New to River Cruising? Which River Should You Choose to Cruise?

Every river is different. Each tells its own very unique story. Each offers sights, sounds, tastes and experiences that cannot be replicated on any other river. So which one do you want to explore? Let us help you decide

There’s nothing quite like the romance of a river cruise. 

Imagine laying back on your sun bed on the deck of your river ship as it slices smoothly through the very heart of a country, cutting across the still waters leaving little more than a ripple. 

Lay back and savour the view: glorious, rolling countryside; fairytale castles; lush vineyards; ancient temples and iconic city-scapes…

And when you dock on the banks of the river, it’s time to explore the delights that await on shore. 

Every river has its very own unique story to tell. But which story do you want to read? 

Is it the story of the Rhine as flows from the snow-capped Swiss Alps to the North Sea? 

Is it the magical tale of the Danube, with its musical interludes in Vienna and its adventures through the heart of spectacular gorges? 

Perhaps you want to taste your way through the rolling vineyards in Portugal that hug the shores of the sun-drenched Douro. 

Or maybe you want to step back in time to ancient Egypt and let the stories of the Nile unfold? 

Deciding which river to cruise is not easy. So let us help you. Step on board and let’s glide down some of the world’s most iconic rivers to see what we can see. 

The Rhine is possibly Europe’s most fabled river. 

Originating in the Swiss Alps it meanders northward for more than 760 miles through no less than six countries before merging into the North Sea. 

Travel its entire length and you’ll venture through Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France and the Netherlands. And along its path you’ll discover turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, historic cities and medieval villages.

No other river in the world has so many famous cities on its banks. For starters you’ve got Basel in Switzerland. This is often the city from where many Rhine cruises embark and boasts a splendid collection of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture in its historic Market Square.

In Strasbourg you’ll enjoy a cultural mix, thanks to its position on the border of France and Germany. This is the centre of France’s Alsace region and there’s plenty to explore along its cobblestone streets intersected by picturesque canals. 

Get ready to raise a glass in Rüdesheim, a historic town in the heart of Germany’s winemaking region. There’ll be time to wander down the town’s famed Drosselgasse, a cobblestone street lined with taverns that pour local vintages. Half-timbered houses, narrow warrens and old inns lend the town a medieval flavour.

From here you’ll begin your journey through the river’s most celebrated section, known as the Upper Middle Rhine – a UNESCO World Heritage Site flowing between the German cities of Koblenz and Bonn. 

This 40-mile stretch is the Rhine of legend and myth, flowing past more than 40 castles and fortresses. Built in the 12th and 14th centuries as defense strongholds, several of these historic monuments have been lovingly restored. Two imposing examples are Marksburg Castle and Stolzenfels Castle.

Have your camera at the ready as you approach the imposing Lorelei Rock. Presiding at a dramatic curve in the river, this slate rock soars some 132 meters in the air and, according to mythology, was once frequented by a beautiful siren who lured sailors to their deaths. It’s an imposing sight and you can see why the sailors were distracted. 

Historic Koblenz is a delightful city of cobblestoned streets, wood-beamed houses, an ancient market square and medieval churches that recall the fairy-tale Germany of old.

Meanwhile, in Cologne visit its14th-century Gothic cathedral. The imposing twin spires of this UNESCO World Heritage Site are visible for miles.

From here you’ll glide into the Netherlands. Step ashore at the village of Kinderdijk in the corner of South Holland, most known for its 19 preserved 18th-century windmills.

Your journey ends in Amsterdam where you can explore its maze of canals and its most famous museum dedicated to Anne Frank. 

Choose to Cruise: Captivating Rhine

Contoured by vineyard-clad hills and castles from yesteryear, the legendary Rhine captivates. Experience the allure of France’s Alsace region in its welcoming capital, Strasbourg, and its priceless gem, Colmar.

Discover Breisach, rising above the vineyards of the Rhine, and Freiburg, one of Germany’s sunniest cities and gateway to the Black Forest. Fabled towns lost in time present you with the chance to taste local flavours - Rüdesheimer coffee and legendary German beer - and to touch history up close with guided hikes and bike rides.

From Amsterdam’s colourful canals to the majestic Swiss Alps, journey into the heart of the destinations you visit.

Tour includes return UK flights, transfers, award-winning dining, fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner and immersive tours in every destination. 

