For individuals that enjoy traveling, the endless options for places to go for vacation can be daunting. If Europe is a destination option, a river cruise may be a great way to experience European culture. River cruises can be a comfortable and relaxing way to explore European cities and not have to worry about hotels and meals. River cruises also offer an alternative to large cruise ships that can not maneuver in the smaller river ports.
Where to Go on River Cruise
- The opportunities and itineraries for a river cruise in Europe are numerous.
- Take an eastern Europe trip that cruises along the Danube though Austria and Hungary.
- One may opt to travel on the Rhine along western Germany and Amsterdam.
- Another river in Europe includes Moselle, which travels through France and Germany.
- Transverse Main River which intersects central Germany.
- Cruise the Elba River which runs through Germany and part of Czech Republic.
- The Saone and Rhone River flows through the southern towns of Lyon and Avignon.
When to Go on River Cruise
River cruises typically operate from early spring through November. The decision to go on a river cruise may depend on the destination. The more northern places like Belgium and The Netherlands will be colder in the fall. For a Christmas holiday, some cruise lines will offer trips through Germany and Austria to visit the Christmas markets.
For warm weather, the best time for a river cruise is obviously in the summer. The landscape and colorful trees in the fall are impressive with moderate temperatures. Going through the Netherlands, companies offer tulip cruises that operate from March through mid-May, with April being the best month for tulip sightings.
Booking a River Cruise
After a decision has been made on when and where to go on a river cruise, it is time to book the trip. There are many companies to choose from and they all offer a variety of destinations and itineraries. The trips can be anywhere from 8 days or longer depending on the number of cities and itinerary.
Viking River Cruises is a company that offers river cruises in Europe. Viking claims to have the largest fleet of deluxe vessels. The cruise vessels offer luxury accommodations and gourmet cuisine, along with comfortable, spacious rooms. Viking has been recognized by the magazine, Travel and Leisure as one of the “Top 10 Small-Ship Cruise Lines”.
Another resource for booking a river cruise is Uniworld which has been in business for 30 years. Uniworld offers all-inclusive packages aboard their boutiques-style ships. The cruise offers fresh meals and complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks during dinner. Uniworld has been given numerous travel awards and is well-known in the travel community.
River Cruise Tours is a part of Atlas Cruises and Tours and has been in business since 1998. The site offers river cruise options for rivers all over the world including rivers in Europe. River Cruise offers trips through France, Germany, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and The Netherlands.
For those that want to partake in in-depth explorations of various cities, a river cruise may not be the best option. However, a river cruise can be an enjoyable adventure for travelers interested in catching glimpses of multiple European port cities.
Julie McElroy - Freelance travel writer with published articles about places all over the world, including Italy, Colorado, Japan, Germany, and Spain.
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