The Danube, Rhine, Loire and Seine are among the most requested, according to Croisieurope.
River cruises are the fastest-growing vacation option in the last six years, likely the tourism product that has performed best during times of crisis, exceeding 10% annual growth. Even better, the outlook for the coming years is even more optimistic. Although the data is at a European level, Spaniards play a prominent role, ranking among the top five customers, and river cruises are becoming a booming trend. According to Croisieurope, the European leader in the sector with a fleet of 30 ships, the most popular river cruises are on the Danube, Rhine, Loire, and Seine. Among Spanish rivers, the Douro and the Guadalquivir are particularly popular.
Around half a million Spaniards will take a cruise this year, although only a few thousand will choose a river cruise. They represent a small fraction of the more than 23 million cruise passengers worldwide in 2015, whose economic impact exceeds €110 billion and supports approximately 900,000 full-time jobs. This success is due to the combination of factors in this type of vacation: it's a comfortable and relaxing trip that allows you to visit different places of interest without the hassle of packing and unpacking, enjoy fine cuisine, personalized service, and a friendly, family-like atmosphere on board, as well as discover the history and heritage of the destinations. Sea voyages have many attractions, but they can suffer from a certain monotony and the overcrowding inherent in large ships. River cruises, especially those that travel along the great European rivers, are now gaining popularity.
Its advantages are quite obvious. A river cruise is the most comfortable and carefree way to discover other countries and other ways of life. Traveling through Europe, admiring the rich cultures that flourished along its rivers, is an experience as appealing as it is unforgettable. On board, everything is made easy. It's a true vacation at your own pace, allowing you to enjoy the scenery, chat with friends, and relax. There's no need to stress about finding a table at a restaurant, searching for transportation to get there faster or arrive on time, and no need to worry about safety. It has all the benefits of an organized tour, but gives travelers the freedom to plan their own time.
On a river cruise, you can forget about packing after each leg of the journey. The cabins and the ship itself offer every possible comfort, all that the limited dimensions of these river cruises allow. They shouldn't be compared to the super-cruise ships that sail the oceans, both in terms of capacity and the facilities, which are sometimes as boundless as the seas they traverse. On the contrary, they have significant advantages: walking tours (since the docks are in the heart of the cities), a more intimate atmosphere, which allows for better communication and interaction with other passengers, and the virtual impossibility of seasickness given the stability of the river channels regulated by locks. There's always something to see on a river: the passing of other boats, vineyards, forests or meadows, castles and monasteries, small towns or large cities… And when the journey becomes a bit tedious or the weather isn't cooperating, nothing beats a good book, some good music, or a drink to relax and enjoy your free time.
Croisieurope is Europe's leading river cruise company in its category, with a fleet of over 30 owned ships with an average age of 5 years. For more than 35 years, they have been working on the same idea: Discovering Europe through its rivers. A common feature of all their cruises is the comfort and safety of the ships, designed and built by the company, the exceptional attention the crew provides to guests, the quality of service, the cuisine, and the onboard activities. The price of these cruises includes all meals, from dinner on the first day to breakfast on the last, French wines with meals on board, accommodation in a double outside cabin with a window and private bathroom, entertainment, onboard assistance, a welcome cocktail, a gala evening, travel/repatriation insurance, and port taxes. In addition, for the past year, all drinks in the bars have also been included.
On the romantic Rhine.
The Rhine is one of Europe's largest rivers, rising in Switzerland and flowing into the Netherlands, passing through, or rather bordering, France. However, the Rhine is essentially a German river; the word Rhine originates from a Celtic word meaning "stream," and for the Celts who inhabited this region between the 13th and 10th centuries BC, the river was the protector of domestic honor and purity. CROISIEUROPE, a specialist in the area, offers a variety of options ranging from a weekend getaway to a six-day cruise. In all cases, it's a fascinating journey that allows you to discover iconic cities, castles steeped in history and beauty, breathtaking landscapes, and unique experiences. All this at a relaxed pace, enjoying your time on board and leisurely visits, most of them on foot. Many of the sailings include the exclusive attention of Spanish-speaking staff, in addition to the obligatory high-quality cuisine, music, and entertainment. The "Romantic and Picturesque Rhine" cruise, departing from and returning to Frankfurt, offers a six-day journey through Mainz, Andernach, Braubach, Bacharach, and Wiesbaden. The special price for this cruise starts at €883; other cruises of varying lengths and itineraries are also available. Cruises run until the end of October. Information is available from travel agencies and at www.croisieurope.es.