The Danube is Europe’s second-longest river, stretching about 1,770 miles from the Black Forest in Germany to the Black Sea. 

It flows through 10 countries, including Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia and Romania and flows through four national capital cities - Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade – more than any other river in the world.

This river has played witness to so many significant historic moments and its calm delights have been the inspiration for many, including Johann Strauss’s immortal waltz and lullaby The Beautiful Blue Danube. 

The majority of river cruises start in the Hungarian capital of Budapest. This city straddles the banks of the Danube, with traditional hillside Buda on one side and modern Pest on the other. 

Take time to stroll amongst the city’s castles and grand palaces – the Baroque Buda Castle is a highlight. And perhaps have a soak in tone of Budapest’s thermal spas. Come evening, the dramatic sight of the Parliament Building lit up is spectacular. 

Along the river are so many highlights. 

The Austrian capital of Vienna is a clear front runner. This City of Waltzes is Europe’s centre of classical music. What’s more, it’s where you’ll admire the grand facades and tour the delightful Hofburg Palace and the Vienna State Opera.

In Krems, take time to savour the Riesling and Veltliner wines that have been produced from its surrounding vineyards. 

It’s Krems that marks the start of the renowned Wachau Valley. This stretch from Krems to Melk is probably the most scenic part of the Danube and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s here you’ll marvel at the picturesque hillsides blanketed in vineyards that are dotted with numerous old monasteries, many of which operate their own wine cellars. 

Göttweig Abbey is one such monastery. Not only is it still a working abbey, it’s also one of the biggest vineyards in the region. You’ll be greeted with a glass of sparkling apricot wine before being given a tour by a resident monk. 

Another highlight is the Benedictine abbey in Melk. Poised atop a rocky outcrop, this magnificent building is one of the most beautiful demonstrations of Baroque architecture in Europe. It too is a monastic school. 

Some cruises continue into Germany taking in Passau, one of Bavaria’s oldest cities. A popular stop to complete the cruise is the picturesque town of Regensburg, one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities, the oldest city along the Danube and yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Indeed, a cruise along the Danube is one of unforgettable sights and sounds. 

Choose to cruise: The Blue Danube River Cruise with Vienna Extension

This seven-night cruise along the Danube from Budapest is extended with three nights exploring musical Vienna.  Some 14 experiences are included in this itinerary, with guided tours of Esztergom Basilica, Melk Abbey, Linz and Salzburg. You'll ride through Neusiedlersee on a horse and carriage. And in Vienna a tour of Schönbrunn Palace and a behind-the-scenes tour of the State Opera are guaranteed highlights.  

Your fare includes full board on the ship; bed and breakfast in a centrally located hotel for the land extension in Vienna, return flights and transfers. 

Uncork new discoveries as you raise a glass along the sun drenched Douro river. 

Originating in Spain, the waters of the Douro flow westward through Portugal before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. It spans about 557 miles and is known for its terraces of vineyards, olive groves and almond orchards.

Despite being acclaimed for its beauty, the Douro valley still feels totally untouched. 

You’ll start off in Porto, one of Portugal’s most vibrant cities, which lends its name to the port wine produced in the region and throughout the nation. Its historic centre is (another!) UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a maze of narrow streets brimming with romantic buildings spanning the centuries alongside a Romanesque cathedral.

As you follow the course of the river you’ll pass many quintas – local vineyards. 

In the epicentre of the Douro Valley’s wine-making tradition is Pinhão. During the annual grape harvest in autumn, this otherwise sleepy village comes to life, attracting wine enthusiasts from across the whole of Europe.

Many boats head across the border into Spain, anchoring down in the historic city of Salamanca, yet another site to fly the UNESCO flag. This living museum is packed with glorious buildings, including two cathedrals and one of Europe’s oldest universities. 

No doubt you’ll be seduced by this romantic city with its passion and fire expressed in a lively flamenco dance. 

Choose to cruise: Highlights of the Douro Valley and Salamanca

This seven-night cruise includes 11 experiences, full board including one lunch and one dinner at local Quintas. 

Tours include a visit the historic 12th-century walled village of Castelo Rodrigo; lunch at Quinta da Avessada – an estate renowned for its exquisite moscatel wines; an evening to explore the picturesque town of Pinhão; a visit to the historic city of Lamego, known for its church, the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios and a tour of the landscaped gardens of Mateus Palace.

