Our Story
Bryson Travel Group was founded by Sonia and Bryan Rectenwald, a husband-and-wife team with a deep personal connection to Europe and a passion for helping travelers experience it beyond the surface.
Europe has been part of Sonia’s story for decades. She lived in Germany for more than 10 years, including three years when she and Bryan lived there together while Bryan was stationed there with the U.S. Army. Living in Europe gave them the chance to experience it not simply as visitors, but as residents... discovering its cities, small towns, Christmas markets, countryside, history, food, culture, and rivers along the way.
More than 35 years of traveling throughout Europe later, that personal connection continues to shape the way we plan travel today.
What began as a love of Europe has grown into Bryson Travel Group, where we specialize in European river cruises, thoughtfully planned European vacations, and hosted journeys designed around connection, discovery, and experiencing a destination well.
Meet Sonia & Bryan
European River Cruise, Europe Travel & Hosted Journey Specialists
As owner and Chief Travel Advisor of Bryson Travel Group, Sonia Rectenwald is a Certified European Travel Specialist and Certified River Cruise Specialist who helps travelers navigate the many choices involved in planning a European journey.
From deciding between the Rhine and Danube to comparing river cruise lines, choosing the right itinerary and stateroom, adding time before or after a cruise, or creating a custom European land journey, Sonia believes the best trip begins with understanding how you actually want to travel.
Her recommendations are shaped by decades of firsthand European travel, more than a decade living in Germany, professional experience planning travel for clients, and her own continued travels throughout Europe by river, land, and sea.
Bryan co-hosts Bryson Travel Group’s hosted journeys with Sonia and brings his own connection to Europe from their years living in Germany. Together, Sonia and Bryan create hosted experiences that combine thoughtful planning with the freedom to slow down, explore, and enjoy the moments that often become the best memories of a trip.
Sonia & Bryan specialize in:
- European River Cruises including the Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Main, Douro, Seine, Rhône and more
- First-Time European River Cruise Planning
- Pre- and Post-Cruise Extensions
- Hosted European Journeys
- Christmas Market River Cruises and European Holiday Travel
- Custom European Land Itineraries
- European Group Travel
- Military Reunions and Group Journeys
- Multi-Country European Vacations
Why Travelers Choose Bryson Travel Group
Planning a European river cruise or European vacation involves much more than choosing a destination.
Which river?
Which cruise line?
Which itinerary?
Which stateroom?
How much walking?
Should you arrive early?
Should you add Prague, Budapest, Amsterdam, Paris, or another destination before or after your cruise?
And perhaps most importantly...
Which experience actually fits the way you want to travel?
That is where our approach is different.
We help you look beyond the brochure and understand the details that can make a meaningful difference once you are actually traveling.
Our goal is not simply to book a trip.
It is to help you choose the right trip for you.
Europe Unveiled
River Cruising, Europe & the Details That Matter
Sonia is also the creator and host of Europe Unveiled, an educational travel platform built to help travelers make more confident decisions about European river cruising and travel throughout Europe.
Through the Europe Unveiled podcast, articles, planning guides, and traveler resources, Sonia shares practical advice, firsthand experience, and answers to the questions travelers often do not realize they should be asking.
Topics include:
- Choosing the right European river cruise
- Comparing river cruise lines and itineraries
- Rhine vs. Danube and other European rivers
- River cruise excursions
- Walking and mobility considerations
- River levels and itinerary changes
- Stateroom selection
- European trip planning
- Pre- and post-cruise stays
- Christmas market travel
- And the small details that can have a big impact on your experience
๐ Listen to Europe Unveiled
Explore Our European Travel Resources
If you are researching a European river cruise or planning a trip to Europe, our growing collection of Europe Unveiled articles and travel guides is designed to help you make sense of the options.
You’ll find:
European river cruise guides
First-time river cruiser advice
Destination guides
River cruise reality checks
Excursion and mobility guidance
European itinerary planning
Seasonal travel advice
And firsthand recommendations from Sonia’s travels
๐ Explore the Europe Unveiled Travel Resources
Join Our River Cruise Community
Planning your first river cruise? Already booked? Or simply love traveling Europe by river?
Join Sonia inside European River Cruise Tips, Planning & Inspiration, a community where thousands of travelers share questions, experiences, planning advice, and inspiration about river cruising throughout Europe.
๐ Join the European River Cruise Community
Not Sure Which European River Cruise Is Right for You?
Choosing the right river cruise can feel overwhelming when you are comparing rivers, cruise lines, ships, itineraries, excursions, and staterooms.
Start with Sonia’s complimentary guide:
The Smart Traveler’s Guide to Choosing the Right European River Cruise
It will help you think through the decisions that matter most before you book.
๐ Get the Complimentary River Cruise Guide
Let’s Plan Your European Journey
If you are considering a European river cruise and would like personal guidance, Sonia offers a Complimentary River Cruise Consultation.
We’ll talk about your travel style, the experience you want, and the rivers, cruise lines, itineraries, and options that may be the best fit for you.