Numerous international cruise options offer guests a chance to sail across some of the most beautiful locations in the world. Each cruise trip is a unique opportunity to get to know a variety of locations intimately, with curated cultural, historic, culinary, and musical experiences that are designed to make you fall in love with the location and keep you coming back for more. Despite an overwhelming number of cruise options available in the world, nothing comes close to the experiences offered by European river cruises.

European rivers like the Danube, Rhine, Rhone, Main, Seine, Elbe, Moselle, and Douro are some of the most beautiful rivers in the world, flowing through stunning cities with popular tourist destinations that attract visitors from around the globe. Despite each river having amazing sights to offer cruise-goers, the Danube River takes the cake when it comes to iconic cities and beloved landmarks. Read on as we find out why the Danube river cruises are some of the most popular cruise options among all European rivers.

Danube River Cruises

The Danube river is arguably the most famous European river, flowing through nineteen countries and spanning an area of over 300,000 miles. The river borders beautiful European cities with stunning landscapes, historical architecture, museums, art galleries, restaurants, wineries, and more. With such a wide range of fun activities available for all cruise-goers, the Danube river tops the list of memorable cruise experiences globally.

All Danube river cruises come with luxurious amenities, first-class lodging, onboard food and entertainment, and more. Additionally, cruise guests get to access the optional guided tours of each city as the cruise docks, offering them a chance to have an in-depth experience of each location and learn more about the history and culture of each city. Guests who prefer to have a quick trip through the major landmarks of each destination have access to separate options that allow them to cover more locations in less time.

Cruise Trips in 2022-23

Since early 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic has halted all forms of international travel, particularly cruise trips. As the world slowly starts to return to normal due to global vaccination efforts and safety precautions, the cruise industry is resuming its services for all traveling enthusiasts. Authentic Voyages cruises offer three different, equally luxurious cruise services, including Uniworld, Viking, and Scenic River Cruises. Each cruise service offers 8-day trips across Europe along the Danube River, with varying cities and points of start/end.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a memorable cruise experience that will allow you to visit some of the most popular destinations in all of Europe, there is nothing better than a Danube river cruise. You can choose from one of the many available pre-made itineraries that cover all the best cities and landmarks in Europe without having to worry about meticulously planning out the journey yourself. A Danube river cruise in the 2022-23 season is the perfect way to treat yourself and unwind after the stress of the global pandemic. You can contact the experts to select the itinerary that works for you and book your spot for the triumphant return of European river cruises.

Just a few years ago, the coronavirus pandemic and its features were the usual visualizations of dystopia. Today, our worst fears have become the new norm, and we are faced with a bunch of new rules and gears that we never thought we would need.

One of the industries most affected has been travel. Traveling post-Covid is a completely new experience from the pre-pandemic era with restrictions on who can travel and where.

Travelers also face increased scrutiny resulting from stricter global health and safety requirements aimed at combating the pandemic. To comply with these requirements and for personal safety and hygiene, travel essentials have also changed.

Here are 6 essential items to bring on your next trip.

Mask and mask bags:

Who would have thought that face masks would become a necessity in our daily lives? Besides Bill Gates, few could have conceived that the 2020s would commence with a battle for safe air.

Today it is an absolute necessity to have a face mask on when traveling. Since it is important to change your mask every few hours, carrying extras would be helpful. The WHO also recommends storing reusable masks in a sealed plastic bag.

Hand Sanitizers:

Maintaining social distancing and using a face mask are the best ways to protect yourself from the coronavirus. However, washing hands is also preventative. If you cannot access soap and clean water, an ideal alternative is a hand sanitizer.

Always pack a few travel-sized bottles of hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol when you’re going on a trip. Your hotel is unlikely to provide guests with one, so it is great to be prepared.

Water Bottles:

Most airlines no longer offer water due to the pandemic, and most convenience stores are closed. It is therefore advisable to carry along reusable water bottles.

You can carry an empty water bottle and fill it at the airport after passing through security. Carry a water bottle with a filter attachment just in case a water refill station is out of reach.

Reusable Straws:

If you are thinking of hitting a club or a restaurant during your trip, you need to carry along some reusable straws. This handy and cheap item will help you practice good food and hygiene habits while in transit. It will also ensure that you stay safe from the virus.

Choose drinking from your straw over putting a glass or bottle to your lips. Once done, thoroughly disinfect and seal the straws before putting them in a plastic bag.

Snacks:

Snacks have always been a travel essential, particularly on road trips. The coronavirus pandemic has placed even greater importance on carrying handy meals when on a trip.

The pandemic has seen the suspension of inflight meals by many airlines and the closure of most airport restaurants. Therefore, having light food along with you would go a long way in making your journey as smooth as possible.

It is also important to pack snacks that do not require reheating or refrigerating. Examples of such include granola bars, dried fruits, and sandwiches.

Disinfectants:

Your hands are not the only parts of your body that need sanitizing. Always sanitize your travel cases, personal belongings, and surfaces you contact.

Carry sanitizing wipes and disinfectant sprays to use on any items that have contacted dirty or public surfaces. You should get special sanitizing wipes to use on your phone and other electronic devices. Do so to prevent ruining the screens of such devices.

You can also use wipes or sprays to disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, armrests, and light switches. When using wipes or disinfectants, ensure you wipe in one direction to stop the spread of germs.

