Short River Cruises in Europe

For business travelers, or travelers in general going to Europe that have a few extra days, these 3 – 5 day river cruises are a great way to experience a river cruise and see some great sites. With the cruise, the rate includes the cruise, all meals and a beverage package with most drinks (alcohol and non-alcohol).

River cruise itineraries involve voyages through countries such as Italy, Czech Republic, Hungary, Netherlands, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and more without the typical inconveniences of unpacking and packing. Their ‘Floating Hotels’ cruise by gorgeous villages, cities, vineyards, and castles.

Arosa River Cruises

On the Rhine, various itineraries depart from Basel, Mainz, and Amsterdam.

On the Danube, the voyages depart from Germany (near Munich), in Passau, and cruise to the Hungarian and Austrian capitals of Budapest and Vienna.

In Italy, they provide round trip cruises out of Venice and visit intriguing cities such as Parma, Ferrara, and Verona.

France offers many short river cruise itineraries: roundtrip Bordeaux in southwest France, roundtrip Nantes in the Loire Valley, round trip and one way itineraries between Paris and Honfleur on the Seine River and round-trip on the Rhone from Lyon, France to the Beaujolais and Burgundy wine regions and Mediterranean-style cities of Arles and Avignon and one-way in between Avignon and Lyon.

Check out our 20% OFF SHORT RIVER CRUISES TILL June 30, 2015.

Trier – Germany’s Oldest City Located on the Mosel River

Trier is a 4th Century Roman city located on Germany’s Mosel River and surrounded by vineyards and charming wine villages. Easy town to tour by foot or bicycle and their is a sightseeing train to go further in the hills.Luxury Barges, Casual Bike and Barge and River Cruises all Continue reading

Europeanbarging Offers Cruises on Arosa Cruise Line on the Major Rivers of Europe

Arosa River Cruises offers cruises on the Rhine, Mosel, Danube, Seine, Rhone, and Douro Rivers of Europe. Offering cruises from 3 – 15 nights.  New for 2023, an A‑ROSA cruise (7 nights+) already includes one excursion, followed by a culinary evening experience on board. This will allow guests to take in their destination with all their senses.

Arosa Stella on the Rhone River

Arosa is a German river cruise line offering German and English language cruises You can select from their featured cruises such as the Rhine River Cruise, Danube River Cruise, Seine, and the Rhone River Cruise.  All of the Arosa ships feature cabins with windows,  French balconies or useable balconies, sauna, whirlpool, and spa facilities and several have a swimming pool.  The Cologne and Passau cruise ports include round-trip transfers between the Cologne or Passau train station and the ship.

While onboard your river cruise you will enjoy a multitude of amenities including all meals a beverage package, free Wi-Fi, and a half-day excursion.  You will receive 30% off spa treatments, and bicycles are available for rental on many of the ships.

Arosa French balcony cabinThe ships feature nice size cabins – many with French Doors (on 2nd and 3rd decks), and some offer connecting cabins.  Some of the ships offer a 3rd bed for children.  When accompanied by one full-paying adult, children between 2 and 15 years of age receive a children’s discount of 30%. When accompanied by two adults, children aged 15 and under travel for free. Triple occupancy cabins are very limited.  The cabins are well laid out, with good storage areas, nice bathrooms,

Arosa Sauna

 

The Spa Arosa includes First-class spa products, a Generous SPA area, Professional trainers, Beauty and cosmetic treatments, a Panorama sauna as well as a fitness room, whirlpool, or swimming pool on the ships.

 

There are no fixed seating or table arrangements on board.  All meals are served as a buffet.  There are chefs at all meals with an open kitchen preparing these dishes as you watch – so everything is fresh.

 

Early Breakfast is from 6 – 7 am and features coffee and croissants

Breakfast is from 7 – 9 am and features cereals, rolls, fruit, yogurt, sliced meats as well as cooked foods – such as eggs, bacon, sausages, and pancakes as well as coffee, tea, and juices.

Arosa salad bar

 

Lunch includes several entrees such as beef dishes, fish dishes, sliced meats, pasta dishes, vegetables, salad, fruit, cheese, bread, and dessert bars.

 

 

Arosa afternoon tea

 

Afternoon tea features coffee, tea and cakes, cookies, and snacks.

 

 

Arosa buffet

Dinner will feature many more meat choices such as pork, beef, salmon, lobster, 2 soups, pasta, vegetables, salad, fruit, cheese, and bread bars as well as a dessert bar including ice cream and a dessert of the night that is prepared at the dessert bar – such as crepe Suzette and apple fritters.

One night a week there is a special wine and culinary special dinner for an additional cost and includes a multi-course sit-down served dinner and regional wines.

Beverage package – Soft Drinks, as well as tea and coffee specialties, Beer, sparkling white wine, as well as open wines and daily recommendations from the wine menu (by the glass), Cocktails, and long drinks throughout the day and evening.

Arosa offers 5 and 7-night cruises round trip Paris cruises on the Seine; 5 and 7-night cruises round trip Lyon on the Rhone River; 5 and 7-night cruises round trip Passau and Vienna on the Danube River.  For the Rhine River, Arosa has many different itineraries.  Many of the cruises are roundtrip Cologne, with a few one-way routes – such as Amsterdam to Basel or reverse, and Cologne to Nuremberg or reverse.

