Traditionally, River cruises in Europe were thought of as a treat for the summer holidays. These days, the recent surge in popularity that they have enjoyed has meant that European river cruise operators, such as Avalon, now offer river cruises in Europe throughout the year. It is not hard to see why these cruises in Europe are on the up. For starters, travelling by boat is far more enjoyable than travelling by bus, train, plane or automobile. Another reason for their growing popularity is that Europe river cruises give passengers unparalleled access to remote reached of the globe. Although. perhaps the most important reason for the rapid growth in the popularity of river cruises is that ships have finally reached a point where they rival full blown ocean liners. River cruises Europe are available on a larger range of river going boats than ever before.

By far the most popular European river cruise destination are Danube and the RhineAmong European tourists, the most popular river cruise destinations have been the Rhine and the Danube]. Many people choose the Rhine because it is a fantastically far reaching river that takes shape in the Swiss Alps and travels through Germany, Italy, Austria, France, Belgium and Luxembourg before reaching Holland. The  Rhine measures more than 1000km from one end to the other . The Rhine has always been one of Europes most vital waterways. Together with the Danube, it formed most of the northern inland frontier of the Roman Empire, and is the basis for many national and regional borders around Europe. As you would expect from a river with such a fascinating history there are lots of remnants of the past that do the river, from castles and forts, to ruins and cathedrals.

The Danube river is a fair bit longer than the Rhine, reaching almost 3000km. The River Danube starts its life in Germany. The Danube heads through eastern Europe and passes through Austria and on through the fascinating landscape of the Balkan countries on its way to the breathtaking Black Sea. The Danube takes you via some of Europes most beautiful, and often overlooked, cities, such as Vienna and Budapest, and the lesser visited but just as beautiful Regensburg, Bratislava, and Belgrade. The wetlands of the Danube Delta have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, and are home to huge flocks of migratory birds. The blue Danube has been immortalised in art, music, and film, most famously by Johann Strauss, who composed the waltz On The Beautiful Blue Danube in tribute to this most famous of European rivers.