The world's top 5 river cruises, and when to visit them
Anyone can take a simple three, four, or seven-day cruise. But why bother when there are so many more exciting options to choose from? To turn up the adrenaline on the experience, consider booking a river cruise. Though not for the faint of heart, they will satisfy the needs of any adrenaline junkie. You'll even find that the boats used are much smaller than those used for a typical cruise. A river cruise provides a more intimate setting than any other type.
Photo by Emre Gencer
The Nile
When you take a river cruise of the Nile, it travels from Aswan to Luxor. The Nile is the world's longest river at 4258 miles long. A cruise on the Nile is rather laid back. For as long as the Nile is, it is also incredibly calm in comparison to other rivers. So much so that you may even find yourself relaxing in a lounge chair as you float down the Nile. From your seat, you are likely to see the ruins of Ancient Egypt as well as the Sahara Desert.
Photo by Aanalogicus
The Rhine
One of the most popular river cruises you can experience in Europe is the Rhine. At 820 miles, the path the cruise follows gives you a glimpse of the following countries:
Along the way, you will see landscapes with gorges, along with medieval villages and castles that look like they are straight out of a fairy tale. The comfort level of this cruise is like no other you will ever experience on a river, and includes tastes of the local cuisine.
Photo by Josch13
The Mekong
A river cruise of the Mekong passes between Cambodia and Vietnam. It affords you views of ancient temples such as Angkor Wat. You will also see Ho Chi Minh and other cities. When you reach the upper Mekong, the cruise passes through the Golden Triangle. This region produces more opium than any other region in the world. As you move through, you will also see fishing villages and dense jungles. Other signs of the local culture are often present on this cruise.
Photo by Shane Young
The Yangtze
To take a cruise that takes you into China, choose the Yangtze. This 3915-mile cruise includes a ride through the region known as Three Gorges, as you pass through to reach Shanghai. The cruise takes you on an adventure that includes touring the Three Gorges Dam and seeing many of the country's temples. The majority of the landscape you will see on this cruise is wild and largely untouched.
Photo by Deltreehd
The Amazon
Of all the river cruises you could go on, the most iconic is the Amazon. Its immense size will leave you breathless as you view its dense rainforest up close. The experience includes a walk through some of the Amazon's most remote villages. When you reach the Peruvian Amazon, you will find that it is rugged, in complete contrast to the Amazon's Brazilian side, which is often considered a tranquil experience.
When to visit
Most people prefer to take one of these river cruises in the spring or early summer. In general, it is best to avoid visiting in mid to late summer, as this is when river cruises tend to be the most crowded. However, depending on the specific cruise and tolerance for the weather, others feel the best time to visit is September or October.
For a river cruise like the Rhine, some vacationers would even recommend visiting during the Christmas season. While air temperatures are at their coolest, each city you will see on your journey will be in a festive spirit for the holidays.
Ultimately, when you choose to visit is a personal decision. Some prefer cooler weather and lighter crowds while others thrive on the warmth and excitement of a river cruise during the summer.
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