European river cruising is slow travel at its most romantic. As your ship glides along the Rhine, Danube, or Seine, medieval castles rise from misty hillsides, vineyards roll past your balcony, and church spires announce the arrival of charming riverside towns. In Germany, sail past centuries-old fortresses; in France, watch quiet villages and grand châteaux appear as if untouched by time; in Hungary or Austria, the elegance of historic capitals unfolds right before your eyes. Every bend of the river reveals a new story, a new landscape, and a new adventure.

What sets river cruising apart is the intimacy and convenience - ships dock in the very heart of cities, so you step directly into historic centres, cafés, and markets. Each day is a cultural immersion: hear classical music echo through Vienna’s grand concert halls, wander fairy-tale streets in Rothenburg, or sip a crisp Riesling while drifting through the dramatic Rhine Gorge. With luxurious suites, fine dining, and attentive service on board, river cruises offer a seamless blend of comfort, culture, and connection to the places you visit.

Top Picks

Below you will find my top picks in the following categories:

• 4★ Cruises: Perfect for first-time cruisers or families.

• Family Cruises: Packed with activities for all ages, from kids’ clubs to shore excursions everyone can enjoy.

• 5★ Luxury Cruises: Indulgent experiences with exceptional service, gourmet dining, and breathtaking accommodations.

4★ Cruises

🏛️ Capitals of Eastern Europe with Viking

From AU$9,695 | 17 Days | 7 Countries | 12 Guided Tours

Save up to AU$5,000 per couple

Refined, immersive and effortlessly enriching — this Viking river voyage is ideal for travellers who want to go deeper into Europe’s history, culture and lesser-known regions, without the crowds or the pace of a family-focused cruise.

Sailing through the heart of Eastern Europe and the Balkans, this journey visits five capital cities and uncovers destinations many travellers never reach, from elegant imperial hubs to fascinating frontier towns along the Danube.

✨ Why Viking:

• Designed for curious, culturally focused travellers

• Calm, elegant ships with no casinos or kids’ clubs

• Exceptional value with one included shore excursion in every port

• Strong emphasis on history, culture and learning

  
  

🌍 Journey Highlights

• Vienna (3 days) – the “City of Waltzes,” classical music and imperial grandeur

• Bratislava – Hapsburg palaces and a charming Old Town

• Budapest (2 days) – grand architecture, thermal baths and vibrant culture

• Explore the Balkans with visits to Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania

• Discover lesser-known gems like Vukovar, Novi Sad, Vidin and Donji Milanovac

• Scenic cruising through the spectacular Danube Bend and the dramatic Iron Gate Gorge

• Bucharest – where old-world elegance meets striking socialist-era architecture

This is a journey that rewards curiosity — combining iconic capitals with UNESCO-listed sites, expert-led excursions, enrichment lectures and destination performances that bring each region’s story to life.

✔️ All onboard meals included

✔️ Beer, wine & soft drinks with lunch and dinner

✔️ Free Wi-Fi onboard

✔️ Shore excursions in every port

✔️ Onboard gratuities, port taxes & fees included

💼 Explorer Sale – Limited Time

Save up to AU$5,000 per couple

Choose Fly Free, a stateroom upgrade, or extra savings

Available on 2026–2028 voyages

Perfect for travellers seeking culture, comfort and incredible value — this is Eastern Europe, thoughtfully explored, the Viking way.

🌍 Magnificent Europe with Avalon Waterways

15 Days | Amsterdam to Budapest | 13 Oct 2026 - 27 Oct 2026 ** other dates/prices available

Fly Free + Save $2,600 per person

Was $12,881 | Now from $10,281 pp

If you’re looking for a stylish, great-value European river cruise with more space, stunning views and immersive sightseeing — Avalon Waterways delivers beautifully.

This classic Amsterdam to Budapest journey showcases the very best of Central Europe, combining historic capitals, medieval towns and breathtaking river scenery — all from the comfort of Avalon’s signature Panorama Suite® ships, featuring wall-to-wall windows and open-air balconies.

✨ Why choose Avalon (3–4★ comfort & value):

• Spacious suites with beds facing the view

• Relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere — ideal for couples & friends

• Excellent inclusions without the 5★ price tag

• Thoughtfully guided sightseeing with free time to explore independently

  
  

🗺️ A truly iconic route

Cruise through four countries and some of Europe’s most celebrated waterways:

• Amsterdam – canal cruising through elegant grachten

• Cologne – home to its awe-inspiring Gothic cathedral

• The dramatic Rhine Gorge & charming Rüdesheim

• Storybook towns like Miltenberg, Bamberg and Würzburg

• Historic Nuremberg and Regensburg

• Melk Abbey and the stunning Wachau Valley

• Two grand capitals: Vienna, the City of Music, and vibrant Budapest

  
  

Every day brings a new cultural highlight — from medieval old towns and wine villages to imperial cities rich with history, music and architecture.