Pricing for summer months starts at $2154 per person for a 7-night cruise and $1489 per person for a 5-night cruise.  Late spring and summer dates start at $1873 per person for a 7-night cruise and $1323 per person for a 5-night cruise.  Early spring and late fall dates start at $1655 per person for a 7-night cruise and $1158 per person for a 5-night cruise.

For additional information or to check availability, contact us at www.europeanbarging.com at 888-869-7907 or jan@europeanbarging.com

Cruise the Rhine and Mosel Wine Regions

Experience a Wine Cruise along the Rhine and Mosel Rivers

AMA Rhine and Mosel Wine Cruises are designed with wine connoisseurs in mind. However, did you know the historic beauty of the Rhine River makes this trip a Germany Castle Cruise as well? Take the Rhine River Cruise for the castles and the Mosel River Cruise for the vineyards – AMA combines the two treats in one deluxe package.

Cruise and Visit the Wine Villages of Germany

Ships docked on the Moselle RiverExplore the world’s oldest wine Road, the German Wine Route. Tour around the wine villages in Germany looking for the biggest wine barrel in the world, large enough to house a restaurant. Try pronouncing “Gewurztraminer” while you enjoy this crisp, spicy wine in Germany’s oldest vineyard. Wine villages in Germany are surrounded by castles, palaces and Roman ruins. Keep your camera handy to snap shots of romantic corners in these picturesque villages.

Wine Cruise

The wine cruise meanders along the Rhine and Mosel Rivers, waterways famous for their scenic views. A Rhine River Cruise includes castles surrounded by emerald green landscape. The Mosel River Cruise offers a vineyard-rich countryside. Step off the luxurious vessel straight into the heart of an ancient village, host to local wineries. Towns that boast over 1,000 years of wine history beckon with the promise of medieval marketplaces and fountains surrounded by quaint town squares.

Wine Tasting

In addition to delightful excursions to museums housing self-playing musical instruments as old as 300 years, the wine cruise offers, well, many chances for wine and even beer tasting. Enjoy sampling wines at the Bergweiler Winery in Bernkastel. Kick your heels up at a medieval wine festival in Zell. Admire the historic Cologne Cathedral before enjoying tastings of the city’s famous beer, Kölsch, at the Früh Brewery. Explore narrow alleys lined with wine taverns and indulge in tastings hosted by local vintners.

Starting in legendary Paris, take an exciting high-speed TGV ride and embark on your river cruise. The Rhine offers a Germany Castle Cruise while the Mosel is nestled into twisting landscapes of vineyards and villages. The cruises feature gourmet dining, free-flowing wine, beer and soft drinks and musical performances. Enjoy informative lectures and cooking demonstrations or explore on one of many culinary excursions or daily tours.

AMA Cruises along the Rhine and Mosel rivers offer guests the experience of lavish travel and site-seeing opportunities that create lasting memories. Castles, medieval villages and vineyards hosting wine tastings are waiting.

For more information contact us at 888-869-7907  or jan@europeanbarging.com  to learn more about our wine themed river cruises in Europe.

Majestic Jewel of the Mosel River Valley

COCHEM’S Reichsburg Castle- Majestic Jewel of the Mosel River Valley 

There is perhaps no better way to tour the historically rich, scenic towns of Rhineland Germany than by river cruise. The cruises usually feature relatively small cruising vessels that have limited passenger capacity but are large on amenities, style, and service. ID-100163279Quaint villages and conspicuous German castles are thoroughly enjoyed by the 360 degree views provided on the sun decks of most river cruise ships and barges. A favorite tour among discerning travelers is the Mosel River cruise which meanders past beautiful Cochem Germany. These unique trips often climax with memorable shore excursions to popular attractions like those found on the Mosel bike and barge cruise.

Mosel River Cruise

The Mosel river or “Moselle” river as the French call it is a peaceful tributary of the Rhine River that flows from France to Germany. The area surrounding the Mosel River in Germany is known as the Mosel River Valley, and the towns located there are reminiscent of storybook tales of the medieval era. For those who find romantic villages complete with cobblestone streets surrounded by lush vineyards and Germany castles appealing, then a Mosel River cruise is an ideal choice for a holiday trip.

Cruising down the Mosel River gives holiday travelers the opportunity to see many of the oldest towns in the heart of Europe in grand style. Depending on the chosen itinerary, passengers get to view the cities of Koblenz, Cochem, and Bernkastel just to name a few.

The cities visited are not the only appeal of this type of holiday choice; the cruises themselves are absolutely exquisite. Many cruises are taken on luxury river or barge vessels that feature five-star dining and stellar service. The all-inclusive travel packages ensure that passengers completely relax while travelling from the time they board until disembarking at the end of the journey.

cochem germany

A popular river cruise itinerary includes a trip to the town of Cochem. The Mosel Bike and Barge cruise allows passengers to conduct a shore excursion that gives them the best of both worlds when it comes to scenic views. After leaving the river cruise barge, active passengers bike to Cochem to explore the popular town.

The town of Cochem holds a very interesting past as an imperial estate complete with a castle and fortifications that was eventually lost in its entirety to the French during the 1600’s. French troops razed the original Reichsburg Castle to the ground, and the castle was only rebuilt in its current neo-Gothic style architecture in 1868 by a wealthy Berlin business person who used the renovated castle as a summer home for his family. Since 1978, tourists have been able to take tours of the Reichsburg Castle. For more information about booking a cruise to the romantic Reichsburg Castle, contact us.