Boomers Seek In-Depth Cultural Exploration (NAPSA)—Arecent survey by Greenfield Online, Inc., a leading research company, shows that 87 percent of Americans 55 years or older who travel internationally say it is important to experience the local cultures of their vacation destinations. Whether travelers are tasting traditional cuisines or learning about regional pastimes, these activities allow for a deeper understanding of places theyvisit. Today, travelers are also eager to visit multiple destinations during one vacation. Cruising is a great way to discover an entire Internationally Traveling Boomer Trends Percentage who say it is important to experience the local culture of vacation destinations Percentage who say it is important to experience or visit sornething new Percentage who say on-land cruise experiences are more or equally important to onboard experiences Percentage who like to travel to many different places on the sare trip Percentage who are interested in Q_ river cruising 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 30% 100' region—but cruise trips don’t have River cruising provides opportunities for enriching sight-seeing and hands-on experiences. that on-land experiences are either more important or equally important to onboard experiences. friends. While traveling from one to be all about the ship. In fact, almost 90 percent of cruisers say An international river cruise, for example, takes travelers into the heart of a country on historic inland waterways, such as the Danube, Rhine or Yangtze Rivers. Passengers dock in a new port nearly every day, making river cruising a great vacation option for travelers eager to explore the main attractions, as well as gain firsthand knowledge of customs and traditions in multiple cities...all while unpacking only once. Vessels carry 150 passengers on average, providing an intimate setting to meet other travelers, or to relax and enjoy time with destination to the next, passen- gers view ever-changing, scenic countryside, such as the Black Forest in Germany, the famed Iron Gate in Eastern Europe or the Three Gorges Dam in China. Viking River Cruises, the world’s largest river cruise line, offers cruises ranging from seven to 15 nights on the majestic rivers of Europe, Russia and China. Included shore excursions with local English-speaking guides provide firsthand insight to the history and culture of a town. From tasting local wines at a vineyard to exploring cobblestonestreets to finding the perfect souvenir crafted by a local artisan, passen- gers are truly immersed in each new destination through guided tours and free time to explore. Additionally, Viking River Cruises created “Old World High- lights” programs to ensure passengers receive a deeper understanding of customsandlifestyles throughout their trip. For example, in Amsterdam, passengers see how clogs are made andlearn why the Dutchstill use these old-fashioned “safety shoes.” Authentic folk dancing and music makefor a traditional Hun- garian night in Budapest; and in China, passengers enjoy tea served by a local family. For more information, visit www.sailviking.com or call (877) 66VIKING (1-877-668-4546).
