Looking for a city break with a difference? Do you want to see Europe from a new perspective? Do you still require a certain level of luxury and service? If the answer to these questions is yes, then give river cruising a try.
Europe is riddled with waterways, many of which are some of the most well known in the world. Rivers span hundreds of miles and traverse dozens of culturally and visually diverse countries and landscapes.
So what are the main benefits to or draws of this kind of cruising? Firstly, you will sleep in just one, very comfortable bed whilst you travel. For example, you can spend a week cruising along the Danube, travelling from Germany to the Ukraine, waking up in a new place every day but sleeping in the same, luxurious floating hotel. This 'hotel' is just like any other insomuch as you have your own en-suite room, a bar and a restaurant. The main difference is your view, which will constantly change throughout the trip. One minute you could be in Budapest, the next passing through the Iron Gates Gorge along the Serbia-Romania border.
Sleeping in just one floating hotel means you only have to unpack once and you won't get tired from travelling to new locations most days. River holidays basically take the hassle out of travelling. You can even choose to arrange flights and transfers yourself or buy a fly-cruise package.
River cruise ships are small, informal and friendly. They usually cater to about 140 passengers, so they are great places to meet other, like-minded travellers, making them perfect for single cruisers. Being small and perfectly formed means the English-speaking crew are highly attentive resulting in service of the highest standard.
But perhaps the biggest advantage to river cruising comes from being so close to the shore. You will see how rural life functions; you'll remark at the beauty of the landscape, and you'll watch as the local culture gets lived out in real life. It's not just the places you stop at that make a river cruise so interesting; it is the places you pass by that colour the journey.
The combination of small craft size and a close relationship with the life onshore means excursions are numerous and varied. One day you could be exploring an ancient city with a local guide whose knowledge seems almost limitless, the next you could be learning about wine from the owner of a small, independent vineyard.
You cannot compare river cruising to any other type of holiday. It offers vignettes into a country's inner workings but also offers an overall view of a region. The only way you'll know what it is really about is to test the waters yourself.
Europe is riddled with waterways, many of which are some of the most well known in the world. Rivers span hundreds of miles and traverse dozens of culturally and visually diverse countries and landscapes.
So what are the main benefits to or draws of this kind of cruising? Firstly, you will sleep in just one, very comfortable bed whilst you travel. For example, you can spend a week cruising along the Danube, travelling from Germany to the Ukraine, waking up in a new place every day but sleeping in the same, luxurious floating hotel. This 'hotel' is just like any other insomuch as you have your own en-suite room, a bar and a restaurant. The main difference is your view, which will constantly change throughout the trip. One minute you could be in Budapest, the next passing through the Iron Gates Gorge along the Serbia-Romania border.
Sleeping in just one floating hotel means you only have to unpack once and you won't get tired from travelling to new locations most days. River holidays basically take the hassle out of travelling. You can even choose to arrange flights and transfers yourself or buy a fly-cruise package.
River cruise ships are small, informal and friendly. They usually cater to about 140 passengers, so they are great places to meet other, like-minded travellers, making them perfect for single cruisers. Being small and perfectly formed means the English-speaking crew are highly attentive resulting in service of the highest standard.
But perhaps the biggest advantage to river cruising comes from being so close to the shore. You will see how rural life functions; you'll remark at the beauty of the landscape, and you'll watch as the local culture gets lived out in real life. It's not just the places you stop at that make a river cruise so interesting; it is the places you pass by that colour the journey.
The combination of small craft size and a close relationship with the life onshore means excursions are numerous and varied. One day you could be exploring an ancient city with a local guide whose knowledge seems almost limitless, the next you could be learning about wine from the owner of a small, independent vineyard.
You cannot compare river cruising to any other type of holiday. It offers vignettes into a country's inner workings but also offers an overall view of a region. The only way you'll know what it is really about is to test the waters yourself.
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