Which river is right for your dream cruise?
There are plenty of reasons to set sail on your own wish-list river cruise, but which route is the best choice for you?
Whether you’re a foodie looking for your next culinary adventure or a culture buff on the search for something unforgettable, travelling by river cruise often reveals regional highlights and hidden gems in equal measure, and exploring with our trusted partners, CroisiEurope, is no different. On one of their elegant, purpose-built vessels, you can look forward to experiencing the continent’s finest riverside hotspots in all-inclusive comfort and going beyond the guidebooks on carefully curated excursions.
You'll also be accompanied every step of the way by a dedicated Newmarket Holidays tour manager, and with expert local guides on each excursion, you’ll be perfectly placed to soak up the best of your chosen route. While every river has more than its fair share of fascinating highlights, though, some excel in certain areas and offer highlights that are certainly worth experiencing based on your own interests. With that in mind, which ones are best suited to your tastes?
Which river is right for you?
Food & Wine – The Douro
Renowned for its rolling vineyards and idyllic riverside vistas, the Douro Valley is one of the world's finest wine regions, and there are few ways better suited to exploring its terraced banks than by river cruise. Here, amongst port-producing quintas (wine cellars) and sprawling farmland, you’ll be perfectly placed to get a true taste for life in rural Portugal.
Keep yourself topped up with a number of delightful regional delicacies, step ashore for a wine-tasting or two at a local quinta or visit one of the quaint riverside towns for some lighter-paced exploration in the Portuguese sun. Whether you’re visiting for the local cuisine or the glorious riverside landscapes, this spectacular region won’t leave you wanting.
Our recommended river cruise – Delights of the Douro
Heritage sites – The Guadalquivir
If you’re interested in the colourful history of one of Europe’s most powerful empires, a cruise along Spain’s Guadalquivir River deserves a spot at the very top of your travel wish-list. Flowing through the sun-baked heart of Andalucía, this historic waterway has seen empires rise and fall across the centuries, and its cities still boast strong Phoenician, Roman and Moorish influences to this day.
Seville, the lively birthplace of the flamenco, with its towering Gothic cathedral, ornate Alcázar, and the world's oldest continuously operating royal shipyard, is the region's crown jewel and deserves a visit in its own right. Beyond the city, Granada's magnificent Moorish palaces and Cadiz's colourful waterfront offer ample opportunities to further immerse yourself in the rich UNESCO-listed heritage sites and cultural highlights of southern Spain. With that in mind, if historical discoveries and engaging exploration are at the front of your mind when planning your next holiday, look no further than the Guadalquivir.
Our recommended river cruise – Andalusian River Escape
Romance – The Seine
When it comes to those intimate moments with the people you love, there’s nowhere quite like Paris, the famed ‘City of Love’, and the River Seine offers the ideal way to explore its romantic riverside neighbourhoods. It’s not just the French capital that’s sure to impress on this winding route, and Normandy’s medieval landmarks and charming artists’ towns offer the perfect setting for an intimate escape across Northern France.
Those who enjoy the arts can find plenty of fascinating spots to explore in Giverny and exquisite Honfleur, while other highlights include the Calvados-producing Côte Fleurie and the towering cliffs of the Alabaster Coast. For an intimate escape, characterised by scenic beauty and French romance, the River Seine is the perfect choice.
Our recommended river cruise – River Seine Discovery
Scenery – The Rhône
For natural beauty, the Rhône is one of Europe's most rewarding rivers to cruise and traces a path through some of the most picturesque regions in France and Switzerland. From lofty Alpine peaks and dramatic gorges to the vivid lavender fields of elegant Provence, its ever-changing landscapes have captured the imaginations of locals and travellers alike for generations.
While papal Avignon, with its remarkable Gothic masterpieces, Roman Vienne and the foodies’ haven of Lyon might top your wish-list, slowing down to take in the Provencal landscapes from your ship is often just as rewarding. No sailing to the South of France would be complete without visiting the wildlife-rich Camargue or historic Burgundy regions, and as you cruise the Rhône, you’ll have easy access to both. If you’re looking for natural beauty on your sailing, you’ll find no shortage along the banks of the Rhône.
Our recommended river cruise – Rhône and Saóne River Delights
Highest value – The Rhine
Passing through three countries, the vast River Rhine is hard to beat when it comes to value for money. Starting in the Swiss Alps, this historic waterway cuts through France and Germany, before reaching its terminus on the coast of the Dutch coast. For those cruising the Rhine, this means a more varied experience with more than a few distinctive regions and local cultures to explore.
The Alsace, a border region characterised by fairy-tale villages, hearty food and a unique blend of French and German influences, is a must-see on this route and promises no shortage of fascinating spots to discover. The UNESCO-listed Rhine Valley, too, offers a memorable backdrop to your sailing with its towering cliffs and romantic riverside castles, while
Our recommended river cruise – Treasures of the Rhine – Amsterdam to Basel
City exploration – The Danube
With millions of visitors flocking to Central Europe’s capitals each year, it’s no surprise that some of the best travel experiences can be found in the region’s cosmopolitan centres. Linking four of the most popular capitals – Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava and Belgrade - is the ‘blue’ Danube, and if inner-city exploration is high on your holiday wish-list, it’s the perfect choice for ticking multiple sights off in style and comfort.
Passing through no fewer than 10 countries, this iconic waterway offers a truly diverse experience and showcases the finer details of each distinct regional culture. From the castles and coffee houses of imperial Vienna and elegant thermal baths of Budapest to the easy-going Slovakian capital, Bratislava, the Danube capitals offer rewarding exploration at every turn.
Our recommended river cruise – Grand Capitals of the Danube
Set sail across the continent with Newmarket Holidays and CroisiEurope
Are you keen to explore Europe by riverboat? With our trusted partners, CroisiEurope, you can experience the best of the continent’s major waterways under expert guidance and in all-inclusive comfort. For more information on each of our six new cruise itineraries, check out our dedicated CroisiEurope page, or give one of our friendly holiday planners a call to get the ball rolling on your next wish-list sailing.
