Picture yourself perched on a comfy lounger on the deck of a river ship, local wine in hand, watching the world go by. Whether you have dreamt of visiting cobblestone-paved villages, wineries, castles or cathedrals, right now, there is no better way to discover Europe than by river vessel. 

There’s no need to negotiate crowded airports and deal with flight delays and cancellations when travelling within Europe – simply let the captain steer you along storied waterways including the Rhine, the Seine, the Danube and the Po. 

While the crew does all the hard work, you can enjoy the comforts and culinary delights on board knowing that tomorrow will bring yet another exciting adventure. Here are some incredible itineraries to consider.

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 Explore gorgeous villages,   France

Imagine days filled exploring       beautiful French villages, followed by nights sitting down to sample a Provençal dinner hosted by local celebrity chef Fabien Morreale. On Emerald Cruises’ eight-day Sensations of Lyon and Provence itinerary, cruisers can explore France by taking a guided bike tour to Glun, a guided hike through the vineyards of Tournon and a canoeing excursion in Avignon. Other highlights include a guided tour of two UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites, Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière in Lyon, and the Roman and Romanesque monuments of Arles. 

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View 15th-   century    cathedral art,  Belgium

Get true artistic inspiration on Avalon Waterways’ eight-day Active and Discovery in Holland and Belgium itinerary. In the city of Ghent, you’ll visit St Bavo’s Cathedral, the city’s oldest parish and home of the altarpiece by the van Eyck brothers. Created in 1432, The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb is said to be one of the most influential paintings of all time. The panels of this masterpiece have recently been restored. There’s also the opportunity to not only join a guided tour of Graffiti Street, but to get creative with spray cans at this cobbled alleyway.

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Walk the halls  of power,  Hungary

    Get the golden opportunity to     walk the halls of the neo-Gothic Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest on Travelmarvel’s Best of the Balkans itinerary. That’s not the only architectural wonder you can discover; there’s an exploration of Eltz Manor in Vukovar, the Belgrade Fortress, and the exquisite Belle Epoque architecture of Rousse. On this cruise from Budapest return, there’s also the opportunity to discover the traditional Serbian way of life with a local family in the village of Jarak. Here, you’ll learn about the brewing process of slivovitz, a plum brandy, and get to sample a tipple too. 

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Visit fairytale castle,  Germany

Marvel at castles on Scenic’s new      eight-day Charming Castles and Vineyards of the Rhine and Moselle river cruise. Ascend the hill in Cochem and take a guided tour of Reichsburg Castle, reconstructed in the 19th century. In Koblenz, explore the magnificent Eltz Castle, a medieval structure dating back to the 12th century. Here, you can view the treasury, with gold, silver and porcelain artefacts on display. The voyage sails from Frankfurt to Basel (and reverse) and includes visits to medieval towns, and the chance to sample riesling from the Moselle Valley.

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See tulips in bloom, The Netherlands

 On Viking’s 10-day Tulips and        Windmills journey, there’s ample opportunity to take in incredible fields of colour. In Hoorn, take an excursion into the countryside to a tulip farm where more than 25 million tulips bloom every year, blanketing the landscape each spring. At Keukenhof Gardens, tiptoe through more than 70 acres of tulips in one of the world’s most renowned flower gardens. Also blooming here are daffodils, hyacinths, lilies, bluebells and crocuses, providing a kaleidoscope of colour. There’s also a castle on the grounds, where a countess once sorted herbs in her “kitchen garden”. One could only dream of having such variety in their own patch. 

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 Wonder at   Venetian   architecture,  Italy

View the Church of the Santissimo Redentore, the impressive Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute and the Punta della Dogana art museum all in one afternoon on European Waterways’ La Bella Vita Classic Italy journey. The seven-day voyage from Venice sails along the Canal of the Orphans, passing ancient monasteries, painted fishing boats and tiny churches. There’s also a guided tour of the Renaissance city of Ferrara, including the Schifanoia Palace, renowned for its 15th-century frescoes. The voyage ends at the lakeside town of Mantua, known for its neoclassical and baroque architecture.

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See stunning   vineyards,  Portugal

If the idea of sailing by vineyards      and stopping in to sample fortified wine appeals, Uniworld’s 11-day Portugal, Spain and the Douro River Valley is an itinerary to seriously consider. Not only will you learn about the history of port at the Douro Museum, there’s a tasting to enjoy at a prestigious Port Wine estate, Quinta do Seixo, which has spectacular views across the Douro Valley. You can also enjoy a tapas lunch and a glass or two in Salamanca and Guimarães. In Lisbon, the final destination, pair your wine with some of the best food in the world. 

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Step into an  Impressionist painting, France

Set sail for a culture-lover’s cruise on Tauck’s 12-day Cruising the Seine Plus Paris and London itinerary. Gain artistic inspiration on a tour of the town of Auvers-sur-Oise, where Vincent van Gogh spent his last days. You can also visit his room, No.5 at the Auberge Ravoux, which has remained the same since he died in 1890. Then visit the home of Impressionist painter Claude Monet in Giverny, and marvel at the real-life scenes he painted. There’s also the opportunity to visit Giverny’s Impressionism museum and discover why Honfleur, a picturesque port on the Normandy Coast, was such a magnet for painters. 

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Tour a palace,  Austria

For those with a long-held dream      to visit a palace in Europe for insights into the aristocratic lifestyle, here’s the perfect cruise. On APT’s Magnificent Europe 15-day river cruise, an exclusive experience to tour Liechtenstein City Palace in the heart of Vienna is on offer. Not only will you get to wander through the baroque palace, there’s also a cocktail party and private recital featuring a full orchestra performing classical works by Mozart and Strauss. Add to this an operatic recital and a performance by some members of the Mozart Boys’ Choir. Another highlight of this journey from Amsterdam to Budapest (or reverse) is visiting some of the sites featured in The Sound of Music in Salzburg.

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10/10

Go on a culinary tour France

On AmaWaterways’ seven-      night Taste of Bordeaux itinerary, expect to experience some of the best produce and wine from the renowned region. In Libourne, stroll through the open-air market, tasting some of the region’s specialties. In the village of Bourg, experience the hospitality of this medieval village with an exclusive wine festival. Here, you’ll meet local wine growers and enjoy live French music and dancing. In Pauillac, visit Margaux Vineyards, a quaint wine estate, to enjoy a wine and a tasting of local specialties. The journey ends in Bordeaux, with the opportunity to visit Les Halles de Bacalan market for another produce tasting. Bon appetit!

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Words: Mercedes Maguire

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