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The 5 Best River Cruises in the World

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Published
02/12/2020

River cruises have everything you love about a cruise – the luxurious lodgings, the great food and entertainment – with one key advantage over ocean cruises. There’s always something to see. Passing quaint villages, old cities, sloping hills and bowing trees, you’re never starved for visual excitement between stops.

The best river cruises are the ones that combine onboard luxury with stunning scenery and stops at attractive destinations. In this post, let’s look at a few of the world’s finest river cruises.

The Danube

The Danube is an unforgettable journey through the picturesque cities and countryside of Eastern Europe. Danube cruises often stop in must-see cities like Vienna, Budapest and Belgrade, and offer panoramic views of rolling green countryside and towering church spires. You can find perfectly priced cruises along the Danube with Travelzoo's last minute deals on their site – just click on “vacations” and start getting inspired.

The Rhône

Rhône river cruises are a Francophile’s dream. Meandering through the French countryside, overlooking medieval villages and grape groves, Rhône cruises usually stop at important French cities like Lyon and Avignon. If you’re into fine wine, this is definitely the cruise for you, as the Rhône valley produces some of the world’s best reds.

The Mekong

The Mekong snakes its way through Laos, Thailand and Cambodia before making its final descent through Vietnam. Along the way, you’ll pass rapids, waterfalls, limestone hills and dramatic, dense forest. Popular stops are Phnom Penh, Luang Prabang and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

But, whatever you do, find a cruise that stops in Siem Reap, the Cambodian city home to the famous and sprawling Angkor Wat Temples – there’s nothing else like it on earth

The Nile

Nile River cruises often feel like a trip through time. Indeed, you’ll see – and stop at – some of the oldest settlements in human civilization. You’ll see the great icons of Ancient Egypt, like the pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, the Valley of Kings and the ancient city of Luxor (know to the Greeks as Thebes). Best of all, you’ll be treated like a Pharaoh along the way!

There was a great write-up in Travel + Leisure a few years ago about the Nile River Cruises, which you should check out if you’re interested in a trip through this historically rich part of the world!

The Yangtze

Beginning in the Tibetan Plateau, and flowing east through China, a Yangtze River cruise is less about stopping at points of interest and more about gazing in awe at the phenomenal, imposing scenery. Along the way, you’ll also pass quiet villages, ancient pagodas, fields of bamboo and mist-covered mountains. If you’ve ever wanted to visit China, but wanted to stay away from the bustling cities, this is how you do it!

River cruises combine the luxury of a cruise with the exhilarating sightseeing of a safari, and these five are some of the world’s best. Check out Travelzoo for irresistible last minute river cruise deals and let the good times flow!

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