There really is nowhere else like Europe -- it manages to pack an enormous variety of beautiful landscapes, historic cities and unique cultures into what is really a very small space. In fact, there is so much diversity that it can be intimidating a little for a first time visitor to decide where to start. If you’re clever about it, there are ways to maximize your time there, and reduce the strain of decision making. One of the best of these is taking a river cruise.

We've grown to love Viking River Cruises. We trust the company, we know what to expect, and we love their laid back yet full itineraries. So when we saw that they were cruising the Danube, Main and Rhine Rivers, from Budapest to Amsterdam, for 15 days, we were thrilled! Cruising past the old medieval castles that dot the Rhine River, visiting small German villages (straight out of a fairytale) all while sampling some of the best German sausages, was how we planned on spending our time on this Grand European Cruise. 

This is the route we chose, however it is just one of many possibilities. If you are tempted by the idea of a river cruise then it is important to do some research, and decide what sights you want to see on your trip. River travel is slow, so if you don’t find enough to interest you every day of the trip, you could find yourself getting bored between the highlights you are there for. That said, the beauty of the river cruise is that you get to see all the small lesser known towns that you might never otherwise even hear about. It’s a way of getting to know the countries you pass through in more detail, and thanks to the flexibility it provides, you get at least a few hours to explore those smaller towns.