How to Cruise the Greatest Rivers in Europe

The best views of cities are often seen from the river.

River cruising is one of the most enjoyable ways to tour Europe. As with any cruise, your hotel room travels with you, removing the need to regularly unpack or to haul around luggage. At the end of a day of busy sightseeing, you can return to your hotel room on the water instead of searching for a place to stay. Best of all, your river boat docks in the very center of many of the great capitals of Europe. There are, however, some steps every traveler should take to ensure the best river cruise experience.

Things You'll Need

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Compact luggage
• Sunglasses and sunblock
• Binoculars

Instructions

Planning Your River Cruise

1. 

   Many river cruises include private tours of chateaus and vineyards.

   Choose your river. There are 14 rivers in Europe over 600 miles in length, and many more smaller tributaries. These waterways are some of the oldest trade routes still in existence. They are all fascinating, but one river may better cover the territory that you would most like to see. Each river has a different character: The Rhine is busy, with plenty of river traffic and frequent cities and villages passing by; the Loire is also busy in parts, and it winds by castles and chateaus; the Douro in Spain and Portugal drifts by sleepy towns and a quiet countryside.

2. 

   Old canal houses and locks add interest to a Dutch river cruise.

   Choose your cruise line carefully. As the rivers all have their different characteristics, so too do the boats that sail on them, and one cruise line may match your personality better than another. Stephanie Bishop, the managing director for Globus, says one thing to look for is the age of the ship. Avalon, which is a subsidiary of Globus, will launch the "Panorama" in May 2011. The "Panorama" is a brand-new and contemporary vessel with upscale facilities and panoramic views from the staterooms. Although some boats have been around for a while and are tired and in need of updating, many cruise lines are updating their boats in response to the increasing popularity of river cruising. Longer river cruises attract an older clientele, while seven-day cruises have younger participants.

   Some cruise lines have a culinary or wine-sampling focus, while others concentrate on the history or culture of the region being traveled through. Cruises out of Amsterdam give the garden lover an up-close and personal look at the tulip fields in spring. Some cruises combine bicycle excursions, hikes and soft adventure with their sailings. Decide what you like to do, and find the river cruise that will match your interests.

3. 

   The best way to explore riverside villages is on foot or by bycycle.

   Pack wisely. It is always a good idea on any cruise to pack carefully, but that is often even more important on a river cruise. Storage space is limited, so plan to bring clothes that will perform multiple duties. Life on a river boat is less formal than on a large cruise line, so casual clothes are more practical. Bring good walking shoes, as there are often great walking tours along the old cobblestone streets of city centers. Don`t forget a good pair of binoculars, as you will be able to see details of the cities and villages along the river banks as you sail by.

4. 

   The buildings on historic rivers of Europe are often architecturally beautiful.

   Do your research. It is important to decide not just where you want to go, but when. TravelandLeisure.com recommends booking six months or more in advance to get the best prices. Consult an agent who specializes in cruises, read the guide books for the cities that you will visit on the cruise and decide if you want plan your own shore excursions or if you will take the shore trips planned by the cruise company.

5. 

   There's a perfect picture around every corner on a European river cruise.

   Document your trip. This will be a memorable experience, so be prepared to record it. There is no more scenic way to get to know Europe than by river, and you can capture the countryside from a unique perspective. If you are at all artistic, take some time to sketch or paint the river views.

Tips & Warnings

• Because of limited capacity, river cruises book up quickly, so be sure to plan early. The peak river cruising season in Europe runs from April through the end of October, with shoulder season prices in April and November.

• Don't expect the same experience you would have on a large cruise ship. There probably won't be a casino on board, the boat's restaurant will be small and the cabins will be more compact than you have had on the large liners. But the cruise experience will also be more intimate and potentially more culturally stimulating.

• "Lonely Planet" says, "Crowding is the main difficulty in the warmest months of June, July and particularly August. In some countries, such as France and Italy, many shops and restaurants close in August while locals take their own holidays, meaning that some cities can feel rather dead."

References

• Lonely Planet: Europe
• TravelandLeisure.com
• Globus: Independent Vacations