For a truly intimate and immersive holiday, look no further than a European River Cruise. Still one of the hottest trends in travel, demand for this style of cruising seems to be unstoppable. Read on to find out more about Europe's most popular rivers to cruise along.
Danube, Main, Rhine & Moselle
Flowing through or along the borders of ten European countries, this stunning collection of rivers is the most popular for first-time river cruisers. Stretching from Germany’s Black Forest to the coast of the Black Sea, the journey along the Danube - from Amsterdam to Budapest - is a favourite. Celebrated as the most romantic of Europe’s great rivers, cruise through the picturesque valley, topped with ancient castles, hilltop villages and lush vineyards.
Traverse the distinctly Bavarian towns and countryside as you cruise Germany’s Main River, joined to the Danube by the Main-Danube canal. The canal makes it possible to cruise down the river from the North Sea to the Black Sea.
One of Europe’s most legendary rivers, the Rhine sweeps through the most beautiful rural regions in Europe - from the Swiss Alps, through Germany and out to sea at Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Famous for its fabled Lorelei Rock, admire imposing medieval castles, steep slopes and ancient vineyards - making a cruise down the Rhine, a truly scenic cruising experience.
Flowing through France, Germany and Luxembourg, a cruise along the Moselle reveals the world's premier wine region. Sail past lush wine-producing vineyards and some of Germany’s prettiest riverside towns.
Seine, Rhône & Saône
Exploring some of the most picturesque countryside in France, enjoy a rich concoction of quaint villages and grand cathedrals, fields of lavender and vine-covered hills, historic châteaux and palate-pleasing produce when cruising these rivers.
For centuries, painters and poets have been drawn to the Seine’s riverside towns and inspired by its beauty. Running northwest from Burgundy, the Seine passes through Paris and empties into the English Channel at Le Havre. Take in the graceful Parisian waterfront as you head upstream on a nostalgic voyage, travelling between Paris and Rouen. From Paris, the river meanders through the verdant landscapes of Normandy.
Cruising along the Rhône River is the perfect way to experience the treasures of the Provence region. The only major European river that flows directly into the Mediterranean, discover the beautiful cities of Lyon, Avignon and the Beaujolais region, as you wind through the orchards and vineyards of the fertile Rhône Valley.
A trip along the Saône is a journey through France’s legendary Burgundy wine region, linking Paris to Marseille.
The Douro
Flowing through sun-drenched valleys, dramatic gorges and sprawling vineyards, the Douro is the hot new destination for fans of river cruising who want to experience something unique. Running from its source in the Serra de Urbión mountains, it’s fed by the waters of the Agueda river and twin, the Côa river, before flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. Many areas of the river can be strong and violent, though the gentle and scenic stretch from Porto to Barca d’Alva, on the Spanish border, is the section that most river cruise vessels sail down.
The Douro not only sustains wildlife, but also the local people and the crops in the valley, attributing to the unique flavours of the wine from this region.
Glide through Portugal’s wine country and the terraced landscapes of the Douro Valley, exploring medieval hilltop villages and visiting the cellars of world-famous port wine houses.
