Our intrepid readers have taken jaunts around the world this last year with adventures that included bear-watching in Alaska, a safari in Kenya  and island discoveries in Ireland. And they’ve shared their stories and practical tips along the way.

Today’s reader missive comes from a Danville couple celebrating a big birthday in style.

Wish You Were Here

DANUBE RIVER: In September, Danville residents Bev Aquino — celebrating her 75th birthday — and husband Lee Goldman took off on a Danube River cruise through Germany, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia. “We were joined by 19 family members and friends on a weeklong trip on the MS Primadonna, riding bikes five of the days, while also having the opportunity to spend more time exploring Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava (in Slovakia),” Bev says. “It was a great combination for our active group and a perfect springboard to add in visits to Munich for Oktoberfest, Prague, Vienna, Rome, Naples, Pompeii and Sorrento.”

TRAVEL TIP: “The boat-bike trip was core to our adventure, so our whole group booked our trip more than a year in advance, independently adding other destinations to take advantage of being in Europe. We highly recommend booking private guided tours for those destinations of importance to you. Ours were Dachau, the Colosseum in Rome, Pompeii and a small boat tour of Capri.”

The intrepid group, posed here aboard the MS Primadonna, included (from bottom to top) Bev Aquino and Lee Goldman from Danville; Heidi Aquino and Ventura Nah from Cool; Wendy Sumner and Jeff Loux from Truckee; Karen Halpin and Mark Pfieffer from Walnut Creek; Nikki Rubio-Reno, Kelli Mika-Napa, Colette Kersten and Owen Murphy from Orinda; Kathy Tate from Walnut Creek; Jane Selva from the United Kingdom; Dan Worgull and Barb Selva from Dublin; Karl Wilks from Folsom; Pam Seroy and Tim Johnson from Walnut Creek; and Neal and Libby Lacativo from Castro Valley. (Courtesy Bev Aquino)
The intrepid group, posed here aboard the MS Primadonna, included (from bottom to top) Bev Aquino and Lee Goldman from Danville; Heidi Aquino and Ventura Nah from Cool; Wendy Sumner and Jeff Loux from Truckee; Karen Halpin and Mark Pfieffer from Walnut Creek; Nikki Rubio-Reno, Kelli Mika-Napa, Colette Kersten and Owen Murphy from Orinda; Kathy Tate from Walnut Creek; Jane Selva from the United Kingdom; Dan Worgull and Barb Selva from Dublin; Karl Wilks from Folsom; Pam Seroy and Tim Johnson from Walnut Creek; and Neal and Libby Lacativo from Castro Valley. (Courtesy Bev Aquino) 

Share your travels with us! Send a photo of yourself on your latest adventures to jburrell@bayareanewsgroup.com. Tell us where you are, who everyone is and where they’re from, and share a travel tip or two to help fellow travelers. Source: www.mercurynews.com