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River vessels are smaller than ocean cruise ships. Most ships on River Cruises carry around 150 passengers rising to 300 on the Russian Neva waterways and lakes. A River boat cruise will travel by day and stop at night - the opposite to most ocean cruises. River passengers consider themselves to be on a journey, rather than on a cruise. River cruises are more educational than indulgent. Passengers can sightsee from the comfort of the ship. Rivers are nations' thoroughfares. You see a completely different aspect of a country from a river. Every river has its own character, with perhaps the best example being the Nile where life hasn't changed for thousands of years.

The Yangtse is the world's third longest river. Most cruises will visit the River Gorges area. The Lesser Three Gorges (or Three Small Gorges) where the Yangtse joins the Danin is one of the most scenic points of the river and can be reached on a separate small boat from Wushan. Other interesting ports of call and excursions could include Yichang, at the entrance of the Xilinmg gorge in western Hubei province, Fengdu which houses more than 700 temples and is known as Ghost City and Yeuyang in the northern Huan province where the Yangtse river and the Donging lake merge.

The Mississippi stretches through the heartland of America from Minneapolis St Paul in the North down through St Louis and Memphis to New Orleans in the South.

The Neva and Volga inland rivers, waterways and lakes of Russia, offer a journey linking St Petersburg with Moscow and vice versa. The deeper rivers of Russia mean that ships tend to be larger than on a European River Cruise. Ships carrying 250 to 300 people are common as are five deck ships all offering an excellent quality alternative to local hotels.

The Danube, in September 1992 a new canal was opened linking Bamberg and Kelheim. This link meant that for the first time, ships that cruised the Rhine could also travel to the Danube. Prior to 1992 only a few older ships had sailed on the Danube.

The Elbe - The dramatic political transformation of Eastern Europe over the past few years has had a significant impact on the popularity of cruises on the Elbe. The Elbe river starts in the giant mountains of Bohemia and flows through the Czech lowlands into Germany cutting through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, which it has eroded over the millennia into fantastic rock formations. Ports of call include Dresden, a glorious treasure of art, Meissen, one of the world's renowned names in porcelain and Wittenberg where Martin Luther founded the Protestant Reformation. Extended stays are highly recommended in Berlin and Prague prior to, or following, the Elbe cruise.

Seine - Cruising the Seine provides two days to explore the fascinating city of Paris. The river journey includes visits to Giverney with Monet's stone farmhouse and its world famous gardens, Les Andelys, Rouen with its famous Cathedral and Honfleur. The river journey along the Seine takes eight days as the ship meanders the river passing meadows, forests and streams.

Rhone - A River journey on the Rhone includes stops at the most famous wine-growing areas of France and the colourful history of the Rhone Valley with its many fine examples of Romanesque architecture.
The cruise covers the tranquil region of the Soane and Rhone before entering the unspoilt orchard of Drome and cruising onwards past lavender-scented hills to Provence where the history and landscapes inspired such artists as Cezanne, Chagall and Van Gogh.

The Po - A river cruise on the Po provides two days to explore the world famous city of Venice. The eight-day river journey offers art, history and culture of the region against the backdrop of scenic rolling countryside. The great triangular plain of Lombardy lying between the northern Alps and the Apennines is drained by the river Po which flows from west to east rising in the Ligurian Alps near the French frontier and flowing across a Delta into the Gulf of Venice.

To enquire about our River Cruises call 01273 80 88 58