Relax and go with the flow

There’s a new way to get to a country’s heart, says NICK DALTON

RIVER cruising is a holiday that’s taken off in an extraordinary way. From the classics of central Europe to exotic locations, ancient waterways are now open for business, offering gentle, sophisticated holidays through majestic, ever-changing scenery.

And yet it’s not simply choosing a river that’s part of the excitement, it’s finding a different way to do it.

Scenic is a company at the forefront of the new wave of river cruises, able to create something extra special (and all-inclusive) in both itineraries and ships.

A river that’s on everyone’s must-do list is the Mekong, meandering through Vietnam and Cambodia. Scenic takes it one step beyond with its new-for-2018 14-day Luxury Mekong and Temples Discovery.

The holiday combines a sevennight cruise between Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s exquisite colonial capital, and the wilds of Cambodia for three nights in Siem Reap. Here, during a three-night hotel stay there’s a range of included activities, many revolving around the mighty Angkor Wat temples – take a tour, a balloon flight so see them from a different perspective, and then enjoy a magical gala dinner (with drinks and traditional dancing) in the Kravan temple. There’s also a night in Ho Chi Minh City with the chance to explore.

Scenic Spirit, launched in 2016, takes Mekong cruising to a new level. The boutique ship has only 34 suites, each with a balcony, yet there’s a pool, open-air cinema, sauna, even wi-fi, with almost one crew member to each guest – including a butler, who’ll refill your complimentary mini bar daily.

Exceptional included excursions include a speedboat ride, tuk-tuk taxi trip to Phnom Penh’s Raffles hotel (with afternoon tea and cocktails) and an ox cart adventure into the Cambodian countryside. From £4,795, including flights.

IN Myanmar (formerly Burma), Scenic Aura carries only 44 guests along the Irrawaddy. The 16-night Mystical Irrawaddy trip includes two nights in the colourful city of Yangon along with an 11-night cruise between the town of Pyay and the exquisite, bustling city of Mandalay. See the country from the inside, visiting a monastic school and nunnery, exploring the colonial past and visiting temples and other breathtaking sights. From £4,995pp, including flights.

Scenic is devoted to new, contemporary, state-of-the-art ships. Scenic Azure, also launched last year, is the newest ship on the Douro, the sun-drenched river through the heart of Portugal. Custom-built for only 96 passengers to negotiate the winding, shallow river, it features all-inclusive luxury, down to a six-course tasting menu in the Table d’Or restaurant with paired wines.

The eight-day Delightful Douro voyage sails from Douro across the country to pretty little Vega de Terron over the Spanish border, from where an excursion visits the grand city of Salamanca. The holiday is full of exclusive treats – including a new-for-2018 concert, part of the Scenic Enrich series of experiences, in Porto’s São Francisco church, as well as a chance to see local life in the village of Provesende (with wine tasting in the manor house). There’s plenty more wine, with vineyards cloaking the valley slopes (sit on the sun deck and watch them slip by), an exploration of the Mateus region (visiting Mateus Palace) and more. From £2,045pp, including flights.