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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. The ship stops in Luxembourg and then continues to Koblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers meet, before returning to Cologne. Celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2022, this family-owned and operated cruise company focuses on excellent food and wine, tasteful décor, stateroom views, and innovation in their luxurious fleet.
Christmas on the Seine
With 55 Nordic-inspired “Longships” sailing mainland Europe—including the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Rhône and Elbe—plus four ships on Portugal's River Douro, Viking has an itinerary for every type of river cruiser. The cruise line’s soothing Scandinavian aesthetic combines a chic design with spacious accommodations that include river views or private verandas, and sails also include drinks during mealtimes, shore excursions and Wi-Fi. The stellar 2022-built Viking Egdir, carrying 190 passengers, offers a ringside seat of bucolic vineyards and medieval castles on the Rhine, Main and Danube. It also takes passengers to some of Europe's blockbuster cities, including Budapest, Vienna, Cologne and Amsterdam. Passengers can sip on fine wines in the Wachau Valley, wander Regensburg's UNESCO-listed old town and marvel at Vienna's Habsburg-period architecture.
Why Viking
Luxury Travel And Value: Why Your Best Europe Trip Might Be A Cruise - Forbes
Luxury Travel And Value: Why Your Best Europe Trip Might Be A Cruise.
Posted: Tue, 05 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The main itinerary is a seven-night cruise from Lyon to Arles or nearby Avignon, or the reverse. If you’re going on a river cruise with lots of scenic landscapes, a balcony is definitely worth it. You’ll be able to watch the scenery unfold from the comfort of your luxury room, and you’ll also have a private space to get some fresh air. There’s nothing like gazing out at the Wachau Valley along the Danube or the Rhine Gorge, all in your own cosy bubble. As a low-lying country, the Netherlands is almost built on water, with plenty of canals and rivers to explore. One of the best times to go is spring, when the gardens and tulips are in full bloom.
The Seine, France
Whether you glide down Amsterdam’s canals, or sail into the countryside to see the windmills and farmland, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to sail in the Netherlands. The Ganges River is an important pilgrimage site and one of the most sacred rivers in India. A cruise on the Ganges will take you on a voyage through ancient cities, temples and spiritual traditions and rituals.
From Koblenz, longer itineraries take in a section of the Moselle, which winds through the heart of Germany's wine-growing country. Quieter and narrower than the Rhine, the Moselle snakes past small wine towns including Cochem, with a charming old town filled with half-timbered houses. Finally, France's Strasbourg introduces you to the sights and flavors of Alsace. The scenic highlight on this cruise is the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley, which is dotted with castles and medieval wine-growing villages. Music is traditionally played on the sun deck, often accompanied by complimentary cocktails, when ships pass the legendary Lorelei rock, a sheer 433-foot slate cliff, where a beautiful siren was said to lure passing sailors to their doom.
Fares include fitness classes, shore excursions, and all dining on board, including The Chef's Table specialty restaurant. New ships debut each year, and the spacious AmaMagna, launched in 2019, is nearly twice the width of traditional European cruise ships. Guests are kept busy (if they wish to be) with daily shore excursions, and most cruises offer several options depending on interests and activity levels. Bikes and walking tours are available in most ports, or guests can choose a leisurely day in a comfortable lounge enjoying the passing scenery. For a lazy, dreamy, wonderful river cruise experience, nothing quite beats exploring the wine regions of Portugal on the Douro, one of the major rivers through the Iberian Peninsula. The home base for these river cruises is Porto, Portugal, with its historic city center, spectacular bridges and port houses.
Best European River Cruise for Cuisine: AmaWaterways
Lisbon to Porto (or the reverse) is a common itinerary on the Douro River in Portugal. The Douro River Valley is the world’s oldest demarcated wine region and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most cruises begin or end with an overnight stay in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Porto, with ample time to explore.
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." When it comes to Europe river cruises, a perfect seven-night starter sailing is the Upper Danube, which takes you through centuries of history as you explore Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. German river cruise line A-Rosa has carved a niche for multigenerational river voyages after pioneering its kids club in 2014. The line's European family program is available on at least one ship on each river the line sails during school breaks.
American Queen Voyages (formerly American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines)
Itineraries feature guided trips to revered museums, cathedrals, and palaces—complemented by slow days sailing these scenic waterways. There is a seven-night itinerary with cruises sailing from the heart of Paris to Rouen or Caudebec or back. Alternatively, look to the Loire for a totally different river cruise experience. French-owned line CroisiEurope has pioneered cruises on the Loire -- which is notorious for its shallow waters -- with vessels using modern paddlewheel technology. Considering that river cruising came into its own in Europe, it won't come as a surprise that it continues to be one of the most popular destinations for this travel style.
The experience is worth the $295 fee, especially for true oenophiles who will get to savor coveted Bordeaux Grand Crus. Other highlights include visiting a truffle farm near Viviers and savoring a selection of wines at Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard. In Lyon, guests can visit foodie heaven at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, the city’s outstanding indoor food market filled with a vast array of produce.
The region is known for its supple grapes, and its environment is ideal for harvesting them. The 776-mile Rhine River, which runs through Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France and the Netherlands, is known for being one of the best European cruises, famous for its castles and stunning scenery. On a typical Volga cruise, the route is from St. Petersburg to Moscow (or reverse) and these two cities dominate the cruise itineraries.
Munich is less than two hours from Passau, and the majority of cruise lines include transfers. It is also worth considering adding a couple of extra nights in Munich, the capital of Bavaria and famous for its beer gardens. As rivers become a much sought after destination for travel, more operators are rising to the challenge of creating river cruise tour itineraries. Considering the number of river cruise lines out there, it can be a little overwhelming to shortlist your options. Included shore excursions go beyond the standard tours that most lines offer, such as a visit to the Szechenyi baths in Budapest.
For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. The Seine runs north through Paris and trickles into Normandy and the English Channel. This means there is an abundance of interesting places for you to visit.
The ships traverse waterways that include the Seine, Rhine, Danube, Douro, Main, Moselle, Rhone, Saone and Mekong. The world's largest river cruise line, Viking has a fleet that in Europe includes dozens of cutting-edge, 190-passenger "longships" with light-filled atriums, an appealing contemporary Scandinavian decor, and cabins with step-out balconies. An outdoor restaurant on the bow means you never miss a chance to take in unobstructed views. It’s advisable to book at least 6 to 12 months in advance, especially for popular river cruises or during peak travel seasons. Early booking can also secure better deals and ensure you get your preferred cabin type.
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