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The cruise ends in Passau with a choice of bicycling, walking, or hiking to explore the city and a special captain's farewell reception and dinner. There are also four different dining venues (more than most river ships), and that choice has proven popular with previous passengers. European Waterways isn't the most widely known European river cruise line, but for travelers craving something truly intimate and unlike any other sailing, it's the best. Upscale river line Tauck is the best for solo river cruises in Europe, even though Grand Circle gives the line a run for its money.
Sea cruises
That's even before you get to the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The seven-night river cruise takes you through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. 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.
Best European River Cruise for First-Timers: Viking River Cruises
Uniworld’s Milan, Venice & the Jewels of Veneto river cruise is a perfect way to immerse yourself in all things Italy and create memories that will last a lifetime. A few cruise lines also sail the Netherlands and Belgium in the fall months, but you won't see any tulips blooming in the fields at that time of year. They are not allowed to sail at night, but different shore excursions are offered upstream and downstream, so it doesn't seem repetitive. Macon is a city in the south Burgundy region of France, so it has some fine wines and opportunities to taste them. This ancient city dates back to 200 BC, and the town also has several museums and historic attractions. The cruise between Basel and Mainz features stopovers at Strasbourg and Heidelberg.
Châteaux, Rivers & Wine
A highlight for many travelers is an all-day excursion to the Normandy beaches of World War II. As river ships approach the city, the huge cathedral soon comes into view, and a visit to the cathedral and its square is a popular site in the city. The source of the Rhine River is in Switzerland, and it flows over 800 miles generally northwest before dumping into the North Sea near Rotterdam in the Netherlands. River ships sailing only on the Rhine move between Basel, Switzerland (near the border of France, Germany, and Switzerland) and Amsterdam. For true indulgence, book a table at the fleetwide reservation-only Vintage Room, set up for private dining, with an extravagant seven-course wine-pairing menu.
You’ll also be able to participate in activities and events, from wine tastings to guided tours of the cities you’ll be visiting. The Moselle River is one of Europe's most scenic, with a river valley that twists and turns as it makes its way towards the Rhine. The hillsides are covered with vineyards, most growing grapes for Germany's famous Riesling. All three of these towns are delightful to explore, and ships dock near the town centers.
Danube Waltz
To help you out, we've taken a look at 10 lines, from the familiar to the lesser-known, so you can decide the best river cruise line in Europe for you. And that’s all without mentioning the entertainment and facilities onboard your ship. Embark on a 10-day adventure through the heart of Europe with Viking Cruises‘ Treasures of the Rhine itinerary. Starting in Amsterdam and ending in Basel, this cruise takes you through some of the most beautiful and historic cities along the Rhine River. 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).
Should you travel Europe via river cruise? - USA TODAY
Should you travel Europe via river cruise?.
Posted: Tue, 06 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The Main River is 327 miles long, but only 246 miles are open to traffic, and this navigable section of the river has 34 locks. The Main River cruise ports of call are Bamberg, Wurzburg, Wertheim, and Miltenberg. Each of these towns features interesting history, walking tours, and picturesque streets and architecture. Palate-pleasing gastronomy and epicurean shore excursions make new arrival Riverside Luxury Cruises a standout for foodies. All menus onboard reflect the region, with vintage wines, dishes featuring truffle, escargot and foie gras and a gout-inducing selection of premium cheeses. Selecting the right river cruise for you depends on the kind of experience you’re after.
Seine
Check out our article with tips to help you pick the perfect European river cruise. Daily escorted walking tours and other excursions provided by the river line take you to key UNESCO World Heritage Sites and other city and village attractions you've come to see. Or you can choose to explore on your own, which is easy since your ship often will dock right in town. Perhaps the best known of the river cruise companies, Viking promotes their "longships," which include large suites and inviting verandas for outdoor dining. Guests enjoy Viking's destination-focused dining as well as the variety of staterooms and itineraries with a wide range of prices.
Options include a bus tour, canal tour, pedal boats, or private auto tour, each at an additional cost. The "Active & Discovery on the Rhone" cruise begins in Lyon and heads south through the French countryside of Provence and ends in Port-Saint-Louis. On the way, Avalon Choice excursions include a culinary walk, cooking class, painting workshop, wine tastings, guided bike rides, and more, with Active, Classic, and Discovery level activities. When it comes to a river cruise line in Europe, Scenic's all-inclusive fares are hard to top. They cover all premium drinks, including a minibar in every cabin, plus specialty dining, butler service and gratuities.
I am a freelance journalist who has covered travel for over a decade and the cruise industry for several of those years. I've written about destinations ranging from the South China Sea to the Arctic and Norway. Some of my favorite cruise experiences include sailing the Rhine during fall or a transatlantic voyage on the Queen Mary 2 during summer. I adore my home city, London, the west coast of Ireland and New York, where I once spent a summer living in Brooklyn Heights on a work abroad program. Outside of travel, my passions are my veggie patch, my record collection and spending time with friends and family.
The only other stop for most ships sailing the Rhine River towards Amsterdam is at Kinderdijk to see its 19 windmills, most dating back to the 18th century. Along with tulips, windmills are an iconic symbol of the Netherlands, and the most picturesque are at Kinderdijk. The intimate 96-passenger Scenic Azure winds through the port-producing Douro Valley, with its terraced vineyards, olive groves and tranquil towns and villages.
Apt charters the ships from AmaWaterways, but their itineraries and onboard programs are unique to Apt River Cruises. Apt's offerings include rail journeys, as well as small boat, yacht, and ocean cruises. The eight-day "Sensations of Lyon & Provence" cruise begins in Lyon and heads to a quaint village and then south again towards Tournon, with its 16th-century castle. Along the way, guests can choose a hike through vineyards, canoe trip, village walking tours, or wine tasting onboard.
Additionally, the line's culinary director is a member of the French association Tables et Auberges de France. Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey. Finally, you’ll arrive in Paris, the City of Lights, home to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and the famous Champs-Élysées. Consider one of these four that will provide the cruise of a lifetime without breaking the bank. Chalon-sur-Saone is also in Burgundy, and many local activities revolve around food and wine.
Started as a New England motor coach tour company, Tauck is a family-owned global travel firm offering tours and cruises to a wide range of destinations around the world. Their award-winning European river cruises are praised for their personalized service, exclusive destination experiences, luxurious cabins and suites, fine dining, and professional, caring staff. Emerald Cruises’ 10-day Sensations of Lyon and Provence and Paris river cruise is an incredible journey that takes you through some of France’s most beautiful and iconic destinations.
European Waterways has 17 barges sailing along the less-visited waterways in the U.K., France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Italy. Most European Waterways ships are old working barges, though the casual houseboat atmosphere includes beautiful modern interiors. Each all-inclusive cruise holds just eight to 20 passengers and can also be chartered by families and groups. Compare different cruise line offerings for the destinations you want to experience to find your bargain that won’t break the bank. Ships sailing from St. Petersburg embark on the Neva River, sail through Lake Ladoga and then onto the Svir River, which joins with the Volga-Baltic Waterway before entering the Volga River. The Volga system features many reservoirs, so often ship passengers feel they are on an ocean rather than a river.
You'll find European river cruise itineraries from lines including Viking, Uniworld, AmaWaterways, Avalon and Scenic. For 90+ years, the Tauck family has had a passion for sailing — aboard small ships and yachts at sea, riverboats along great inland waterways, and at home on the rivers and lakes of Connecticut and New York. When we began blending our land experience with our strong passion for cruising in our first European river cruise back in 1992, we knew that no "ordinary" river cruise experience would do for our guests.
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