The pandemic has made travel a tidbit more difficult. A bit more thought and preventive measures must be implemented when preparing to travel. That is why we have provided 6 essential items to bring on your next trip.

These travel essentials will help you meet the basic health and safety requirements. They will protect you from catching the coronavirus, provided you also practice social distancing. Don’t forget to get your international drivers license when traveling abroad with your car.

If you’re older than 30, chances are that you’ve given some thought to visiting the land where your family originated. For nearly everyone in modern day society, that means traveling to Europe, Africa, Asia, or some other distant land. Some families can trace their ancestors back hundreds of years while others only know where grandparents or great grandparents were born. Regardless how you explore your family tree, what does it mean, and what does it do to your life perspective, to actually go and see the place where it all began for your relatives? Many adults say that a trip to the homeland is life changing and gives them a brand-new way of looking at their existence and at the future. If such a journey is on your bucket list, consider the following points before booking a ticket on the next flight out.

A Wider Perspective

If you’ve ever spoken to someone who ventured to Europe, Africa, or elsewhere to visit a place where their ancestors lived, they’ll invariably mention that the journey gave them a wider perspective on life, both in the here and now and in the future. They’ll report that they think more about their children and grandchildren, feel a deeper sense of connection with the past, and hold a new respect for how difficult life was in the old days for the vast majority of people.

Sensible Borrowing

Most working adults don’t have the full freedom of choice that comes with substantial monetary resources. Budgeting for a big, one in a lifetime trip is an absolute necessity. However, that doesn’t mean it’s necessary to delay travel until you’ve saved up every penny of the expense money. Lots of family tree enthusiasts simply do the wise thing and take out a personal loan from a private lender to cover the entire price of the trip, budgeting the repayment over a reasonable number of future months. If you’re seriously thinking about visiting the faraway city where your family began, start shopping for competitive personal loans right now. Then, when the time comes to fly off into the past, you’ll have all the expenses fully covered.

Family Time

There’s truly no better theme for a family vacation than a trip to the old country. Adults and youngsters enjoy the educational aspect of learning the family’s authentic history. Plus, everyone can enjoy the regular trappings of simply getting away from home and taking in the sights and sounds of another country’s culture. For teens and younger kids, these kinds of excursions are adventures they remember for the rest of their lives. Then once you all return home you can collaborate as a family on creative ways to display your travel photos so that you all have a daily reminder of the memories made in the old country.

Social Contacts

Traveling to your family’s points of origin can open up new social avenues as well. Many discover distant cousins and other relatives they had only ever heard about. It’s not uncommon, for example, to locate a lost relative on such a trip. If you have living family members, even distant ones, in places like Africa, Italy, Ireland, Germany, or elsewhere, a visit to the old country can be a time to connect with people who could become lifelong friends. Then, when they visit your hometown, you can return the favor of acting as host.

Dusseldorf is an extremely popular location for many ex-pats. It is a prime location with excellent transport links to the business districts and affordable housing. In addition, it is one of the most densely populated areas in Germany; and it has gained global recognition as a thriving industrial and financial hub.

If a move to Dusseldorf is on the cards for you, then there are some things that you should factor into your plans.

The Visas You Will Need

Citizens of the EU, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, South Korea and Israel are all free to move to Germany and seek residence and employment without a Visa. However, residents from other nations, including a post-Brexit Britain, will need to obtain a permanent residency or working visa.

To do this, You must supply the German Aliens Office with the appropriate forms, a valid passport, an employment contract or a letter of invitation from a company within the country and pay the visa fee. Once all of this has been verified, then a visa may be issued by the German Embassy.

Accommodation

If you are planning a move, you will also need to know where you will live. Buying property on foreign soil is not always the best move to make right away. Renting initially is a far better option as it doesn’t require as much of a commitment which means if you want to move away or back to your home country, it is far easier to do.

When having a quick search, there are online services like these which have a huge rental apartment availability, including a dedicated page to Dusseldorf! Further afield, they have both short and long-term lease options in various cities worldwide, so you are bound to find something to suit.

The Cost of Living

Making a budget is an excellent way to ensure that you can cope with the move financially. On average, a single person can expect to spend around 800EUR a month or £650 – this doesn’t include rent and can fluctuate. So, for example, if you get a good deal with your accommodation that also includes bills, you could expect your living costs to decrease by a fair amount.

To give you a better idea of the costs you can expect in Dusseldorf, a litre of milk is less than a Euro and a loaf of Bread is around 1.30EUR. A meal out at an inexpensive chain restaurant will set you back roughly 10EUR, and a monthly transport pass is around 80EUR; however, most people opt to walk or cycle.

What is There to do For Fun?

Dusseldorf is a popular tourist destination, and it is no wonder as there is no shortage of things to do and see. The Rhine embankment in Dusseldorf is an extremely popular hangout; there are many cafes, restaurants, and pubs for you to spend your free time in.

There are also many incredible museums for you to visit with stunning collections from modern art to vintage cars. Even simply exploring the streets can be amazing as the city is steeped in history, and there are many different examples of truly stunning historical architecture.

In Conclusion

Making a solid plan is crucial to your relocation experience. When moving to a foreign country, there are a lot of potential variables and things that could happen, and so by making a plan, you are giving yourself the best possible chance at an easy move and a smooth transition.