Monday, April 22, 2024

The 8 Best European River Cruises 2024

best river cruise in europe

With 23 days, eight countries, 20 towns and cities, and at least 10 Unesco World Heritage Sites, there’ll be plenty to see as you traverse the length of central Europe. Popular rivers in Europe include the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Douro, Rhône, and many others, each offering a unique travel experience. Harvested from the perfect grape-growing slopes, these wines add a flavorful touch when experiencing river cruises in Europe. Each stop brings new experiences, whether visiting a centuries-old castle, participating in a local wine tasting, or simply strolling through a charming medieval town. This article aims to guide you on an enchanting journey of river cruises in Europe, giving you insider tips and information on making the most of this experience. For that, you need to know the best places to stay, which are Hotel Carris Porto Ribeira and Porto Palácio Hotel by The Editory.

AmaWaterways

But the lightest vessels can sail here, heading deep into the countryside of the Czech Republic. There’s time in Prague itself, too, to see the Charles Bridge, the castle and the atmospheric old town. AmaWaterways is a premium luxury river cruise line and well-known for its deluxe onboard amenities and activities, including comfortable staterooms and high-end dining options.

How much does it cost to cruise the Danube?

best river cruise in europe

On a Danube river cruise from Vienna to Budapest, you will pass through Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary while exploring medieval fortresses, fairytale castles, concert halls, and fine wineries. I actually have a lot of love for Budapest and highly recommend this frequently overlooked destination. If you’re planning on visiting the Vltava, there are a variety of multi-day cruises on offer that travel between culturally rich cities from Prague to Mělník to Dresden.

Giving River Cruising a Try in France - The New York Times

Giving River Cruising a Try in France.

Posted: Mon, 02 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

More from The Times and The Sunday Times

The climate, soil and topography along the Moselle create an ideal environment for the cultivation of grapes. Common itineraries are sailings between Budapest, Hungary and Passau, Germany. On a typical seven-night cruise from Amsterdam, ports and excursions include Basel, Cologne, Koblenz, the Rhine Gorge, Rudesheim, Mannheim and Strasbourg. There are a lot of variations, of course, with different starting points and stops, which offers cruisers plenty of interesting options. Krems and Durnstein are the last two stops in Austria before you head to Passau, the German “City of Three Rivers”.

You’ll dock at San Basilio, on the Giudecca Canal, an easy walk from Piazza San Marco. You’ll usually spend three or four nights here, with plenty of time to lose yourself among Venice’s greeny-blue canals, marble palaces and sunlit squares. 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. Viticulture is very much the lesson en route, as you learn about port production on the "River of Gold." On the Belmond Napoleon, guests cruise the River Saône past châteaux, rural river towns, and expansive vineyards.

Sure, you can catch sight of the Eiffel Tower when boarding a river ship in Paris, but you can do that while staying in a hotel, too. The real attractions of a Seine River cruise are sailing on the river outside the city toward the English Channel and a visit to the beaches in Normandy for a perspective on World War II. The main rivers in Europe are the Danube and the Rhine and their tributaries.

Paris river cruises of the Seine are best for small group journeys and intimate gatherings. For example, in this package, you can enjoy a private Seine river cruise with exclusive access to a boat, some wine, and all the sights of Paris for around $500. The best river cruises blend refined onboard accommodations with exciting itineraries along some of the world’s most memorable waterways.

A trip along the northern Douro river can offer views to rival even the most idyllic of Algarve beaches. This trip starts in Porto, where bars and restaurants line the banks in the Ribeira (Riverside) district, but it is worth climbing the various hills to see other areas and sites, such as the cathedral and Dom Luis I Bridge. Europe is a continent built on its rivers, with many having played a vital role in the formation and development of its most important cities. From the Thames to the Tiber, they are a ever-flowing reminder of the continent’s long and varied history.

Tulip cruises

best river cruise in europe

The Po River in northern Italy is tidal, making it another challenging waterway. However, it affords the opportunity to combine a visit to Venice with a river cruise. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises does the Po in high style with its 126-passenger S.S.

Cruises on the Main are usually combined with Danube River cruises; since1992, the Main-Danube canal connected the two rivers with a total of 16 locks. On a Main cruise, running between Frankfurt and Nuremberg, ships stop in Heidelberg, Wertheim, Wurzburg and Bamberg. This ultimate itinerary bisects Europe to take passengers from Amsterdam to Bucharest, via sections of the Rhine, Main and Danube among other European rivers. Next on the itinerary you’ll visit the German towns of Heidelberg and Speyer, where more markets await, before arriving in Strasbourg, France. Here you’ll find an eclectic mix of French and German culture, a warm festive spirit and plenty of opportunities to wander the markets that are spread throughout the town. Wander further afield and you’ll find Petite France, a pretty district known for cobblestone streets and canals.

Limber up for a game of pickleball on the full-size court that was just added in 2023. Passengers can work out solo at the Zen Wellness Studio or join an open-air spin class, while drinking in scenic river views. The ship's ample deck space also offers passengers the chance to unwind in the heated pool and indulge in a nap-inducing massage in one of two treatment rooms. Some lines, however, offer excellent value—especially when you compare the price to the overall cost of a land-based vacation in Europe. One cruise line that consistently offers great value is Emerald Cruises, a river cruise operator that gets travelers more bang for their buck—without compromising on quality or service.

It starts and ends in Amsterdam, where you’ll have a number of nights to wander its scenic network of canals lined with beautiful 17th-century buildings. Whether it’s the spectacle of blooming tulip fields or the allure of cozy Christmas markets, each season brings a unique charm to your river cruise. You can also explore Giverny, the charming town where the artist Claude Monet lived and worked. So, consider a Seine River cruise on your European adventure for a unique mix of history, culture, and natural beauty.

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. There are plenty of options for how much time and money you will spend on the Danube River cruise, whether through barge cruises, yacht cruise lines, or smaller river vessels. Some cruises last for an hour, with some cruises lasting all evening with dinner and champagne. You’ll be treated to views of sweeping architecture and scenery, optional day excursions to famous heritage sites, and traverse the confluence of another renowned waterway, the Elbe River, en route.

At the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers, the city is home to an impressive cathedral and Old Town. After disembarking at Regensburg, you make your way to Munich, where a good plan is to spend time exploring the Bavarian capital before you fly home. The first two days are spent in Amsterdam, where you’ll have ample time to wander its canals and green spaces, such as the Vondelpark, or visit attractions such as the Anne Frank museum, Van Gogh museum and Rijksmuseum. The Independent has rounded up eight of the best Europe river cruise packages, from epic continental crossing and to the finest Christmas markets to explore.

It's not a surprise that many of the highlights of one of these cruises include food or drink. Wine and cheeses abound, and a tour of the Valrhona chocolate factory in Tournon is an unforgettable experience for all chocolate lovers. History buffs will love Avignon and its importance to the Catholic Church, and they'll also love exploring the walled-city of Viviers and the Roman Pont du Gard near Avignon. The Main River (pronounced "mine") in Germany is the longest river that lies entirely in Germany. 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.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Home Winterization Checklist: 35 Ways to Winterize Your Home

Table Of Content Taking Modular Homes to a Higher Level How to farm in Manor Lords Clean Your Gutters SAVE HOUSE WALLS AND EXTERIOR Shut off...