TAKE ME TO THE RIVER
River cruises are an ever-popular way to travel. And it’s very easy to see why…
IMAGINE a floating boutique hotel, where you can leave your luggage in your comfortable room while you wander around various cities, and travel in style along the peaceful, shimmering waterways of Europe. River cruises are the perfect way to combine a love of the great outdoors with the adventurous thrill of exploring new cities. And the ships are more intimate than a big ocean liner, full of bonhomie, and their smaller size means they can also travel the canals and narrow sections. Plus, there is no need for formal dinner attire – even though the cuisine is excellent – so you can just relax and take everything in at your leisure, and your own pace.
Paris and Normandy
WHAT better place to board a river cruise ship than in Paris? Ama Waterways’ Paris & Normandy trip starts and ends in France’s glittering capital city, via some of the country’s historic sites and cities along the shimmering Seine. First stop is Vernon, where any art historians (or even those with just a passing interest in art) should be sure to visit nearby Giverny, home to the hugely prolific Impressionist, artist Monet – you can even see his picture-perfect gardens and house. Next stop, Caudebec-en-Caux is your gateway to Honfleur and the magnificent Normandy beaches – so you can marvel up close at their place in history. Then it’s on to Château Gaillard in Les Andelys, followed by Conflans, to visit Napoleon’s private estate, Château de Malmaison – a sight to behold, with a museum interior. Once you return to Paris, you get to spend two nights to explore at your leisure, taking in the endlessly charming streets and sights, as well as choosing from optional tours. To find out more, visit amawaterways.co.uk
From Venice to the Danube
Ships are more intimate than a liner, full of bonhomie
A UNIQUE way to see the beautiful city of Venice is on a five-day Enchanting Waterways of Venice cruise with Mercury Holidays. After waking up to the glorious sight of the canals and the beautifully crafted boats, you will get to spend days on land, to see the Doge’s Palace, and take an afternoon tour of the charming island of Burato, as well as explore the city at your leisure. Why not take a gondola ride and really enter the spirit of your surroundings? Or take in the domes of the Basilica di San Marco? On the fourth day you will sail to the coastal town of Chioggia in the morning, then Padua in the afternoon – where you can take a trip to one of the world’s most visited holy sites. And all in good time to get back to Venice for a gala meal, as well as on-board entertainment, before you disembark the next day to the sight of the magical canals once more.
For a more extensive trip with Mercury Holidays, you may wish to take the route along the picturesque Danube, to visit its grand capitals, from Vienna to Budapest and beyond. An eight-day voyage will take you from small towns to Slovakia’s capital of Bratislava, into Hungary via Kalocsa and Budapest, then finally back to Vienna, rich in history and art, with some truly stunning architecture – seen to full effect via a tour of the Schönbrunn Palace. To find out more, visit mercuryholidays.co.uk/river-cruises
Portugal’s River of Gold
THIS trip from Viking Cruises combines the beauty of the Douro Valley with towns in Spain and Portugal. You will start from the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, in a luxury centrally located hotel, and wake up to embark on a
half-day tour of the city, from its UNESCO World Heritage Site monastery to the wonderful Alfama District. After a scenic trip to Porto the next day, you can explore the charming city, and sample its Ports and wines. After sailing in leisurely fashion along the Douro, next stop is Regua, where you can go to Vila Real to see its baroque palace, and even a local vineyard. East along the Douro is where the river really comes into its own, though, past dramatic rock formations and breathtaking terraced vineyards, to Barca d’Alva, near the Spanish border. Next stop: Spain. Here you will get to spend a full day in the ancient UNESCO World Heritage Site of Salamanca, and take a ride through Iberian countryside. Back on the Douro, it’s a return to Portugal and Pinhão, where you can take a scenic drive to a village with a traditional bakery, followed by lunch at a centuries-old winery – a civilised way to spend an afternoon, and contemplate your leisurely journey back to Porto. To find out more, visit vikingrivercruises.co.uk