Hey there, fellow travelers! Barb Strait here, and I am writing to you today from a very comfortable lounge chair on the Rhine River. If you’ve been following my journey, you know I’m always on the hunt for the “hidden gems” of the travel world. I want the five-star service, the gourmet food, and the … Read more
by: Barb Strait If you picture a Rhine River cruise, your mind probably drifts toward crumbling medieval castles, rolling vineyards, and half-timbered houses that look like they were pulled straight from a Brothers Grimm fairytale. And while I love a good gothic cathedral as much as the next traveler, I’m coming to you live from … Read more
If you have been following Straight Away Travel for any length of time, you know that I am a firm believer in “boots on the ground” research. I don’t just want to tell you what a brochure says; I want to tell you how the sheets feel, how the coffee tastes at 6:00 AM, and, … Read more
By: Barb Strait Let’s be real for a second: when most people think of a “Christmas Market Cruise,” their minds immediately fly to the Danube or the Rhine. They picture wooden nutcrackers, glittering ornaments, and massive crowds shuffling through snow-dusted squares in Germany. And don’t get me wrong, we love those cruises! But what if … Read more
By: Barb Strait Let’s get real for a second: choosing a river cruise is nothing like picking an ocean cruise. On the ocean, you’re usually choosing between “The Big Ship with the Go-Karts” or “The Elegant Ship with the White Gloves.” But on the rivers of Europe, the ships all look remarkably similar from the … Read more
by: Barb Strait River cruising has officially become one of the hottest ways to travel in 2026, and honestly? We totally get why. Picture yourself gliding past fairytale castles along the Rhine, sipping local wine as the vineyards of Provence drift by, or waking up in a new European city every single morning: all without … Read more
by: Barb Strait Planning a European river cruise can feel overwhelming when you’re staring at dozens of itineraries, multiple cruise lines, and endless cabin categories. Should you choose Viking or AmaWaterways? Is the Rhine or Danube better for first-time cruisers? What’s the real difference between a French balcony and a standard balcony cabin? These aren’t … Read more