View of Paris and the River Seine. Photo: © Tanja Krstevska

River cruises along the Seine – magnifique! The only word to describe the experience which has got to be on every ‘must do’ list on the planet! For there can be no better way to absorb the scenic grandeur, the culture, the romance, the glory that is France than by cruising gently along this historic river.

Millions of words have been written about the River Seine, especially when combined with Paris, France’s capital city, extolling its seductive charms and virtues and praising its timeless beauty. It’s been sung about for centuries. It’s been filmed thousands of times. Yet, there seems no end to the fascination and magical qualities the river and it’s capital weave within the subconscious minds of millions of people across the world.

Strange, really, given the river is not huge in terms of its size. When compared to the mighty River Amazon, the River Nile, or even rivers closer to home like the Rhine or Danube, the River Seine is a rather modest affair. But, in terms of the oft-quoted saying, size isn’t everything!

The Seine rises in the Burgundy region of France near to the beautiful town of Dijon, famed for its mustard and wines and liqueurs. The countryside around this historic town of around 150,000 inhabitants is a rich tapestry of medieval churches, vineyards, rivers and forests. The Palace of the Dukes and Estates of Burgundy – the Ducal Palace – which goes back to the 14th century, is a ‘must see’ attraction not to be missed.

The river flows north-west through the charming town of Troyes, an important centre of trade during medieval times. The use of the troy weight system for precious metals and gemstones, such as gold and diamonds, originates from here. The town also boasts a fine cathedral and many churches and museums, all well worth visiting.

From Troyes, the river enters the Paris suburbs via Melun, once situated on an island in the Seine and a place where Roman couriers once changed tired horses for fresh mounts while carrying important messages to and fro across the empire.

Then into Paris proper, a city known the world over and a magnet for tens of millions of travellers from all across the planet. What can you see and do in Paris? Literally, everything. It’s got the lot! Top ten list, anyone? How about the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, The Louvre, Pere-Lachaise Cemetery, Orsay Museum, Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Moulin Rouge, the Sorbonne, and Disneyland Paris.

And, yes, a few dreaded facts or two! Did you know that more than 40 million people visit Paris and surrounding area every year, making it the most visited city in the world? Paris and its surroundings generate 25% of France’s gross domestic product. Man first started settling in the area some 6,000 years ago. The name Paris comes from the Parisii, a sub-tribe of the Celtic Senones. The city has no fewer than 37 bridges crossing the River Seine.

And the Eiffel Tower, the symbol of Paris, was never meant to be a permanent feature of the skyline when it was built by Gustave Eiffel for the World Fair of 1889. When the fair finished, it was supposed to be dismantled. Somehow, the Parisians never quite got around to it! Just as well. After all, what’s Paris without its Eiffel Tower.

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The Grand Canal in Venice. Photo: © Oleksandr Prykhodko

Organising a holiday getaway to one of Europe’s most romantic cities isn’t easy at the best of times. Planning a trip that isn’t as clichéd as the destination is as important as the recognition of a unique relationship such a trip signifies. If it has to be Paris or Prague or Venice, at least ensure you travel in style and do something a little different. River cruises of Venice and the river Po is definitely a little different.

Located in the north of Italy on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, Venice is a gloriously beautiful city famous for its art, culture and long history. Home to stunning cathedrals and bridges, Venice is perfect for those lovers who like to while away their time together exploring a fine old city, perusing world-class museums, eating proper Italian cuisine or simply shopping from an array of designer and local boutiques. Yes, the canals are also there for that staple souvenir picture taken from the bow of a gondola, but Venice really does have more to offer than overpriced punting trips. Venice is placed near the mouth of the river Po, a large body of water that makes up the delta in the Po valley, and this is where the cruise becomes interesting: the tributaries of the delta lead further inland to cities such as Padua, Turin, and Ferrara, and is connected to Milan via a set of channels that Leonardo da Vinci designed. A river cruise based from Venice will take you to surprising places via the delta, places where the history and romance of Italy really come to light.

Itineraries vary, but a typical package trip includes return flights to Venice, at least one day exploring the city, all meals and drinks on board, excursions to sites of interest and transfer to the vessel. Service and food on board is exemplary, certainly guaranteed to be better than a similarly-priced ‘hotel’ near the centre of town, and the views from the decks of the lagoon and the cityscape are second to none. Your stay in Venice is on board a luxury cruise liner; certainly a far cry from the usual holiday anecdotes involving dodgy B&Bs as the facilities are exceptional and the staff are warm and friendly. The itinerary offers plenty of time to explore Venice, so while the sightseeing is worth doing, take the opportunity to branch out and make your own memories of Venice. Other places the river cruise could go to include the nearby islands of Murano and Burano, famous for lacework and glass-blowing, picturesque fishing village Chioggia, and Padua, setting of Shakespeare’s surprisingly romantic play, The Taming of the Shrew.

Let your worries wash away and the romance flow: a river cruise is ideal for making the traditional romantic trip a little different. Cruising in style and comfort on a top-range liner is one of the joys of life, and makes for a holiday that is both expansive and intimate.

