6 Rivers in Europe for a Parents’ Getaway Cruise

Family travel doesn’t always need to include kids. And when parents need a little time to themselves, there’s no better place than on a boat cruising along one of Europe’s historic rivers. For millennia, these were the lifelines of commerce, travel and communications. Powerful landowners collected tolls for their use, armies fought over control of them, and traders plied them carrying foods and material resources that fueled growing populations.

Today, these same rivers are the perfect bolt-hole for couples looking for a week’s cozy getaway for two. Their banks are lined with reminders of their rich history: castles, royal palaces, baronial mansions, fortresses, and cities that began as trade and market centers. History is all around you, and each river shares some of the cultures of the people who live alongside it.

The Rhine
Sharing first place with the Danube as today’s most-traveled river, the Rhine ties the Netherlands to Switzerland, by way of Germany and France. Nearly every river cruise line offers itineraries for all or part of its length, with most cruises embarking in Amsterdam or Basel.

Some, including Riverside Luxury Cruises, combine the Rhine with the shorter Mosel River, known for its wines. The highlight for most travelers is sailing through the UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge and its 40 castles.

The Danube
Flowing across Europe from Germany through Austria and into the heart of Eastern Europe, the Danube channels the romantic aura of Viennese waltzes and coffee houses. Popular cruise itineraries include both Vienna and Budapest; some begin in Regensburg, Germany; and longer cruises by AmaWaterways include visits to Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Serbia. The Danube is especially popular for Christmas Market cruises.

The Rhone
Sailing through some of France’s best-known vineyard regions is a treat for wine lovers, but the scenery and historic sights on a Rhone cruise appeal to other interests, too. Most cruises sail from the heart of Lyon and end in the former Roman city of Arles, the inspiration for many of Van Gogh’s best-known paintings. Some wine cruises begin in Dijon, sailing along the Saone River to its conjunction with the Rhone in Lyon.

The Seine
Beginning in the heart of Paris, Seine cruises get off to a dramatic start with Eiffel Tower views from the ship. Highlights of Viking’s Paris & the Heart of Normandy itinerary are Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny, the magnificent cathedral in Rouen, and the Normandy landing beaches. Some itineraries include viewing the epic Bayeux Tapestry.

The Douro
Until a few years ago, Portugal’s short (but sweet) Douro was almost unknown to any but devoted wine lovers. Today, multiple lines offer Douro cruises, stopping at some of the most famous Port quintas set among the steep riverside vineyards. Highlights are visiting the palace and gardens of Matteus, Castello Rodrigo, and the pilgrimage town of Lamego. Most cruises begin and end in Porto and include a day in Salamanca, Spain. AmaWaterways’ Douro cruises include visiting the UNESCO-acclaimed prehistoric rock art of the Côa Valley.

The Thames
No cruise ships ply England’s historic river past Windsor Castle and King Henry’s Hampton Court Palace. But the eight-passenger hotel barge Magna Carta, operated by European Waterways, moors right on the palace grounds beneath Windsor Castle. Each day brings tours to new landmarks, including lively Oxford and Highclere, the setting of Downton Abbey.