RIVER CRUISING 101: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Dreaming of Glühwein and Christmas Markets? River cruises are an awesome way to experience a number of markets on one itinerary.
Have you ever dreamed of sailing through some of Europe’s most beautiful waterways on a river cruise? Chances are it is something most travellers will consider at some point in their travels. A European river cruise can bring so much to your vacation. Dutch tulip fields one day, German castles the next. Sail from the coffee-house culture of Vienna to the art nouveau streetscapes of Budapest. Or get ready for the festive season by sailing during the Christmas Markets season.
No matter how you slice it, a river cruise offers something for all of us. Here are some handy tips and commonly asked questions when considering a river cruise.
The Itineraries Are On the Go
Sailing the Rhine in April? The Dutch tulip fields are a must not to be missed!
River cruises will typically visit one or two ports a day, and there are activities that are often included in your fare. These excursions range from walking tours, to motorcoach, and everything in between. The excursions will typically highlight the region’s culinary and heritage features. Alternatively, travellers can opt to do their own thing, which can be tempting for travellers who like to wander and see where they end up.
The Seasonality
River cruise season typically runs from April to October. Christmas market cruises will run later in the year. Spring has seen flooding on some riverways, and summer has seen drought on others. Fall can make for a lovely time for doing a river cruise, especially when considering all the seasonal harvest and delicious farm to plate dining experiences to enjoy along the way.
What River Should You Do?
All of them! Seriously though, what river to start with is a commonly asked question, especially among first timers. The top two choices, especially among river cruise newbies, are the Rhine and the Danube.
Rhines cruises typically run from Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, or vice versa. The duration is typically one week, and the river is popular for it’s steep vineyard slopes, fairytale castles and medieval towns. It’s a changing panorama. Plus the options for pre/post cruising in Switzerland and/or the Netherlands opens up a number of fun possibilities.
The Southeastern Danube traverses the famous Iron Gate gorge, linking Serbia to Romania.
Danube cruises typically run from the Black Forest regions of Germany all the way to Bulgaria and Romania. In the middle is Budapest, which is a common halfway point between the two. You can do one week from Germany to Hungary, or a week from Hungary to Southeastern Europe, or combine them for a memorable two week cruise through the heart of Europe.
The Southeastern part of the Danube is less busier, and it gets away from the hustle and bustle of cities like Vienna and Budapest. Sailing through Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania brings Eastern European charm, and areas known for rich wildlife, and political history up to the 90s. Take note, this section also takes cruisers through the Iron Gate gorge outside of Belgrade, which cuts through the Transylvanian Alps, the boundary between Romania and Serbia
What about the other rivers?
Hey, it’s nice to be spoiled for choice, right?
Lovers of all things French will enjoy sailing on either the Rhone or Saone, which sails through food and wine country, more specifically Provence and Burgundy. Meanwhile, France’s Seine in the North offers another set of experiences, including Monet’s famous garden in Giverny, and onto the coastal area including WW2 beaches. Don’t worry food lovers, love of deliciousness awaits here, including soft, rindy favourites; and wash it town with a calvados, the local tipple. an apple brandy with Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) status.
The Guadalquivir is Spain’s only navigable river, and if you want to river cruise it, we have options to recommend!
If you want to check things out on the Iberian Peninsula, consider Portugal’s Douro River, sailing through high-rising and rugged landscape known for many wines. Or head south to Spain’s Guadalquivir River, it’s Spain’s only navigable river and it winds its way from Seville through the heartlands of Andalucia.
Finally, if you like sailing in Central Europe, perhaps give the Elbe a whirl. It’s a lesser known riverway that links Berlin to Prague. German also has a lot of smaller tributaries that can be explored such as the Neckar and Saar, so if you want something really unique, this would bring you off the beaten track.
Need Help?
From what river company to go with, to what itinerary to choose, there can be a lot that goes into planning the perfect European river cruise holiday. Don’t forget to think about airfare, and options pre and post the cruise. That’s where we come in.
Contact us today to arrange a complimentary Zoom meeting to discuss your river cruise questions and interests, and let’s start planning now. For river cruises, it can be planned last minute or a couple years in advance. Naturally, the further in advance, the better selection and often the better rates can be had.