This award-winning river cruise company offers thoughtfully selected itineraries with luxurious onboard amenities as you cruise through the many rivers they sail on. The Douro River valley is spectacular as the river winds its way down the mountains toward the sea. Once ships leave Porto and sail upriver, the scenery changes rapidly as the river narrows and cliffs are steeper. The region is settled, but there is not much to be seen by just walking from the ship.
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Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews. Those interested in visiting Eastern Europe will enjoy a river cruise on the Rhine. Explore the wonders of Germany, such as the Heidelberg Castle and the Black Forest. A river cruise in the Netherlands and Belgium encompasses parts of well-known rivers like the Rhine and lesser-known rivers such as the Issel, Nedderrijn, and Schelde (or Scheldt).
Danube Christmas Delights
Plus, you can enjoy all the superb amenities offered on a cruise ship while immersing yourself in authentic experiences and the local culture. Below are the best river cruises in Europe to check out, plus what you can expect when journeying along some of Europe’s most popular rivers. As the Danube continues its way to the Black Sea, travelers first explore amazing Budapest, with most ships spending either one or two days at the dock to allow their guests adequate time to see the city. The ship next stops in Kalocsa, the "Paprika Capital of the World", before moving on to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. It is one of Europe's oldest cities and still carries remnants of the destruction of its last war in the 1990's. As the ship moves downriver, guests explore a Roman archaeological site, museums of ancient history, the Iron Gates of the Danube, and miles of lovely scenery.
Europe River Cruises
The most beautiful stretch of the river is a 62-mile passage through a gorge between the Balkan and Carpathian Mountains. Ships visit such cultural hubs as Vienna, with its opera and art museums and elaborate royal palaces, and Budapest, Hungary, with its magnificent architecture and modern vibe. If your ship passes the Hungarian Parliament building at night, you're in for a treat; magnificently lit, it's one of the most photographed sights on the river.
Ships offer a wellness area, massage services, gym, e-bikes, and onboard entertainment. Wine lovers will want to experience the seven-night "Taste of Bordeaux," with visits to iconic chateaux, timeless vineyards, and delicious wine tastings while cruising the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers. Excursions include a tour of a medieval castle and tasting of Sauternes, a stop in Pauillac, gateway to the Medoc wine region, and a Saint-Emilion tour and tasting. Returning to Bordeaux, guests will explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site and capital of the wine world.
Comparing the River Cruise Lines
The French city of Strasbourg, with its famous Gothic cathedral and robust Alsatian culinary scene, is often a favorite stop on Rhine itineraries, with other highlights including Heidelberg, Germany, and its imposing castle. Their cruise in northern Italy along the Po River, "From the Canals of Venice to Renaissance-infused Mantua," is a seven-day excursion starting in Venice where guests can discover St. Mark's Square and Doge's Palace. In partnership with CroisiEurope aboard the MS Michelangelo, the ship heads west to Vicenza and then on to Chioggia.
What is the most popular European river cruise?
After sampling champagne on your Rhône River cruise, you may crave something else to quench your thirst. Cruising down the Garrone River can be combined with a wine-tasting excursion you can arrange in advance. Having spent time exploring the Moselle, I can tell you that the stretch of river around Cochem in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, is particularly lovely. A romantic cruise in the Seine River is great for those who wish to lose themselves in the romance of Paris and Normandy. The Seine, which begins just north of Dijon and ends in the English Channel, is a magnificent river that spans 483 miles, with 60% of its length available for recreational boating.
Best cruise lines for solo travelers 2024 - The Independent
Best cruise lines for solo travelers 2024.
Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 14:18:50 GMT [source]
How to Choose the Right European River Cruise for You
The Main-Danube Canal starts near the Danube River near Regensburg and travels north by Nuremberg to Bamberg. River cruise ships often feature day-long tours of Nuremberg while their ship passes through several of the locks, saving time for everyone. Not only can you have a great time on river ships or a yacht, but you will also witness many other places and visit different cities without stressing out walking or commuting a lot. You’re also more likely to see sights you might miss on foot or via tour bus. This Australian-owned organization is the country's largest family-owned tour and cruise company, offering a variety of travel styles.
Because of its rapids, the Douro was once very dangerous for ships to travel, but it has always been used to transport valuable goods downstream. The first valuable was gold mined in the mountains, but wine eventually replaced the gold. Some Rhone River cruise tours begin with a few days at a hotel in Paris and then include a transfer to Lyon to begin their cruise.
When it comes to Europe river cruises, a perfect seven-night starter sailing is the Upper Danube, which takes you through centuries of history as you explore Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. The eight-day "Traveling on the Elbe and Havel" cruise covers Germany's north on rivers and canals aboard the Frederick Chopin. Starting in Berlin, the cruise continues to Potsdam for a guided walking tour. A guided tour takes guests through Autostadt Wolfsburg, a park dedicated to the history of the automobile. In Hamburg, there's a city tour and harbor cruise before the cruise continues to the Baltic resort, Laboe, and ends in Kiel.
But if you’d want to spend more days in tranquil surroundings, you can opt for a 5 day river cruise through Porto and the Douro River Valley. The best short river cruises in the area will take you to various locations around Dresden. For example, as you cruise along on this classic paddlesteamer, you will also see the Pillnitz Palace with its Baroque style and classic architecture. After being on one of the best river cruises, you can be left off at the activity provider’s pontoon in the Parisian suburb of Issy Les Moulineaux.
The opportunity to sail along these rivers, among the world’s most beautiful and peaceful waterways, is a temptation that’s easily given in to. Of course, a river cruise is about more than just spending time floating on the water (although that option is available, should you wish). Spring and fall are popular for milder weather and fewer crowds, while summer offers longer daylight hours when taking river cruises in Europe. Its most beautiful parts are between Bamberg and Mainz, filled with captivating landscapes and historic sites.
River Cruises in Europe are a popular way to explore the continent’s rich history, culture, and natural beauty. One fun fact about these cruises is that they often pass by some of Europe’s most iconic landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. Additionally, many River Cruises in Europe offer onboard activities and entertainment, such as wine tastings, cooking classes, and local performances. These cruises also provide a unique perspective on Europe’s famous waterways, such as the Danube and the Rhine rivers, and allow travelers to experience the charm of small towns and villages along the way. Another fun fact is that River Cruises in Europe often offer all-inclusive packages, which means that travelers can enjoy meals, drinks, and excursions without worrying about additional costs. Tauck’s all-inclusive European river cruises are a boon for travelers with a thirst for history.
Best for going back in timeBeyond Budapest, the Danube cuts its way through the southern Carpathian Mountains, continuing under the vast skies of the steppes, and finally reaching its marshy delta in Romania. Along the way are cool cities such as Novi Sad and Belgrade, standing in stark contrast to swathes of forested countryside in Bulgaria and Serbia. There’s ancient history in Veliko Târnovo, the former capital of Bulgaria; at the medieval fortress of Baba Vidin; and in the wind-sculpted rock formations at Belogradchik. But this is also an opportunity to learn about the tragedies of the much more recent Balkans conflict, which kept this stretch of the river off limits for decades. It’s a way of exploring the history, cuisine and nature of a region as you drift gently past vineyards, meadows and towns. They stop in places such as resurgent Dresden, heavily bombed during World War II but expertly rebuilt; the Saxon Switzerland region of Germany with its striking sandstone rock formations; and the spa town of Bad Schandau.
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