See Europe This Summer With A River Cruise

When most people think of cruises for their summer vacation, they think of luxury cruise liners that are a floating resort town in the middle of the ocean. But did you know there’s a whole other kind of cruising gaining popularity? For a more intimate setting and a more scenic view, you may want to try river cruising. This is becoming the hottest trend in travel in many parts of the world, particularly Europe.

If that sounds appealing, Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours is currently offering some great deals that can allow you to save up to $2,400 per couple. Here are a few of their most popular European itineraries you can experience by taking a luxury river cruise, which typically features roomier accommodations than those big cruise lines, and you’ll likely have a cabin with a scenic view through your sliding glass doors to your own private deck.

How’s that for the way to travel through Europe? No airport, rental car, or train station hassles when you just float up to a port, see the sights, and re-board for the next adventure. Expect to visit not only the must-see travel destinations, but Scenic promises will take you to the hidden gems, as well. Each of the itineraries below for Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours are all-inclusive.

The “Danube Discovery” tour is an eight-day tour traveling from Nuremberg to Budapest, Hungary, down the Danube River. During your stop in Vienna, visit the Palais Liechtenstein, and enjoy a private evening concert of Strauss and Mozart. In Melk, Austria, visit an 18^th-century Benedictine Abby or go for a bike ride along the river with a complementary picnic lunch. End your tour with the stunning architecture of Budapest for a taste of old world Europe. This tour starts at $3,395 per person.

If that’s a little rich for your blood, try the eight-day “Gems of the Danube” tour which is currently on sale. Visit the same cities with a slightly different itinerary but right now, you can book this tour from only $2,200 per person for considerable savings for a very similar cultural experience.

If you want more than eight days cruising on the river, Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours offers the 15-day “Romantic Rhine and Moselle” river tour, starting with a reception in Amsterdam before you embark on your river cruise. Enjoy a guided cycling tour through Nijmegen and visit the medieval city of Cochem. You’ll visit Reichsburg Castle and feel like you stepped into your very own fairytale. End your tour in Basel, Switzerland, near the borders of France and Germany.

Tours start from $6,445 per person, but some dates offer free airfare deals if you book early.

Another 15-day tour offered by Scenic is their “Jewels of Europe” river cruise which also launches from Amsterdam, but ends in Budapest. You’ll travel along the Rhine, Main & Danube rivers on this tour, from Amsterdam to Budapest.

In Freudenberg, Germany, no matter what time of year you go on this cruise, Scenic will treat you to their version of “Oktoberfest,” Germany’s legendary festival of beer and good food. Fine beer isn’t all you’ll experience while there, as you can hear some oom-pah-pah music and indulge in delicious Bavarian fare with your classic German beers.

The hills are still alive with The Sound of Music in Salzburg, Austria, where you will dine on an authentic Austrian lunch and take in the production of “Best of The Sound of Music and Salzburg Show” in the rolling hills of the city. How’s that for the next closest thing to singing with Julie Andrews?

This tour starts from $6,445 per person, but like all river cruise chores, book early as they sell out fast.

Slow down for your next vacation with a leisurely cruise down the river and explore Europe from a whole different perspective with a river tour.

[Photo courtesy of Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours]