Travel by Tara B

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Travel by Tara B www.travelbytarab.com
Luxury travel advisor specializing in small ship luxury river and ocean cruises. Personalized planning for seamless travel.

Proud to work with Tauck, Amawaterways, Uniworld, Seaborn, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea.

The Danube or the Rhine? This is one of those questions that comes up all the time when someone is planning their first ...
10/15/2026

The Danube or the Rhine? This is one of those questions that comes up all the time when someone is planning their first European river cruise.

Both are wonderful, but if you asked me which one I tend to recommend for a first river cruise, I usually lean toward the Danube.

I love the mix of cities, smaller towns, history, and culture, and on many itineraries you can step off the ship and be close to where you actually want to explore. That can make a difference when you only have a day in each destination.

That doesn’t mean the Rhine isn’t a great first choice. If you’ve been dreaming about castles, vineyards, medieval towns, and the scenery of the Rhine Gorge, it might be exactly the experience you’re looking for.

Swipe through to see how I think about the two. Ultimately, the right choice comes down to what you want to experience on your trip.

If you’re still figuring out where to start, comment GUIDE and I’ll DM you the link to my complimentary River Cruise Preview Guide.

I’ve overpacked, underpacked, and forgotten things I swore I would remember, so my river cruise packing list has definit...
10/14/2026

I’ve overpacked, underpacked, and forgotten things I swore I would remember, so my river cruise packing list has definitely changed over the years.

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that you really don’t need as much as you think you do. I focus much more on layers I can mix and match, comfortable shoes that can handle a full day of walking, and a few versatile pieces that work both onboard and while exploring.

And yes, I’ve learned some of these lessons the hard way. I once brought a huge suitcase only to realize I was reaching for the same three outfits all week.

So now I’d rather pack lighter, leave a little room in my suitcase, and bring things I know I’m actually going to wear.

Swipe through for what I pack for a European river cruise now, along with a few things I’m perfectly happy leaving at home. And save this for when it’s time to start packing for your own trip! 🧳

If you’re still in the planning stages of your first river cruise, comment GUIDE and I’ll DM you the link to my complimentary River Cruise Preview Guide.

10/13/2026

River cruise or small ship ocean cruise? I get asked about both, and my answer really depends on what you want your trip to feel like.

Do you love the idea of traveling through the heart of Europe, stepping off the ship and spending your days exploring cities and smaller towns along the river? Or do you want to cover more distance by sea, visit different ports, and come back each day to a beautiful smaller ocean ship?

Neither experience is automatically the right one. It comes down to the destinations you want to see, the pace you enjoy, and what matters most to you when you travel.

That’s why I always start with your travel style before I start talking about ships.

If you’re trying to figure out which experience sounds more like you, comment SMALLSHIP and I’ll DM you the link to my complimentary Finding Your Perfect Cruise Guide.

10/12/2026

There will always be a reason to say “maybe next year.” Work, schedules, timing, or simply waiting for the perfect moment to finally take the trip you’ve been thinking about.

But being on board Crystal Serenity reminded me why I love travel so much. Sometimes you need to stop talking about the places you want to see someday and start figuring out what it would actually take to go.

For me, it’s the mornings waking up somewhere new, the places I get to experience, and all those little moments in between that make the trip worth it.

Of course, travel should make sense for your life and your budget. But if there’s a trip you’ve been dreaming about for years, maybe it’s time to start turning “someday” into an actual plan.

10/10/2026

When I talk to someone who tells me they’re “not a cruise person,” I usually want to know what kind of cruise they’re picturing.

Very often, it’s a ship with thousands of passengers, crowded spaces, big buffets, and a vacation that just doesn’t feel like the way they like to travel. And if that’s the only version of cruising you know, I completely understand why you might think it isn’t for you.

But ocean cruising can look very different. There are beautiful smaller ships carrying just a few hundred guests, with wonderful accommodations and amenities, but on a much different scale. Depending on the itinerary, their size can also open up different possibilities for the ports and destinations you visit.

That’s why I always say it’s not just about deciding if you like cruising. It’s about finding the kind of cruise that actually matches the way you like to travel.

So I’m curious. When you picture a cruise, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

And if you’d like to see the kind of ocean cruising I think more luxury travelers should know about, comment SMALLSHIP and I’ll DM you the link to my complimentary Finding Your Perfect Cruise Guide.

The river gets all the attention when people start looking at Christmas market cruises, but it should not be the first t...
10/10/2026

The river gets all the attention when people start looking at Christmas market cruises, but it should not be the first thing you choose. An early river cruise sailing can look great on paper and still arrive before key markets open, while a different itinerary may give you much better time in the places you care about.

I explain exactly what I check before recommending a sailing in the full post. Read it at the link in my bio.

10/09/2026

Come take a look inside a twin balcony cabin on AmaLucia! I always like seeing how a river cruise cabin is actually laid out before booking, because the little details can make such a difference once you’re onboard.

Inside this cabin, you’ll find:

🛏️ A bed that can be configured as one queen or two twins
🌿 A French balcony that opens for fresh air
☕ A true balcony with two chairs and a small table
🧳 Plenty of storage and generous closet space
☕ A refrigerator and coffee setup
🚿 A comfortable bathroom with a privacy window that can frost and unfrost

And yes, you really do get two different balcony experiences in one cabin!

Watch until the end to see the bathroom feature I always like to point out. It’s a small detail, but a clever one.

For a river cruise cabin, I think this is such a comfortable and well-designed use of space.

If you’ve ever wanted to experience Europe at Christmas, this is one of those trips that just sounds magical to me.In De...
10/08/2026

If you’ve ever wanted to experience Europe at Christmas, this is one of those trips that just sounds magical to me.

In December 2027, I’ll be hosting a Christmas Markets journey that starts with two nights in Prague, giving us time to enjoy the city before we board our river cruise along the Danube.

I love that this trip gives you a little of both. We’ll have time on land in Prague, then settle into the slower rhythm of river cruising, waking up somewhere new and experiencing the Christmas markets along the way.

📅 December 2 to 10, 2027

I know 2027 might sound far away, but this is one I’d start thinking about early. If this trip is on your travel wish list, I’d plan to reserve your spot by December 2026 or January 2027 while there’s still availability. This is going to be such a special trip.

Tauck can look expensive when you only compare the cabin fare. But that first number does not show everything you may pa...
10/08/2026

Tauck can look expensive when you only compare the cabin fare. But that first number does not show everything you may pay for separately on another river cruise line. Before ruling it out, compare the total trip cost. Read the full post at the link in my bio.

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