RIVER CRUISING: IN EUROPE Europe Cruise
The Rhine gave birth to Europe’s river cruising industry and this thriving waterway still reigns supreme as the most popular river, says Sara Macefi eld
S
tretching from Switzerland through Germany and Holland to the North Sea, the Rhine
follows a memorable route past some of Europe’s most picturesque towns and landscapes. The Rhine’s tributaries link up with the Main and Moselle rivers; increasing its appeal as boats can sail along all three or through the Main- Danube Canal and on to the Danube. This is the second-longest river in Europe (after the Volga) fl owing nearly 1,800 miles from Germany’s Black Forest to Romania and the Black Sea, cutting through some of the continent’s most beautiful cities. A Danube cruise brings alive the
history of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and a reminder of when the countries enroute, including Hungary and Bulgaria, were covered by the cloak of communism. Another central European river is the Elbe, but while it boasts beautiful
sights and fascinating history, it is more of a backwater, overshadowed by its better-known neighbours. Flowing from the Czech Republic through Germany, it cuts through major cities such as Berlin, Dresden and Prague. River cruises in France are
concentrated on the Seine, which combines the pretty countryside of Normandy with the glitzy appeal of Paris, while the Saone and Rhone showcase the south of the country. Itineraries generally feature the Saone and the Rhone as they converge in Lyons, with sailings following the Saone through Burgundy and the Rhone through Provence further south. Portugal’s Douro River is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to Europe’s more tried and tested options. The river cuts right through the heart of the picturesque Douro Valley – the centre of the country’s
port- producing region – as it fl ows from Spain to Oporto, from where sailings depart. Riverboats travel towards the Spanish border at Vega de Terron, but then have to retrace their steps as the river is not navigable beyond this point.
On the fringes of Europe lie the
Russian waterways, including the Volga, that link the cultural gems of Moscow and St Petersburg. Another option that highlights the rich history of the region is the Dnieper which fl ows from Russia through Belarus and the Ukraine to the Black Sea. And as if this isn’t enough, a number of smaller rivers are starting to appear in itineraries. These include the Po in Italy, where sailings include the Venice Lagoon, and the Guadalquivir in Andalucia.
Packages HEBRIDEAN RIVER CRUISES –
01756 704704 A seven-night Rhine sailing from Basel to Amsterdam including fl ights starts from £2,475pp, twin share, for a deluxe cabin, departing June 8.
hebridean.co.uk AMAWATERWAYS - 0800 954 0063 A one-week Danube sailing from
Nuremberg to Budapest costs from £1,499pp twin share, for a November 4 departure, cruise-only.
amawaterways.co.uk VIKING RIVER CRUISES - 020 8780 7972 A nine-night Elbe voyage from Prague to Berlin costs from £1,495pp twin share on November 9, including fl ights.
vikingrivercruises.co.uk TITAN - 0800 988 5867
A 10-night package that includes a three-night stay in Lisbon and a one- week round-trip from Oporto sailing along the Douro leads in at £1,899pp twin-share, departing on November 7, including fl ights.
titantravel.co.uk SHEARINGS HOLIDAYS -
0844 824 6351 A six-night round-trip Venice sailing that explores the city, the lagoon and the River Po starts at £808pp twin share, for a March 21 departure, with fl ights.
shearings.com SWAN HELLENIC - 0843 316 1715
A one-week round-trip from Lyons sailing along the Rhone costs from £1,695pp twin share, for a September 7 departure, fl ights included.
swanhellenic.com
www.sellinglonghaul.com • March 2013 39
HEBRIDEAN
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