I’ve had great experiences exploring Europe in a group and on my own. Our introduction to the continent was a Brendan bus tour from Rome to London. It was great at offering the highlights, but did not allow for immersion. On later trips, we planned time to stay put in great places — Munich, Mallorca, Dubrovnik. In each case we spent an inordinate amount of time driving from place to place, whether on a tour bus or in a rental car. (You can read about this on my daughter’s travel blog, Two Steps Far, when she recounts driving through Croatia with exaggeration for comedic effect).

A form of travel through Europe (and other continents) that makes your travel time much more efficient and is exploding in popularity is river cruising. Here you transit time occurs while you sleep or you enjoy a meal or glass of wine while floating by castles and vineyards. This leaves more time for exploration at the stops. And since rivers like the Rhine, Sienne and Danube were Europe’s original highways, the vessel lets you off in the center of vintage villages and towns, where you are just steps from historic sites and points of interest.

Several companies operate dozens of itineraries with various personalities. if you are interested in making the most of your precious time in Europe, Expedia CruiseShipCenters/Orange County can help you find the river voyage that’s just right for you. You can start by checking out some of the options at my Expedia website. Look under Specialty Cruises. Be sure to check user reviews. Once you have a basic orientation, send an email to cmeyer@cruiseshipcenters.com so I can answer your questions and help you get the very best experience and value for your personal requirements.