-
Why Christmas Market River Cruises Are the Most Magical Way to Celebrate the Season
There’s something undeniably enchanting about Europe during the holiday season. Twinkling lights line cobblestone streets, the scent of mulled wine fills the air, and centuries-old town squares transform into storybook Christmas markets. Now imagine experiencing all of this while gliding along Europe’s most iconic rivers aboard a cozy, elegantly decorated river ship. That’s the magic of a Christmas market river cruise. What Is a Christmas Market River Cruise? A Christmas market river cruise is a seasonal voyage—typically running from late November through December—that sails along rivers like the Danube, Rhine, Main, or Seine. These cruises are timed to coincide with Europe’s famous Christmas markets, allowing travelers to step off the…
-
Amsterdam at 750: Still the City of the Future
In 1275, no one could ever have imagined that a simple dam on the Amstel River would become a city that pioneered so many elements of modern life in the 21st century. As Amsterdam marks ¾ of a millennium, travel lovers with 20/20 hindsight can celebrate the European capital’s contributions to shaping our world today, as well as what continues to make it a beacon for visitors. The Dutch capital marks its official start by that 13th-century document granting it city rights and allowing local residents to build a dam to manage the flow of the Amstel river without paying tolls. This pivotal moment was the foundation of transforming a…
-
Celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th Birthday in Britain
If the famous line, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife,” makes you smile affectionately and fantasize about the green pastures, elegant architecture, style and social intrigues of Regency Britain, you are not alone. For two centuries, Jane Austen’s witty, observant and kind novels have delighted readers and inspired travelers to discover the world of the author and her cast of beloved characters. This ground-breaking female author’s books still among the most-read English-language classics. And they are also among the most-adapted into film and television, engaging fans who may not even realize they are immersed in…
