Behind the Scenes Magazine - April 2026

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A leisurely way to explore the world

river cruise industry for a 3-day celebration of the sector, shining a

spotlight on the opportunities presented by global river cruising. Nine river

cruise operators had ships moored in Amsterdam, so it was a brilliant way

for us to experience so many different river cruise products.

River Cruising

River Cruising

In early March, 11 of our Professional Travel Experts

attended the CLIA River Cruise Conference in

Amsterdam. The conference brings together the

River cruising has become one of the most rewarding ways to explore the world,

offering a perfect blend of relaxation, culture and ever-changing scenery. With

smaller ships, central docking locations and beautiful landscapes drifting past

your window, it’s an effortless style of travel - and it’s easy to see why river

cruises often sell out well in advance.

A relaxing way to travel getting into the heart of towns and cities

One of the biggest advantages is how much you can see without the stress

of traditional travel. River cruise itineraries glide straight through the heart

of historic cities and charming towns, meaning you simply step off the ship

and start exploring.

Budapest, Cologne and Strasbourg. The elegant

Seine River offers sailings between Paris and

Normandy, while Portugal’s Douro River winds

through dramatic terraced vineyards in the country’s

famous wine region. In France, the Rhône River and

Saône River showcase the culinary highlights and

picturesque villages of Burgundy and Provence.

European river cruises

Europe remains the most popular region, with iconic waterways such as the

Danube River and the Rhine River visiting beautiful cities including Vienna,