One of the most common features aboard the many river cruise vessels that grace the waterways of Europe and the rest of the world are spacious, outdoor sun decks. Sun decks are the perfect on-board location from which to observe the passing scenery as you cruise from port to port along the banks of scenic rivers including the Rhine, Danube and Moselle in Europe as well as further afield on the Mekong and Yangtze in the Far East. The best sightseeing opportunities are not always in port, so read on to discover where you will find the best views from your sun deck on your next splendid river voyage.
Upper Middle Rhine Valley, Germany
The incredibly beautiful Upper Middle Rhine Valley – or Rhine Gorge – runs for 65 kilometres between Bingen, Rdesheim and Koblenz along the mighty Rhine River. This scenic stretch of waterway has served as the inspiration for many writers, poets and artists throughout the centuries, due to its astonishing natural and historical significance.
The valley’s diverse landscape is dotted with impressive ecological and man-features, from ancient castles, quaint vineyards and villages to verdant forests and sweeping vales. Some of the region’s castles are more than 1000 years old, which is why the Rhine Gorge was named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As a truly wonderful sight to behold, this lush valley makes for ideal viewing from your sun deck on a Rhine river cruise.
Three Gorges Dam, China
Passing through the Three Gorges Dam in China’s Yiling District on a Yangtze River cruise is a truly amazing experience. This colossal dam was completed in 2008 and designed to generate hydroelectric power for the region on a massive scale. In order to navigate it, vessels must pass through a series of locks and lifts.
As you might expect, the Three Gorges Dam has three separate gorges, and river cruise ships must follow the mandatory route to get to the other side of the structure. The first gorge – Qutang Gorge – is followed by the other two – Wu and Xiling Gorge – all of which create a once-in-a-lifetime experience for travellers. The marvellous views provided by this remarkable structure are enough to get cruisers onto their sun deck to see China’s superb mix of natural and artificial wonders.
Wachau Valley, Austria
The picture perfect landscape of Austria’s Wachau Valley provides some of the most scenic views along Europe’s Danube River. The valley stretches for around 40 kilometres between the towns of Melk and Krems, littered with architectural delights and historic buildings within a lush and green environment. Archaeological evidence suggests that the region has been inhabited since prehistoric times and nowadays is famous for its rolling vineyards and history of wine production.
Some of the most notable historic and cultural attractions found within Austria’s Wachau Valley include the dramatic and colourful 11th century Melk Abbey, the Renaissance-style Schallaburg Castle and the ancient ruins of the 12th century Burgruine Aggstein Castle.
Côtes du Rhône, France
The famous wine region of Côtes du Rhône in France offers a profusion of spectacular and memorable views to passengers as they relax on the sun deck of their river cruise vessel whilst sailing along the majestic Rhone River. A number of picturesque communes and villages sit on the banks of the Rhone in this verdant wine producing area, creating a quaint and scenic backdrop.
Côtes du Rhône’s history of wine production predates Roman times, and as early as the 17th century, local officials were issuing guidelines on how to create the perfect wine. On your next river cruise along the Rhone, make sure to spend time on your sun deck observing the beautiful, sun-drenched vineyards of Côtes du Rhône.
Flower Fields, Netherlands
A number of the Netherland’s world-famous flower fields are visible from the water on cruises along the stunning Dutch-Belgian Waterways. The fields are filled with colourful tulips, creating a dazzling scene of bright reds, pinks and yellows, visible from a considerable distance away. The fields are in full bloom from the end of March until mid-May, so get up onto your sun deck as you sail through the areas of Haarlem and Leiden, where the flowers are most prominent.
It is not just tulips that grow in the lush flower fields of the Netherlands – daffodils and hyacinths can also be found in abundance. One of the nation’s most beautiful flower-centric attractions is the historic park of Keukenhof, not visible from the waterways, but available on excursions from the nearby town of Lisse.
Image Credits:
(1) Biovit -wikipedia.org
(2) Shizhao – wikipedia.org
(3) Mwinog2777 – wikimedia.org
(4) Phillip Capper – wikipedia.org