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Visit Venice on a luxury Cunard Cruise - Photo: Nathan Brack

The Mediterranean beckons millions of visitors every year. The blazing sunshine, warm waters, the excellent food: all of these make a summer truly summerish. The only problem facing holiday-goers is where to visit. Malaga, where the Spanish sangria flows and the seafood is fresh? Corfu, home to Greek monuments and stunning beaches? The list is endless and thus options are limitless. Tick five or six off the list by cruising the Mediterranean with Cunard Cruises. The world-renowned cruise liner company has dozens of cruise itineraries available for the Mediterranean, visiting established tourist destinations and undiscovered jewels alike.

Choosing an itinerary may almost be as difficult as choosing the most tempting chocolate from an assorted box; the variety of destinations and routes is astonishing. One popular route has to be the 16-night cruise through the Western Mediterranean on the magnificent liner, Aurora. Starting in Southampton, the first few days are spent partying and exploring the ship; plenty of time to make friends before the first stop in Malaga, Spain. Guests are given a day to wander this charming city and to take in as much Andalucían culture as possible before returning to the ship. Explore the museums and plazas, discover Quecha, one of the oldest theatres in the world, and become immersed in Picasso, as Malaga was the artist’s home. Back on board, guests are amused for a further two days until reaching Zakynthos, one of Greece’s stunning southern islands. Relax on gorgeous beaches and explore the immensely beautiful island, home to peaceful coves and bays of turquoise waters. The break will be much needed, for the next day brings guests to Corfu, one of the most vibrant cities in the Mediterranean. Wander the old city, haggle for souvenirs in the markets, or try traditional Greek delicacies in one of the less touristy cafés.

The next stop is little-known Dubrovnik, so dubbed ‘the pearl of the Adriatic’ by Lord Byron. Rightly so, for the port city is laid with marble and is home to some of the most beautiful Baroque architecture in Europe. Staying within ancient charm, Cunard next whisks guests away to Venice, city of lovers and fine foods. Get that gondola ride and try to count how many bridges span the city’s streets.

Next is Korcula, in Croatia’s Dalmatian Islands. A relatively untouched Mediterranean gem, Korcula will calm nerves stirred up by commercialised Venice. Relax and take in this picturesque town before the final stop of Gibraltar. This quiet historical island is the perfect way to finish the tour of the Mediterranean, barring the last two days on board.

Being one of the oldest and most famous cruise line companies in the world, Cunard have a steadfast reputation built on outstanding service, sumptuous facilities and brilliant package holidays. From embarkation to the end of the cruise, guests are looked after in every respect and are shown an amazing time both on board and on shore. Make this Mediterranean holiday truly memorable; take a cruise with Cunard liners.

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The Greek Island of Santorini is a popular stop for cruise ships in the Mediterranean - Photo: Sally Gurnet

The Mediterranean is a favourite for cruisers, and its not surprising why. During the summer season from April to November, the Mediterranean offers sunshine and balmy warm evenings. If you’re into your history then Europe is littered with ancient ruins, historic sites and exquisite architecture. Foodies can enjoy pasta and gelato in Italy, tapas in Spain, tzatziki and pitas in Greece, or doner kebabs in Turkey. City dwellers in Europe are known for their sense of style and chic dress-sense, so shoppers will find an overwhelming number of designer shops and trendy boutiques. If you just want to laze on the beach, the Mediterranean has plenty of beaches and coves for you to explore.

Cruising isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but the advantage of going on a Mediterranean Cruise is that you can see so much of Europe in such a relatively short space of time, plus you can get good deals that are great value for money. There are cruises to suit everyone’s tastes, from smaller ships to luxury liners.

Cruise ships in 2011

In 2011 there are several new ships on the scene in the Mediterranean. Four new ships that will be arriving in Barcelona include Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Epic, Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas, Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Magic and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Silhouette.

The Norwegian Epic does round trip cruises from Barcelona stopping in Italy and France, offering entertainment from the Blue Man Group as well as an Aqua Park. Liberty of the Seas has a surf park, a full-size boxing ring, a H2O Zone water park and flat-screen TVs in every stateroom.

Carnival Magic offers seven, nine and 12-day cruises from Barcelona and can carry 3,960 passengers. Stops include Monaco, Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy Livorno, Naples, Messina, Mallorca, Malaga, Las Palmas, Marseilles, Dubrovnik, Venice and Savona. The ship boasts the first ever ropes course on a cruise ship in the SportsSquare as well as a pub called the RedFrog. Celebrity Silhouette launches in July 2011 and offers return cruises from Barcelona to Tunis, Rome, Florence/Pisa, and Cannes/Monte Carlo. There are also 12 night Venice and Greek Islands cruises. The ship features a Lawn Club with real grass lawn, Elemis Spa and an indoor lap pool.

