How to choose the right river for your cruise
Europe’s vast network of waterways
makes it the go-to continent for a river cruise
adventure. But which itineraries stand out
as the best?
It would take a lifetime to
experience every port, river
and ship in Europe. So instead
of purging your life savings and
wasting annual leave trying to tick off everywhere, opt for the
itineraries that offer you the richest
holiday experiences.
Here we outline
eight unmissable European river
cruises that should sit firmly atop your travel wish list in the year ahead...
VINEYARDS OF THE RHINE & MOSELLENorthern Europe is blanketed in hillside vineyards, each of which produce a different wine, thanks to its unique blend of grapes. The best way to experience these vino hotspots is on a gentle sailing along the Rhine, coupled with shoreside tours and walking excursions. With AmaWaterways, you’ll have the chance to sip reds, whites and rosé in Cologne and Rudesheim.
DOURO EXPERIENCEAllow the salty aroma of Portugal’s
favourite fish dish, bacalhau, to tickle
your senses as you cruise past the port
town of Regua with A-Rosa along the
Douro. You’ll also have the chance to visit Salamanca, which is steeped in history; with its architectural
monuments and the galleries and
arcades around a main square, its old town is listed as a Unesco world
heritage site.
ENCHANTING RHINE AND YULETIDE MARKETS
RIVER CRUISEThere isn’t a better way to immerse
yourself in the magic of Christmas
than a river cruise on the Rhine
through the heart of Germany. With
Riviera Travel, you’ll visit markets
in Rudesheim, Koblenz, Bonn and
Cologne, where the zesty aroma of
mulled wine mingles with the scent
of freshly baked cookies to create a
festive scene fit for the big screen.
VENICE CARNIVALCruise into the heart of the action
during Venice Carnival, where
romance and mystery meet vibrant
colours and decadent fashion. With
CroisiEurope, you’ll have the chance
to discover Murano glassworks on an exclusive tour and visit La Fenice
Opera House to learn about its
eventful history. The building’s façade
is the only part that survived two fires
which almost destroyed the opera
house in 1836 and 1996.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DANUBE
The best way to visit what is known as the ‘Three Rivers City’ is,
unsurprisingly, on a river cruise. The
German port of Passau is overlooked by
Veste Oberhaus, a 13th-century fortress
housing a museum and observation
tower.
The old town below is known for its Baroque architecture such as St Stephen’s Cathedral, which features
onion-domed turquoise towers and an organ with 17,974 pipes, capable of creating sounds which echo through
the chambers.
HIGHLIGHTS OF EASTERN EUROPEIt’s no surprise that Unesco named
Budapest as one of the world’s
most creative cities in 2015; as well
as being home to the Hungarian
State Opera and Budapest Puppet
Theatre, it’s also the place to
experience bohemian café-bars
such as Kisuzem, which hosts
musical performances and art
installations.
On a Uniworld sailing you’ll spend two days in the Hungarian capital, giving you a chance to enjoy the city’s ancient
Gothic and Romanesque architecture.
When you need a break, tuck into a
hearty bowl of goulash paired with a foaming pint of local lager Soproni.
STUNNING SOUTH OF FRANCE
Feel like a true celebrity as you sail
serenely through the south of France.
Over 10 nights with Scenic on the Saone
and Rhone Rivers, you’ll get a taste for
the high life as you immerse yourself in
the Burgundy wine region and France’s
foodie capital, Lyon – best known for
quenelles, mousse-soft dumplings
drowned in a creamy crayfish sauce.
Visit Arles to see the sights that
inspired van Gogh in 1888.
STUNNING SOUTH OF FRANCE Feel like a true celebrity as you sail serenely through the south of France. Over 10 nights with Scenic on the Saone and Rhone Rivers, you’ll get a taste for the high life as you immerse yourself in the Burgundy wine region and France’s foodie capital, Lyon – best known for quenelles, mousse-soft dumplings drowned in a creamy crayfish sauce. Visit Arles to see the sights that inspired van Gogh in 1888.
ICONS OF EUROPEIf you fancy yourself as an amateur historian, a river cruise that ticks off Europe’s most culturally rich destinations is a must. For example, visit Germany’s Regensburg and marvel at the twin-spired St Peter’s Cathedral and the 12th-century stone bridge that, until the 1930s, was the city’s only way in and out across the Danube River.
