Which River is Right For Me? Picking the Perfect River Cruise
by Leslie Russell
Whether you’re cruising down China’s mighty Yangtze, floating past antiquities along Egypt’s majestic Nile, or taking in the wonders of Europe, river cruising offers a one-of-a-kind experience you just can’t beat. But which river is right for me, you might ask?
Europe
- Rhine River: Flowing from the Swiss Alps to Holland’s North Sea, the Rhine is one of the most important rivers in Europe, perhaps most famous for its legendary Lorelai rock and the imposing medieval castles that line its banks.
- Main River: Winding across Central Germany, the Main River is formed by the joining of the Red Main and the White Main, meeting the Rhine River at the town of Mainz.
- Moselle River: Flowing through France, Luxembourg, and Germany, the Moselle River is known for the excellent wines produced along its banks as well as for its picturesque medieval castles.
- Seine River: Rising just northwest of Dijon and flowing in a northwesterly direction through Paris before emptying into the English Channel at Le Havre, the Moselle is one of Europe’s great historic rivers. Since the early Middle Ages it has been considered the river of Paris.
- Rhône River: An important inland trade and transportation route since Greek times, the Rhône River flows south to the Mediterranean, winding through orchards and vineyards of the fertile Rhône Valley in southern France.
- Danube River: As Europe’s second-longest river and a vital means of transportation for 2,000 years, the Danube is the only major European river to flow from west to east. Starting at the Black Sea Canal, it winds itself through the breathtaking sites of eastern Europe until it meets with the Main River in central Germany.
China
- Yangtze River: Flowing from the Tibetan Plateau in the west to the East China Sea, the Yangtze is the longest river in Asia. Travel through the impressive Three Gorges and view the intense dam, China’s largest construction project since the Great Wall. Qutang, the shortest and most dramatic gorge, is an unimaginable place where you can nearly touch the perpendicular mountains rising from the river banks.
Egypt
- Nile River: Journey along the lifeline of Egyptian civilization experiencing incredible sights that include ancient temples, tombs, and local villages. Measuring 4,160 miles, the Nile is the longest river in the world, flowing north from Lake Victoria through Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt. Passing rain forests, mountains, savannas, swamps and desert landscapes, it accumulates in the fertile Nile Delta and drains into the Mediterranean Sea.
Your breath will be taken away by the magic that separates you from everyday life on dry land, regardless of which river you choose, a river cruise is certain to leave you with memories that will last a lifetime!