Oceana Cruises introduce their biggest ship yet in the form of the Marina, which can carry 1,258 passengers. This ship is a comfortable mid-size ship with 6 restaurants, including two gourmet restaurants- Jacques and Red Ginger. Guests can learn to cook under the instruction of master chefs in the new Bon Appetit Culinary Centre, or learn fine art with the ship’s artists-in-residence.

German cruise line Aida Cruises launches the AidaSol in April 2011, which you can’t miss because of its cartoon lips and eye on the side.

Royal Caribbean is introducing cruises from Palma on Grandeur of the Seas, which has a spa, six whirlpools, an outdoor jogging track and a rock-climbing wall. The ship docks at Cannes, Florence, Rome, and Pallermo before making its way back to Palma.

Another exciting brand new ship this year is L’Austral by Compagnie du Ponant, which is a super-large yacht catering for upscale clientele. The small ship caters for just 264 passengers and will sail the Med from the port of Venice in April.

Seabourn’s Seabourn Quest is an elegant ship with 225 suites and 90% of them have verandas. The ship will make its inaugural trip on June 9th, 2011. The atmosphere is casual with a relaxed dress code and the ship has four dining venues plus six bars and lounges.

Italian cruise line Costa debuts the Costa Favolosa this year, which has a capacity of 3,780 passengers. The interior is designed to look like an enchanted castle, making you feel like you’ve entered a fairytale world. The Favolosa will set sail in July this year traveling on a 10-day journey from Venice to Israel, Greece and Turkey. During the summer season it will offer 7-night cruises from Venice and Bari to Olympia, Izmir, Istanbul, and Dubrovnik in Croatia.

P and O are introducing 14-night fly cruises for the first time with their smaller ship, the Adonia. If you want to be in Monaco for the Grand Prix, Azamara Club Cruises will have a ship docking in Monaco for the event.

When to go

The main season for cruising the Mediterranean runs from April to November, when the weather is warm and sunny and the ships come over from the Caribbean. Some cruise lines, however, have started operating year-round cruises in the Med for people who like to see the sights when the weather is a bit cooler and without hoards of tourists. Cruises in the winter tend to stick to countries like Egypt, Greece and Turkey where the weather is a little bit warmer.

Embarkation and disembarkation ports

If you’re from the UK and not keen on flying, you can start your cruise in Southampton with cruise liners like P and O. Or you can get cheap flights from London to the main ports like Barcelona and Venice to meet your ship. There’s also the Eurostar if you’re joining your ship in the South of France. Think about where you want to start your journey, because you can choose to have a few extra days in that place either side of your cruise. Remember that some cruises return to the original embarkation point, but others will end in a different place.

Choosing your ship

Choosing a cruise ship isn’t easy with the amount of choice on offer, but first decide whether you want to depart from Southampton, or whether are happy to fly and meet your cruise ship. Think about which ports on the Mediterranean you would most like to see, and the purpose of your trip. Do you prefer lazing on beaches? Or are you looking to explore particular historic sites? Are you a foodie looking to taste some of the Mediterranean cuisine? Or do you want to shop for chic clothes in designer boutiques? Try to establish whether you’re looking for a smaller intimate ship or a big cruise liner with plenty of facilities and entertainment. Some ships are a lot more relaxed, whilst others are much more formal.

Where to go

Cruises in the Mediterranean tend to be organised into Eastern and Western cruises. Western cruises visit Portugal, Spain France and Italy, whilst Eastern Mediterranean cruise liners stop in Italy, Greece, Turkey and Egypt. Top destinations in the Western Mediterranean include Nice, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Palma, Lisbon, Florence, Naples and Rome. In the Eastern Mediterranean you can call at Venice, Athens, Dubrovnik, the Greek Islands, Istanbul and Haifa.

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The Viking Spirit cruising the Danube River in Germany

When people talk about cruising, they normally refer to ocean cruises. However, there is a more interesting alternative – the river cruise. As opposed to seeing nothing but water for a long period of time, changing landscapes can keep one occupied in a river cruise.

River cruises are actually a great way to discover certain parts of Europe. If you think about it, riverboats can go inland – places where ocean liners cannot go. Naturally, this offers more possibilities with regard to exploring the surrounding areas.

What destinations should you consider when planning a river cruise in Europe?

One of the most popular itineraries revolves around the Danube River. Various river cruise operators promote this itinerary as a trip through the most enchanting countries in Europe. Viking River Cruises offers the Danube Waltz tour, which takes you to Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia. They also have the Imperial Danube Cruise, which starts in Germany and goes through the same countries.

AMAWATERWAYS offers an alternative Danube cruise, which includes the same countries above, plus the Czech Republic. The same river cruise company offers an itinerary passing through Provence, Paris, and Barcelona. For an alternative Christmas celebration, try the Christmas Time Cruise, which will take you to the marvelous Christmas markets of Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic.

European Barging offers special cruises such as a Holland Tulip Cruise. If you want this one of a kind experience, you have to book really early as tickets sell out quickly. The same company also offers music cruises, wherein you cane enjoy the sights to accompanying classical music.

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