A River Adventure

A truly unique way to see the world, river cruises take you right into the heart of a destination. From Germany to Switzerland to China, you’ll be able to take in breathtaking scenery as you gently glide along these inland waterways, as well as enjoying all the things your ship has to offer.

So, what makes river cruising such a great holiday? Well for a start, there’s so much more included than an ocean cruise; for example, most river cruises include wine and beer with lunch and dinner, and many include shore excursions too. If you prefer more intimate surroundings, river cruising is definitely for you. The ships are much smaller than ocean vessels, with more compact cabins for a cosy atmosphere and a romantically lit sail away. All your comforts from home can come with you too, to make your surrounding that bit cosier as you wake up to a new view every morning. Port stops are right in the center of town, so you’re never far away from new cultural experiences and who needs a taxi when you can be dropped off by cruise ship. Such luxury on an amazing adventure! Most of your time spent on river is overnight, so sailing never needs to take away from your exploration each and every day of a new and beautiful country. Plus, evening sailing lends itself to magnificent scenery as the light of cities, towns and villages illuminate the night.

Lets take a closer look at 2 of the most popular Rivers…

Danube

The second longest river in Europe, the Danube winds 1,770 miles through 10 different countries. Vienna is Austria’s capital city, and its elegance and charm are both big draws. This city has a long history of encompassing the arts, in particular music, and no visit is complete without seeing a performance at the State Opera House. Another must-do is enjoying a coffee at one of the city’s famous coffee houses, as well a slice of mouth-watering Sachertorte, which was invented here back in 1832. Moving east along the Danube we get to Bratislava, a vibrant city in the south-west of Slovakia. If you love historic buildings, you won’t be disappointed. Architectural styles include Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque and you can see examples of these periods all over the city. Budapest sits in the north of Hungary and is split into two by the Danube, with hilly Buda in the west and Pest in the east. As well as plenty of historical attractions, Budapest is well-known for its thermal baths, and no visit is complete without trying at least one of them!

Rhine

The Rhine is a scenery lover’s haven. As it sails through Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands, it passes rolling hills, majestic castles, lush vineyards and charming towns and
villages. Cologne is Germany’s fourth largest city and is a jewel in its crown. Visit the Cathedral; a gothic masterpiece and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a browse around the shops in the charming Old Town quarter, or take in a gallery or museum to experience the history and culture of the city. Belgium’s largest city, Antwerp, is also the country’s capital and is full of exciting things to see and do. Visit Grote Markt, Antwerp’s main square and the large fountain at its center. A real must-see on your visit is the secret Vlaeykensgang alley, which dates back to 1591. Step back in time as you walk through and discover what was once home to shoemakers and some of the city’s poorest residents.

Would you like to try a River Cruise or are you an Ocean Cruiser?