Top 5 Reasons To Consider River Cruising In The Summer
Blue skies and cheerful sunshine alone are enough to put many of us in a positive mood when summer rolls around in late June – there’s no wonder it is one of the most popular times to take a vacation. If you’re considering a summertime sojourn, here are five reasons to consider river cruising between June and August!
1. Small Towns
Cruising European rivers means visiting many off-the-beaten-path towns and villages inaccessible by the large ocean cruise ships, and therefore you won’t be faced with overcrowding while on shore. In Spitz, on the Danube River, for example, only one ship is allowed to dock in this Austrian winemaking hamlet, and it is the 196-passenger AmaMagna. Along the Moselle River, all the ports she docks in are intimate storybook destinations in Germany, from Bernkastel to Trier to Cochem. Quaint Rüdesheim on the Rhine is perfect for wandering down narrow cobblestone lanes past fairytale homes with lovely flowerboxes – and it even hosts an annual wine festival in mid-August.
2. The Sun Deck
Many river cruise ships offer a spacious Sun Deck with plenty of seating, fresh air and panoramic views where a wonderful wait staff visit frequently to offer you drinks. Most ships include heated sun-deck swimming pools, perfect for cooling down after an included morning hike or biking excursion, while fewer ships offer a soothing whirlpool that beckons as the sun sets.
3. Extended Daylight Hours
With the sun shining into the evening hours and lending lovely temperatures for nighttime strolls, you can see more and explore more on summer sailings. Sit out on your balcony and watch the world go by – or choose an itineraries that offers more than one overnight in port enabling you to explore the nightlife in a fascinating destination such as Vienna, Bratislava or Lyon.
4. Ideal Timing for Family Travel
If you have school-aged children or grandchildren, summer is the best season to spend quality time together – and chances are, the kids won’t even feel like they are learning valuable lessons about the world around them. Select ships offer a limited number of triple occupancy staterooms or connecting staterooms, which provide peace of mind for travelers who wish to keep an eye on their loved ones. Plus, with a variety of included excursions, guests of all ages are accommodated with tours for gentle walkers, active hikes and bike rides, tasting tours and more!
5. Easy Packing
With fairly predictable balmy weather throughout most European destinations, sundresses, shorts and short-sleeved shirts make for stress-free packing and lighter bags. Plus, with a convenient, attractively priced laundry service on many ships, you can likely get away with just carry-on luggage to avoid any potential hassle at summer’s busiest international airports. Zip through customs, unpack once on board and let the vacation begin right away as you visit multiple destinations during one spectacular vacation of seven nights or more.
When you are ready to explore River Cruising or Europe in any fashion, we would love to assist you in making it a vacation to remember!