The Rise of The River Feb 2017

THE RISE
OF THE
RIVER
Find out why so many
people are choosing
to take a river cruise

“...you can sail right into
the heart of a destination with a
floating hotel for all your
holiday needs ...”
We’re not exaggerating when we say that
river cruising is having a moment right now.
European rivers – such as the Rhine and Danube – have never been
so popular, with their fairytale castles, charming capital cities and tiny
villages. The appeal is obvious: board a river cruise and you will sail
right into the heart of a destination, wander along the Seine under
the lights of the Eiffel Tower, sample Bordeaux’s finest reds or watch a
concert in a Viennese palace.
Meanwhile, rivers further afield are growing in popularity – African,
Asian and North American rivers give the more adventurous access to
some of the most amazing places on earth.
River cruising is made for immersing yourself in a destination – with a
ship that’s far smaller than ocean-faring vessels. Read our introductory
guide to get a bit of a flavour of what they’re like and book yourself on
the trip of a lifetime. You’ll soon see what all of the fuss is about.

RHINE
SEINE
RHONE
DANUBE
DOURO
EUROPEAN
RIVER
CRUISING
Here is a selection of some of the most popular
river cruise destinations in Europe:
Danube
BEST FOR: City breaks
WHY GO: The Danube runs through five
capital cities: Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest,
Belgrade and Bucharest, more than any other.
Rhone
BEST FOR: Wines
WHY GO: The south of France produces
some of the finest wines around – and they
save the best for themselves
Rhine
BEST FOR: Castles
WHY GO: Sailing through the Rhine Gorge
is one of the most scenic river cruises in
Europe
Seine
BEST FOR: Romance
WHY GO: Board your vessel in the centre
of Paris, the city of lights, and try to not let
the atmosphere seduce you
Douro
BEST FOR: Ports and churches
WHY GO: Good weather and port is pretty
much guaranteed in this Mediterranean
hotspot

GLOBAL
RIVER
CRUISING
Here is a selection of some of
the most popular river cruise
destinations beyond Europe:
Mississippi
BEST FOR: Music
WHY GO: Listen to Blues or Jazz in a club in the
Deep South – where both were born.
Mekong
BEST FOR: Life on the river
WHY GO: See how generations have lived in
floating villages in fascinating southeast Asia
Yangtze
BEST FOR: Mountainous landscapes
WHY GO: The Three Gorges Dam is immense, but
the Great Wall and the Terracotta Army are not
far away
Irrawaddy
BEST FOR: Ancient pagodas
WHY GO: Explore Myanmar’s riverside villages,
unspoilt by tourism and take a hot air balloon
above Bagan’s temples
This is just a selection of the river cruise destinations available
For more please visit cruiseexperts.org

“...River cruising is all about
having the freedom to do
what you want...”
As the river ship often stops right in the heart of
the city or town, then you can often simply step
off and explore a whole new world.
And you have so many ways to explore - enjoy a shore excursion, a
walking tour or a cycle ride to explore some of these amazing places.
And at night, take an after-dinner stroll, take in a local bar or simply
enjoy the night-time views
River cruising is all about having the freedom to do what you want.
While there’s usually a whole lot thrown into the price including some
shore excursions, (see page 5), you can just as easily go off for a walk and
discover a destination for yourself.
Think about some of the amazing European river cities that you can visit
– some wonderful cities to explore: Cologne, Paris, Budapest, Vienna and
Amsterdam

IN THE HEART OF THE CITY
TOP TIP
Look at river itineraries closely to find out what time you are departing.
Many ships stay in port overnight, allowing night owls to sample some local flavours!

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

“...River cruising is one of the
most generously packaged
holiday types available...”
In short, all your holiday needs -
and much more besides
River cruising is one of the most generously packaged holiday types
available. You will always have your food and accommodation included
(some ships have secondary dining spaces too), and most also offer alcoholic
drinks with meals, a selection of shore excursions, transfers to the airport,
access to bicycles and on board entertainment – all free of charge!
Simply check with your travel agent to ensure that you know exactly what is
included.
TOP TIP
Most river cruise lines take only Euros on board, so booking extras such as drinks
packages (if they’re available) before you leave can save you money in the long run.

Exploring river cruise destinations
has never been easier
River cruising is all about the places that you visit –
absorbing that history, culture, shopping and cities
– and taking in breath-taking scenery and places. And
what’s more – most river cruise operators include shore
excursions in their package, so you can enjoy until your
hearts content.
Shore excursions are often divided into groups depending
on how much walking you want to do, while bicycles
are also offered on many ships. An increasing number
are also now themed running cruises for fitness fanatics
where passengers can cycle, walk or even run their way
through a holiday.

EXPLORING FROM YOUR SHIP
TOP TIP
River cruises are great when it comes to cuisine.
Despite the ships being like small hotels, they cater for a whole range of tastes –
including those who don’t want to indulge!

WHAT’S INCLUDED?
TOP TIP
It isn’t just wine that finds its way on board a river ship, but local
delicacies too. Daily menus are typically full of specialities such as wiener
schnitzel, escargot or frankfurters!

Your river dining experience.
One of the most popular things about a river cruise is that,
because they typically meander through some of the best
wine countries in the world – the drink on board is incredible.
Most companies (although not all) will include wine with at
least dinner – and these are often taken straight from the
local vineyards. Whether that’s beautiful pinot noirs from
France’s Rhône, a Riesling from the Rhine in Germany or port
from the Douro in Portugal, any wine lover will simple adore
a river cruise.
Food is the same. From eating Peking duck on China’s
Yangtze to grits and biscuits on the Mississippi – a river
cruise is a cultural experience that simply cannot be beaten.

THE HIGHEST RATED RIVER CRUISE SHIPS
RIVER CRUISES
For the best cruise advice and to book your next incredible holiday,
find your local CLIA expert at
www.cruiseexperts.org