Where can I Find the Most Scenic European River Cruises?

On a Rhône River cruise you’ll follow this famous waterway through the landscapes of southern France. Cruises run both ways through the region of Provence, from Lyon in the north to Avignon in the south. If you start in Avignon, explore the largest Gothic palace in the world – the Palais Des Papes (Palace of the Pope). Built in the 14th century, the stunning building is the centrepiece of the city. Known as the “City of the Popes”, Avignon was the capital of Christianity in medieval times. You can also visit the ancient gatehouse and arches of the Pont D’Avignon – all that remains of the medieval bridge that inspired the children’s song “Sur le Pont d’Avignon”.

Going further back in time to the days of the Roman Empire, take a stroll around historic Arles. Visit the city’s well-preserved Amphitheatre, which was inspired by the Colosseum in Rome. The Dutch artist Van Gogh lived in Arles from 1888 to 1889, creating some of his most famous works here. To learn more about his life, visit the Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles, an art museum dedicated to Van Gogh’s legacy.

Back on the boat, drift through the Provence countryside and encounter picturesque riverside villages. In summer, you can admire the region’s beautiful lavender and golden sunflower fields. When you arrive in the lovely town of Lyon, your tastebuds will be treated to the best food France has to offer. The nation’s culinary capital, Lyon has numerous Michelin-starred restaurants. Signature Lyonnaise dishes include quenelle – a delicious fish dumpling – and Cervelle de Canut, a cheese spread seasoned with herbs and shallots.

Take a stroll through Lyon’s beautiful city parks and bustling markets. The city’s many promenades and bridges also offer scenic waterside views over the Rhône and Saône rivers. On or off the boat, sample fine Côtes du Rhône wines from the Rhône Valley. You can also enjoy Beaujolais named after the beautiful  wine region located to the north of Lyon.

For a longer river cruise holiday to taste more fine wines, visit Portugal.

Douro River Cruise Portugal

In Portugal, you’ll discover dramatic scenery during a Douro River cruise. Flowing from northern Spain through Portugal down to the Atlantic Ocean at the city of Porto, the Douro has a rich history. A 2,000-year-old wine route, it was originally named the “River of Gold” by the Romans. Beginning your trip in Porto, explore the cobbled streets and view the city’s magnificent architecture, such as the ornate, Gothic stylings of the São Francisco Church. You can also view warehouses stocked with Port, the fortified wine named after the city. Leaving Porto, you’ll soon drift along into Portugal’s Alto Douro Wine Region within the Douro Valley. With a blissful backdrop of mountains, green landscapes, olive groves, and vineyards, it’s little wonder that this scenic area is now on the UNESCO-listed World Heritage list!

In Régua, visit the spectacular Casa de Mateus. You may recognise this 18th-century Baroque palace as the building featured on bottle labels for Mateus Rosé wine. When it’s time to eat, give your taste buds a treat by trying some local delicacies. These include delicious cured meats, creamy cheeses, and pastéis de bacalhau (cod cakes).

You can enjoy wine-tasting at every destination throughout your cruise. The charming town of Pinhão is at the heart of the Doura Valley’s Port-wine production. It boasts numerous Port grape quintas (wine estates), which are a key attraction for wine enthusiasts. At the end of the Portuguese stretch of the Douro river, near the Spanish border, stop off at Barca d’Alva. At a quayside café, with glass in hand, gaze across the riverbank at the terraced, hillside vineyards and take in the region’s serene beauty.

For another relaxing trip, let’s see what’s on offer with a trip along the Netherlands’ river routes…

Port-to-Port Netherlands River Cruise

For culture, food and flowers, why not take a “port-to-port” Netherlands cruise from Amsterdam to Rotterdam? You can book a five-day river cruises by coach, trip that includes three-days travelling along Holland’s waterways before returning by coach to the UK. During your journey from Amsterdam to Rotterdam and back, you’ll float gently along on the ship with optional excursions along the way.

