the hotlist RIVER CRUISE Best for f i tness and wellness 1 2 3


1. AmaWaterways


,W ZDV WKH ਭUVW ULYHU FUXLVH OLQH WR FDUU\ bikes on board so active travellers FRXOG H[SORUH LQGHSHQGHQWO\ VHिLQJ D trend many others have since followed, and launched a dedicated wellness programme in 2017. It seems to have SDLG Rਬ ZLWK DJHQWV SXिLQJ LW LQWR WKH number-one spot in this new category. “ौH ELNHV DUH D JUHDW DGGLWLRQ DQG \RJD can be done on deck,” says Isla Stenning RI WKH /RFNHUELH EUDQFK RI +D\V 7UDYHO


2. Avalon Waterways


It’s not only Avalon Waterways’ Active & Discovery cruises – which encompass anything from kayaking along the Danube to pedalling around Paris – that agents value. Each ship has an ‘adventure host’ who hands out hiking maps, bike gear and Nordic walking sticks for hikes through hillside vineyards, and leads yoga on the sun GHFN ौH $YDORQ )UHVK PHQX DOVR reinforces the wellness ethos.


3. Scenic


Scenic’s ‘Space-Ships’ dedicate VLJQLਭFDQW VTXDUH IRRWDJH WR ZHOOQHVV facilities, with walking tracks on the sun deck, sizeable gym facilities – compared with other river ships – a 6DOW ौHUDS\ /RXQJH DQG RXWGRRU RU ‘vitality’ pools depending on the ship. On the Mekong, greet the morning with tai chi on the sun deck aboard Scenic Spirit, or try a Khmer massage which kneads deep into the muscles.


BEST OF THE REST


4. Riviera Travel VKLSV IHDWXUH D J\P DQG VSD ZLWK DਬRUGDEOH WUHDWPHQWV RQ WKH ORZHU GHFN ZLWK PRVW YHVVHOV adding a sauna and steam room as well. 5. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises takes wellness up a notch ZLWK VXQULVH \RJD DQG 75; VXVSHQVLRQ HTXLSPHQW IRU UHVLVWDQFH WUDLQLQJ 6. Emerald Cruises RਬHUV EmeraldActive excursions to go hiking, biking and kayaking, plus healthy eating back on board.


PICTURE: Joe Hancock 28 June 2025 travelweekly.co.uk


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