Travel for the Over 30s

Not sure whether to take the all inclusive bus tour which promises 13 countries in 15 days or the tour that is based in one region from where you take a more in depth look of one part of Europe? Want to catch the highlights of Europe without the hassles of driving on one of the world’s most crowded continents?

Then you need to think again - and maybe think specifically about river cruises. Long before the invention of the internal combustion engine and freeways, rivers were the world’s first super highways. Europe’s great cities all share one thing in common - they are  are built on major waterways - think of Paris and the Seine, London and the Thames, Vienna and the Danube. That’s why river cruising is the ideal way to see Europe.

Compared with planning a European bus tour, river cruising has huge advantages. Rivers are the heart of European cities - you can be guaranteed that your floating hotel will be located central to the action - not hours away in the suburbs. There is no requirement to be packed up and ready for the bus at 6am. Rather than having to choose between a leisurely lunch and sightseeing, you combine both on a river cruise where boats usually feature dining rooms with panoramic views. You aren’t going to spend hours of precious vacation time stuck in traffic - well OK you will probably pass the odd lock - but that’s a lot more interesting than being stuck in a Parisian traffic jam (trust me on this).

Compared to ocean cruising, river cruising comes up trumps for anyone who suffers from seasickness- no waves, no getting your “sea legs” required on river boats.  Its also great for singles or those just looking at connecting with others in the group - boats have to fit through the canals and locks of Europe so normally carry only between 100-300 passengers. Tours tend to be all-inclusive including “shore excursions” - which are often walking tours right from the dock. One thing that you won’t want to leave behind are good walking shoes - forget the on-board gym - try walking a few miles on cobblestones - excellent for your legs and cardio-vascular health!

With the collapse of communism European river cruising has expanded east. River cruising is a supremely practical way to visit Russia and Ukraine without having to deal with the notoriously poor quality of local restaurants and hotels. Both St Petersburg and Moscow are river cities - conveniently located about a week’s cruising apart. The truly adventurous can extend their tour all the way to the Crimea and the Black Sea.

A river cruise boat are not the huge floating palaces of their ocean-going counterparts. They do not have the space to offer climbing walls, full-size auditoriums, 21 different restaurant and multiple swimming pools. Instead the focus is on the countries that you are cruising through. Most ships offer a single dining room with free seating and an informal dress code. There is invariably an open deck for the best view and also normally a library and several other lounges. There will also be guest speakers talking about the local countries and cultures that you are traveling through. Ships will often sail at night to ensure that you have the best opportunity to explore ports during the day either with a tour or just by yourself.

The best part of river cruising has to be that you have unpack once scenario. I’ve never met anyone who enjoys the constant packing and unpacking of a typical tour - so on a river cruise you get to do it exactly once. Suites are comfortable and most newer boats offer balconies and opening windows. There is no such thing as an inside cabin on a river boat - they are just too narrow!

I do have one major problem with choosing an European river cruise though - which one to try first - I have the impression they could become extremely addictive!

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