European River Travel - See Europe from a Comfortable Ship Instead Of a Vehicle

For the voyager who is looking for a really luxurious vacation, European river travel is the way to go. You first fly to a selected city in Europe then board your vessel on one of the many magnificent rivers all the way through Europe. The plus of this type of cruise is that you can see many cities in a chosen area, never needing to pack and unpack. You will also be confident in your accommodation and the provisions are always excellent on these cruises.

Why river travel? Contrasting its ocean-going complement, a river cruise gets right into the center of a city. The ship docks, you come ashore and are on a tour of Paris, Amsterdam, or Nuremberg within minutes.

And unlike a bus tour, a river cruise ship is like a lavish boutique lodge where you unpack your bags once, make yourself comfortable, and sit back on the upper deck or in a snug lounge to watch the river landscape go by. Every cabin on a river cruise ship is an outside cabin, so you can watch the scenery from your room, also. Or go to the library or fitness center - some ships even have spa treatments available.

Instead of cruising the around a country, you sail along a river cutting right through the countryside, with mountains or woods on each side. There is always something to see on a river cruise - you don't spend days in the empty ocean. But still, much of the traveling takes place at night, allowing more time in daylight to discover the sights.

There are river cruises all over Europe - wherever there's a river large enough for a small ship! River travel also got its start in Europe, where cruises along the Danube and the Main rivers take you from Amsterdam to the Black Sea, through the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria. There are river cruises in France, Spain, Portugal, and Russia, too.

Holiday river travel, commemorating the Christmas season, are a charming way to see Europe. The weather is cool but not frigid, and the ancient towns are decorated and scented with cinnamon and gingerbread. Each town has its own season-specific marketplace, so there's plenty of opportunity for shopping.

River cruise ships are much smaller than ocean vessels, so the environment is much more intimate and relaxed. There are no rock-climbing walls or surf pools here - but there are lounges, libraries, health centers, and occasionally a spa. These kinds of trips are generally geared for adults, although older children are welcome, too.

In addition to the tours each day, there are symposiums on local culture and traditions on the ship each night. Evening entertainment usually includes music and dance performances by local artists, and themed dinners.

Meals on most European river travel excursions are gourmet-quality and take advantage of local produce and products. Local wines and cheeses are served, and since the ship makes daily stops, meats and produce are fresh.