These five sailings demonstrate that there is much more to learn on a subsequent river cruise for those who have been there and done that. These endlessly fascinating areas always have something to discover for those who return to get a closer look, even if consumers have previously drifted down the Danube or relaxed on the Rhine. Additionally, there are more sailings or cruise and stay activities that give travelers a way to travel further and learn more of the location’s secrets along the way for those who don’t fancy retracing their steps. Take a look at these ideas for sending clients on a second flying that exudes all the enjoyment from their first visit. 1. Done with the Danube? Consider the lower Danube. The creek has two sides. The lesser-known Lower Danube is an appealing option for a profit visit, even though the majority of cruises sail in the well-known extend around Vienna and Budapest. The valley travels through Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania to the incredibly diverse habitat river and the Black Sea, ending in Slovakia. The spectacular Iron Gates valley, a once turbulent stretch of water that is now tamed by locks and overlooked by a gigantic stone carving of old king Decebalus, is a sailing highlight. On the Travelmarvel journey from Budapest to Bucharest, wonderful excursions include a visit to Bran Castle in Transylvania, which is quickly recognized as the motivation for Dracula’s mansion, and a visit to a Bosnian family farm to trek through fruit orchards and learn how slivovitz, the flaming native plum brandy, is made. Book it: A 10-night Legends of the Balkans cruise on a Travelmarvel contemporary ship starts at £2, 745 and departs on July 21 with flights.
aptouring.com The stunning Rhine in Flames Festival is a spectacular annual highlight of the Rhine. Over the course of five summer weekends, the towns and villages along the river are lit up by flares and fireworks that reflect off the water, illuminate the sky, and set the scene for the colorful castles and historic buildings that line its banks. The custom began in Koblenz in 1756 when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert claimed that their fireworks were the best they’d ever seen when they arrived 90 years later. When they travel to Rüdesheim, a charming wine-making village, to coincide with the magical display, passengers on A-Rosa River Cruises ‘ special sailing from Cologne to Bonn will have the best seat in the house. A-Rosa Brava will sail alongside a flotilla of more than 50 ships as part of the festivities, which will culminate with the music-accompanied firework show. A seven-night Rhine in Flames cruise on A-Rosa Brava costs £2, 358, including flights, when booked.
newmarket holidays co. uk3. It would be difficult to sail along France’s Rhône and Saône rivers without tantalizing the taste buds with the region’s delicious dining and vintage wines. Try a cruise that honors the wine harvest to get even more reasons to enjoy these epicurean delights. These rivers pass through some of the most well-known wine-growing regions in France, and Scenic has a route that runs from Arles to Lyon that coincides with the Beaujolais harvest season. After a drive through the rolling hills of the Beaujolais wine region, there is an exclusive visit to meet a local vintner to learn about the significance of the harvest season and the winemaking process. Naturally, this is followed by a sampling of some of the samples.
the region’s best wines, each with its own narrative and connection to the harvest. The renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape region hosts additional tastings. The seven-night Rhône Bliss: Beaujolais Harvest Journey on a contemporary Scenic” space-ship” starts at £2, 945, includes flights, and travels.
scenic. co. uk4. Add a land-based cruise to the NileThe Nile continues to be captivating. The Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs, most notably the “boy king” Tutankhamun, once lay entombed, is a classic seven-day sailing between Luxor and Aswan. However, a longer journey may involve visiting more sites in the company of a knowledgeable Egyptianologist or extending an extension on land. A traditional one-sailed felucca journey, as well as a two-centre land stay, are included in Titian Travel’s river sailing, which offers interesting extras. A visit to the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, which opened last year, are both available in Cairo. Alexandria, a coastal city with its numerous cultural treasures, includes a Roman amphitheatre and elaborate centuries-old catacombs. Titan Travel’s 12-day Cairo, Alexandria, and a Nile Cruise starts at £2, 695 and starts on August 28 with flights, a cruise on Nile Plaza, and home pickup service included.
titantravel. co. uk5. Enjoy a culinary cruise to Normandy on a mouthwatering food-themed sailing in a region known for its 750 varieties of apples and dairy products. A cider farm is a place where the round-trip Paris cruise from Riviera Travel begins with an apple-based beverage and local specialties. The rest of the day includes a historic crêperie in the coastal town of Honfleur, cider and regional cheese at Vernon’s classy Château de Bizy, and melt-in-the-mouth macarons in Paris. French menus, a champagne reception, and a cooking demonstration to learn how to make Normandy apple dessert tarte tatin continue the culinary theme. Additionally included on the cruise are visits to Claude Monet’s home and garden in Giverny and Normandy’s poignant beaches on D-Day Landing. A seven-night Gastronomy of the Seine River Cruise on Jane Austen starts at £2, 799, including flights and rail travel, on August 1.
rivieratravel. Ask the expertJohn Davies, head of sales, Scenic Group:” We offer a broad selection of excursions that provide deep immersion into every destination – this is a big drawcard when securing repeat cruisers. From extended time in port to speciality sailings and our Freechoice and Enrich programs, there is everything. On the Rhône Bliss: Beaujolais Harvest Journey sailing, guests can meet winemakers and discover the world’s first-hand history of the world’s famous Beaujolais wine, and after-hours access to the digital art installation Fabrique des Lumières in Amsterdam. The activities are offered on the Paris &, Normandy sailing, August 9 and the Melodies of the Danube cruise, which departs August 2.
AmaWaterways On selected Delightful Danube and Remarkable Rhine &, Historic Holland sailings, co. ukUniworld offers immersive Jewish history cruises that take you to Holocaust memorials, museums, and wartime sites.
Uniworld.comTauck’s nine-night Autumn Along the Rhine: Munich’s Oktoberfest sailings, departing September 16 and 23, 2026, coincide with Germany’s most well-known beer festival and include a beerpairing lunch in Heidelberg and reserved seating in one of Munich’s brewery tents.
tauck. . ukPICTURES: Alex_Mastro, SSKH-PICTURES, Calin Stan, Shutterstock/Sergii Figurnyi, Shutterstock/ecstk22,
