Where else can you see cities shrouded in thousands of years of history sitting beside modern metropolises filled with fashion and world-class cuisine? Is there anywhere else that you can discover unique culture at every turn, spectacular wine and dramatic landscapes ranging from glittering coastlines to mountain peaks so high, they remain blanketed in snow throughout the year? Europe is a destination like none other.
Its many sides and brilliant contrasts await your discovery, and our goal is to put as much as possible within your reach. While rail networks crisscross the continent and planes can take you between cities in a matter of hours, there is no better way to delve into the nooks and crannies of Europe than a rail and cruise vacation.
Take to some of Europe's most popular waterways, drifting between port cities rife with culture, and step ashore for excursions that expose your route's best features. Combine these journeys with adventures on scenic and world-renowned railways for a trip you will treasure for years to come. When you are ready to see where a river cruise and train vacation in Europe can take you, here is how to choose your perfect adventure.
Step 1: Decide Where You Want to Go
Look to your travel bucket list for inspiration as you begin to consider the best destination for your trip. Perhaps you have always wanted to discover the rolling landscapes of Provence or the golden landscapes of the Douro Valley. Maybe the idea of Germany's Christmas Markets or Vienna's glorious Ringstrasse excites the travel bug in you.
When deciding the destination for your rail and cruise vacation, you can consider from a destination point of view, looking at specific countries like France, Portugal, or Germany, or narrow your search to the waterways that intrigue you. The River Rhine flows through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge and is lined with ancient castles, while the "Blue" Danube River offers a scenic passage to some of Europe's most intriguing Imperial cities, including Budapest, Bratislava, and Vienna.
We have itineraries that travel through many countries, opening your eyes to a multitude of opportunities. On the other hand, we also offer cruises that focus the adventure on one specific nation, allowing you to plunge into its best features one port of call at a time.
Step 2: Consider How You Would Like to Experience Europe's Railways
As you explore your chosen region(s), there is no better way to see landscapes inaccessible by other forms of transportation than by train. Luckily for our travelers, we took this into consideration when building our rail and river cruise vacations and have a range of rail experiences on offer, allowing you to have as much - or as little - railway wonder as you desire.
Mountain Rail Experiences
Perhaps you are interested in beginning or ending your river cruise with alpine splendor. In this case, you could climb to the "Top of Europe" on the Jungfrau Railway before cruising the Rhine, or combine a journey through the dramatic Swiss Alps on the Glacier Express with a Rhine cruise from Basel. For a different waterway/mountain railway pairing, the Mont Blanc Express & Rhône are stunning.
Scenic Rail Journeys
If short routes and local touring are more your speed, we have options for that, too. While uncovering the Treasures of the Rhine, climb through fairytale scenery on the Drachenfelsbahn, or ride through quintessential Dutch landscapes on the Medemblik Steam Train while uncovering Amsterdam's tulips. The Train de l'Ardèche presents timeless views of the Gorges du Doux region as you cruise the elegant Rhône, whereas the Zugspitze Railway in Bavaria provides a remarkable perspective before you soak in the Delights of the Danube.
Intercity Railways
Local railway networks connect Europe's great cities and offer a gateway to memorable sightseeing, which makes them a natural pairing with a cruise, as well. Discover the summer palaces of Sintra while using Portugal's local trains ahead of a Douro Valley cruise, the changes in the landscape as you travel through France on its high-speed TGV network, or just how easy it is to connect Western Europe on the efficient Eurostar.
Step 3: Evaluate the Package Inclusions
For the vast majority of our river cruise and train vacations in Europe, we utilize luxurious Amadeus ships. Five-star luxury comes standard, with sumptuous lounges, gaming areas for things like shuffleboard, fitness centers, shops and well-stocked bars. These ships include a comfortable onboard restaurant, where three meals are included each day. Enjoy a bountiful breakfast buffet, a menu of regional specialties for lunch, and in the evenings, a spectacular four-course dinner. Free-flowing local wine and beer are included with dinner daily, as are soft drinks, including soda, coffee and tea. Of course, your favorite cocktails and spirits are available for purchase in the onboard bars.
As your voyage unfolds, enjoy an all-encompassing sense of old-world sailing adventure as you drift between cities and villages. Each day brings a new chance to admire your route, with constantly changing riverbanks and new ports of call awaiting your exploration. Best of all, daily shore excursions are included with each river cruise vacation - no upgrades or extra purchases necessary unless you want to do something other than what is on the itinerary.
Tour cities that inspired the great Impressionist artists in France, or uncover the ancient stories of the 11th-century Melk Abbey along the Danube. Excursions can take you to centuries-old chateaux, such as Château Gaillard in Les Andelys, France, or along acclaimed wine routes, such as the Porto wine route. All excursions are optional, giving you a chance to relax onboard in your comfortable cabin instead, should you so choose.
Step 4: Select Your Ideal Onboard Accommodations
Speaking of cabins, Amadeus ships have several options:
Deluxe Suites - Upper Deck (Amadeus Suites) - The largest offering onboard at 284 square feet, all suites are located on the Mozart (third) Deck and feature either a walk-out exterior balcony or floor-to-ceiling glass doors with a French balcony. Features include a walk-in closet, a comfortable sofa seating area, a choice of double or twin beds, and a luxurious ensuite bathroom with a spacious shower.
Deluxe Staterooms (Mozart- and Strauss-Deck Cabins) - Spread across 188 square feet on the Mozart (third) and Strauss (second) Decks, these cabins are a tranquil retreat for two travelers. Choose from double or twin beds and enjoy the views from drop-down panoramic windows. Each cabin is equipped with a walk-in closet and an ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower.
Classic Staterooms - Lower Deck (Haydn-Deck Cabins) - Located on the ship's Hayden (first) Deck, these cozy cabins include 172 square feet of living space with closets to store your luggage. There are small panoramic windows that do not open and matching amenities to the other cabin and suite options, including an ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower, a flat-screen TV and individual climate controls. On request, you can book interconnecting Haydn-Deck cabins to create a family suite.
Single Cabins - A solo traveler's retreat on select ships, Single Cabins have a comfortable floor plan with 107 square feet on the Haydn (first) Deck.
Step 5: Book Early for the Best Options
The best time to purchase your rail and river cruise in Europe is as soon as possible. We open sales for our vacation packages about a year in advance, giving you plenty of time to select the perfect itinerary for your travel goals. While you may be tempted to wait, booking early puts you in control of your adventure. Enjoy benefits like:
- Early booking offers - Explore Europe's romantic waterways and idyllic train routes with exclusive discounts that can save you hundreds per person.
- Open travel dates - Each package has a set number of departures for the season, and when they sell out, they sell out. Ensure you can travel on your preferred departure by booking before it fills.
- Wide cabin selection - Whether you want to cruise with the money-saving comfort of a first-deck cabin or want to indulge with an Amadeus Suite, your best chance to travel in your preferred cabin comes with booking early.
- Time to plan - Each rail and cruise vacation includes periods of downtime in fantastic locations. By making your selection early, you can get to know your route and research your ports of call to ensure you make the most of each moment.
Step 6: Revel in Europe's Best Scenery, Soaking in Views From Multiple Perspectives
Sit back and relax, and let us take the reins from here. Each well-planned cruise vacation includes all the train travel, hotel accommodations (if applicable) and transportation you need to make your trip a success. So when your travel date comes, all that's left to do is soak up all of Europe's allure.
Contact a Rail Specialist to see where our river cruise and train vacations in Europe can take you. Last-minute cruises still have openings for this summer; however, a whole continent of possibilities awaits next year.
