If you are new to river cruising in Europe, you will be swept off your feet by the practicality of unpacking once, and sailing from one exceptional small or large European city to the next on board a floating hotel. For your first cruise, the Rhine or the Danube will offer the perfect mix of historic and charming scenery. The length of the cruise may vary depending on the extent of the program you select, based on the sites that interest you for your river cruise. Let’s check out what the Rhine and Danube rivers have in store for you. You may opt for the former’s enchanting folklore or the latter’s Central European vibe, or go for a river cruise that takes on both the Rhine and Danube at once!

The Rhine: discover France and Germany

From a 4-day mini Rhine cruise to a 9-day cruise including the Rhine and its tributaries, you have the opportunity to personalize your European boat tour, whilst enjoying the best local food on board ships that include all the comforts of home. The CroisiEurope river cruise company sails the Rhine and its tributaries, the major ones being the Main, Moselle, Neckar and Saar.

The Rhine and its tributaries: the Neckar and Main

Starting your cruise in Strasbourg, in north-eastern France on the banks of the Rhine, you can discover the German cities of Mannheim, Heidelberg and Eberbach situated on the Neckar, a tributary of the Rhine.

You can also explore Mainz, situated at the confluence of the Main and the Rhine. Once on the Main, you will discover Frankfurt and Aschaffenburg. Frankfurt is also known as “Mainhattan”, as it is home of the European Central bank and the financial capital of Europe. It is also famous for the Main Tower. Cruise on the most beautiful section of the Main to Aschaffenburg, nicknamed the "Nice Bavaroise″ by King Ludwig 1st of Bavaria.

Back on the Rhine, you river cruise takes you to the charming small town of Rüdesheim, situated in the heart of the Germany wine country. The celebrated Drosselgasse, known throughout the world for its atmosphere, restaurants and folk music groups will let you enjoy local cuisine in the most jovial atmosphere. You will then cruise the romantic Rhine Valley, where we will see numerous castles situated in the midst of famous vineyards on the banks of the river. The legendary Rock of the Lorelei is one of the highlights of your Rhine tour.

Cruise the Moselle Valley

The Moselle is also a tributary of the Rhine. Sailing the picturesque Moselle Valley, your journey will take you to Cochem, a small medieval town dominated by its castle. Small, little-known places like Bernkastel, the pearl of the Moselle, will leave you in awe. Next, sailing up the Saar through the “Saarschleife” with its magnificent wooded landscapes traversed by the meandering river.

Explore Holland and Belgium

A Rhine cruise is also ideal to discover Holland and Belgium with the “Tulips and Windmills” cruise itineraries along the Rhine. The highlight is a heaven for garden lovers: the Keukenhof flower garden, which is open only for roughly 3 months every year in spring. The flowers and mills, as well as a tour of Amsterdam, will be the perfect way to enjoy a truly European atmosphere, with small canals and cheese markets.

Castles, museums, beautiful landscapes, and good food: what’s not to like?

Find out in our next article how what a Danube cruise has in store for you!