Travel advice
Which river cruise is right for you this autumn?
See the season’s glorious hues unfurl along Europe’s prettiest waterways.
A river cruise in autumn offers the perfect combination of smaller crowds and cooler weather as you explore the Rhine, the Danube, the Douro and the Dutch waterways. Trees along Austria’s Wachau Valley are sporting their magnificent autumn colours, while in Germany’s Rheingau and Portugal’s Douro regions, the grape harvest is in full swing.
These are just a few compelling reasons to explore Europe’s waterways on one of Saga’s elegant, comfortable ships.
Douro Valley
Douro Explorer
Most amazing things you’ll see from the ship: One of the best aspects of a Douro cruise is the beauty of the scenery: immaculate vineyards snaking around the contours of the hills and whitewashed villages dotted along the banks. In October, you’ll see workers in the vineyards harvesting the grapes, the vines assuming the golden hues of autumn.
The shore excursions you’ll love: Port tasting is a given on a Douro cruise but there are other distractions, not least a visit to the Favaios Winery, which produces Moscatel wine. This trip is combined with dinner at the traditional, family-run Quinta Avessada, perched on a plateau with far-reaching views across the vineyards. Don’t miss the full day trip from Barca d’Alva to the beautiful Spanish city of Salamanca, its sandstone facades glowing soft gold in the autumn sunshine. Visit the oldest university in Spain, dating back 800 years, and admire the city’s two splendid cathedrals.
On board activities: Taste port wine on board Douro Serenity as you sail the river to the Spanish border and back. If the autumn warmth lures you up to the sun deck, there’s a small splash pool.
Residence Palace
Contrasts of the Rhine and Main
Most amazing things you’ll see from the ship: This seven-night cruise on Spirit of the Moselle takes you through some of Germany’s most beautiful scenery, from the Middle Rhine Gorge, where the forests and vineyards flaunt their autumnal shades of scarlet and burnt orange, to the Main valley, curving between the Odenwald and the Spessart Mountains.
The shore excursions you’ll love: Don’t miss a day in Miltenberg, one of the most perfectly preserved medieval villages in Germany, its cobbled streets lined with colourful, crooked half-timbered houses. In Würzburg, join a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Residence Palace to admire the world’s largest ceiling fresco, painted by Tiepolo, above the grand staircase.
On board activities: Gaze at the castles guarding every twist and turn of the Rhine between Koblenz and Bingen. In Boppard, enjoy a wine tasting in the ship’s light-filled lounge.
Contrasts of the Rhine and Main
Cologne
From the Dutch Waterways to the Rhine
Most amazing things you’ll see from the ship: Leaving the gleaming skyscrapers of Rotterdam behind, glide past serene villages as you sail from Rotterdam via Hoorn, Utrecht and Arnhem into Germany. Spirit of the Moselle then heads south through Cologne, where the massive cathedral dominates the skyline, to Koblenz, where the Ehrenbreitstein fortress gazes down over the riverside town.
The shore excursions you’ll love: Join a walking tour through the historic harbour town of Hoorn, the waterfront lined with grand merchants’ houses. Explore Bonn, the former German capital, birthplace of Beethoven. Or join a tour from Bonn to ride the Drachenfelsbahn, Germany’s oldest rack-and-pinion railway, climbing up to the ruins of 12th-century Drachenfels Castle. In picturesque Linz am Rhein, the half-timbered houses in shades of peach and peppermint are a photographer’s dream.
On board activities: As you head south, enjoy lectures and presentations in the ship’s Turner Lounge, or wrap up warm and stroll the upper deck, taking in the views.
From the Dutch Waterways to the Rhine
Budapest
From Budapest to Vienna down the Danube
Most amazing things you’ll see from the ship: You’ll dock in the heart of Budapest, with fine views from the ship of Castle Hill with its medieval Old Town. Enjoy views of river beaches and forested hills as you sail around the “Danube Bend” north of Budapest, and beyond Vienna, the vineyards and scenic riverside towns of the Wachau Valley, where the vivid autumn colours rival those of New England.
