Go with the flow
A cruise along one of the world’s great rivers or canals is one of the best ways to get to the heart of a destination. Carrie Drage discovers some of the options available for groups wishing to take an overseas cruising holiday.
Groups wanting to venture further afield can explore some of the world’s rivers and canals on a range of longer, overseas cruises. Many operators offer generous discounts for group bookings and, for the more adventurous, a number of excursions can be added, exploring nearby destinations. Facilities are generally well geared towards the British market and standards of accommodation are particularly high, with many boats described as ‘floating hotels’. In the following section, we investigate some of the options available, both on the Continent and worldwide.
Streaming with ideas
In north western France, the River Seine flows through the heart of Paris and cruises offer up a number of delights for history and art lovers. Famous sights such as the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower can be viewed on a cruise through the city, whilst a gentle meander downstream will visit the spectacular countryside of Normandy, a landscape that inspired the artists Renoir and Monet. Cruising upstream will take you through the vineyard-covered hillsides of Burgundy.
Originating in the mountains of Switzerland, the River Rhone flows through some of southern France’s best wine-growing regions, passing destinations such as Lyon, Arles, Avignon and Vienne, where connoisseurs can sample some of the previous season’s wines.
The Danube, meanwhile, is also a popular cruising choice for British groups as it combines both rural and urban sightseeing. Many cruise operators take you through four countries – Germany, Hungary, Austria and Slovakia – with the opportunity for city excursions in Budapest, Vienna and Bratislava.
Acting as the gateway to Eastern Europe, the River Elbe flows from Bohemia – in the Czech Republic – into Germany, taking in the cosmopolitan cities of Prague and Berlin. Additionally, many cruises include stopovers in the historic city of Dresden, which was once nicknamed ‘Florence on the Elbe’ for its beauty. Despite the disastrous bombings during World War II, the city still has a lot of appeal for British visitors, most notably for its baroque architecture.
Groups wishing to sail the River Rhine also have a number of options available, with many cruise operators offering sailings between Switzerland and the Netherlands. Highlights include the German wine village of Rudesheim, the Rhine Gorge and Koblenz.
The ultimate destination for European river cruising is arguably Venice, in Italy, which sits on the Venetian Lagoon and is connected to the River Po. Aside from the city of Venice, groups can discover destinations such as the Shakespearean cities of Verona, Padua and Mantuaa, as well as Bologna and Parma, both famed for their culinary heritage.
Meanwhile, groups wishing to make a less conventional choice will enjoy a cruise along the Volga River and the Moscow Canal, taking in the architecture and cultural heritage of two of Russia’s most important cities; Moscow and St. Petersburg. Excursions in the Russian capital will allow you to take in Moscow’s famous Red Square and the Kremlin, whilst a stop in St. Petersburg will see you exploring attractions such as the Hermitage Museum and the Cathedral of SS Peter & Paul, renowned as the final resting place for many of the Russian Tsars.
For a cruising adventure outside Europe, the Far East has plenty to offer groups. Travelling on the Yangtze River, you will be able to combine sightseeing around one of the world’s largest cities – Shanghai – with a cruise past some of China’s most dramatic gorges.
In a similar part of the world, groups can travel along the Mekong River on a cruise that takes in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Groups choosing this option can contrast a visit to Vietnam’s floating markets with an exploration of Cambodia’s Angkor temples.
Meanwhile, groups interested in Egyptian civilisation can take a cruise along another of the world’s great rivers – the Nile. Not only does it give you a chance to view the ancient sites – such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Valley of the Kings – you will also gain an insight into rural Egypt, where people live much the same as they did thousands of years ago. Many cruises include stopovers in Cairo and generally operate between Aswan and Luxor.