River cruises

River cruises are a slow-travel option for exploring Europe’s valleys, but they also offer fast-paced adventures for active travellers. Words: Samantha Lewis

1 KAYAK THROUGH A CANYON

The Gorges de l’Ardèche is a series of limestone cliffs carved by the Ardèche River over millennia, forming an 18-mile canyon in the south west of France. Much of this nature reserve is only accessible by water: paddle past the Pont d’Arc, a natural bridge that serves as a gateway to the canyon, and along this Rhone tributary, keeping an eye out for otters and kingfishers, as well as vultures, falcons and eagles soaring above.

2 CLIMB UP TO A CLIFFTOP MONASTIC COMPLEX

A UNESCO World Heritage Site in northeast Bulgaria, the 20 medieval churches and chapels forming the Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo monastic complex were dug out by Christian hermits from the rocky banks of the Rusenski Lom River. There’s a bit of a climb to reach Holy Virgin’s Rock Church, the only cave open to the public, but its beautifully preserved 13th- and 14thcentury frescoes are worth the effort. What’s more, you’ll be able to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding natural park.

3 JOIN A BIKE SAFARI

At the Netherlands’ Hoge Veluwe National Park, 25 miles of cycle trails weave through an ever-changing landscape, from woodlands and dry heaths to shifting sand dunes. Discover it on a ‘bike safari’, keeping your eye peeled for the park’s ‘big four’: red deer, roe deer, wild boars and mouflons.

4 TAKE A GRAFFITI-THEMED WALK

A key player in the Flemish Renaissance, Ghent has expanded its cultural credentials to include a thriving street art community. Take a tour of the Belgian city’s art scene, including its aptly named Graffiti Street — a canvas for muralists where everyone is welcome to leave their own mark.

5 HIKE AND REFUEL

Serbia’s Djerdap National Park is home to the Iron Gates, the Danube’s longest, deepest gorge through the heart of the Carpathian Mountains. Discover it on a hike, stopping to refuel with traditional specialities along the way (the area’s cuisine bears influences from Romania, Turkey, Hungary and Greece).