The cruise is on a full-board basis and includes return UK flights and all transfers and a free drinks package. 

The mighty, musical Mississippi is one of North America’s longest rivers, stretching about 2,340 miles from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. It flows through 10 US states, including Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri and passes through famed cities including New Orleans, Memphis and St. Louis. 

Whether you're looking to see where Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain) was born, explore Civil War sites or visit a Gone with the Wind-esque plantation house, a cruise along this river will see you take a deep dive into Southern culture, music and history.

New Orleans’ vibrant French Quarter is a cultural treasure, known for its jazz heritage and lively atmosphere. 

The grand antebellum mansions of Natchez, Mississippi, reflect the region’s historical opulence. The Gateway Arch in St Louis is an iconic landmark that symbolises America’s westward expansion. 

And of course, for lovers of rock ’n roll, Gracelands beckons. This is the legendary home of the ‘King’ himself: Mr Elvis Presley in Memphis. 

Because of its length, cruises along the Mississippi are usually divided into three parts: Upper, Middle and Lower. Each segment typically takes a week, or you can combine them for a three-week cruise.

The Lower Mississippi takes you from New Orleans to Memphis; Middle Mississippi cruises go from Memphis to St. Louis, while Upper Mississippi cruises see you glide from St Louis to St Paul. This latter stretch is often considered the most scenic.  

Whichever section you choose, expect an adventure on a grand Huckleberry Finn scale. 

Choose to cruise: Mississippi River Odyssey

This 22-day cruise covers the entire course of the great Mississippi, starting in New Orleans to its journeys end in St Paul. 

You’ll have 18 guided tours along the way, including tours of plantation mansions, live music tours and concerts in Memphis. Take a pilgrimage to Gracelands, the home of Elvis himself. And in Hannibal, you can delve into the life of renowned author Mark Twain, including a VIP visit to his namesake museum. 

The price includes return UK flights and all transfers, full board, one complimentary shore excursion in every port of call, drinks with onboard lunch and dinner, speciality teas and coffees, enrichment lectures and all tips. 

The longest river in the world stretches approximately 4,130 miles from its sources in East Africa through 11 countries before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt.

And it’s on its course through Egypt that the river unfurls some of the world’s greatest history and world-famous landmarks. 

Cruising the Nile will see you dive into a civilisation steeped in history, mythology and enduring resilience. You’ll step back in time to more than 5,000 years ago, exploring mighty monuments, unearthed tombs and temples dedicated to enigmatic gods.

Set the scene with a few days in Cairo visiting the famed Great Pyramids of Giza and The Sphinx and tour the fascinating Egyptian Museum, home to the Golden Mask of Tutankhamun. 

The most popular cruises set off from Luxor – although there are a few that set off from Cairo and take a couple of days to sail south to Luxor visiting temples en route. 

It’s in Luxor where you’ll be dazzled by archeological treasures. Luxor isn’t just a window into ancient Egypt, it’s also a window into the Roman Empire. 

At Karnak, the largest human-made temple complex in the world, you’ll find the Avenue of the Sphinxes, a pathway lined with statues of these mythological creatures. 

At Luxor Temple you’ll be greeted at the entrance by giant stone statues of Ramesses II before proceeding through the Grand Colonnade. This is one of Egypt’s largest and best-preserved temples and if you get the chance to visit it at sunset it’s even more magical. This ‘golden hour’ makes the sandstone even more beautiful.

Many would consider the main event of a Nile cruise to be your visit to the Valley of the Kings. Here you’ll witness the burial ground for about 500 years of pharaohs. Their tombs are cut from rocks on the west bank of the Nile. The most famous tomb of all belongs to Tutankhamun.

Nearby is the Valley of the Queens where Egyptian queens, princes and princesses are buried. The most infamous temple here was built by Queen Hatshepsut, the first female pharaoh. Her mortuary temple is built into the limestone cliffs of the Egyptian desert across three tiered colonnaded terraces.

In the town of Luxor we’d highly recommend you take a reprieve from the sightseeing and step into the Sofitel Winter Palace. It’s in this grand hotel where Howard Carter announced the discovery of Tutankhamun’s largely intact tomb in 1922.

