It’s easy to switch off from everyday life and fully immerse into the local destination on a cruising holiday. The service, the cuisine, the new destinations visited daily and opportunities to indulge will soon take you to your happy place. But with so many choices, the tricky part is deciding where to go and what kind of cruise to go for, as trust us, the options are endless!
We’ve selected two cruises that offer two very different holidays, but both equally incredible. First up, we’re going to take you on a cruise on the romantic Danube River.
Flowing an impressive 2,730km and making its way through five capital cities, the Danube is one of Europe’s most impressive rivers – and we’ve grown to learn that the first place that springs to mind when we mention the Danube is Hungary’s capital, Budapest. With an endless list of activities, attractions, historical monuments, the famous thermal baths and an endless choice of bars and eateries, the city is both enchanting and eclectic – so wherever you go and whatever you do, we have no doubt that you’ll be delighted.
Further downstream is another of the Danube’s hotspots – Austria’s capital, Vienna. Think cobblestoned streets, beautiful tiny cafes, gorgeous churches and bright green parks by day and classical music shows, horse-drawn rides and the finest Austrian wines by night. Vienna’s about class, intellectualism and culture, so we can see why it attracts so many visitors each year. River cruises often dedicate at least a full day to explore the very best of Vienna, so whether it’s as part of a day tour or your own exploration, there will be plenty of time to explore.
Whilst tourist hot-spots are a must, we believe that going off the tourist trail is just as important, which is why we love the Danube. Take a river cruise here and lesser-known cities will be on your doorstep, including Slovakia’s Bratislava, Krems in Austria and enchanting Passau – one of Bavaria’s oldest cities by Germany’s border.
With elegant, small ships, Viking’s motto is about getting closer to your destination so you can spend more time exploring. With shore excursions included in almost every port, as well as all on-board meals, evening entertainment, drinks with dinner and river-view rooms, everything’s been taken care of so that you can enjoy every moment.
Viking’s 8-day Danube Waltz river cruise gives you the opportunity to discover the very best of Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava, Krems and Passau by day – and whilst on-board, enjoy the first-class service and picturesque views as you sail. To find out more about the world of Viking, take a look at their video.
One of our favourite ocean cruise destinations is the Mediterranean. With glorious sunshine, rich cultures and authentic food all just a few hours away, can you blame us?
The destinations here just keep on coming, but one thing’s for sure – a cruise on the Med wouldn’t be complete without a stop in bustling Barcelona. One of Europe’s most beautiful cities, it offers everything you’re looking for; from medieval history and impressive architecture to buzzing bars and even a nearby beach for some time-out. What’s more, many cruises start or end in Barcelona meaning you can spend even more time here.
Historic Athens and Istanbul, idyllic Mykonos and romantic Rome are also must-sees on Mediterranean cruise – the perfect combination, encompassing some of Europe’s best sights, history and beaches!
Offering cruises around the globe, you’ll find it difficult to find fault in the holidays they offer, including the chilled glass of champagne that welcomes you aboard. What better way to start your holiday! The extra little touches won’t stop there either; from speciality excursions, exclusive classes and thought-provoking lectures, they go to every effort to enrich your cruising holiday. But don’t just take our word for it, take a look at their video to find out more about life on-board.
Regent Seven Sea’s 10-night Athens to Barcelona cruise combines ultimate luxury with our favourite Mediterranean destinations. Stopping daily, your days will be filled with exploration, with evenings all about re-energising and indulging. Bliss!
Wherever you decide cruise to next, we’re on hand to help you find the perfect holiday to suit you. Call, email us or pop in-store today and we’ll take care of the hard work for you.
