Suite, safe and sound cruising along the timeless rivers of the world has understandably become one of the most desirable ways to travel today. Yet with so many alluring waterways, it can be difficult to choose where to make your splash. Do you choose by country? By sights? By unique experiences? When travellers choose the romantic Rhine River – with its 1,230 kilometres of winding whimsical wonder – they choose all of the above.
“The Rhine River delivers travellers to ‘bucket list’ countries and capital cities while sailing off-the-beaten-path to small villages that look as if they’ve been pulled from the pages of fairytales,” said Pam Hoffee, managing director of Avalon Waterways. “The Rhine gifts travellers a sail through time and is the perfect river to welcome guests back to cruising while also offering a feast for travel cravings.”
According to Avalon Waterways, here are seven reasons why travellers are choosing the Rhine River on their journey back to travel in 2021 and 2022:
- High five
Cruising down the multinational waterway of the Rhine with Avalon, travellers can traverse five countries– Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Austria – exploring picture-perfect towns and bucket-list destinations like Basel, Strasbourg, Cologne, Bonn, Düsseldorf, Amsterdam and Rotterdam along the way.
- Connect four
The Rhine River is a ribbon that ties together fascinating countries, cultures and history. It also flows into other legendary waterways, presenting the opportunity to combine a Rhine itinerary with three other renowned rivers – the Moselle, the Main and the Danube – for a more robust river cruise.
- Castles in the air
Between Rudesheim and Koblenz, more castles take centre stage than anywhere else on the planet. This fairytale fantasy known as the Upper Middle Rhine or Rhine Gorge has earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status and the well-earned moniker, “The Romantic Rhine.”
- A pop of colour
Surrounded by brilliant-coloured tulips, the waterways of the Netherlands feed into the Rhine River, presenting unrivalled springtime scenery including the beginning, middle and end of the rainbow.
- More to pour over
While many people think of Germany for its “brewtiful” beer scene, the vineyard-lined Rhine River Valley paints a sweeter story with “grape” days that invite you to sniff, swirl and sip your way through everything from Rieslings and delicate Silvaners to full-bodied Spätburgunders.
- Unique UNESCO
A delightfully dizzying number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be found along the Rhine River Valley, including the Rhine Gorge, the Cologne Cathedral, the Speyer Cathedral, the Town of Bamberg and the Old Town of Regensburg.
- Merry memories
There’s no better way to unwrap the magic of the Old World than with a journey through the tradition-rich, German Christmas markets with their mulled wines, handmade sweets and hardy holiday décor on a festive wintry river cruise.
In addition to giving travellers one of the widest variety of holidays available on the Rhine River (nearly two dozen itineraries), only Avalon Waterways has created what they call Taster Cruises, itineraries that are eight days or less, providing time-starved travellers and first-time river cruisers the chance to test river cruise waters. Avalon is also the only river cruise line that offers travellers highly customizable Active & Discovery itineraries on the Rhine River, giving them a choice of nearly 30 Active, Discovery and Classic excursions throughout their holiday.
“We take great pride in inviting travellers to cruise against the stream on the Rhine River,” added Pam Hoffee. “In addition to our Avalon Choice excursions and Adventure Hosts on every itinerary, our relationship with Globus, Cosmos and Monograms gives travellers exclusive access to Your Way cruising which seamlessly provides them options for immersive sightseeing access, hotel accommodations and transfers in European cities before and after each cruising holiday.”
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