River / Canal Cruises

When planning a holiday, it can be hard to choose where to start and stop, how to select the best destinations and how to get the best value for money.

If Europe, Russia or China is on your wish list, you may like to consider a River cruise. Several companies have ships that regularly cruise along some of the world’s most famous rivers, and stop often for travellers to sample the delights ashore.

The beauty of river cruising is that there are far less weather complications and plenty of places to disembark and explore. You take your hotel with you on a cruise, so there are fewer details to organise and your food, entertainment and comfort is consistent.

Your crew and travel agent will be able to suggest which ports are the best for your interests and there is an opportunity to explore along or take guided tours.

The Danube

The River Danube originates in Germany’s Black Forest region and flows through eight countries. The Danube River Cruises offer the chance to see the financial hub Frankfurt, Wurzburg for wine and baroque architecture, Nuremberg, Vienna, Austria, Budapest, Bucharest and Romania.

The Dnieper

The Dnieper River flows from Kiev to through Russia, Belarus and Ukraine to the Black Sea. Throughout history the river has served as an important commercial route for the Vikings, Slavs and Byzantines. Landscapes along the Dnieper River consist of gently rolling hills dotted with forest groves, ancient villages, wide lakes and reservoirs.

The Elbe

The Elbe River is one of the principal waterways of north eastern Europe, flowing from central Czech Republic through eastern Germany into the North Sea. Dotting the river are fascinating cities like Prague and Berlin, as well as historic towns such as Meissen, Germany. Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, is blessed with well-preserved architecture displaying centuries of design in districts like Hradcany (the Castle District), Mala Strana (the Small Quarter), Stare Mesto (the Old Town) and Vaclavske Namesti (Wenceslas Square), which all lie along the river.

Step back into Berlin’s turbulent past at the Brandenburg Gate, once closed between East Berlin and West Berlin, then reopened in 1989 when the Berlin Wall came down. View the famous sculpture of Queen Nefertiti at the Egyptian Museum, or wander among the shops and cafes of the Kurfurstendamm and Unter den Linden, two of the city’s historic boulevards.

The Nile

The longest river in the world, the Nile stretches 4,000 miles from East Africa to the Mediterranean Sea. Touring the ancient sites of Egypt from the Nile is a visual and cultural feast. Along the banks of the river lie the marvelous remnants of civilizations thousands of years old. In southern Egypt is the Aswan High Dam, the engineering marvel that forms Lake Nasser.

The city of Aswan has a distinctive Nubian character, reflected in the cuisine, entertainment and atmosphere. Sights include the Unfinished Obelisk, the Temple of Philae, Elephantine Island and many other tombs, ruins and mosques.

Highlights in Cairo include the Ibn Tulun Mosque, which dates to the ninth century, and the Citadel, a medieval fortress. You’ll see the Great Pyramids of Giza, the temples at Luxor and the Sphinx.

Oder River

The Oder River serves as a border between Germany and Poland and empties into the Baltic Sea. The city of Frankfurt was divided in two after World War II, when the Allies transferred all German territory east of the Oder River to Poland, forming the natural border. Explore little-known Old World towns and nature preserves on this scenic river, visiting ports such as Frankfurt, Peenemunde, Lunow, Stralsund and Lauterbach.

Po River

Italy’s longest river flows through the northern region of the country and empties into the Adriatic Sea. Cruise the charming channels of Venice, see amazing architecture and visit the artisan islands of Murano and Burano. You’ll dock at fascinating towns along the river and take excursions into Mantua, Parma and Ferrara, all of which offer art and culture, scenery and tempting cuisine.

Rhine River

Originating in the Swiss Alps and zigzagging through (or next to) five countries on its way to the North Sea, the Rhine is one of Europe’s major rivers.

The Moselle River extends through France and Luxembourg and meets the Rhine in Germany at Koblenz; several cruises tour port cities along both rivers.

Russia

Travel along the waterways that connect Russia’s imperial capitals, St. Petersburg and Moscow, or cruise from Moscow to Rostov-on-Don along the Volga and Don rivers. St. Petersburg embodies some of Russia’s greatest treasures, including the famous masterpieces at the Hermitage Museum, the baroque-style Winter Palace, St. Isaac’s Cathedral and the Bronze Horseman, a monument to Peter the Great.

Within the Kremlin in Moscow, see palaces and onion-domed churches such as the Assumption Cathedral. Red Square is the site of Lenin’s mausoleum and the multicolored St. Basil’s Cathedral. The beautifully decorated metro stations and the Lubyanka (former KGB headquarters) give visitors a glimpse of Soviet-era Moscow.

The Seine

Wind along the Seine through Normandy, where Impressionism was born; ancient towns that offer their history; and Paris, which shines as one of the world’s most famous cities. The river spills into the English Channel near Honfleur, a picturesque seaside town with quaint architecture and an important art museum.

Visit Monet’s home and studio in Giverny and take in the opulent Palace of Versailles farther down the river. In Paris, your ship docks near the Eiffel Tower, allowing you see all the legendary sights of the “City of Light.”

China

The Yangtze River is an important economic and transportation lifeline, connecting small villages with busy cities before it empties into the East China Sea near Shanghai. For 200 miles the river traverses the Yangtze Gorges, an area renowned for its natural beauty. In Shanghai, visit the Reclining Buddha, see the European-style buildings along the Bund, marvel at exotic temples, witness the craft of jade and ivory carving in a workshop, or take a train to Wuxi for a ride on the Grand Canal.

Contact your travel agent today.