The journey continues south with stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo. Aswan is the final stop on the grand tour. Here you’ll visit one of Egypt’s greatest modern achievements – the Aswan High Dam. 

Many tours incorporate a final farewell with a sun set sail to Kitchener Island on board a felucca, a traditional Egyptian sailing boat.

We’d also recommended rounding off your tour with a cocktail at Aswan’s Sofitel Legend Old Cataract hotel. It was here that Agatha Christie was inspired to write Death on the Nile.

Choose to cruise: Classic Egypt

This itinerary starts with three nights in Cairo visiting the Pyramids and unmissable museum. You’ll then be flown to Luxor where you board your five-star ship, your home for the next seven nights.

Full board includes afternoon tea each day. Some 15 tours and experiences are also included as you cruise down to Aswan and back to Luxor. Pre cruise hotels are included as are your return flights.  

A river cruise down the Mekong is an unforgettable journey through Southeast Asia, where ancient traditions, stunning landscapes and vibrant cultures converge. 

Flowing for more than 2,500 miles from the Tibetan Plateau to the South China Sea, the Mekong winds through six countries, with the most popular cruise routes spanning Vietnam and Cambodia. 

It’s on board a luxurious ship that you’ll experience the essence of this majestic waterway while immersing yourself in the daily life along its banks.

As the cruise sets sail, the first striking impression is the scenery—lush green rice paddy fields, floating fishing villages and dense jungle flank the river’s edge. Small wooden boats glide past, steered by locals who have depended on the Mekong for generations.

One of the most remarkable stops on the journey is Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s pulsating metropolis where French colonial architecture meets buzzing street markets. It’s here you can venture underground at the Cu-Chi tunnels – a poignant reminder of the US-Vietnam conflict.

From here, the cruise ventures into the Mekong Delta, known as Vietnam’s ‘Rice Bowl.’ 

Life in the Delta is shaped by the river, and excursions to the floating markets of Cai Be or Can Tho offer a chance to witness bustling trade from colourful boats piled high with exotic fruits and vegetables.

Further upstream, the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh presents a striking blend of history and modernity. The grandeur of the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda stand in contrast to the sobering history of the Killing Fields, offering a profound perspective on the country’s past. Yet, Phnom Penh is also a city of lively markets, welcoming locals and riverside promenades.

A major highlight of any Mekong cruise is Siem Reap, gateway to the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat, home to an incredible 200 temples. 

At dawn, the silhouette of the ancient temple complex against a pink-streaked sky is one of the most breathtaking sights in the world. Exploring the vast ruins of Angkor, from the towering faces of Bayon to the tree-entwined beauty of Ta Prohm, is a surreal experience steeped in mystery and grandeur.

A cruise along the Mekong is more than a journey—it’s an immersion into a way of life deeply connected to the river. 

Choose to Cruise: Luxury Mekong & Temple Discovery Cruise

The fascinating Mekong is many things to many people. Embark on a journey of contrasts as you gain a deeper understanding of Cambodia and Vietnam’s complex histories and be charmed by the friendly locals as they go about their daily lives along this magnificent waterway.

Explore the ancient hilltop monastery of Wat Hanchey and immerse yourself in the beauty of Khmer handicrafts in Cheung Kok. Sometimes simply sitting back and watching the world glide by is the perfect way to relish the sights and sounds - especially when ensconced in luxury on board the boutique Scenic Spirit. Let the Mekong captivate and astound.

Includes return flights, transfers, 3 exclusive Scenic Enrich experiences, your choice of 16 Scenic Freechoice activities, up to 4 onboard dining experiences and complimentary beverages.

So which river do you fancy? Whether it’s a musical mission down the Mississippi, a wine-tasting tour on the Douro; a history lesson past the castles of the Danube or a step back to the cradle of civilisation down the mighty Nile, We can help. 

We’ll help you choose the right cruise line to suit you. Not only that, we'll find you the best cabin for your needs on board. We'll help you book your excursions. 

In other words, we'll make sure you’re all ship shape before you even leave the house – no need to worry about a thing.

We'll manage all the logistics for you from the word go, to ensure that booking your holiday feels like a holiday. 

And the best part: our service doesn’t cost you a penny! So, what’ve you got to lose.

Give us a call today and we'll get you rolling down the river!