Planning a vacation can be a bit overwhelming. From getting a passport to researching a destination, you can spend literally dozens of hours before you are finally prepared for your trip. Planning and booking a European cruise is no different. With hundreds of possible choices from the Mediterranean, Baltic, Scandinavia or any of Europe's many rivers on dozens of different cruise lines it can be a headache to find the best itinerary for your personal tastes. To help with the decision-making process I've put together a brief overview on European river cruises and what you can expect.

Danube River Cruises - On this voyage you will sail through the medieval countryside of such historic countries as Germany, Hungary, Austria, Romania and Serbia, visiting vineyards and exploring ancient towns seemingly untouched by the hand of time. Popular destinations on the Danube include the Vienna Opera House in Vienna, Austria, the Imperial Castle in Nuremberg, Germany and St. Stephan's Basilica in Budapest, Hungary. Prepare to be amazed as you sail through the Iron Gates, in the mighty gorge straddling the borders of Serbia and Romania. Extend your tour by booking shore excursions, taking the time to meet the local people and experience their culture as you explore these magnificent countries.

Seine River Cruises - If you want to be enchanted by the countryside then a beautiful trip is a Seine River tour through the Normandy region of France. In Paris you can visit the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre where the Mona Lisa awaits your scrutiny, the Arc de Triomphe, and the legendary Notre Dame. If you are a student of 20th century history you'll want to take an excursion to Le Havre and set foot on the Normandy beaches where the infamous D-Day took place. And in Les Andyelys visit the stunning stronghold of Richard the Lionheart, Chateau Gaillard.

Rhine River Cruise - For North Americans, or for anyone who is from a "young" country one of the best parts of visiting Europe is seeing the ancient architecture from centuries or even millennia gone by. If you love Medieval history then this is most certainly the river cruise for you. On the hugely popular Castles on the Rhine tour you will see dozens of ancient medieval castles and quaint villages as you traverse its waters. If you are an art buff you'll want to spend some time in Basel, Switzerland where you can view many of the works of the famous painter Pablo Picasso. This is a huge region and there are several itineraries available ranging from a 7 day point to point cruise to a life-altering 25 day odyssey.

These are just 3 of the European river cruises you have to choose from. If none of these strike your fancy then Germany's Elbe River, Russia's Volga, or Italy's Po River might be more to your taste. There are also river barge tours on many of Europe's smaller tributaries. The choices really are endless. Whatever you choose you will have a fabulous vacation, and take away memories that you will carry with you for a lifetime.