✈️ Fly Free Plus Save – Limited Time Offer

Book between 21 October 2025 – 8 January 2026

Travel anytime in 2026

This is an outstanding opportunity to experience Europe’s most famous rivers in comfort, style and exceptional value — ideal for travellers who want quality, scenery and culture without the ultra-luxury price tag.

Family Cruising

🎄 Festive Danube Family Cruise with Tauck Bridges

8 Days | From $7,990 AUD pp | December

This is European Christmas magic done right - and no one does it better for families than Tauck Bridges. Designed specifically for multi-generational travel, Tauck Bridges brings kids, teens, parents and grandparents together with immersive experiences, expert storytelling, hands-on activities and seamless luxury; so everyone is engaged, included and genuinely having fun.

Your holiday journey begins in Munich, embarking in Regensburg, and follows the Danube through some of Europe’s most enchanting winter cities.

✨ Highlights along the way include:

• Passau’s Old Town, glowing with festive charm

• Oberndorf, birthplace of Silent Night, and storybook Salzburg

• The stunning Wachau Valley, with visits to Dürnstein, Melk Abbey or Krems

• Two unforgettable days in Imperial Vienna, including a Tauck Exclusive evening at a private palace with dinner, live performance and a waltzing lesson

• Medieval games and a scavenger hunt in Old Town Bratislava — a family favourite

• A grand finale in Budapest, the “Pearl of the Danube”

  
  

Onboard, the holiday spirit continues with traditional European festive dinners, special events, and unlimited complimentary beverages. Offboard, Tauck’s private shore excursions are carefully paced and thoughtfully designed so every generation can enjoy the experience together — no rushing, no stress, just meaningful moments.

✔️ All meals included

✔️ All gratuities, transfers, taxes & excursions covered

✔️ Over $4,000 AUD in added Tauck value

🎁 Book with confidence: As a Tauck Certified Advisor, when you book this journey with me you’ll receive 1 complimentary night of pre- or post-cruise accommodation — my gift to you.

This is more than a river cruise.It’s a family holiday tradition in the making.

5★ Luxury

🪻Scenic Cruises South of France with Highlights of Paris

Balcony Suites from $14,650 pp | Save $2,200

28 May – 9 June ** more dates/prices available

Experience France at its most indulgent with Scenic’s 5★, truly all-inclusive river cruising. Purpose-built Scenic Space-Ships glide through the heart of France’s most beautiful regions, docking centrally so you can step straight into historic towns, vineyards and cultural treasures.

With just up to 163 guests, spacious balcony suites with butler service, and outstanding onboard amenities, Scenic offers an intimate, refined experience where every detail is taken care of.

✨ Why Choose Scenic?

• 5★ ultra-luxury, all-inclusive experience

• Balcony suites with private Scenic Sun Lounges & butler service

• Multiple dining venues, wellness areas & elegant public spaces

• Centrally docked ships for more time ashore

• Exceptional value with $2,200 savings included

  
  

🧭 Explore France — Your Way

Scenic’s signature Freechoice excursions allow you to personalise every day, choosing between Active, Moderate or Relaxed experiences:

• Cycle or hike through vineyards

• Visit Michelin-starred kitchens and local markets

• Enjoy wine tastings, truffle farms and olive mills

• Discover medieval villages, Roman ruins and UNESCO sites

No rushing, no crowds — just travel at the pace that suits you.

🎶 Exclusive Scenic Enrich Experiences

Enjoy unforgettable moments unavailable to independent travellers, including:

• A private gala dinner and classical concert inside the Pope’s Palace in Avignon

• Exclusive musical performances in historic chapels

• After-hours access to iconic landmarks

  
  

🍷 A Journey for Food, Wine & Culture Lovers

Cruise the Saône and Rhône Rivers through Burgundy and Provence, exploring Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, legendary wine regions and storybook towns — all while enjoying world-class cuisine and premium beverages onboard.

✔️ All meals & premium drinks included

✔️ Freechoice excursions daily

✔️ Onboard gratuities, port charges & Wi-Fi

✔️ Seamless luxury from start to finish

If you’re looking for the most luxurious way to experience France by river, Scenic delivers — effortlessly, elegantly and exceptionally.

📧 Email: jwilliams@mtatravel.com.au

📞 Call or text: 0413 571 735