A river cruise is one of the best ways to see the world—especially Europe! Avalon Waterways offers many remarkable itineraries in this top river cruising destination. With so many beautiful rivers dotted with incredible historical sights and flowing through gorgeous scenery, it can be difficult to decide which one is for you. Whether you’d like to see ancient castles in Germany, Portugal’s river of gold, or endless vineyards in France, there’s an Avalon Europe river cruise to fit your vacation preferences. To help you narrow it down, we’ve put together a guide to choosing your next (or first!) Europe river cruise.
Rhine
The Rhine River is one of the most popular rivers and winds its way through Switzerland, Liechtenstein, France, Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands. There are more castles along the Rhine than any other river! The Middle Rhine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is filled with charming villages, stunning vineyards, and castles that look straight out of a fairy tale. The Lower Rhine makes its way into the Netherlands, where you’ll find windmills and beautiful medieval churches! Popular cities on Rhine river cruises include Amsterdam, Prague, Cologne, Bruges, and Budapest.
Douro
Portugal’s Douro River, or ‘River of Gold’ flows through the breathtaking Douro Valley which is known for its wine production. Along the way you’ll find vineyard covered hillsides and hilltop manors—and wine tasting excursions are typically offered on any Douro river cruise! Highlights along the way include Porto, the home of Port wine, Pinhao, an adorable riverside town surrounded by vineyards, and Salamanca, Spain with its ornate architecture and charming old city center. Be sure to keep an eye out for the beautiful azulejos, or Portuguese tiles, everywhere you go!
Danube
A cruise along the Danube is nothing short of enchanting. It flows through 10 countries, from Germany to Romania, and is the second longest river in Europe! It winds through the Wachau Valley area in Austria, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is known for its rolling hills, vineyards, and baroque architecture. Cruisers will also get to experience Vienna and learn about its rich cultural history, as well as explore fascinating Budapest. Excursions such as day trips to Salzburg, viewing the famous Lipizzaner horses, or enjoying thermal hot springs are all part of the magic of the Danube!
Rhone
The Rhone river makes its way from the Swiss Alps and flows through the southeastern part of France, eventually ending in the Mediterranean Sea. Foodies and wine lovers—a Rhone river cruise might be just perfect for you! The river flows through France’s gastronomic capital Lyon as well as top wine regions Provence and Burgundy. You’ll sail through scenic French countryside, medieval cities such as Avignon and Beaune, and experience exciting city life in Paris. You will get a true taste of France on the Rhone!
Seine
This iconic river will take you to some of France’s most beautiful destinations! Starting in Paris, you’ll see all the sights, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and famous works of art by Van Gogh and Monet. Other destinations on a Seine river cruise include Normandy, where you can tour the World War II beaches and Giverny, where you can tour Monet’s breathtaking gardens. Many travelers add extra days in Paris to their itineraries to savor everything the City of Light has to offer!
You can’t go wrong with any Europe river cruise. Each river offers fascinating sights, magnificent cities ranging from huge metropolises to tiny villages, historical landmarks, and many different options for exploring. Now it’s up to you—which river cruise would you choose?
