Europe River Cruises

Nov   19
2009

Europe River Cruises - See Europe from A Small Ship

Consider a river cruise instead of a large ship cruise or land tour for the next time you plan a vacation. Why a river cruises? A river cruise gets right into the heart of a city unlike its ocean-going counterpart.

European River Cruises

European River Cruises

The ship docks, within minutes you disembark and are on a tour of Amsterdam, Paris, or Nuremberg. And unlike a bus tour, a river cruise ship is like a luxurious boutique hotel where you unpack once, settle in, and sit back on the sun deck or in a cozy lounge to watch the world go by. Also you can watch the scenery from your room because every cabin on a river cruise ship is an outside cabin. Some ships even have spa treatments available or go to the library or fitness center.

With mountains or forests on each side Instead of sailing the perimeter of a country, you sail along a river cutting right through the countryside. You don’t spend days staring at the sea -there is always something to see on a river cruise. Allowing more time to explore each town on foot- much of the sailing takes place at night. There are river cruises all over the world - Wherever there’s a river large enough for a small ship! River cruising got its start in Europe, where cruises along the Danube and the Main take you from Amsterdam to the Black Sea, through the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria. In France, Spain, Portugal, and Russia there are river cruises too.

A charming way to see Europe is Holiday River cruises and you can celebrate the Christmas season. With cinnamon and gingerbread the weather is cool but not frigid, and the ancient towns are decorated and scented. For shopping each town has its own Christmas market, so there’s plenty of opportunity.

The atmosphere is much more intimate and relaxed because River cruise ships are much smaller than ocean vessels. There are no rock-climbing walls or surf pools here - but there are libraries, lounges, fitness centers, and occasionally a spa. For adults these cruises are geared, but older children are welcome, too. There are presentations on local culture and traditions onboard each evening in addition to the tours each day.

Evening entertainment also dance performances by local artists and includes music. Take advantage of local produce and products meals on most river cruise ships are gourmet-quality. Since the ship makes daily stops, meats and produce are fresh so local wines and cheeses are served. As well as meals shore excursions are included on a river cruise.

You can see and hear the tour guide because groups on shore tours are limited in size (the ship is divided into smaller groups). With a land tour to see areas not accessible by river, or to spend more time in one of the cities visited you can extend your trip. The Europe river cruises experience is unlike any other cruise or tour you can take. From a small ship see the world up close, on your next vacation!

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