Echo Brocato

Stories

"River cruise"

Baroque to Biohacking: the New Wellness Scene in Vienna's Luxury Hotels

Wellness

Vienna has spent centuries perfecting the art of living well. Coffee and cake in chandeliered cafés. Music, art and architecture on an imperial scale. And, increasingly, some serious pampering behind...

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European Cruising After the Christmas Markets: River and Ocean

River or Ocean Cruises

What cruises give you the warmest welcome in Europe’s coolest months? River and coastal ocean cruising doesn’t completely stop when the Christmas holidays start. In fact, Europe’s “quiet season” is...

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D-Day Landing Beaches Achieve Overdue Milestone; How to Make Your Own Pilgrimage

River or Ocean Cruises

82 years after what Winston Churchill called “the most complicated and difficult” military operation in world history, Normandy’s D-Day Landing Beaches finally achieved long overdue recognition of their place in...

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How Low Can They Go? Historic Water Levels and the Future of River Cruising in Europe

River or Ocean Cruises

I adore river cruising. I constantly recommend river cruises to viewers and followers. But river cruising is facing an industry-changing crisis. And I think it’s time to face it head-on with...

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Christmas in July Question: Which Christmas Market River Cruise to Choose?

River or Ocean Cruises

It’s never too early to start counting down the days until Christmas – or plan a holiday getaway. Christmas in July reminders are a great opportunity to think about how...

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Top Souvenirs from a Springtime Trip to the Netherlands

River or Ocean Cruises

Tulip season in the Netherlands is a feast for the senses: ribbons of technicolor flowers beside canals, market squares bursting with spring blooms, and river cruise ships gliding through landscapes...

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VIDEO: Baking Festive Sweets Aboard a Viking Christmas Market River Cruise – with Recipe!

Culture & History

Nothing gets you in the holiday spirit like a Christmas market cruise on the Rhine from Switzerland, through France, and Germany, to the Netherlands, in the cradle of so many...

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The Largest River and Small-Ship U.S. Cruise Line Has All-New Itineraries and Vessels

River or Ocean Cruises

Including the largest paddlewheel river cruise ship in the USA! American Cruise Lines has a unique approach to cruising: U.S. itineraries only, on river ships and with a river-cruise approach...

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VIDEO: Get Active and Immersed into French Lifestyle on an Emerald Rhone River Cruise

Outdoor Activities

It’s a balancing act – French style! Indulgence meets outdoor activity in the south of France on our Emerald river cruise on the Rhone and the Saone. The south of...

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Best Souvenirs from an Emerald Cruise on France's Rhone River

Shopping France

A river cruise on the Rhone allows you to indulge in French cuisine, culture, scenery and lifestyle – and you’re going to want to take the best of the best...

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VIDEO: Meet the Moselle River on an Avalon Active & Discovery Cruise

River or Ocean Cruises

The Moselle is one of the rivers less-traveled in Europe, and that’s just the beginning of the magical appeal of an itinerary that sails from Luxembourg, then the Rhine and...

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Christmas Markets, NYE, Ice World and Gala Balls: Why Visit Vienna in the Winter

Local Events

Don’t wait til spring or summer to visit Austria’s capital. Some of its most unique experiences take place during the frosty months, where one-of-a-kind local events warm your heart and...

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The Best Way to Experience the Most Romantic River in Europe

River or Ocean Cruises

It is extraordinarily charming to cruise any of the rivers of Europe, but they call it “The Romantic Rhine” for a reason – at least three reasons! And on my...

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Now You Can Cruise on the Tennessee River

River or Ocean Cruises

Those who love – or would like to try – river cruising close to home can rejoice: there’s a new river to sail on.  In the summer of 2023, American Cruise...

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The Wine Region You Can’t Miss on a Danube River Cruise in Hungary

Culture & History Hungary

King Louis XIV of France called it the ‘wine of kings, the king of wines,’ but remarkably, this Hungarian wine remains under the radar for many wine lovers today. For...

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The Wine Region You Can’t Miss on a Danube River Cruise in Hungary

Culture & History Hungary

King Louis XIV of France called it the ‘wine of kings, the king of wines,’ but remarkably, this Hungarian wine remains under the radar for many wine lovers today. For...

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Caving Meets Wine Tasting on a River Cruise in the South of France

River or Ocean Cruises Avignon, France

You’ve heard of wine caves - how about wine caving? WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE to learn more about this new, and one-of-a-kind experience on an Avalon Waterways river cruise on...

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Trick or... Travel: Top Hallowe'en-Inspired Trips

Culture & History

Supernatural and macabre films, TV series, and novels feed our gathered-round-the-fire love of a scary story. But there’s nothing like the real-life thrill of visiting in person places around the...

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The Christmas Markets You Can't Miss on a Viking 'Christmas on the Rhine' River Cruise

River or Ocean Cruises Central Europe

Viking has debuted a new river cruise that would make even the Grinch burst with Christmas spirit! And if you already love Christmas like I do, Viking’s new ‘Christmas on...

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Travel Company Leaders Dish on their Most Romantic Trips

Awesome Travel Stuff

Step away from the chocolates. Move over, diamonds. The most romantic gift is time together with your best-beloved, and shared experiences that ignite – or reignite – the flames. If...

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Travel Company Leaders Dish on their Most Romantic Trips

Awesome Travel Stuff

Step away from the chocolates. Move over, diamonds. The most romantic gift is time together with your best-beloved, and shared experiences that ignite – or reignite – the flames. If...

read more

Caving Meets Wine Tasting on a River Cruise in the South of France

River or Ocean Cruises Avignon, France

You’ve heard of wine caves - how about wine caving? WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE to learn more about this new, and one-of-a-kind experience on an Avalon Waterways river cruise on...

read more

The Christmas Markets You Can't Miss on a Viking 'Christmas on the Rhine' River Cruise

River or Ocean Cruises Central Europe

Viking has debuted a new river cruise that would make even the Grinch burst with Christmas spirit! And if you already love Christmas like I do, Viking’s new ‘Christmas on...

read more

The Christmas Markets You Can't Miss on a Viking 'Christmas on the Rhine' River Cruise

River or Ocean Cruises Central Europe

Viking has debuted a new river cruise that would make even the Grinch burst with Christmas spirit! And if you already love Christmas like I do, Viking’s new ‘Christmas on...

read more

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