If you want to explore as much of Europe as possible without breaking a sweat, then you should consider taking a river cruise.
River cruising has exploded in popularity in Europe in recent years and according to Future Market Insights the global river cruise market is worth $2.36 billion right now.
Not a fan of cruise ships? River cruising is a very different experience compared to a conventional ocean cruise.
The boats are smaller, the vibes are more luxurious, and you can see Europe’s most beautiful cities from the comfort of your own balcony.
Here’s why a river cruise could be the best way to explore Europe this summer:
Scenery And Luxury
When you think of a scenic way to see as much of Europe as possible, you probably think of taking a train.
We’ve seen scenic train travel become the new big thing in European exploration, and I can see why because I’ve written about how much I love train travel and how affordable it is.
Well, a river cruise is a very similar experience. You travel from A to B while enjoying the landscape change outside of your window.
Imagine taking a Rhine River cruise and passing by the canals of Amsterdam and the cathedral in Cologne without having to leave your comfortable chair.
What makes cruising superior to taking the train though is that your experience will be more comfortable and more luxurious.
The train might have sandwiches from a trolley, but the river cruise has a whole buffet! And while sleeper trains can be perfectly comfortable, they can’t compare with the king-size bed in your river cruise suite.
Of course, this comes at a cost. You can take a sleeper train across Italy for around $40 per journey. Prices from an 8-night European river cruise with Viking cruises start at £1,865 ($2,375) per person.
River Cruising Is A Sustainable Option
If you’re looking for a planet-friendly way to travel, a river cruise is a great option. In terms of their green credentials, they are comparable to taking an overnight sleeper train.
River cruises are much more sustainable and fuel-efficient than traditional ocean cruising.
And the ships are designed to produce less waste because if they didn’t, they wouldn’t be allowed to sail right through the middle of some of Europe’s most beautiful cities!
If sustainability is a concern for you, then it’s worth noting that some river cruises are more sustainable than others.
A great example of the sustainability-minded is Riverside Luxury Cruises, which set their speed to focus on fuel economy, avoid plastic use, and focus on ‘kilometer zero’ food.
Their fresh produce is purchased in each port when they stop.
Choosing A River Cruise
River cruising has a reputation for attracting an older demographic (the average river cruiser is 55 years old), but there’s great variation in this, and cruisers of all ages are welcome.
The Danube is the most popular river cruise destination in Europe, followed by the Rhine.
Most Danube River cruises start or end in Budapest and Vienna whilst you can connect to a Rhine cruise from a wider variety of destinations including Cologne and Amsterdam.
If you’re thinking about Christmas (I don’t think it’s ever too early to think about Christmas!), then you should definitely consider a Rhine cruise. It’s the very best way to explore Europe’s famous Christmas markets.
Ports like Strasbourg (France), Basel (Switzerland), Cologne (Germany), and Amsterdam (Netherlands) all have excellent markets, as well as fascinating cultural explorations on offer no matter what time of year you choose to visit.
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