Departing from the UK on your coach, you’ll arrive in Calais, France by ferry. Travelling onwards to Amsterdam, on boarding your ship you may be greeted with a welcome cocktail before dinner! The next morning, the vessel departs on a cruise around scenic Lake Markermeer. Stopping off at Edam, taste a morsel (or two) of the town’s famous cheese, which was first produced here in medieval times. The fishing village of Volendam is the next stop-off – for something a little different to eat, why not try its renowned smoked eel? Finally, take a ride on the historic steam train in the attractive city of Hoord.

On the second day of the cruise, glide smoothly along to Gouda. Take an excursion to nearby Lisse, where you can take a walk around the Keukenhof Gardens in the morning. If you travel in the Spring, you can admire the colourful tulips as they come into bloom during the flower festival. Then in the afternoon, it’s Dutch cheese time again! Try a variety of tasty dairy products at Gouda’s Cheese and Crafts Museum – Goudse Waag.

During the last day, you’ll head for your final destination, Rotterdam. Discover the historic borough of Delfshaven, on the banks of the Nieuwe Maas river. The harbour features a picturesque yacht marina, but the town’s main claim to fame is that on 21st July 1620, the Pilgrim Fathers sailed from here to America on their ship Speedwell. A local church, the Oude Kerk, is known as the “Pilgrim Fathers Church” (Pelgrimvaderskerk). It is believed that the Pilgrims prayed for safe passage on a nearby quay prior to their journey.

Arriving back in Amsterdam, take in the sights on foot, or even by bicycle on a guided tour! Explore the scenic canals and bridges of the Grachtengordel district, then head for the A’DAM Lookout. The observation deck on the iconic, 100-metre-tall A’DAM Tower offers amazing panoramic views of the city! The Anne Frank house, home of the young World War II diarist, is a must-see, too. Visit the interactive Heineken Experience and learn how the famous beer is produced. Art enthusiasts will enjoy the Riksmuseum, which houses the world’s largest collection of works by Rembrandt. Round off your trip shopping in the boutiques of Negen Straatjes (the Nine Streets). Finally, visit one of the city’s numerous Indonesian restaurants and tucking into some delicious rice-based dishes.

Heading back to the UK in the comfort of your coach, you may want to start planning your next adventure! You can also find more European river cruises – some of which start and finish in Amsterdam – to transport you to amazing destinations, such as Rhine River cruises…

A Rhine River Cruise

The Rhine River is one of Europe’s greatest international waterways. Flowing from the Swiss Alps to Rotterdam in the Netherlands, it passes through six contrasting countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. A Rhine River cruise typically travels through one to three countries over four to eleven days. If you want to see all six, you’ll need to take an extended 15-to-18-day cruise, or a combination of trips. This will include rail transfers and travel on other waterways, as the Rhine can only accommodate river cruise ships in four countries – Germany, the Netherlands, France and Switzerland. Whatever option you take, if you’re looking for an adventure a Rhine River cruise could be for you!

One option might be to go on a eight-day trip that focuses on Germany with a stop-off in France. Start in cultural Cologne and sail down to charming Colmar before heading back on the return journey. You’ll pass through the stunning Rhine Gorge, a canyon-like valley. It has vineyards, forests, ruined medieval fortresses and 19th-century Neo-Gothic grand houses to gaze at in wonder!

The historic town of Heidelberg is a great place for walking tour. Located on the banks of the Neckar Valley, it features a distinctive arched, stone bridge that spans the River Neckar. This scenic structure was the focus of a painting by the famed artist JMW Turner, who visited the town in the 1840s. The Old Town is full of quaint, terracotta-roofed houses. It also has a renowned University that dates back to the 14th century. Heidelberg Palace and its castle ruins will also grab your attention. Sitting high up in the valley, this striking red sandstone building overlooks the town below, like a watchful guardian.

Next, you’ll reach Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region in France. This unique city blends cultures, as its language, cuisine, and appearance are a mix of German and French. Its delightful half-timbered houses have remained unchanged since the 14th century! In contrast, you also see the modern steel and glass architecture of the European Parliament building as you drift by.

The final stop on the outbound journey is Colmar. This a fairy tale-style town, full of colourful houses, antique shops and canals. Wander around to take it all in, then have a relaxing lunch before heading back to your ship.

