Raise a glass to stress-free travel!
WHAT could be more relaxing than taking a river cruise? Reclining on a lounger on the sun deck, watching a tapestry of pastoral scenery drift past, has to be one of the best things you can do. There’s just so much to see – and with wraparound vistas, you don’t miss a thing.
Look, there’s a craggy castle perched high above a vineyard! Did you see that huge flock of geese? What a beautiful bridge we are sliding under.
And if you’re cruising along the Danube, your vessel might moor in the centre of Budapest, just a three-minute walk from its wonderful Gothic parliament building.
These are the kinds of delightful surprises that keep on coming. And that’s only part of the story, as days are spent ashore, exploring streets rich in culture at every turn…
STORKS, STUARTS AND SACHERTORTE
IN STRASBOURG, you might drive along a road where storks nest precariously on treetops, before walking through the half-timbered old town to enjoy a beer in the beautiful cathedral square.
In vast Heidelberg Castle, hear how the court jester guarded the world’s largest wine barrel, which has a dancefloor on top – and how Elizabeth Stuart, daughter of James I, had an English wing and monkey house built in her honour, when she came here as a teenage bride.
In Vienna, marvel at the balletic moves of the Spanish Riding School horses and visit gilded Habsburg palaces, before savouring chocolate sachertorte in a panelled coffee house.
SCANDINAVIAN CHIC
YOUR river ship itself is likely to be amazingly smart. A haven of cool, Scandinavian chic, they let in lots of natural light. Suites are super-stylish, with either a window, a French balcony or private veranda, so you can greet each day with a beautiful view.
There are large interactive televisions, big beds, fine linens, and bathrooms with giant shower heads. And the level of personal service – and quality of the food – is famously outstanding.
Best of all, there’s so much included in the price: shore excursions, wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, flights, transfers, wi-fi, tea and coffee 24 hours a day. This makes for great value – especially for those booking ahead with Viking River Cruises this week, when you can still save a guaranteed £1,000 per person on all 2017 river cruises.
And with some premium river cruise lines, such as Tauck, a series of truly incredible experiences are built in, such as a private gala evening in a chateau, or a visit to a farm in the Camargue, to watch cowboys at work.
PORCELAIN OR PANDAS?
WHICH river should you cruise on? The Rhine and Danube are timeless favourites, revealing a gorgeous patchwork of picture-book castles, medieval monasteries, luscious vineyards, historic cities and halftimbered villages. Sailing the French rivers is a gastronomic delight, with opportunities to learn about different wines and visit local food markets.
For something a little different, a languorous meander along the golden Douro in Portugal serves up a visual feast. From Porto’s medieval tumble of colourful houses and baroque skyline, you sail through an ancient and beautiful landscape, revealing vineyards stacked up the hillsides on narrow terraces, palaces, monasteries, resplendent manor houses, and rabelo boats heavily laden with casks of port.
You could book-end stays in Berlin and graceful Prague with a journey along the elegant Elbe, winding through former East Germany and the Czech Republic, at times between dramatic sandstone cliffs.
Tour opulent palaces, take in the baroque splendour of Dresden and see how Meissen porcelain is produced.
Further afield, you could drift into the heart of Russia through widescreen landscapes and epic history, on a journey from St Petersburg to Moscow.
Alternatively, experience the ancient treasures and modern wonders of China, meandering down the Yangtze River, where each included excursion provides a once-in-a-lifetime experience – the Terracotta Army, giant pandas, and the Great Wall of China, to name but a few.
After each day of exploration, the effortless style and comfort on board will encourage you to relax, enjoy the views, chat about the day’s events… and plan your fascinating tomorrow.