When the British consider cruise holidays the majority will not probably think about the wealth of options that are available in mainland Europe. Living in the UK, where very long and completely navigable rivers are not to be found, it is not part of the public consciousness to consider holidays on them, except in canal boats or on the Norfolk Broads. However, the major waterways of Europe have been providing thousands of miles of transportation links for both people and goods for hundreds of years, and the infrastructure is now in place to provide first class cruise holidays using those river systems.

The external shape of the ships used for these cruises may be quite different from the ocean going vessels we are more familiar with, but internally the luxurious features and dining facilities we have come to expect will all be present. In fact they are sure to satisfy the most demanding of passenger, providing a personal and intimate experience as you travel through the continent’s heartland. River cruise holidays enable the passenger to gain a slightly different insight into the countries they pass through. You can sit back and relax, soaking up hundreds of years of history as you cruise serenely past famous cities. The sights float by your balcony window every day, which is much more preferable than being dragged around an overcrowded tourist trap by an over zealous guide.

For many years, a wide choice and style of river cruise holidays have been organised by reputable European companies and are almost always available. It may be surprising to learn that the wide expanse of the European river network enables companies such as Scenic Tours to offer cruises lasting up to 35 days. Starting from Amsterdam the ship winds its way across Europe to Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, passing through some of the continent’s most famous cities, while you enjoy first class luxury without any chance of becoming seasick.