Europe's Best Rivers to Cruise
Best European Rivers to Cruise
Whether you enjoy cruising the quaint Dutch Waterways or the mighty fjords of Norway, small group river cruising is trending in 2022 and beyond. Taking a small group river cruise in Europe is an experience like no other. The itineraries are carefully curated and the landscape is always close by. River cruises give passengers time to breathe in the culture and experience the spirit of a destination from the unique vantage point of the river. These are some of the best rivers to cruise in Europe with Tours of Distinction.
There are so many cultural and local experiences to enjoy on a small river cruise. We have picked our five favorite cruises for 2022. We think that these five river cruise experiences are the best because of their combination of interesting shore excursions that are packed with cultural and immersive moments, and unforgettable landscapes that will make you feel like a traveler and not a tourist.
Dutch Waterways Tulips, Windmills, and Canals
A river cruise on the small UNESCO World Heritage canals of Holland and Belgium will take you through some of the most enchanting medieval villages in Europe set amid the beauty of magnificent gardens and the iconic windmills of the Netherlands. In Amsterdam, glide past 16th and 17th-century gabled row houses and explore the trendy shops, cafes, boutiques, and the Anne Frank House in the Jordaan district. A highlight of cruising the Dutch Waterways is a stop in the idyllic village of Giethoorn, known as the Dutch Venice. Here, cruise past countless thatched houses that have been built on peat islands and are connected by over 170 bridges. For landscape lovers, a visit to the colorful Keukenhof Gardens, the largest flower park in the world, and a journey on the IJsselmeer, Holland’s largest lake lined with picturesque fishing villages is a must. If you cruise before October 9, 2022, you will also stop at Floriade, a once-in-a-decade horticultural event that covers an amazing 148 acres of displays and gardens including an aerial cableway across the park.
The Danube River - Palaces, Christmas Markets, and Old Town Squares
This river is the longest in the European Union originating in Germany’s Black Forest and ending in the Ukraine where it flows into the Black Sea. The Ports of Call on the cruises of this fabled river are magical. Austria with its musical heritage, once home to many great composers - Schubert, Strauss, Beethoven, and Mozart and its imperial architecture including the Hofburg and the grand Schonbrunn Palace make this stop unforgettable. Bratislava, Slovakia’s national capital, is brimming with Baroque Palaces, Cathedrals, and an Old Town District that will make you feel as though you have stepped back in time. Budapest is often called the “Queen of the Danube” because of its beautiful location on the river. Buda and Pest offer glorious sightseeing during the day and a fairytale landscape of twinkling lights on the Parliament Building and the Chain Bridge at night. Prague, “the City of a Hundred Spires” is one of the most photogenic in all of Europe. It is the perfect city to get off the beaten path and explore ancient town squares, vibrant old-world markets, and romantic castles. In addition to one spectacular city after another, on a Danube River cruise in December, you will visit some of Europe’s best Christmas Markets.
Cruise the Danube & Visit Budapest
Norway’s Fjords - Perfect to Get Away From It All
Amazing views of the rugged landscape, dramatic waterfalls tumbling down verdant cliffs, wildlife, and tranquil ports are what draws lovers of the great outdoors to the Norwegian Fjords. It is the perfect place to get away from all the hustle and bustle. Here, depending on the time of year, you can see the Northern Lights or the Midnight Sun. It is the ideal place to spot reindeer herds, mountain fox and even polar bears in the far north. Hiking, kayaking, skiing, and bicycling are just some of the outdoor activities that can be enjoyed. Natural beauty abounds here especially in Geirangerfjord and Naeroyfjord that are on the World Heritage List. One of the world’s best-kept secrets is that the best way to appreciate the beauty of Norway is by water. Part of the fun of traveling to the small ports is trying the local food so bring along your sense of culinary adventure! Many small villages along the fjords sell more than fish, you might sample caramel-flavored brown goat cheese, cloudberries, aquavit, reindeer, elk, or even whale.
The Rhine River - Fabled Forests, Castles, and Medieval Villages
One of the highlights of a cruise on the Rhine is that you will visit five countries and see countless castles, medieval towns, vibrant cities, vineyards, soaring cathedrals, and charming town squares. If you like castles, don’t miss a cruise on the Rhine River where you are more likely to see more castles than on any other European cruise. The typical Rhine River cruise begins in Basel, Switzerland known for its interesting architecture and museums, more than forty! Charming Colmar, France, a picture-perfect postcard village of half-timbered houses, Strasbourg, one of the largest port cities on the Upper Rhine and Germany’s Black Forest, the land of cuckoo clocks, fruit wine, and ham offer a glimpse into the varied lifestyles supported by this river. If you like wine, a visit to Mainz, considered to be Germany’s wine capital will be a treat. The scenic stretch of the Rhine between Rudesheim and Koblenz is a highlight of the cruise, with a parade of castles on the cliffs overlooking the river. Cologne’s Gothic Cathedral is as awe-inspiring as Amsterdam’s charming canals lined with row houses and windmills.
France’s Canals - Lavender Fields, Vineyards, and Idyllic Countryside
Ideal for wine and cheese lovers, a cruise on the French canal system is one of the most scenic barge cruises in Europe. The scenery of the French countryside that inspired artists such as Monet and Cézanne surrounds the French canal system with rolling vineyards, lavender fields, medieval towns, castles, colorful pastures, and sweeping mountain ranges. The best way to discover the real France is to take a canal cruise. The canal tours of Burgundy, Provence, and the Loire Valley are the most popular. Cruising the French Canals is an intimate experience because there are no more than twenty passengers on this leisurely cruise. Life on a luxury barge on a French canal is ultra-relaxing because of its unhurried pace that gives you plenty of time to take in the scenery and culture that glides by. Wine tastings at historic vineyards, castles, historic chateaus, Roman ruins, and medieval Abbys are all part of the French canal experience. This is a timeless journey fit for royalty.
Royalty on a France Canal Escorted Barge Cruise
Every comfort is taken into account on a small European river cruise. The destinations are accessible giving you time to immerse yourself in the ambiance of each destination rather than just passing through it. You have a countless number of amenities and comfort at your fingertips so that you can enjoy your cruise hassle-free. Best of all, an on-the-water adventure means that you will see smaller and lesser-known destinations that motor-coaches bypass.