Luxury • Expertise • Seamless Planning
Across Europe’s Most Beautiful Rivers
Sail Europe with an Expert Who Knows Every River, Port & Detail
European river cruising is one of the most effortless and enriching ways to explore Europe — but choosing the right river, itinerary, cruise line, and stateroom can feel overwhelming.
That’s where I come in.
I’m Sonia Rectenwald, European Travel Advisor and Certified River Cruise Specialist with Bryson Travel Group. After living in Germany for more than a decade and traveling throughout Europe for over 30 years, I help travelers plan luxurious, meaningful river cruise vacations with expert guidance from the first idea to the final itinerary.
I’ve sailed the Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Seine, Douro, and Dutch & Belgian Waterways, and I’ve explored nearly every major port along the way. When you work with me, you gain insider knowledge, thoughtful recommendations, and a seamless planning experience designed around your travel style.
Why Work With a River Cruise Specialist?
European river cruising isn’t one-size-fits-all. Each river — and each cruise line — offers something unique.
✔ Personalized Itinerary Recommendations
✔ Stateroom Selection Support
✔ Seamless Pre- and Post-Cruise Extensions
✔ Stress-Free Planning & On-Trip Support
When you work with a specialist, you get:
✔ Expert Cruise Line Guidance
AmaWaterways • Avalon • Scenic • Emerald • Uniworld • Riviera • Amadeus
I’ll match you with the line that fits your travel preferences, pacing, and style.
✔ Personalized Itinerary Recommendations
From castle-filled villages to UNESCO cities, wine regions, and Christmas Markets, I help you choose the itinerary that aligns with your interests.
✔ Stateroom Selection Support
Window, French balcony, step-out balcony, suite, or solo cabin — I help you choose the perfect room and avoid the ones you shouldn’t book.
✔ Seamless Pre- and Post-Cruise Extensions
I design custom add-ons in:
Paris • Prague • Budapest • Vienna • Lucerne • Amsterdam • Porto • Munich • Zurich
Your cruise becomes part of a larger European journey.
✔ Stress-Free Planning & On-Trip Support
I handle all the logistics so you can simply enjoy your trip.
Where I Specialize: Europe’s Most Beautiful Rivers
Danube River
Vienna • Budapest • Bratislava • Melk • Passau • Wachau Valley. Picture culture, music, grand capitals, baroque architecture.
Rhine River
Cologne • Rüdesheim • Strasbourg • Basel • Rhine Gorge. Picture castles, vineyards, and scenery straight out of European storybooks.
Moselle River
Cochem • Bernkastel • Trier. Picture fairytale wine villages and medieval charm.
Seine River
Paris • Giverny • Rouen • Normandy. Picture art, gardens, history and iconic French beauty.
Douro River
Porto • Regua • Pinhão • Wine estates. Picture warm weather, golden hillsides, wine lounges, and relaxed sailing.
Dutch & Belgian Waterways
Amsterdam • Antwerp • Ghent • Haarlem. Picture tulips, canals, windmills and spring festivals.
Christmas Market River Cruises
Rhine • Danube • Seine. My signature specialty — festive markets, twinkling towns, holiday treats, and European winter magic.
How I Help You Plan the Perfect River Cruise
1. Choosing the Right River & Itinerary
I match your travel dates, interests, and pace with the ideal river journey.
2. Matching You With the Best Cruise Line
Every line has its own personality — and I’ll help you find the perfect fit.
3. Selecting Your Stateroom
Not all staterooms offer the same experience. I help you choose wisely.
4. Designing Custom European Extensions
Turn your cruise into a full European vacation with seamlessly planned add-ons.
5. Handling All Logistics
Flights, hotels, transfers, insurance, excursions, and travel requirements — I manage it all.
6. Support Before, During & After Travel
You’re never alone. I provide guidance, updates, and insider tips throughout your entire trip.
