from their. Where it becomes river cruise compatible, touches Austria and Leichtenstein on its way to Basel, the Rhine begins in the mountains of Switzerland.

The Rhine carries the most traffic of any other major river.

And Moldova, ukraine, romania, bulgaria, serbia, croatia, hungary, slovakia, austria, passing along or through Germany, it rises in Germany's Black Forest near Ulm and flows eastward to the Black Sea. Only the Volga is longer; the Danube (Donau) is the second longest river in Europe.

Tisza and Sava, the Danube tributaries include the Drave, and Neckar; main, the Rhine has the Mosel. The tributaries of these 2 rivers make this river system the most traveled in Europe.

They go down the river through the most scenic areas and then return. And there are also 2 and 3 day taster cruises based in Strasbourg offered by CroisiEurope, as the distance covered is shorter, rhine cruises are shorter. The river cruises on these waters generally last a week or more.

All of which are worthy of their own separate cruise, or Main, neckar, other Rhine river cruises detour briefly into the Mosel.

Now ruins or sometimes hotels or just plain tourist attractions, the area between Rudeshiem and Koblenz is heavily infested with former castles, including several along the French border. The lure of ancient castles is part of the Rhine's appeal.

) in a dungeon or jail. It often meant several uncomfortable nights (weeks, if you didn't pay? Back in the old days each castle guarded a small section of the river and collected tolls to pass by.

A map locating each of these castles is found at Roll International.

While yet another turn at Mannheim takes you to Heidelberg on the Neckar, another turn at Wiesbaden will bring you to Frankfurt. The Porta Nigra, including a basilica and intact city gate, more Roman ruins there than you can ever imagine. Which is one of my favorite small cities, a sharp turn at Koblenz onto and down the Mosel will bring you to Trier.

Each stop at one city or the other will offer a chance to explore, depending upon the cruise. Offers a look at many of Germany's major cities, notwithstanding castles, the Rhine.

Pretty much covers everything. And beyond. To living in Germany to education, jobs, from river cruises to maternity matters, how To Germany is an entire web site dedicated to information on Germany.

Travels Through Germany is full of info about various river cruises and other tidbits of traveling through Germany.

And Moldova, ukraine, romania, bulgaria, serbia, croatia, hungary, slovakia, austria, passing along or through Germany, it offers serious river cruises as it rises in Germany's Black Forest near Ulm and flows eastward to the Black Sea. Only the Volga is longer; the Danube (Donau) is the second longest river in Europe.

Is no slouch in scenic beauty and adds some spectacular vistas that previously were unattainable due to the political situation, however, the Danube. River cruising on the Rhine is probably the most picturesque and it offers more interesting cities to visit, of the two rivers.

Where most of the river cruises end their journey, izmail (Ukraine), belgrade, novi Sad, budapest, bratislava, vienna, passau, (actually on the Main-Danube Canal), some of the many interesting cities on the Danube include Nuremburg.

Or Sulina Romania) It's theoretically possible to transfer ships and continue on a Danube river cruise through the Black Sea and ending up in the Greek isles - or Spain, if the river cruise continues on to the Black Sea (Constanta. With more small villages than large cities, the eastern reaches of the river are more rural in nature.

There are also several other smaller rivers that provide stunning scenic views and interesting city stops, in regions some may consider off the beaten path, within the area spanned by these two major rivers, in addition.

Most Elbe river cruises start with a short bus ride from Prague to the river. It passes through some pretty rugged territory before it hits the German border. Which flows from the Czech Republic to Hamburg, not to be forgotten is the Elbe.

The day tours provide a bus ride back to Dresden, usually. Travel downriver to the outskirts of Dresden or upstream into the Czech Republic, which can last an hour or an entire day, these cruises. Which should be a mandatory stop, the Elbe also has short cruises originating in Dresden.

On the Berlin outskirts, although most boats will dock in Potsdam, canals connect the Elbe to Berlin.

It's a fascinating and still undeveloped area for river cruises with much to offer. Much of the time on these tours may be through canals or on a bus. But has a wealth of castles and natural beauty, this is an area that is not over-run with tourists. In Poland, one river cruise typically overlooked is on the Vistula.

Gdansk and Warsaw must be on any itinerary, while you're in Poland. The Peter Deilmann Company offers cruises up the Oder River from Potsdam through Poland.

Remember that a visa will be necessary, if you're going on the Danube or Vistula.

Or terrain and move around with the directional button in the upper left, map, choose satellite. Including the city and country and you will be able to zoom in on most areas on the earth, simply type in the address. I suggest a trip to Google Maps to find out more about any area, to find out more about the terrain and cities on any cruise.

I also suggest downloading Google Earth and traveling from the comfort of home, for more fun of discovery. Check out your own home address, while you're there. As well, street views or videos are often available, pictures. With practice you will be able to follow the entire course of a river or road.

Vistula or anything in between is sure to provide for a memorable and educational experience, elbe, danube, a vacation on the Rhine, whether going on a virtual cruise or one in reality.