Take me to the river: From a floating boutique hotel

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It sounds like science fiction - the chance to check into a luxurious hotel, and have it transported seamlessly into the heart of a different town or city every day of your holiday.

But this is exactly what happens on a river cruise.

It’s why river cruises don’t just suit people wanting a relaxing, stress-free break. 

They are also attracting a new generation of adventurers who want to visit as many places as possible on a single holiday.

Here are the key reasons to choose a river cruise, followed by six terrific trips to consider.

AND RELAX…

The first surprise comes when you realise you only have to unpack once. Unlike a land-based tour you don’t have to lug a suitcase from city to city. 

Instead, the cities and sights come to you.

Next surprise is the quality of your accommodation. 

River ships rarely have more than 100 cabins, so they are more like boutique hotels that Vegas-style giants. 

But they do tend to have big rooms with plenty of clever storage space.

Big windows, French balconies and private terraces are common and staff numbers are high and the same friendly faces will be there every day.

Restaurants have wide windows so you can watch the scenery as you dine. 

Or head to the deck for al fresco dining, barbecues or a drink under the stars.

Add leisure facilities from zen-like spas to coffee bars and you’ll see why it’s easy to relax on a river.

SEEING SIGHTS

The other joy of a river cruise is the chance to see so many amazing places.

And as rivers tend to run through the heart of many historic cities, you’ll dock right by the best sights.

So forget about taking a trek from out-of-town airport to city centre – just step off your ship and you’re already where you want to be.

The roll call of places you can visit on a river cruise is extraordinary.

Fancy seeing big-ticket cities such as Paris, Porto, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Amsterdam or Cologne? You can visit them on various European river cruises.

And which rivers will you be sailing? The Danube, the Rhine, the Moselle, the Douro, the Elbe, the Rhone or the Seine – or maybe the Dutch waterways?

Fancy taking in lesser known but still extraordinary sights? 

You can visit the bars of Bratislava, the ancient wine town of Melk, the Iron Gates gorge in Serbia, the postcard-pretty town of Rudesheim and the cobbled streets of Antwerp.

Or how about the medieval wonders of Ghent, the cable cars of Koblenz, the opulent palace of Wurzberg, the grand city squares of Salamanca? 

The list can go on.

Further afield there’s more magic on river cruises that float slowly past the sights of the Mississippi in America, the Nile in Egypt, the waterways of Russia and, when the world fully reopens, the Mekong in Indochina and the majestic Yangtze in China.

HOW TO CHOOSE

Fortunately, it’s easy to find help if you’re unsure which river cruise to pick.

Simply scroll through websites from Scenic, Viking, Emerald, Riviera Travel and more. You’ll find first-timer guides and short videos that bring the holidays alive.

There’s also information on river cruises for solo travellers, a

run-through of the best seasons to travel, the most exclusive excursions and all the different rivers.

And our top six trip ideas?

Titan Travel’s Tulips and Windmills in the Netherlands; Tui’s Diamonds on the Danube; Viking’s Grand European Tour; Uniworld’s Portraits of Eastern Europe; Saga’s Douro Discovery; and Scenic’s South of France holiday. All these look like winners.

Best of all, there are many other trips as well.

River cruises are expected to be hugely popular in 2022 as we look for stress-free ways to travel again. Book soon to find out why.

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