Who I Work With
• First-time river cruisers
• Experienced cruisers wanting a specialist’s guidance
• Couples & friends celebrating milestones
• Christmas Market travelers
• Wine & culinary travelers
• Hosted groups, multi-generational travelers & groups (Reunion, Alumni, like-minded)
• Luxury travelers seeking stress-free planning
My travelers want an elevated, curated, meaningful experience — not a generic, prepackaged vacation.
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Why I Charge a Planning Fee
As a European Travel Advisor and River Cruise Specialist, my approach goes far beyond simply booking a trip. With 30+ years of European travel experience and 10 years living in Germany, I bring deep cultural insight and on-the-ground knowledge to every itinerary I build. Because I take on only a limited number of new clients each month, you receive a truly high-touch, concierge-style planning experience from start to finish.
Your European vacation is a significant investment, and my planning fee ensures you receive the curated research, personalized recommendations, detailed logistics management, and full concierge support needed for a seamless experience.
My European travel planning fee starts at $500, with final pricing based on the complexity of your itinerary, number of travelers, and level of customization.
This professional fee reflects the time, care, and specialized expertise required to match you with the right river cruise line, design custom European extensions, build multi-city itineraries, coordinate transportation and timing, and support you from our first consultation until you return home.
My clients choose Bryson Travel Group because they want a beautifully organized, stress-free, expertly crafted European journey — and this fee guarantees the level of attention your trip deserves.
Your fee guarantees priority access, curated guidance, seamless coordination, and a beautifully organized itinerary supported by a dedicated European travel specialist.
What Your Planning Fee Includes
Your planning fee covers far more than booking. You receive full-service, concierge-level European travel planning designed to make your trip seamless, organized, and unforgettable.
✔ Expert Itinerary Design
Custom river cruise itineraries, land extensions, and multi-city European vacations tailored to your interests, pacing, and budget.
✔ Personalized Cruise Line & Stateroom Matching
I match you with the cruise line and stateroom that best fits your travel style — and steer you away from the categories that won’t.
✔ Custom Pre- & Post-Cruise Extensions
Tailored itineraries in Paris, Prague, Budapest, Vienna, Lucerne, Amsterdam, Munich, Porto, Zurich, and beyond — including hotels, tours, transfers, and timing.
✔ Complete Travel Logistics Management
Flights, hotels, trains, transfers, excursions, insurance guidance, and travel requirements — all managed for you with expert precision.
✔ Dedicated In-Country Support
Real-time assistance throughout your travels. You’re never navigating Europe alone — I’m here to help with updates, changes, and on-trip support whenever needed.
✔ Know-Before-You-Go Guides
Customized guides covering cultural etiquette, tipping, currency, weather, packing suggestions, local apps, transit tips, safety info, and more.
✔ Port, City & Country Guides
Hand-selected recommendations for restaurants, markets, museums, Christmas Markets, neighborhoods, wine regions, castles, and hidden gems that fit your style.
✔ Beautiful, Easy-to-Use Travel Planner App
Your entire trip is organized in a beautifully designed, mobile-friendly Travel Planner App. Everything is stored in one place and accessible offline, including:
• cruise tickets
• hotel confirmations
• flight details
• transfer instructions
• train tickets
• day-by-day schedules
• maps and navigation
• insurance documents
• emergency contacts
• packing lists
• personal notes and city tips
No loose papers. No email searching. Just a seamless, organized travel experience at your fingertips.
✔ Concierge-Level Support Before, During & After Travel
You receive continuous support — reminders, travel tips, restaurant suggestions, last-minute changes, and help whenever you need it.
✔ Peace of Mind
You’re not just booking a trip. You’re gaining an advocate, a Europe expert, and a dedicated partner ensuring your journey is effortless from start to finish.
Take the Next Step
Your European vacation deserves expert planning, personalized attention, and a seamless experience from beginning to end. If you’re ready to explore river cruises, custom itineraries, or a perfectly designed pre/post-cruise extension, I’d love to guide you.
Schedule callSchedule your complimentary consultation today and let’s talk through your travel vision, preferences, and goals. This is the first step toward creating a beautifully organized, stress-free European journey designed just for you.
