There’s little wonder luxury river cruising is the fast-growing segment of travel in the world right now – a safe, private floating world all your own. And if you’ve already experienced river cruising, you’re in the know. But if not, you’re missing out on a very unique luxury vacation.
In a nutshell, a luxury river cruise to the heart of Europe is so very relaxing – there’s never a rush – the food is great and the service is normally a notch above what you might expect. This is simply because, with an average of 150 guests, the onboard crowd is manageable, but still maintains enough anonymity so you don’t feel like you have to get to know everybody (if you don’t want to).
As well, river cruises are skewing younger now than ever now, with people of all ages looking to get a taste of this high life, particularly in Europe, where the best European river cruise lines you can dock at some of the most picturesque cities and towns in the world. River cruising takes you away from the roadways and rail lines and onto the water, for a viewpoint, you will never forget.
The Danube River in Budapest
Rhine, Moselle and Main Rivers
Winding its way through six countries – the Netherlands, France, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland – the Rhine has it all: vineyards, medieval towns, historic castles, and some of the best Christmas markets. This is a great “starter river cruise.” The Moselle River joins the Rhine at Koblenz, Germany, and the Main follows suit further south at Mainz. They are all joined to the Danube River via canal and the fun keeps going.
Rhone and Saône Rivers
The wine, the food – more wine and food! With Lyon as a focal point, the gastronomic capital of France, you will get your fill on a sprightly sail down the Rhone from Burgundy to medieval Vienne, Viviers, and Avignon, stopping at the Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct and the Roman amphitheater in Arles.
Uniworld River Ambassador Rhine Valley
Danube River
Both a scenic delight and a wonderful history lesson, a cruise down the Danube is tremendous fun, landing you in Hungary, Austria, and Germany, with excursions in-between to Slovakia, Czechia, Croatia, and more. Sailing from Budapest to Passau, Germany, is the standard week. Explore the rolling hills and vineyards of Austria’s Wachau Valley, roam the Benedictine Abbey in Melk, live it up with a night on the town in Vienna – and sing along with the crowd in Salzburg. (Yes, you will know the words.)
Seine River
Extending from Dijon to the English Channel, the Seine is a landmark, the subject of numerous impressionist paintings and your ticket to Paris, Caudebec, Rouen, and Normandy. As if Paris wasn’t wonderful enough – dishing up galleries and iconic monuments, food, and folly – the countryside is breathtakingly beautiful, yielding wine regions, renowned cemeteries, famous châteaux, and blissful beaches.
Douro River
Sailing from Porto on Portugal’s Atlantic coast eastward all the way to Spain, the classic Douro River offers rolling green hills, terraced vineyards one after the other, and the calm, tranquil villages of Pinhão, Régua, and Pocinho. A stop at the Côa Valley Museum reveals Palaeolithic cave drawings more than 10,000 years old. And a visit to the ancient town of Salamanca is a feast of Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance architecture – and some really great tapas.
The capable Tully Luxury Travel Designers have your travel essentials top of mind when custom-curating your luxury river cruise. Whichever river you choose, smooth sailing is definitely on your horizon.