Monday, April 1, 2024

Active River Cruises: 6 Routes for Younger and Adventurous Passengers

active river cruise

If you ever want to know what a popular tourist city is like for the locals who live there, get up and walk around early in the morning. That’s exactly what we did on this tour, which included an early morning walk around central Vienna, followed by Viennese breakfast at a local cafe. With less-frequented rivers garnering interest, off-the-beaten-path destinations are increasingly picking up steam. In fact, close to half of Avalon loyalists (44%) said it’s important to them to visit new ports and have new experiences. Two principal routes for cruising are the Chobe River, which forms the border between Botswana and Namibia, and the Gambia and Senegal rivers of West Africa.

Recommendations & Resources for choosing river cruises

The newest addition to their river portfolio, the Douro in Portugal, offers a fresh opportunity to explore this destination in Avalon style. With Avalon Waterways Active & Discovery river cruises there are excursions for all levels of adventurers at every port. And though I could have biked or hiked in Cochem, there was no way I was gonna miss their classic tour of the castle (which is an included option when you book this cruise). Active, fitness-focused consumers who love hiking, biking or working out at home, initially might say “no” to a European river cruise.

Fitness Afloat

15 of the Best European River Cruises - Travel + Leisure

15 of the Best European River Cruises.

Posted: Tue, 09 Aug 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

This was part of an entire “Adventure Center” onboard, where you could also rent hiking poles, binoculars, and even FitBits to use throughout the cruise. This is something unique to Avalon as far as I know, and I loved these extra ways for people to stay active on their vacation. So when I was invited to try out a new style of river cruise this summer with Avalon Waterways, I didn’t have to be asked twice.

Day 4: Cochem, Germany

Afterwards, guests can enjoy multi-course meals prepared by skilled chefs, offering a blend of international and regional cuisine. The menus may be influenced by the local specialties of the areas the cruise passes through, or just specialities of the chef. In the coming weeks, we will be extensively detailing why active river cruises are so important, and how they got to be so popular in the first place. We’ll also delve into why you might want to give these new, innovative features a try on your next European river cruise adventure, or even look into booking an actively-themed voyage instead of a regular one. The active “Let’s Go” program by Uniworld Boutique River Cruises also opens a world of lively activities for guests who wish to keep moving.

River Cruises for Cyclists

active river cruise

Luxury river line, Tauck, also carries between six and 10 regular bicycles (not e-bikes) aboard its European river vessels. Tauck’s directors will provide recommended cycling routes for those bikers desiring to tour independently. If you're looking for a river cruise with active options that aren't so active that you'll have trouble keeping up, Avalon Waterways could be the perfect cruise for you.

active river cruise

You can often see wildlife from the decks of the river boats or via excursions in smaller tenders. There are also hikes to dramatic sights like Multnomah Falls and kayaking opportunities on the Palouse River, a tributary of the Snake. Some cruises also showcase vineyards of the Pacific Northwest, adding wine tasting to the week’s line-up. While the excursions were a bit "off" in terms of what the activity level would be like on occasion, they were highly educational, quality and flat out good fun. The guides were delightful and packed with both information and wit, making for generally enriching experiences. Breakfast was buffet-style with a variety of options, including hot and cold dishes, fresh fruits, pastries, and beverages.

For example, Viking’s cruisers booking the “Canoe the Rhone River” shore excursion will enjoy a 2.5-hour downstream paddle. While admiring Avignon’s sites, they’ll learn about the Rhone River ecosystem. During a port call at Rudesheim, Germany, AmaWaterways’ guests can choose a guided vineyard hike.

River Cruise Manual: AmaWaterways - TravelAge West

River Cruise Manual: AmaWaterways.

Posted: Wed, 12 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Avalon Waterways offers a range of luxurious accommodations to suit various preferences. The Avalon Deluxe Stateroom provides a comfortable and elegant retreat with modern amenities, ensuring a relaxing stay onboard. If you prefer a quieter experience, you can opt for activities like getting lost in a book at their Club Lounge Library or indulging in a cozy movie night with your significant other.

All ships sailing the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers (excluding Scenic Gem and Scenic Azure) have salt therapy lounges. Scenic is the only line to offer these therapy rooms which are lined with mineral-rich salt bricks to help passengers relax and unwind. Biking, hiking, canoeing and jogging tours play into the line's Active & Discovery itineraries.

We’ve also made note of which lines offer gentle, regular and active walking tours, and have listed which lines boast swimming pools, jogging tracks, and even putting greens. Once, river cruising was thought of as a staid type of vacation; a convenient, engaging yet restful way to travel through the heart of Europe. But these days, a river cruise is only as restful as you’d like it to be. Shore excursion and touring options continue to diversify, and wellness – both onboard and ashore – has become the watchword of the industry.

If you're doing yoga or Pilates but aren't comfortable going barefoot, pick up a pair of sport-specific socks, such as these Muezna Non Slip Yoga Socks. The silicone gel soles will prevent slippage, and bands at the top of the socks keep them from falling off as you move from downward dog to cobra. For most activities, you can stick with socks that wick away moisture and provide some arch support, with ventilation to boot. We adore Balega's Blister Resist No Show Socks, which are designed to prevent blisters and have thick cushioning where the balls of your feet hit.

Afterwards, we walked back into town through the vineyards and tasted three different Adolf Storzel wines along the way. Rüdesheim am Rhein is a charming town renowned for its winemaking heritage, particularly its delicious Riesling wines. The heart of the town, Drosselgasse, is the cutest lane adorned with an array of shops, taverns, and restaurants. For history enthusiasts, the Parish Church, dating back to the early 19th century, is a must-see, boasting a remarkable 12th-century tower.

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