Best Vacation EVER!: The Highs and Woes of River Cruising in Provence

By: Cash Peters

Narrated by: Cash Peters

Length: 5 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

A delightfully witty and informative travel book exploring the joys of cruising.

Award-winning travel writer Cash Peters organizes a group of 10 friends and family to go on a cruise through French wine country, along the River Rhône in Provence, starting out from the Roman town of Arles in the south, where Van Gogh lived and painted, and sailing all the way up to historic Lyon.

The sharply observed narrative chronicles life on board a river cruise ship with all its glories and pitfalls. The result is a dazzling five-star vacation that over the course of eight days introduces the group to some of the best food and wine they’ve ever tasted, as well as exposing them to some very peculiar passengers and a few sharp surprises.

An absolute must-listen for first-time cruisers as well as enthusiasts eager to eavesdrop on the experiences of other travelers.

Best Vacation Ever! features numerous tips and tricks for making a river cruise even better, including: How to secure the best seat at mealtimes. Choosing a good cabin. How to make sure you enjoy the trip without jet lag. How not to react to the sight of the ship’s captain packing his bags mid-way through the cruise and jumping in a cab. How to make the most of excursions ashore. Encounters with annoying, bad-tempered, and drunken passengers. And what NOT to bring on a river cruise. Example: children.

"Before you take a river cruise, come along with Cash Peters as he learns - and shares with you - how to avoid bores, get a good table, make the most of off-vessel tours, and why you might wake up one morning to open the curtains and find another person a foot from your window. Pithy, evocatively written and hilarious. It’s a most entertaining ride!” (Rudy Maxa, host Rudy Maxa's World)

©2014 Cash Peters (P)2014 Cash Peters

very accurate

I bought this book before my first (and so far only) river cruise. it is accurate and hilarious. I meant to read it before going, and it has great tips, but I ran out of time. in the end, it works as a great bookend to the trip as well. Definitely read this if you considering this type of a cruise.

Entertaining and educational simultaneously

Not being a member, I would imagine the river-cruising clientele is a niche market. The author, as is often the case with traveling generally, reinforces the stereotypes and preconceptions rather than debunks them, (or perhaps it’s just me). Having said that, he does so in a very readable, or should I say audible way. After seeing countless adverts on PBS for Viking River Cruises, this book shows what really goes on behind the scenes - spoiler alert - it’s expensive but well worth it if you can afford it.

On top of the comical and sometimes poignant anecdotes, and the well researched history, this book has some very practical tips and advice for first time cruisers woven into the narrative. I found myself occasionally thinking “yes that makes sense”, instead of “where was the punchline?”.

Finally, the Audible version is read by the author, Cash Peters, who happens to be a professional radio broadcaster, so he knows exactly how to deliver his own material to best effect.

So, if you’re thinking of going on a river cruise anywhere in Europe, or if you’ve been there and done one already, or if you have an aversion to being stuck with 140 strangers in a tight space, I highly recommend this book to you! Perfect for making a long road trip more bearable.