The Beauty of European waterways
Guest post
Europe might smaller than the US, but it is a lot more diverse. So America has different states with different laws, New Yorkers sound harsh and business like compared to Southern Belles, and what Texans eat is quite a bit different to what’s on a plate in a typical Connecticut home. However, in Europe there different languages, completely different cultures, remnants of different ancient civilizations and an almost infinitesimal amount of food variations and local delicacies, some better than others.
So how to you go about see all this on one trip? When fuel prices are pushing up the cost of flights and the economy is still rather lacklustre and unemployment high, making that one trip to Europe has got to count for several overseas trips. So, the only way to make the most of a holiday to Europe is by joining a tour.
However, although bus, rail and car trips are easy and straightforward, they don’t really allow you to soak up the atmosphere as you’re always concerned on getting from A to B in as little time as possible. But, there is another way.
Europe has some of the world’s greatest, most romantic and historic rivers. From the long and might Danube to the romance inducing Rhine as well as the art lover’s paradise the Seine and the picturesque Rhone there are plenty of rivers to choose from.
They also just happen to travel through some of Europe’s most enthralling cities. The Danube for example, the continent’s longest river, pass through four capital cities: Vienna in Austria, Bratislava in Slovakia, Budapest in Hungary and Belgrade in Serbia. The Rhine Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Seine meanders through the capital of romance, Paris and the Rhone flows through Burgundy and Provence in France, one of the most beautiful regions in Europe once adored by Picasso.
The beauty of a river cruise rather than exploring by train for example, is that you see things you would otherwise miss. River cruising is about the journey not just the destination. The small villages, towns, castles and forts that line the river banks give you a sense of what it is to be in Europe and France, Germany, Switzerland etc more specifically. On a train or sitting on a motorway in a car, these small vignettes would be missed.
Avalon Cruises offer various river cruises Europe wide that thankfully won’t break the bank.
– Travel Feeder, your ultimate photo travel blog
About The Author
Cecil Lee
The author is an avid traveler and photography hobbyist who loves to share with others his travel and photo-taking experience in many popular tourist destinations around Europe, Asia and Australasia. Read the exciting stories with many photos captured on his journeys.
