River cruises top the list of many vacationer's to-do lists and rightfully so. The charm of a river cruise cannot be denied. The pace is slower, so the experiences are richer.

Unlike ocean cruises, rivers provide easy access to city centers. Passengers sail directly into the heart of every destination and dock in the middle of town, then walk right off the ship and move easily into whatever city or town you are visiting. You spend less time getting there and more time being there.

A river cruise allows for a more intimate experience, as well. Because most of these ships accommodate only 30 to 200 guests, it is easier to meet your traveling companions. You can share a drink with the couple you met on the day's tour, or dine with interesting passengers in an open-seating restaurant. Another benefit: you can also forget about waiting in long lines to embark, debark, or have a meal.

History and culture buffs will thrill to the experience of Paris via the Seine, Budapest via the Danube or London via the Thames. Experience cruising down a meandering river in a venue even more laid-back than traditional ocean cruises. Drifting through beautiful landscapes, enjoying all the creature comforts of regional food and wine, experiencing chateaus, castles & cathedrals, touring vineyards and sleepy villages left behind by time... this is a European River Cruise.

River Cruise enthusiasts looking for unusual, warm and exotic destinations will also enjoy a voyage along the Yangtze River in China or the Mekong in Vietnam. And all those with the hearts of wanderers will appreciate the ability to disembark and re-embark at leisure, an option not available on sea-faring cruises.