Pat’s Picks -- Best Itineraries for River Cruises in Europe

​River cruises continue to grow in popularity year after year, and for good reason.  River cruises are a wonderful way to explore the world’s most iconic cities, as well as charming small villages that are difficult to discover on traditional travel itineraries.  When it comes to booking river cruises, however, many people are overwhelmed by the myriad options.  Hopefully this short summary will help provide some clarity on which are the best itineraries for river cruises, especially for those who are ready to move forward with booking first-time river cruises.

European River Cruise Itineraries – Best of the Best Itineraries for River Cruises

Danube River Cruises

Featuring amazing cities such as Budapest and Vienna, as well as the incredible scenery of the Wauchau Valley, you cannot go wrong booking the Danube River for an unforgettable vacation experience.  This is an exceptional choice and definitely belongs in any list of best itineraries for river cruises.

Rhine River Cruises

With a myriad of itineraries to choose from, these definitely are among the best itineraries for river cruises.  The Rhine runs through amazing towns and scenic valleys. Itineraries include cities such as Amsterdam, Cologne and Basel and offer opportunities to explore ancient castles, stunning cathedrals and historical landmarks.

Rhone River Cruises

If you are intrigued by the romance, art and cuisine of France, this could be your first choice in river cruise itineraries.  You will sail from the culinary capital Lyon, explore the historically significant city of Avignon, and end in Arles where you can trace the steps of artists like Van Gogh and Picasso. Rhone River definitely provides a unique experience and on my picks for best itineraries for river cruises.

Tulip Time River Cruises

These springtime river cruise itineraries, not surprisingly, sail during the spring tulip season between mid-March and May.   If you are a lover of incredible floral displays with a backdrop of breathtaking windmills, this could be the best of the river cruise itineraries for your first-time sailing.

Christmas Market River Cruises
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Yes, it’s wintertime and yes, it’s cold … but the mulled wine and hot cider will warm you right up.  These are among the best river cruise itineraries and can be found on both the Danube River and on the Rhine River.  If you can imagine all the charm of these itineraries and add the holiday lights, music and endless days of Christmas shopping, you can see why these are counted among the best itineraries for river cruises.

So, while there are many other options, this is the short list of Pat’s Picks for the best river cruise itineraries in Europe.  Is there one that stands out and gets your attention?  Let us know – at Dancing Moon Travel, we love the vacation experience that the best river cruise itineraries provide and can help you turn this amazing vacation experience into a PLAN! ​

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