Travel2015

EUROPEAN river cruising is riding the crest of a wave – it’s the fastest-growing sector of the travel industry. And with itineraries packing as many as four countries into a one-week cruise, with the chance to wake up somewhere new each day, we are increasingly spoilt for choice.

Over the past three years, more than 50 new river vessels have taken to the water, with about 20 more due this year. The season runs from March to November, with itineraries ranging from short taster cruises to culture-rich, fortnight-long voyages. And if you prefer not to fly, Eurostar and Europe’s high-speed rail network offer plenty of options.

With spectacular scenery, charming villages and cities such as Cologne, Vienna and Budapest, it’s easy to see why the Rhine, Main and Danube attract the highest number of cruisers. Other popular rivers include the Seine, where ships are based in Paris and cruise to Normandy, and the Rhône, for trips through Provence between Lyon and Arles. Or you can cruise the Elbe from Berlin to Prague, the Moselle through Germany’s winegrowing heartland, Italy’s Po or Portugal’s Douro.

The size of European river cruise vessels is constrained by low bridges and narrow locks. They’re small and friendly, carrying 200 passengers or fewer. A big bonus is that so much is included. All meals come as standard, and the majority of lines also offer free daily excur-

ROYAL CLIP: The River Princess.