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River cruising is more than a mode of transportation; it’s a unique travel experience that immerses passengers in the heart of destinations, providing an intimate and unparalleled journey through some of the world’s most enchanting landscapes. River cruising in Europe stands out as a distinctive and memorable way to explore the world. Viking is one of the top companies for finding, planning, and building luxury river cruises, including custom ones. You can find some of the best river cruises Europe has to offer through Viking River Cruises. The river cruise ships that frequent the Elbe River are well worth it if you’re interested in the German waterways of the historic city of Dresden. As rivers become a much sought after destination for travel, more operators are rising to the challenge of creating river cruise tour itineraries.
Vltava River Cruises
You're in a small floating hotel, exploring calm inland waters, gliding past castles and vineyards and scenery that changes by the hour. Other hotspots along the Danube include the verdant Wachau Valley in Austria, which tumbles down to the riverbanks; and medieval Esztergom, Hungary’s former capital, which is home to the country’s largest church, Esztergom Basilica. The Danube either flows through or delineates part of the border of Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine.
Year-Round European River Cruising: Is a 12-Month Season That Far Off? - Travel Weekly
Year-Round European River Cruising: Is a 12-Month Season That Far Off?.
Posted: Mon, 18 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Romantic Rhine & Moselle - Nijmegen (Start Amsterdam, End Basel)
See all of our readers' favorite hotels, cities, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2021. As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel. We understand that time is the greatest luxury, which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal, a drink, or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world.
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Each of the cruise line’s 12 vessels is adorned with opulent antiques, crystal chandeliers and dramatic artwork to create the feel of a lavish boutique-hotel-on-water. Passengers can indulge in free-flowing drinks and market-fresh cuisine, while suite guests are assigned white-gloved butlers, each one trained at the prestigious Ivor Spencer Butler School in England to ensure royal standards are met. Here, however, it’s less about any blockbuster sights than the pastoral landscapes, pocked by plenty of quintas (Portuguese for wineries) and verdant vineyards—many of which fall within the UNESCO-recognized Douro River Valley.
Read on for our river cruising guide, which will help you learn the distinct personalities and perks of the major river cruise lines, to find the right one for you. Paris is the point of embarkation (and also disembarkation) for most round-trip sailings here, affording time to enjoy a small taste of the city (where at least one overnight stay is commonplace). I’d have to say Rhine River cruises offer the most mesmerizing views with breathtaking cities and breathtaking landscapes to see. Along with historic towns, looming hills, thick forests, and magnificent castles along the way, you’ll get to enjoy some incredible food and drink. There is no better way to experience this region than aboard a luxury river cruise experience along the River Rhône, one of the major rivers in France and Switzerland. Best for cultureSpring is the most popular time to cruise the network of waterways criss-crossing the flat countryside where the multiple arms of the Rhine flow into the North Sea.
Châteaux, Rivers & Wine
Considering the number of river cruise lines out there, it can be a little overwhelming to shortlist your options. Their 15-day "Magnificent Europe" cruise begins in Amsterdam with a canal tour and cruises the Rhine, Main, and Danube Rivers before arriving in Budapest. The ship docks in Koblenz and takes a daytime cruise through the Rhine Gorge before landing in Miltenberg for a guided tour of the city. On day six, guests can choose a trip to Rothenburg or visit a family-owned farm for a home-cooked morning tea.
Rivers have always formed essential transport arteries across the continent, so it’s along their banks that Europe’s great cities have grown, from Budapest and Vienna to Cologne, Paris and Prague. A river cruise is an effortless, stress-free way to take all this in, returning to the comfort of your luxurious floating hotel at the end of each day. Bordeaux river cruises are different from other water routes because you explore two short waterways — the Dordogne and Garonne Rivers — and the Gironde Estuary in Southwest France.
Best European River Cruise For Active Travelers: AmaWaterways, AmaMagna
The inclusive experience of a cruise here will feature visits to St Emilion, Bergerac, Cadillac and Sauternes, with tours of honey-coloured chateaux slumbering in the midst of lush vineyards. Pedal between the vines on guided cycling excursions, drool over the cheeses in the market at Libourne and gaze from the sun deck at the passing countryside, with salty sea breezes from the nearby Atlantic hanging in the air. Here you can take in islands including Burano, famed for its brightly painted houses; Murano, centre of Venice’s glassblowing industry; and sleepy Torcello. Most cruise lines offer a day trip to Bologna, including a pasta-making demonstration, while others treat you to the unforgettable experience of a private, after-hours view of St Mark’s Basilica, guided by an art historian. The best river cruises blend refined onboard accommodations with exciting itineraries along some of the world’s most memorable waterways. From the Rhine to the Douro, from the Main to the Danube, we have cruises all through Europe, ranging from 1 days up to 31 days.
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]
The eight-day "Saar and Moselle Fairytales" cruise boards in Cologne and cruises down the Rhine to the Moselle and its tributary, the Saar River. The ship passes the Mosel vineyards and docks in the medieval town of Cochem for a guided walking tour. The next day, guests can tour the town of Bernkastel-Kues and enjoy a wine tasting or hike to the ruins of a castle for a stunning view. After a morning tour of Saarburg, the ship cruises along the Saar River with panoramic views of its massive loop.
Best for a Christmas cruiseWhile many European cruises sail from Amsterdam to Basel along the Rhine, others leave the river near Mainz and sail the navigable stretch of the Main. In between Frankfurt and Würzburg, you’ll visit medieval Miltenberg, its crooked, half-timbered houses straight out of a Grimm’s Fairytale. A cruise in winter is particularly scenic, the banks cloaked in snow and the Christmas markets in full swing.
There are 12 Scenic all-suite vessels on Europe's waterways, each one featuring nifty innovations such as in-suite windows that slide down at the touch of a button—perfect for languid mornings gazing at picture-perfect scenery. Couples can dress up for glitzy cocktail receptions and choose from romantic dining venues, including Portobellos or L'Amour, for candlelit meals for two. Diamond Deck and Junior Suite guests can also dine at Table d'Or, where a six-course degustation menu is paired with local wines. Danube cruises can be great value, with our cruise through Austria, Hungary and Slovakia starting just over £2,000 per person for a week. All meals and drinks, including sparkling wines and cocktails, are included, as are snacks and afternoon tea.
This includes a classic yacht cruise and a leisurely lunch while admiring the stunning architecture. Rhône cruise liners are famously luxurious, with some sporting onboard spas and gyms, as well as decadently kitted-out dining areas and evening entertainment. If Lyon seems like the place for you, an all-inclusive cruise can set you back around $2,800, but it’s worth it for all you’ll get to see. The River Thames, England’s longest river, flows from Gloucestershire into the North Sea, right through the heart of London. Although only a relatively short stretch of the Thames is open for river cruising, there is so much to see you’ll feel like you’ve traveled much further. Alternatively, you can go all out and book a multi-day round-trip Amstel cruise with companies like Viking River Cruises.
Viking's carefully crafted itineraries and "good value" also received praise from readers. "Met wonderful new friends. Absolutely outstanding service and terrific food," said one fan. On one-week cruises, you'll follow the river 130 miles past green hillside vineyards in the Douro River Valley, a UNESCO-recognized destination, before turning around at the Spanish border. The river cruises typically include a visit to the university town of Salamanca in northern Spain.
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