It used to be that when you did a tour of Europe, you would fly to Amsterdam, and haul your oversized luggage from the motor coach to a somewhat marginal hotel room, only to be ordered to have your bags outside your door for 6pm so you could do the same thing all over again the next day.
You would work your way from Amsterdam, across the Benelux countries, through France, and then fly home from Rome, completely exhausted, and vowing to throw away your massive suitcase for good.
Needless to say that river cruising is a significant improvement over those days.
Most people going on a European river cruise still fly to Amsterdam, and then hop on one of dozens of potential river ships and take a 7-day trip to Switzerland, or a 14-day trip to Budapest.
These trips are the most popular, but the Rhine and Danube trips are not the only routes in Europe!
- For those with a particular love of the Dutch, you can sail round-trip from Amsterdam on the Rhine, Mosel, and Elbe rivers
- If France is more your speed, you can sail on the Rhone, Saone, or Seine Rivers.
- Italy is also a river cruising destination, often round trip out of Venice on the Po.
- German river cruises are available on the Oder and Elbe Rivers.
- If you prefer to be further south in Europe, you can sail on the Douro River through Portugal and Spain.
- You can even take a river cruise to Russia
There are also river cruises in Asia, South America, and even the United States.
Most of these trips are between 7 and 16 days long, and have a wide choice of itineraries. So, while the Amsterdam to Budapest route is definitely worth considering, don’t feel bound by just one option.
Thinking of a river cruise? I’d love to help! Click here to get in touch today.
Sue Bradley
