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European River Cruises

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European River Cruises

Sail down the Danube, explore the Rhine, relax on the Main. Discover quaint towns, hidden gems and castles galore – all on a European River Cruise!

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European River Cruises
The incredible Danube, Dnieper, Don, Elbe, Loire, and Oder being only a mere but stunning handful of the hundreds of rivers and their tributaries across Europe. The perfect balance between ancient and modern, the best way to discover Europe is by river. European river cruises along the Rhine, the Main, the Danube and the Seine are bound to feed your appetite for the wonders of Europe. A river cruise will take you to the doorstep of the historical and architectural marvels that Europe has to offer. Journey to Amsterdam, Cologne, Vienna and more to learn of the prominence of the contemporary versus ancient features that permeate Europe. Visit all the highlights of the legendary Rhine River including charming castles and witness the lush landscape of the Black Forest region. Discover grand cities and quaint villages along the Danube and experience the natural beauty of Germany along the elegant Elbe.
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Expert Tips for cruising the European Rivers

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Cruising European rivers in summer allows for long days and warmer weather perfect for sightseeing - but winter cruises offer their own charm with snow covered buildings and enchanting Christmas markets. It's a perfect all year round cruising option.

For sophisticated river cruises with their own programme and refined atmosphere try cruise lines like Uniworld or Tauck. For an authentic European river cruising experience book an APT cruise, a home-grown Australian company.

Travel Tips for European Rivers

European river cruises are an absolutely perfect way to see the majestic cities dotted throughout Europe. Cities such as:

  • Amsterdam
  • Cologne
  • Vienna
  • Budapest

Witness the enduring splendour and refinement of the Old Europe with river cruises along:

  • The Main
  • The Rhine
  • The Seine
  • The Danube

Most Popular Routes

The Danube

The Danube is one of the most popular rivers in Europe for cruising, which is no surprise considering the stunning cities which lie upon its shores:

  • Prague
  • Vienna
  • Budapest
The wide range of shore excursions offered by the cruise lines will assure you truly get a sense of these wondrous places.

The Danube also boasts an array of quaint villages which have their roots in small fishing towns. The riparian backdrop of these shoreside destinations holds the essence of a European river cruise, so be sure to do some research to get the most out of your trip!

The Rhine

The shores of the Rhine are studded with castles both impressive and imposing. A cruise along the Rhine allows you to witness the extensive Black Forest region and also cities like:

  • Amsterdam
  • Basel
  • Cologne

Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands offers a great deal:

  • Numerous museums
  • Vibrant gardens
  • Winding canals
  • Ancient riverside ruins
You can experience all that and more as part of a shore excursion.

On a Rhine cruise you will see a lot in a relatively short space of time, which is ideal for those who want to get a taste of Europe.

Cruise Lines

Some of the most reputable river cruise lines sail along the European waterways, so you will have no trouble finding your perfect European cruise holiday.

  • - A-Rosa Cruises: the German river cruise line offers some of the most versatile itineraries all over Europe and its waterways. Onboard meals, drinks and many other extras are included in the price of the cruise, so you can relax and enjoy the wonderful scenery around you. A-Rosa will sail you along these spectacular rivers:
    • Rhine
    • Danube
    • Rhone / Saone
    • Seine
    • Douro
  • - CroisiEurope: the cruise line is one of the veterans of European river cruising and offers very detailed and off the beaten path itineraries. Their 32 ships are of different categories: standard and premium, meaning you can choose one that suits your budget.
  • - Viking River Cruises: the small ship experts in European river cruising, Viking River Cruises sail along all the biggest and most popular rivers, also outside of Europe. Their numerous ships are modern and beautifully designed.

The Best Time to Visit

European river cruises sail from March to December due to the region's weather conditions. However, the very best months to go on a river cruise adventure around Europe are:

  • April and May
  • September and October

There are a few good reasons for that:

  • The weather is still comfortable, its mostly warm and sunny - perfect for exploring outside
  • There are fewer tourists around as its not high season
  • It is easier to find discounts and special offers on cruises (again, because its not high season)