When you return to Cologne, take the time to explore. Visit the City Hall – the oldest town hall in Germany, then indulge in retail therapy in the city’s great shops and stores. For those with a sweet tooth, why not sample some treats at the Chocolate Museum? Immerse yourself in nature at the Flora Botanical Garden. Later, sip a craft beer or two at a tavern along Cologne’s cobbled streets, before having one last dinner aboard your ship.

To visit more European countries during a river cruise, consider a trip down the Danube River…

A Danube River Cruise

The Danube River holds the record for flowing through more countries that any other waterway in the world. It winds through 10 nations, from the Black Forest, Germany to the Black Sea in Ukraine. En route, the Danube passes through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova. You’ll need to book more than one Danube River cruise to see all the captivating countries along the waterway’s length. To begin, why not start in Munich – the centre of Bavarian culture in Germany – and finish in Budapest, Hungary?

In Munich, check out the museums and beer halls. The legendary Hofbräuhaus is the home of the annual Oktoberfest festival – a world-famous celebration of ales from Bavaria and beyond. From here, the trip will take you downriver to Passau, a town that’s often referred to as “Venice on the Danube” due to its beautiful Italian Baroque architecture. It was rebuilt in this style after a fire in 1662 destroyed most of the city’s original buildings. Enchanting Regensburg is another delightful destination. This 2,000-year-old Bavarian city has UNESCO World Heritage status, with preserved architecture dating back to Roman times.

Entering Austria, you’ll soon find yourself in cultural hub of Vienna. You’ll be dazzled by its ornate architecture, art galleries, and world-class shopping. Take in a classical concert at St. Peter’s Church, then sample local wines and cocktails in the elegant bars. Explore the Schönbrunn Palace and wander through its fragrant gardens. Finally, visit Berggasse 19, the birthplace of psychoanalysis, where Sigmund Freud lived and worked in the 1930s.

Another possible Austrian excursion on your cruise is a trip to the treasured Göttweig Abbey in the town of Krems. This Baroque building is a spiritual centre run by a community of 45 monks, with amazing views of the Wachau Valley. Then, in a stop-off in Salzburg, find out if the nearby hills are alive by spending time wandering around the film locations seen in The Sound of Music!

The final highlight is Budapest, a city divided in two by the Danube. Take a look over the city from top of St Stephen’s Basilica, a magnificent, domed cathedral built in the neoclassical style. Unwind in the gardens of the Hungarian Parliament Building. Next, enjoy a warming dip in the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, one of many outdoor thermal pools. For local food and souvenir shopping, stroll around the Central Market Hall (Nagy Vásárcsarnok). If you’re a culture lover, a night at the Hungarian State Opera House is the ideal way to round off your trip.

Cruise and Rail Holidays Along the Danube

To enhance your holiday on the water, you may want to add a train trip to your itinerary. If so, why not book a combined cruise and rail holiday? For example, you could start in Budapest by boarding the luxurious Golden Eagle Danube Express. During a round train-trip, you can admire the Hungarian Plains as you speed along. Entering Romania, you’ll get to see the magical castles of Transylvania the land that inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula! After your rail journey, you’ll cruise along the Danube River by ship, following your itinerary in the countries you choose to visit.

Remember that cruise and rail holidays are not just limited to the summer months. Book either or both during the winter months…

Christmas River Cruises on the Rhine and Danube

During your river cruise, visit Christmas markets on the Rhine. Stop off at Strasbourg – Alsace’s 400-year-old Christmas market – and magical Mainz, Germany. The Strasbourg market is the oldest in France, featuring more than 300 market chalets throughout the bustling city. Meanwhile, the enchanting town of Mainz is home to one of Germany’s most important religious buildings, St Martin’s Cathedral whose origins date back to 975 AD. As Christmas nears, the cathedral is alive with visitors from all over the world. You can also admire spectacular stained-glass windows of St. Stephan’s Church. For a less festive excursion, take a tour of the Gutenburg museum. This features a recreation of the workshop used by Mainz native Johannes Gutenburg, who invented printing with movable metal type in the 15th century.

Continuing along the Danube River, you’ll also sail through Austria’s wonderful Wachau Valley. From here, it’s onwards to visit the Christmas market of Vienna, and then finally to see the Yuletide offerings at Linz, the third biggest city in Austria.