"These river cruise & small-ship cruise
ships all feature elegant interiors with abundant glass, vibrant colors, modern
designs with contemporary appointments, state-of the- art technology,
personalized service, fine dining, remarkable amenities, and spacious outside
staterooms."
A river journey is about life in the slow lane - watching towns and villages,
mountains and monuments drift by in a peaceful, unhurried, adult environment. The
increasing popularity of river cruising can be attributed to the way in which it
offers a unique insight into countries and cultures. River journeys are a great
alternative to coach tours and city breaks providing an ideal way to visit a
number of cities and towns while just unpacking once.
River ships carry on average 150 guests and offer a relaxed and informal
environment. They are geared for viewing the passing landscape with large
picture windows and usually dock in the centre of town with great, easy access
ashore directly down the gangway, giving plenty of time for exploration. On a
river journey you will travel through the heart of countries with constantly
changing scenery, making this a wonderful way to unwind with waterways being
usually smooth and calm.
With many river ships docked alongside into the late evening, guests are able to
head off to find restaurants and theatres while those who stay on board will
often find local entertainment provided. Excursions are organized at each stop
for those who want them and depending on the cruise operator, these may be
included within the price.
You can choose from numerous cruise destinations - travelling on European river
cruises means you're likely to visit several countries in one itinerary. The
long, narrow shape of river ships usually means fewer cabin choices than on
large ocean-going vessels, but there are almost no inside cabins - most are
outward facing with either balconies or large windows, so whichever river you
are on you will always get a great view.
European rivers such as the Seine, Rhine, Danube and Douro are very popular.
When it comes to river cruising, leisurely travelling down one of the many
European rivers remains the most popular choice - these voyages provide a
constant change of scenery as they pass through major cities, towns and rural
villages.
A river cruise along the Danube can take you through nine countries - Germany,
Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine,
giving the opportunity to explore the rich cultural legacies of Central Europe's
ancient heart on the way to the Black Sea. Across Germany the Rhine dominates
the landscape all the way to the Netherlands, while the Rhone and Moselle
rivers, twisting through Central Europe are two of the most scenic on the
continent. Finally the Douro sweeps dramatically through northern Spain and into
Portugal, past steep valleys and terraced vineyards before arriving at the
Atlantic.
Click to see some of the best European River cruises.
Rhine
The Rhine is one of the most important rivers in Europe, flowing through
Germany, France and finally the Netherlands and Amsterdam. One of the appeals of
the Rhine is that along the route you can discover many different countries and
cultures andall the while you need to unpack only once. The Rhine dominates the
German landscape and it is here that the river encounters some of its main
tributaries, such as the Neckar, the Main and, later, the Moselle. Some of the
cities to be found along the Rhine are Basel, Strasbourg, Mainz, Koblenz, Bonn,
Cologne, Düsseldorf and Rotterdam whilst one of the most famous stretches of the
river is in the wonderful Rhine Gorge, a steep-sided valley and a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
Moselle
The Moselle starts in the western slope of the Ballon d'Alsace in the Vosges
mountains and flows through France, Luxembourg, and Germany. The Moselle is best
known for its beautiful scenery and also for some of the wines that are famously
made along its banks - most well-known is the German Mosel wine region, and the
most famous wines produced here are the Riesling and Elbling. Towns along the
Moselle River include Épinal, Toul and Metz in France; in Luxembourg:Schengen
and Wasserbillig in Luxembourg and and in Germany, Trier, Cochem (where you will
find the famous Reichsburg Castle) and Koblenz.
Danube
The famous River Danube originates in the Black Forests of Germany and flows
through ten countries - Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia,
Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine, and Romania before reaching the Black Sea. The
scenery varies considerably along the route and includes medieval monasteries
perched on hills, fairy-tale castles, many vineyards and chocolate box towns and
cities. And it is the towns and cities that proivde much of the colour and
excitement of the Danube - Linz, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, and Belgrade -
indeed the Danube has more capital cities on its banks than any other river and
it is often this variety of cities mixed with stunning scenery that accounts for
much of its popularity.
