HOT TIPS FOR THE CARIBBEAN
It’s luxury all the way, as Europe’s grandest rivers reveal their most glorious sights
You’ll be able to explore a new city, town or village every day
MAGIC is in the air at the start of every European river cruise. There’s a calmness as you step on board a floating hotel and realise your holiday will be wrapped up in a wonderful world of luxury. There’s also an excitement as you consider the destinations and the perfectly tailored travel experiences that lie ahead. The combination? It’s hard to beat but it’s very easy to enjoy.
River cruising has won a lot of new fans in recent years, not least because people try it once, then keep coming back. The boats themselves are a big part of the appeal. Expect generously sized staterooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies and generous, uncrowded public areas. The five-star, friendly service also wins rave reviews. There’s wonderful food and wine, often including the local flavours, ingredients and traditions of the countries you visit. Add everything from libraries and on-board wellness centres and spas to the mix and you’ll see why stunning new ships and river routes from industry-leading firms such as Emerald, Scenic, Titan and TUI are now so popular.
BUT WHICH EUROPEAN RIVER TRIP TO CHOOSE?
MANY travellers start with perhaps the grandest and most evocative river of them all: the Danube. It’s a magnificent, meandering waterway that starts in Germany’s thick Black Forest and runs through ten countries on its way to the waters of the Black Sea. Along its vast length you glide past Bavarian castles straight out of fairy tales. You see the turrets of hilltop fortresses. And you stop to visit some of the continent’s most iconic imperial cities and capitals. Have some of the world’s best coffee (and pastries) in Vienna. Take in a classical concert in beautiful Salzburg. Soak in the hot springs of Budapest and have your camera ready for the ‘Iron Gate’ gorge between Serbia and Romania.
Or take a river cruise on the Rhine that can include the snowy peaks of Switzerland, the amazing architecture of Cologne Cathedral, views of the low-lying meadows and windmills of the Netherlands, the sights of Strasbourg and tulips of Amsterdam.
Then there’s the romance and glamour of a chic, five-star cruise on the River Seine that takes you through stylish cities like Rouen and, of course, Paris. Art lovers and architecture fans can visit the Louvre and magnificent Versailles. Gaze out across a series of tiny fishing towns before exploring the Impressionist landscapes made famous by Monet in Giverny. TAILOR YOUR TRIP STILL looking for inspiration? Emerald Waterways has a huge range of luxury river routes that includes the Douro for a unique holiday under sunny Portuguese skies. Pick it and you’ll float through the green fields and endless vineyards of some of Europe’s most lovely countryside. There’s also the River Main, which covers some 240 miles and passes grand Germanic splendour as it connects the Danube and the Rhine, or the Elbe, which offers tours of the Meissen porcelain factory in glorious Dresden.
Whichever river you choose, some things will always be the same. Your accommodation, service and food will match (and probably beat) those in any top-notch hotel on land. And you’ll also get something you can’t enjoy anywhere else: the chance to explore a new city, town or village every day – while returning to the peace of your luxurious room every night.
TUI, for one, promises you’ll feel like a river explorer, not a river cruiser, and it’s no idle boast. Europe’s grand river cruises offer the perfect combination of exploration and relaxation. They’re magical. And they’re on sale now.
FINALLY: Remember that the best river cruise companies put you first. So you can easily tailor the perfect itinerary to your own interests. Fancy an extra night or two at the start or end of your trip – maybe in a big European city or amid the glamour of Lake Como? It’s all possible. Just find out more about the very best river cruise companies and book your trip today.
>> FEATURED CRUISE: Danube Delights. Seven nights, from £1,447pp full board, including flights. To find out more, visit tui.co.uk