The shore excursions you’ll love: From Bratislava, join a tour into the countryside to enjoy coffee and cake with a Slovakian family and learn about their way of life. Get into the spirit of Vienna with an evening concert of music by Mozart, Lehar and the Strauss family. In Melk, join a walking tour to taste the liqueurs and schnapps produced from locally grown apricots.
On board activities: As well as lectures and presentations, there’s a lot of scenic sailing on this itinerary so settle into a comfy chair and watch hills, vineyards, cities and castles drift by.
Danube Delta
Scenic Gems of the Danube
Most amazing things you’ll see from the ship: As you sail through the Wachau Valley, look for the ruins of Dürnstein Castle high on a hill – this is where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192. Further east, you’ll see hilltop Bratislava Castle dramatically floodlit as you approach the city in darkness.
The shore excursions you’ll love: In the Wachau Valley, visit the magnificent Benedictine monastery of Gottweig Abbey with its baroque architecture and spectacular views and the city of Krems with its beautifully preserved medieval centre and cobbled streets. For something different during your time in Budapest, join a tour to the lavish Baroque Gödöllö Palace, former summer home of Empress Sissi and Emperor Franz Joseph, once king of Hungary.
On board activities: As well as the main Panorama Restaurant, Spirit of the Danube has a second dining venue, the intimate Delta Restaurant. Whether you’re dining there during daylight hours or at night, you’ll enjoy magnificent river views as well as delicious food.
Lorelei
Sights and Scenery of the Rhine
Most amazing things you’ll see from the ship: You’ll take a round-trip from Mainz on this cruise, passing through the scenic Middle Rhine Gorge, where the river loops between steep hills clad in forest and vineyards. Look out for the Lorelei Rock – this was where, according to legend, a golden-haired siren would sing, luring sailors to their death on the perilous rocks.
The shore excursions you’ll love: In picturesque Koblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle meet, join a local guide for an included walking tour of this charming town of historic squares, hidden courtyards and cobbled alleys. In Cologne, the Cologne Cathedral Revealed tour is a wonderful opportunity to admire this vast place of worship at a less busy time of year. Don’t miss the gilded Shrine of the Three Kings, believed to house the bones of the magi.
On board activities: Be on deck or in the cosiness of the lounge for the sailing through the Middle Rhine Gorge, where every bend in the river is guarded by a castle, each with its own story. When Spirit of the Rhine is docked in pretty Boppard, a local wine producer will come on board to guide you through a tasting.
Sights and Scenery of the Rhine
The Rhine and her tributaries
Most amazing things you’ll see from the ship: This eight-night cruise takes you all the way from Mainz to Rotterdam so you’ll pass through scenery ranging from steep hills crowned by castles to the flat, canal-laced landscapes around Arnhem, Zaandam and Rotterdam. Don’t miss the magnificent sight of Cologne Cathedral dominating the skyline as you approach the city.
The shore excursions you’ll love: Join a guided Old Town Beer Walk in Cologne, tasting the city’s iconic Kölsch beer in some of the most popular pubs and breweries. In Arnhem, a local historical expert will bring the tragic story of the Allied forces’ Operation Market Garden to life, as immortalised in the film A Bridge Too Far.
On board activities: Taste local wines in Boppard, a riverside town in the heart of the Middle Rhine Gorge. And as you sail across the heart of Germany, relax in the lounge, watching barges chug up and down the river, some of them will be travelling all the way from the North Sea to the Black Sea.
The opinions expressed are those of the author and are not held by Saga unless specifically stated.
The material is for general information only and does not constitute investment, tax, legal, medical or other form of advice. You should not rely on this information to make (or refrain from making) any decisions. Always obtain independent, professional advice for your own particular situation.
