10 amazing river cruises to book now we're back on the water
The ocean may be off-limits for Britons at the moment due to advice from the Foreign Office and Department for Transport but that doesn't mean eager cruisers are entirely landlocked. River cruises are exempt from the guidelines, and Europe is opening up with shorter voyages. From the Saône to the Seine, the Danube to the Douro, there are many possibilities to get back on the water in the months ahead.
Ease back on board
Five days might just be enough of a cruise fix after a long, landlocked 2020. CroisiEurope’s short jaunt on the Rhone begins and ends at Lyon, and offers trips to the Ardèche Gorges – “Europe’s Grand Canyon” – plus vestiges of the Roman Empire and “safari” trips through the wild Camargue. If you’re happy to stay on the ship, the restaurant’s French cuisine and wine flowing from the bar will no doubt keep you occupied.
Departing Aug 14, from £742pp (020 83281 281; croisieurope.co.uk)
History on the Rhine
Opt for the Rhine if you want a deep dive into European history over 11 days on River Empress, taking you from Amsterdam through Germany and France until you reach Basel, Switzerland. Along the way, experience Rotterdam’s maritime past, Cologne’s Romanesque churches, Frankfurt’s juxtaposed skyscrapers and Old Town, and Strasbourg’s charm on foot or bike. Food and drink also stars – Alsatian choucroute, Dutch cheese, Kölsch beer… and more. Bon appétit.
Multiple departures from Sept 4, from £2,879pp (0808 168 9110; uniworld.com)
Jewels of Europe
Three of Europe’s most spectacular waterways – the Rhine, the Main and the Danube – are sailed over 15 days with Scenic. Ancient trade routes sweep you past sites of medieval skirmishes now replaced with forested hillsides and romantic towns. Starting in Amsterdam you can discover “quintessential Holland” with the windmills in Zaanse Schans, then cruise on to Germany to join a Middle Ages feast in Marksburg Castle or visit monks in Miltenberg, later taking in some classical music at Vienna’s Palais Liechtenstein.
Departing Sept 7, from £5,095pp (0808 256 3125; scenic.co.uk)
Seine difference
This eight-day cruise starts as a late-summer break in Paris before a slow journey along the Seine. Among the stops are Rouen, where the Gothic cathedral has pride of place on the city tour, as well as Bayeux (quaint, half-timbered buildings compete with its namesake tapestry for attention) and Arromanches, where you can immerse yourself in D-Day history. When sailing through Vernon, simply relax with a drink on deck and watch countless villages drift by.
Departs Aug 25, from £1,299pp (01283 880183; rivieratravel.com)
Rhine romance
According to Scenic, everyone deserves to experience the magic of Europe’s most romantic region at least once. Begin in Basel, stopping first in Strasbourg with a chance to while away hours in a winstub (wine lounge), then on to Germany and the Netherlands. Other highlights on the eight-day all-inclusive itinerary are exploring the Black Forest region during a visit to the Vogtsbauernhof Open Air Museum, and a ride on the oldest cog railway in Germany.
Departing Sept 16, from £3,345pp (0808 256 3125; scenic.co.uk)
A taste of Bordeaux
Fly from London into the centre of the world’s most famous wine region to join AmaWaterways’s AmaDolce, sailing a seven-night round-trip from Bordeaux’s grand 18th-century facades. From Libourne, at the confluence of the Dordogne and Isle rivers, visit the medieval town of Saint-Emilion, and the next day spend time at Blaye’s 17th-century citadel.
Departs Oct 15, prices from £2,945pp (020 7399 7670; mundycruising.co.uk)
Douro discovery
Imagine floating past sun-baked hills, strung with vineyards you occasionally stop at to wander. This eight-day cruise on Emerald Radiance, Porto to Porto, delves into how viticulture shaped the region, with excursions that span port tasting to tours of ancient Salamanca. Keep your eye on the latest travel advice, as Portugal isn’t on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s safe list – yet.
Departs Oct 10, from £1,295 (0161 513 8200; panachecruises.com)
Gallic getaway
An evening departure from Lyon sets the pace for a Southern France holiday on-board A-Rosa Stella, your home for eight days. The itinerary encompasses walks along the Mâcon’s café-lined promenade beside the Saône, finding hidden corners of Chalon-sur-Saône’s medieval quarter and night tours of Avignon – all before you reach Arles.
Departs Sep 12, from £1,659pp (0330 160 7700; newmarketholidays.co.uk)
Enchantment in the East
Europe’s east beckons for nine days with Emerald Waterways, taking in five countries. Follow highlights along the water, swapping Bucharest’s Spring Palace for the rock-hewn churches of Ivanovo, Serbia, known for their 14th-century frescoes, then on to vibrant Belgrade. Delightful Croatian waterfronts are followed by Hungarian cultural experiences, from paprika to Magyar cowboys. There is still time for some of these countries to be added to the FCO’s “travel corridor” list; keep your eyes peeled.
Departing Oct 10, from £1,895pp (0808 301 3352; emeraldwaterways.co.uk)
Winter spirit
Sailing the Danube at Christmas still has an old-school charm; though each port of call clearly wants to sparkle above the others. From Crystal Mahler’s panoramic balcony cabins it’s all about the landscape, while onshore highlights include Vienna’s sprawling Rathausplatz. Other stops on this seven-night itinerary include Bratislava and Krems.
Departs Dec 2, from £2,897pp (020 7399 7604; crystalcruises.co.uk)
