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)