Douro
The Douro is one of Europe's most charming rivers, full of history and romance,
cutting a dramatic path through Spain and northern Portugal as it sweeps through
a landscape of steeply sided valleys, themselves classified as a UNESCO World
Heritage Site, unspoilt villages, and terraced vineyards, finally ending at the
Atlantic near the historic city of Oporto. A river cruise on the Douro combines
the unmistakable scenery of any trip to the Iberian Peninsula: rural, unspoilt
villages and towns with restored Palaces, baroque buildings and picturesque
fishing villages and sweeping landscapes, combined with the chance to visit two
of the greatest cities in the region - Porto and Salamanca.
Rhone
France's Rhone River is a perfect setting for a great river cruise as it flows
through wonderful wine regions like Burgundy and Provence, UNESCO World Heritage
Sites and beautiful valleys and towns. The Rhone starts its 500-mile journey to
the Mediterranean in Switzerland, on the shores of Lake Geneva, before flowing
though south-eastern France. At Lyon, which is the biggest city along its
course, the Rhone meets its biggest tributary, The Saône. Beyond Lyon the Rhone
heads into one of the most beautiful stretches as it flows through Provence.
Why Choose a River Cruise?
• Smaller ships with
fewer passengers provide a more intimate and relaxing cruising
experience.
• Stunning scenery 24-7.
• Boutique hotel style accommodations and amenities.
• More inclusions for one price, such as shore excursions and
specialty dining.
• Dock in exciting port cities and historic charming villages.
• Explore beyond coastlines and get closer to the heart of your
destinations attractions and local culture.
• Rich itineraries covering the most popular destinations worldwide.
• Theme cruises—Such as culinary, wine, holiday markets, wildlife
and active adventures.
River Cruise Lines
Although there are about a dozen river cruise line choices, Travel
Leaders recommends these award-winning river cruise companies:
• AmaWaterways: A luxury
river cruise line with an award-winning fleet, critically acclaimed
dining and unique tour options.
• Viking River Cruise: A leading river cruise line offering journeys
of discovery aboard premium ships on the rivers of Europe, Russia
and China.
You’re about to discover
the most convenient
way to see the world.
This is cruising on an
intimate scale, with a
personal touch. You’ll
meander along at the
easy pace of the river:
Sloping vineyards,
storybook villages and
hilltop castles mark
your progress through
Europe’s great waterways
. . . China’s towering
Three Gorges usher you
along the mighty Yangtze
. . . riverside temples
and pagodas guide you
through the ancient
civilizations and
verdant countryside of
the Mekong and Irrawaddy
Rivers of Southeast
Asia. All this, and
you’ll unpack your bags
just once. Be our guest
aboard one of Viking
River deluxe ships - on
an unforgettable journey
enriched by
knowledgeable local
guides, activities and
excursions that immerse
you in the culture, and
fine regional wines and
cuisine. Here's 4 great
reasons to take a river
cruise;
2. Each
river is unique -
offering an
ever-changing mural of
scenery from your ship.
3. It’s
convenient & comfortable
– with no packing and
unpacking, switching
hotels or lugging
baggage around. Think of
river cruising as life
on a fine, floating
hotel; light, airy, with
no motion sickness.
4. Travel by river
allows you to dock right
in the heart of both
historic cities and
quaint villages.
You’ll gain a unique
perspective of a land
and its people.
Today’s river cruise experience is nothing like the historic tales
of paddle wheel steamboats on the Mississippi, though you can now do
an updated version of that! Modern river cruise ships traverse
major waterways across the globe creating a boutique luxury cruise
experience, a relaxed pace of travel, and access to authentic local
culture. Unlike a large ocean cruise ship, most river cruises offer
all exterior cabins, featuring large floor to ceiling windows or
balconies. But it’s not just your room that’s different, river
cruises include daily guided shore excursions as well as wine, beer
and other drink options at lunch and dinner, and spend most of their
time in port docking in the heart of historic cities and small
villages along the river.
Selecting the right river cruise for your style comes down to four
primary choices: the season, the river, the cruise line, and the
cruise ship. That’s where it can get more complicated since there
are hundreds of river cruise ships and dozens of itineraries to
choose from that change each year. Which is where our experienced
and well-traveled team can help. We’re river cruising experts that
can help you select the best itinerary and handle of all of the
arrangements, from pre and post cruise hotel stays and flights, to
transportation to and from your ship.
For your amazing voyage
through stunning landscapes and scenic towns, contact us today.
800.365.1445
