It’s fair to say that you can see some pretty spectacular scenery on a river cruise. Indeed, that’s a major part of the draw. Big picture windows in the dining areas, French Balconies in your cabin and spacious sun decks are all aspects of the river cruising experience designed to maximise your viewing pleasure. After all, they’re called river cruises for a reason and though they’ll take you to some of Europe’s most memorable sites and cities, the rivers they explore are just as famous and full of character as the destinations themselves.
Summer is the time when nature flourishes, when the countryside, valleys and meadows which river cruises pass through are at their most vibrant, teeming with life and vitality and in many cases, a rich harvest of grapes which are used to produce some of the world’s most celebrated wines. Don’t forget, longer summer days mean you’ll have more opportunity to see the sights too. In short, summer river cruises are a great way to see nature in full bloom. But why do you need to think about booking now?
Why you should book summer river cruises now
Secure the perfect itinerary
With river cruises ever growing in popularity, a wide choice of destinations and even more state-of-the-art, stylish vessels to choose from, there’s a lot to think of when it comes to booking. However, choosing summer river cruises early means you’ll have plenty of time to select the holiday that’s just perfect for you.
Book the exact dates
It can sometimes be difficult finding holiday dates which match your schedule and with the limited numbers of guests catered for on river cruise ships, there’s always the worry that places on the ship and itinerary you really want will get booked up. By booking early for summer though, you’ll guarantee yourself the holiday that you really want.
Get your ideal accommodation
As I’ve just mentioned, river cruise ships are pretty exclusive, so even if you’re lucky enough to book a place, there’s still the issue of finding your ideal accommodation. Perhaps you always like to be located close to the sun deck are nearer to the main dining room? Or maybe you want to be guaranteed a suite, or a room with a balcony? By booking summer river cruises now, you’ll be able secure your perfect cabin.
More excursion choices
Booking summer river cruises now means that you’ll have the opportunity to get the most out of each area that you visit. Why? Well, by booking early you can ensure you get a place on all the excursions to the places you really want to see. Summer’s when vineyards are at their most abundant, so you’ll want to book early to ensure that you don’t miss out on the chance of a fascinating vineyard visit or a luxurious summer evening at the opera.
Sit back and relax
By booking summer river cruises early, you’ll take all the worry out of leaving it to the last minute and be able to relax, safe in the knowledge that everything’s been booked. All you need to do is sit back and look forward to your river cruise holiday.
Where you can go on summer river cruises
Just to give you a little inspiration, here’s a look at some summer sights to enjoy on a number of Europe’s most popular rivers.
The Rhine
The Middle Rhine is where you’ll find the beautiful Rhine Valley. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a reason and summer is absolutely the best time to witness it in all its natural splendour.
The Danube
So beautiful that the famous composer Strauss wrote the Blue Danube in its honour, this beautiful river especially sparkles during the summer. Towards the end of its journey, the
river passes through the Danube Delta, one of the world’s largest areas of biodiversity, which flourishes in summer.
The Seine
A summer cruise along the Seine will take you through some of northern France’s most beautiful areas which have inspired such iconic artists as Monet, as well as the sweeping Normandy beaches.
The Elbe
East Germany’s captivating landscape is never more beautiful than it is in the summer and it’s an area you can experience when you explore the Elbe. UNESCO World Heritage Sites, rich woodlands and the towering sandstone cliffs of the Saxon Switzerland region are all natural contributions to the journey.
By Simon Brotherton
Google
