The appeal of a leisurely cruise along one of Europe’s rivers goes well beyond the beautiful riverside scenery and charming villages along the banks. Daily excursions to nearby landmarks and attractions add historic and cultural dimension to the travel experience for couples and families, and some cruise lines arrange special activities that take passengers deeper inside the destinations.
In addition to visits to Monet’s Garden in Giverny and a tour of the World War II landing beaches, Scenic Luxury Cruises’ voyage along the Seine treats guests to a private concert of classical music at the riverside Château de La Roche-Guyon in Normandy.
On Scenic’s Douro River cruises in Portugal, guests are treated to a private concert in the silver-lined São Francisco Church in Porto, Portugal. On the Danube, guests experience Budapest’s Imperial past at an exclusive classical music concert at Gödöllõ Royal Palace, a favorite residence of Queen Elisabeth of Hungary.
Included excursions on Uniworld’s Highlights of Eastern Europe cruise on the Danube include a Village Day, when guests share meals with local families and enjoy a private, early morning viewing of the art collections of Kunstkammer Vienna.
Uniworld’s Authentic Danube and Prague cruise features a private concert in Regensburg Cathedral by the Domspatzen, the oldest boys’ choir in the world, dating back to the 10th century. Select sailings of the Remarkable Rhine and Historic Holland cruise include the Jewish Heritage Program, which explores Central Europe’s Jewish legacy with visits to museums, memorials, synagogues and landmarks.
Cruises with Avalon Waterways offer active experiences on Rhone River cruises, ranging from a guided kayak trip through the spectacular canyons of the Gorges de l’Ardèche to art lessons in Arles. Guests here can learn the secrets of the characteristic brush strokes used by artist Vincent Van Gogh, who painted some of his best-known works in Arles.
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