You may dream of windmills, fairytale castles, romantic ancient ruins and exotic food and think you could never afford the experience. Fortunately, there are several European river cruises that offer a variety of ports with reasonable prices.
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With a cruise, you can make the most of your European vacation, traveling to several vastly different countries and having plenty of time to explore millennia-old cities. There are seven affordable European river cruises you should know about.
Viking River Cruises – Amsterdam to Budapest
This 15-day grand tour of Europe includes both windmills and castles. It includes three iconic rivers: the Rhine, the Main and the Danube that flow from Holland to the mysterious Budapest. Some of the adventures include a tour of a working windmill and a stop at Marksburg Castle, which is the only fortress on the Rhine that has never been destroyed.
For those who love movies, you can indulge your Sound of Music fantasy with food and wine from Austria’s Wachau Valley and learning the Viennese waltz. You will also travel through the Spessart region, home of the young woman serving as the inspiration of the story of Snow White.
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If you want to extend your stay, there is an option of staying another three days in Prague in the Czech Republic.
There are 13 guided tours on this cruise. All meals are included, as well as a cocktail reception and dinner to welcome you aboard. Complimentary beer and wine are included with on-board lunches and dinners.
The cost of the trip starts at $4,899 per person.
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Ama Waterways – Barcelona to Paris
This is the perfect trip for wine enthusiasts! This 14-day river wine-themed cruise on the Rhone River features tours of vineyards with wine experts as your hosts. Your trip begins with three days stay in Barcelona and ends with three days stay in Paris at the Pullman Paris Montparnasse, or similar hotel, and a 7-day cruise in the middle of your trip.
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This captivating trip includes luxury accommodations in an outside stateroom with a French balcony. Cruise stops include a visit to a medieval Perpignan and seeing the city of Arles, the home of painter Vincent Van Gogh as he aged. Other stops include World Heritage Site of Avignon, Viviers and Tournon. Along with wine, you will also indulge in a chocolate tasting. Further on your trip, you will see Vienne with a walking tour. A champagne tasting bids you farewell before you board a high-speed train for Paris.
Besides the winery tours and other excursions, the cruise offers lectures, cooking demonstrations, and on-board music performances. There are also bicycles available for you to explore independently.
The price starts at $4,899 per person.
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Viking River Cruises – Budapest to Bucharest
This eastern European 11-day cruise includes stops in five of the most exotic countries including Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. It includes seven guided tours that include an Osijek home, a towering Iron Gate over the Danube and Kalemegdan Fortress, which dates back to the 6th century.
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There are other wonders also, such as watching the Puszta horsemen and a chance to bake bread with a home cook. Once behind the Iron Curtain, these countries now have much to reveal.
The price of this river cruise is $2,756.
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Uniworld – Vienna to Prague
The 10 days you spend traveling up the Danube River from Vienna to Prague includes stunning art, medieval cities, Gothic cathedrals and glorious beauty of sheer cliffs and small baroque villages. This is the heart of the Habsburg Empire.
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In Vienna, you will tour the historic capital and all its art. In Prague, you’ll see architecture that identified Gothic Renaissance in the baroque city. Some of the highlights of your trip will include touring the walled city of Nuremberg, looking at Italian art in Passau, and a taste of modern day micro-brewing in Straubing. You’ll also be able to take a bicycle along a path by the river and ride a horse-drawn wagon through the Bavarian Forest.
This river cruise is unique because it offers multi-generational family packages, so you can bring both children and grandparents for a fun time.
The cost of this cruise is $4,049 per person.
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Grand Circle Cruise Line – Switzerland to the Netherlands
This 12-day affair is a Christmas cruise that brings out the magic of the Old World for the holidays. It includes stops in Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands.
This cruise on the Rhine includes villages with colorful holiday lights dotting the landscape and stopping at several Christmas markets along the river.
These markets are filled with handmade toys, ornaments, fresh baked bread and cookies and warm mulled wine. Entertainment includes the familiar Christmas carols like “O Christmas Tree” sung in their original language of German. Your trip also includes participating in German Christmas traditions and other activities, such as a baking demonstration. This is the most Christmas you will ever experience in a holiday.
Some of the best features of this cruise is what it includes. This cruise includes all meals on-board and, unlike traditional cruise lines, offers complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner.
The price for this cruise is $2,745 per person and this includes international airfare.
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Avalon – Brussels to Amsterdam
This 8-day cruise is an awesome vacation for those who love the beauty of tulips and windmills. The six stops include Antwerp, Ghent and then on to Holland to see Middelburg, Filemstad-Kindrdijk and Amsterdam.
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A highlight of your trip, if you plan it for spring, will be a tour will be an excursion through the 70-acres of Keukenhof Gardens. Not only will you see lakes, sculpture gardens, greenhouse and a windmill, but you will be astounded at the beauty of seven million flower bulbs that include daffodils, tulips, crocuses.
A summer trip includes the historic city of Delft instead of the gardens. Delft is most known for its Delft Blue pottery.
You must call about the price for this cruise, but the line is offering 50 percent off certain dates.
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The River Cruise Line – England
This is a shorter cruise option with 3-4 day cruises up the Thames River, showcasing the best of England. The trip starts in London but wanders by 17 towns and cities including Berkshire and Oxfordshire.
This trip is especially remarkable for those who love English literature as many of these towns serve as inspiration for great works like The Wind in the Willows. You will become intimate with the English countryside as you cruise along.
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The price for this river cruise is substantially lower than others, with it starting at around $220, making it a great addition to your European vacation.
Most river cruises have excellent amenities, include on-board food and entertainment so you can relax without having to worry about a lot of extra on board expenses or making decisions. There are so many choices with river cruising from Holland to Paris to the rural areas of Hungary and Romania. The hardest part about this vacation is picking where you want to go.
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