River Cruising: Egypt

Nile River Cruise:

When most people who think of Egypt and of the river Nile they think of antiquities, mummies, and King Tut.  Egypt offers much more. Certainly it is a prime location to see the great heritage from the ancient world, including the Pyramids and magnificent temples, but it is also part of the Holy Land and offers tours to Christian and other religious monuments.  Yet Egypt also offers natural history from desert treks, great scuba diving and even golf, fishing and Autobahn expeditions.  One may choose to relax is on the breathtaking Egypt Red Sea or Sinai coasts or take in the high refinement of Cairo, or take a leisurely cruise down the Egyptian Nile on a luxurious river boat.

The Nile gets its name from the Greek word “Nelios”, meaning River Valley.    The Nile is the longest river in the world stretching for more than 4000 miles from East Africa to the Mediterranean and as been the cradle of Egyptian society for thousands of years.  The Nile River is the show case for the Valley of the Kings one of the greatest sources of Egyptian antiquities.

One of the best ways to experience Egypt is by river cruise tour.  A river cruise will give you the best value for your vacation dollar and a taste for Egypt you will not get by bus or car.  Most of the river cruise ships have a capacity of 80 to 120 passengers with all cabins designed with a view.  Service is excellent and the food is prepared by world class chefs and all ships are rated at 4 or 5 star hotel status.  Pampering is rule and comfort of every passenger is the goal of everyone of the ships staff.  Staff to passenger ratio is 1 for 3.

Entertainment on board ship is of a local flair. The cruise lines employ entertainers, dance troops, and local artisans to delight and educate their passengers about the history of Egypt.  All on shore excursions are lead by an English speaking guides who hail from the area you are visiting.  These guides are well versed in the history and local customs and will delight you with their knowledge of Egyptian artifacts and history of the Egyptian Pharaohs.

If you need more information on River Cruises on the Nile River or Land packages to Egypt please go to my travel site at http://www.TravelSmartbyKandB.com.

Capt Bob

River Cruising In China

Yangtze River Cruises

There is an old song by Kay Kyser that starts out like this “I like to get you on a Slow Boat to China”. Well why not be on a slow boat on the Yangtze River instead. A Yangtze River cruise will take you through the cradle of China while giving you the opportunity to see some of the most spectacular scenery imaginable.
The Yangtze is the longest and greatest river in China. It is said to be the cradle of the Chinese Civilization. The ‘Ten Thousand Li River” flows 3915 miles from the snowy-white heights of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to the East China Sea, just north of Shanghai. The Yangtze River goes by many local names but to the Chinese it is mostly known as the Chang Jiang (the Long River).
An old Chinese proverb is “If you haven’t traveled up the Chan Jiang, you haven’t been anywhere”. The Chan Jiang River winds through some of China’s most spectacular scenery. The Chan Jiang flows from the Western Wu Shan (Witch Mountains) and meets the world-famous Three Great Gorges, renowned for their dramatic beauty, cultural treasures, sacred and historical sites and now for the building of the Three Gorges Dam.
The stunning scenery makes The Three Gorges cruise along the Yangtze a “must do” alone or as part of a longer trip, particularly against the backdrop of the rising waters, newly navigable tributaries and of course the Three Gouges Dam itself. The Three Gorges dam is China’s largest hydroelectric power plant that will generate the equivalent of 15 nuclear plants and will control a centuries old problem of devastating floods and allow navigation well into the interior of China.
The Yangtze has always been one of China’s major means of transport, with a colorful and exciting history. Ships were hauled physically through some of the more perilous reaches by “trackers” while working from narrow paths cut into the steep cliff sides. The pilots and captains were renowned for picking their way thought the whirlpools, rocks and wildly fluctuating water levels, have achieved legendary status.
These days, however you can cruise in the lap of luxury on the Yangtze! Cruise tours offer ships and cruises for every taste and budget, ranging from five star luxury cruise ships through four and three star comfort to economical local ferries. Yangtze River cruises set sail from various ports and all offer shore excursions to the most interesting sites in China. For more information on Yangtze River cruises please visit my travel web site under Spring Tours.
Capt Bob

River Cruising: American Style

American River Cruising

American River Cruising was brought to life by the American author and world famous humorous Mark Twain. His book “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” was first published in 1884. It captures life on the Mississippi River, before the American Civil War, through the eyes of one young Huck Finn and his friend Tom Sawyer. Mark Twain, (real name Samuel L. Clemens) before becoming an author was an accomplished Mississippi river boat captain and his adventures on the Mississippi paved the way for his writings that wove their way into our imagination forever.

River boat Queens (stern wheelers)

Stern Wheelers have always captured the imagination of young and old alike. Even today the mystical lure of the stern wheelers draw thousands of tourist to American rivers from all around the world. Today’s river boats are modern floating hotels and restaurants with all the amenities you would expect of ocean going cruise liners. The big difference between and ocean cruise and river cruise is the pace, the number passengers each carry and of course their itineraries. On a river cruise you will see cities and the countryside from a different prospective. Since river cruise ships are much smaller and need less water to navigate they can dock in areas that big ships cannot, like in downtown areas. Imagine stepping off the ship and being minutes from the French Quarter in New Orleans, or few paces from the downtown sections of Memphis or Nashville. You will find that river cruise are moderately priced and will accommodate any size group,  party or occasion. Remember river tours and cruises are anywhere there is a navigable river. So don’t limit yourself to the Mississippi there is the Ohio, Missouri, Snake, Wabash, and the Columbia rivers to just name a few. If a river cruise is in your vacation plans let me help you with your vacation planning.

Capt Bob

River Cruising: European Style

Luxury Vacationing in Europe

There is no better way to discover the splendors of Europe than an on a river cruise. Europe is literally crisscrossed with rivers and grand canals that will take you to some of the most beautiful and historic parts of the European Continent.

The original major trade routes of Europe were created on the rivers. You can view the famous cities, castles and scenery from the comfort of your floating hotel. In fact, river cruising is widely overlooked by Americans when planning their vacations to the European Continent. The advantages of river cruising are being able to sit back, relax, watch and enjoy all of beautiful country side as you float by. River cruising gives you a different prospective than that of a bus or train tour. Imagine seeing the tulip fields in Holland, the castles on the Rhine, or wine country in France. Your pace on board a river cruise is low key. Why travel on a crowded bus or train when you can sit in the luxurious surrounding of your own stateroom and view the best of what Europe has to offer.

European River Cruises itineraries start from day trips to 7 to 34 days excursions or longer depending on your vacation schedule. Most river cruises run all year long. Also, European river cruises are designed with the American tourist in mind. Your will find they offer traditional European cuisine as well as comfort food to fit your American taste. Activity on board is slower paced and more intimate than traditional cruise ships. So if you are looking for a slower paced style of vacation, a European River Cruise is for you!

River cruises generally are not recommended for families with children under the age of twelve.

Captain Bob

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