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If there is a credo that defines Paul Migut’s travel philosophy, it would be, “It’s a big world; get out there and see it!”

Migut and his wife, Karyn, were married 18 years ago, and he says they have been traveling ever since. In fact, once he retired, he became a travel agent, based at his South River home.

Some of the couple’s recent trips, all taken since last fall, show how eclectic their travel tastes are:

Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany: The Miguts were traveling with friends in Bavaria. He said his photo of the famously whimsical castle — built in the 19th century by King Ludwig II and an inspiration for the Disney icon — was taken on a clear, crisp day.

But how did he manage to take what seems like an aerial photo?

“I was not in a hot air balloon — I wish I was,” he said. “But there is a bridge over a gorge that is part of the castle complex. You can stand on it and view the beauty of the castle — but it’s not for the faint of heart!” There also are easy to navigate walking trails on the mountains leading to the castle

Budapest Parliament building: The Parliament building photo was taken from a Viking River Cruise ship, the Viking Legend, on the Danube River this past fall.

“This was my second river cruise,” Migut said. “River cruising allows you to view the city from its finest position, as the cities were all built around rivers as the focal point.”

River cruising has proved to be a favorite mode of travel for him. When the couple was in Paris, he said, they took a river cruise on the Seine (and an included bus ride) to the Normandy beaches and World War II sites. “The guide’s lectures were informative,” he said. “It’s not just touring — it’s learning the history.”

River cruising is a much different experience than taking large, ocean-going cruises, he said. The pace is more relaxed and the on-board atmosphere more peaceful.

“You can take a tour in the morning, come back to the boat at lunch, and then have the afternoon free to explore the city you are docked in, if you choose to,” he said.