Following the Imperial Route along the Danube:
The Danube is the quintessential great European river (even though it's the second largest). It's called the Blue River, but more accurately, it would be called the Black River, not because of the color of its waters, but because of its origin and destination. It rises in the Black Forest, crosses Europe, and after traveling 2,888 kilometers, flows into the Black Sea in the form of a delta. It's also called the Imperial River, and rightly so, as it flows through important cities, some of which were once imperial: Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Belgrade… CROISIEUROPE also offers various options on this river, from a five-day cruise with enough time to see the highlights of the capitals of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Vienna and Budapest, as well as Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, admiring centuries-old cities, medieval castles, Baroque churches and abbeys, and beautiful palaces along the way. If you have more time, you can choose a seven-day cruise, "The Spell of the Danube," which, in addition to the cities mentioned, takes you through the most beautiful landscapes of the Wachau region, such as Dürnstein Castle, where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned, and Melk Abbey, which inspired Umberto Eco's famous novel, "The Name of the Rose." Prices for this cruise start at €1,060. A more comprehensive cruise, and its exclusive offering, "From the Blue Danube to the Black Sea," a 12-day journey through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania, departing from Strasbourg and returning by plane from Constanta to Strasbourg, starts at €2,062. Information is available from travel agencies and at www.croisieurope.es.
Along the banks of the Portuguese Douro:
Although very close to us, the banks of the Douro in its Portuguese stretch have all the ingredients to become a true discovery, an exotic journey that allows you to visit enchanting landscapes and cities. The "Douro Valley" trip offered by CROISIEUROPE begins in Porto with a welcome cocktail on board and introduction to the crew. In the evening, there is an optional excursion to the illuminated old town of Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The following day, the ship departs for Régua. The journey passes the Carrapatello Lock, the tallest in Europe with a 35-meter drop. On the third day, there is also an optional excursion to Solar de Mateus in Vila Real. In the afternoon, the ship sails through the most famous vineyards of Porto, planted in a stepped formation up to a height of 700 meters. This landscape is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The last two days offer the opportunity to enjoy Porto again or take an optional excursion to Guimarães, the first Portuguese capital and European Capital of Culture in 2012, and Braga. The price for a 6-day trip with full board starts at €656. Longer cruises are also available, including the entire Douro Valley and a visit to Salamanca, from €804. More information is available from travel agencies and www.croisieurope.es.
Discovering the Loire Valley Castles:
One of CROISIEUROPE's newest offerings is its "Loire Valley Castles Cruise," departing from and returning to Nantes. The cruise also visits Saint-Nazaire, Ancenis, and Angers, and includes a visit to the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau. Built on an island in the middle of the Indre River, the building, as it appears today, was constructed during the reign of Francis I by a wealthy financier, Gilles Berthelot, who sought to combine Italian innovations with French architectural artistry. A designated historical monument, the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau embodies the refinement of an early French Renaissance castle. The tour continues to Villandry, where you can enjoy a stroll through its three-tiered gardens, a blend of aesthetics, diversity, and harmony. The journey then proceeds to Rigny-Ussé for a visit to the Château d'Ussé. Built in the 15th and 16th centuries, this magnificent castle, with its fortified towers, turrets, and bell towers, resembles a fairytale castle. Currently inhabited, the castle offers visitors a journey back in time to tales and legends. In fact, it is said to have inspired Charles Perrault's "Sleeping Beauty." Six- and eight-day cruises are available, with prices ranging from €1,178 to €1,563. Further information is available from travel agencies and www.croisieurope.es.
Sailing along the coast of Croatia and Montenegro,
CROISIEUROPE has launched a brand-new ship equipped with the latest technology to meet growing demand. This vessel has a capacity of 200 passengers. Its size, combined with its exceptional comfort, sets it apart from other cruise ships. It can easily navigate coastal itineraries, docking in most ports. Onboard, everything is designed to perfectly blend space and comfort. This is the ideal ship for one of the most beautiful itineraries along the European coast, visiting Dubrovnik, Mljet, Korcula, Sibenik, Trogir, Split, Hvar, Vis, and Kotor.
