Tips For Choosing European River Cruises

The rise in status of European river cruises is one of the real-life travel fairy tales of recent years. From an extremely niche option for a holiday, barge holidays down Europe's many picturesque rivers have become a popular choice for many adventurous holidaymakers. The myriad options on offer for European river cruises have seen a substantial amount of growth in recent years as well - one that not only meets the demand but largely exceeds it.

With this much on offer, it would stand to reason that holidaymakers interested in taking a barge cruise through one of these waterways would be slightly confused when choosing among all the available options. However, with a small amount of prioritizing and some sense of what you are after, it can become a surprisingly easy choice to make.

The first thing to do when trying to pick between the many European river cruises on offer, then, is to have at least some idea of what you want from your holiday. While all cruises of this type follow the same rough structure - about a week long, with stops in several ports along the way and space for day-trips in their schedules - the locations they touch upon are rather varied, and may cater to guests with significantly different tastes.

If, for instance, you would like to combine your river barge cruise with a bit of historical sightseeing, the Rhine, the Elbe or the Danube should be your destinations of choice. All three of these rivers flow past cities with a storied past - Amsterdam, Basel, Munich, Vienna - and the way in which they are structured will allow you to explore each of these cities to a sufficient extent to please any history buff.

If, however, your objective when taking one of these European river cruises is to primarily experience the cuisine of the destination, you may want to try cruising down the Rhone. This waterway flows past some of the most renowned wine regions in the world, and your daily stops will no doubt be seasoned with the tangy taste of a red or the more refreshing zest of a white. A dash of history is also included in these trips, making them ideal for passengers wanting to temper their gastronomic delights with a side of culture.

For sightseeing, the Douro, in Portugal, or the Seine might be your best bets. The Seine's appeal is obvious, as it flows into the magnificent city of Paris, one of the main tourist hubs of the world. As for the Douro, cruising down it will give you quaint views of the city of Oporto, which remains rather unspoilt when compared to capital Lisbon, as well as of some locations in northern Spain.

As you can see, then, there are barge holidays in Europe to fit all tastes and wallet sizes - all you need to pick the right one is a basic sense of what is most important to you, and the whole endeavor becomes much easier.

Paul Newman is the Marketing and E-Systems Executive for European Waterways, a provider of luxury, all-inclusive barge holidays. If you're looking for European river cruises we offer experiences in France, Holland, Italy and the UK.

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