8 Reasons to Take a European River Cruise with Kensington Tours

Who isn't thinking of going back to Europe these days? With so many countries to see and such little time, it can be overwhelming when you start to consider all the options of places to go, let alone travel styles - land-based, expedition cruise, river voyage, and more. Here are a few reasons why we think a European river cruise might be the way to go.

1. Your trip, your way
Put simply, you choose where and when to start your trip, and where and when to end. Using the hallmark Kensington Tours recipe for success, your private-guided journey can be tailored any way you’d like. Arrive in destination a few nights before your cruise begins to give yourself time to unwind and acclimatize to the local surroundings. With a local guide by your side, explore the best the city and region have to offer, all while staying in a hotel of your choice, as recommended by your Destination Expert. By the time you board your ship, you'll have a good taste for what's to come, and when the cruise is over, complement your voyage with whichever city or countryside locales that suit your fancy. Our itineraries are merely a starting point to get you inspired, but you can pair the voyage at the heart of your itinerary with any destinations in Europe or around the world. Perhaps some time in Barcelona or Madrid after your cruise along the Douro, or a romantic jaunt to Italy after you sail along the Rhine. You choose it, we’ll customize it.

2. An intimate experience
If you’re looking for an intimate and relaxed onboard experience, river cruising is for you. These vessels are designed for the serene rivers in Europe, delivering you to the heart of the continent’s most treasured towns and cities. With no more than 180 passengers on board, you’ll get to know your surroundings and ship’s crew quickly and on a personal level. The onboard staff are trained to a high European standard and are available to cater your experience uniquely to you. And with authentic and thoughtfully curated shore excursions, a small group means you can bond with your fellow passengers and still have the intimacy to probe your guide’s knowledge, gain personal insight, and even steer the tour in favor of the group’s interests and wishes – creating a unique experience for every traveler.

3. An incredible variety
European river cruises connect a labyrinth of towns and cities with centuries of history and diverse cultures. So close in proximity yet unique in so many ways, you’ll experience the very best of the region you’re visiting in a short period of time. In fact, on some voyages you’ll sail through a different country every day. This means you can fall asleep in the Netherlands and wake up in France, all from the comfort of your luxurious cabin. This is a great way to sample several different countries on the same trip and figure out which ones you’d like to come back to.

4. A foodie’s delight
If you’re looking to experience local and seasonal food, wine and spirits, you’ll find them aplenty - both on board and ashore. As you cruise through different countries, your onboard fare will reflect your surroundings so you can experience a multi-cultural epicurean journey throughout your entire voyage.

5. The most incredible views
Watch the landscape gently pass you by, whether from the comfort of your cabin and its panorama windows or the expanse of the observation deck above. At night, admire the flickering lights of quant hillside towns in the distance, or maybe even a 16th century castle. Unlike on ocean cruises where your crossing large stretches of water, river cruise ships run parallel to land, often at a stone‘s throw away. This means whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, you’ll always have a spectacular view.

6. A taste of history
A river on which a city lays is not just a body of water – each river has its own story to tell. It may split a city into two distinct bodies – like the Danube flowing mightily between Buda and Pest. Or perhaps it led to a permanent settlement, as done by the Romans who arrived in Cologne in 50 CE, at this city now standing tall along the banks of the Rhine. With an impressive array of shore excursions available, history and culture buffs can choose their ideal way to soak up the heritage of Europe’s emblematic rivers and storied cities.

7. Experience a winter wonderland

Embarking on a festive cruise over the holiday season is truly something magical, offering a profound sense of joy, serenity, and holiday cheer. Let yourself get carried away by the brilliant twinkling lights, fluffy blankets of snow, sweet smells of gingerbread and mulled wine warming you to the bone. If you can’t choose between the Christmas Markets of Germany, Austria, or Hungary, why not choose them all? Be delighted by wurst (sausage) in Germany, glühwein (hot mulled wine) in Austria, and kürtőskalács (chimney cake) in Budapest.

8. Stress-free travel

Any trip, regardless of destination, comes with a degree of complexity. Consider flights, hotel reservations, guided tours, and transportation. Adding a cruise with a fixed schedule into the mix provides a relaxing yet exciting way to visit many of the stops on your desired journey. Your river cruise will deliver you to multiple destinations, with your only responsibility being to absorb all the sights and sounds and indulge in an epicurean discovery onboard. End your evening with a local cocktail or your favorite glass of wine before heading to sleep, then wake up each morning with a panoramic view and a new world to explore.

Rest assured that if one piece of your travel puzzle is subject to change, all the other pieces will be changed as needed to ensure you don’t miss a beat. With one point of contact – from the planning, to the trip itself and right through to your return home – it doesn’t get any easier.