Five Top Reasons to Choose River Cruises In Europe

Anyone who has thought of booking a holiday in the crowded travel market in recent years may well be aware of the popularity river cruises in Europe have acquired with western tourists. Americans, in particular, are currently going crazy for this type of vacation (in that way only Americans know how to), while elsewhere in the world the market is also experiencing a steady increase in demand.

The question most uninitiated travellers will be asking at this point is: just what is so special about this type of holiday that so many people go absolutely wild over them? What exactly can one expect to gain by indulging in this specific type of holiday, as opposed to a good old beach holiday, a walking holiday, or even a cruise of the seafaring variety?

In the spirit of attempting to answer this question we have compiled five great reasons why travellers wanting a very unique type of holiday should look into river cruises in Europe.

Uniqueness. Whichever way you slice it, barge holidays are not your standard type of experience. When booking one of these itineraries, do not expect it to feel the same as being on a huge liner - the vessels are luxurious, but in a far more intimate way. In addition, floating down a river while stopping along its most scenic routes sounds is an experience straight out of an adventure book, and world-weary wanderers tired of the same old spots will welcome this change.

Fitness. Some will argue that holidays are not about fitness, but if you are the type who likes to keep active during a break, river cruises in Europe will be one of the best options for you, short of an actual walking holiday. While on a barge holiday, you can expect a lot of walking around cities and towns; most of these programmes include a number of day trips across their duration.

Food and Drink. Cuisine is almost always a highlight of any type of holiday, and truly local food and drink will be on plentiful offer on the course of a barge cruise. As an added bonus, this sort of tour tends to stop at smaller towns and villages along the way, allowing guests to have a genuinely authentic taste of that region’s delicacies.

Historic Sightseeing. History buffs will not miss out on river cruises in Europe. As mentioned above, this type of holiday tends to focus attention on less well-known parts of the country or countries they take place in. As such, travellers indulging in one of these trips will be able to discover a fair bit of the ‘real’ region, beyond the beaten tourist path.

Value for Money. We will not lie to you and pretend an experience like this is of the budget type. However, with the amount of mileage you get for the price, it certainly can be considered a valid example of value for money.

Above all, if you are keen on trying something different and are not afraid of a new adventure, one of these 'floating hotel' experiences may be just right for you.

Paul Newman is the Marketing and E-Systems Executive for European Waterways, a provider of luxury, all-inclusive barge holidays. If you're looking for river cruises in Europe we offer experiences in France, Holland, Italy and the UK.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.