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famous Wachau Valley. I loved and appreciated the history of this part of the world and it was incredible to learn how the countries and cities I visited have changed and been influenced so dramatically over the years. I knew I'd like river cruising, but it has exceeded my expectations and has opened up a new world of destinations I'd like to visit. I don't know what my next adventure will be, but the fact it could be sailing through Vietnam along the Mekong or embracing ancient Egypt on the Nile or perhaps even enjoying the local cuisine and wine in Portugal's Douro region has me filled with excitement. Doesn't it all sound so alluring? When it comes down to it, it's incredibly good value and, as a bonus, it takes the stress out of having to budget while you're away. Being a long-time ocean traveller, I was expecting river cruising to be very similar, but coming away from my first experience, I'm happy to say I was wrong. ere are clear similarities between the two in terms of how days are typically structured, and, well, that you're sailing from destination to destination, but that's where the similarities end. I often say that cruising has something for everyone. In my view, there is a ship and an itinerary to suit you, no matter who you are, and river cruising opens up a whole new world of destinations. River is perfect for those who don't necessarily want to share space with a lot of people and, in particular, those who love city breaks. Personally, I've never been a huge fan of city getaways, mostly because I'm restless and like to explore multiple places so, actually, river cruising, for me, is the perfect way to see the cities of the world. It's also a great way to immerse yourself in a culture and elevate your experience of many different destinations without ever having to pack or unpack between each new place or face the uncertainty of what your hotel will be like when you turn up. While I can see how this principle has been translated to Viking ocean cruises, it's a hugely effective part of river cruising and a real selling point. If you are considering your first river cruise, the Danube is a great place to start. It honestly has something for everyone, whether it is the dramatic sights of Budapest, the culture of Vienna or perhaps wine tasting in the GETTING THERE: The 8-day Danube Waltz journey starts from $2,995pp in a Standard stateroom. viking.com 61