The Blue Danube River Cruise

The Blue Danube River Cruise is one of those classic journeys that just feels easy from the moment it begins. You’re moving through some of Central Europe’s most well known cities, but it never feels overwhelming.

There’s something quite special about waking up in places like Vienna or Budapest, stepping straight into the day, and then returning to the ship later as it quietly moves on to the next stop. The Wachau Valley section in particular is beautiful — it’s the kind of stretch where you just find yourself standing on deck watching everything pass by.

Excursions tend to fit naturally into the rhythm of the trip. One day you’re walking through grand streets filled with history, the next you’re exploring smaller riverside towns that feel completely different in pace and atmosphere.



👉 https://www.travelnet.ie/packages/8-days-the-blue-danube-river-cruise

Gastronomy of the Seine River Cruise

The Gastronomy of the Seine River Cruise has a very different feel — it’s slower in some ways, and there’s a real focus on food, culture, and that unmistakable French charm.

It’s the kind of itinerary where the journey between Paris and the Normandy region feels just as important as the stops themselves. You drift past changing landscapes, then suddenly you’re in places like Rouen or Vernon, where everything feels quite artistic, historic, and full of character.

Excursions here are often linked to local life — markets, tastings, small towns where you actually get time to soak things in rather than rush through them.

👉 https://www.travelnet.ie/packages/8-days-gastronomy-of-the-seine-river-cruise

Douro, Porto and Salamanca River Cruise

The Douro, Porto and Salamanca River Cruise feels a bit more peaceful and scenic compared to some of the other routes. Everything slows down in a nice way as you move through the Douro Valley, with its steep vineyards and quiet riverside villages.

Porto is usually a highlight at the start, with its colourful streets and riverside atmosphere, and then as you head inland the scenery becomes more open and dramatic. Salamanca adds something completely different again — a grand, historic city with a very different feel from the Portuguese side of the trip.

It’s one of those itineraries where the landscape really does most of the talking.

👉 https://www.travelnet.ie/packages/8-days-douro-porto-and-salamanca-river-cruise

Rhine Cruise to Switzerland

The Rhine Cruise to Switzerland is probably one of the most visually striking routes. There’s a stretch where the river winds through the Rhine Gorge, and it honestly feels like every turn reveals another castle or hillside village.

The mix of stops works really well — busy, interesting cities like Cologne and Strasbourg balanced with smaller towns where everything feels a bit more relaxed. Basel is often where the journey finishes, and by that point you’ve seen such a mix of landscapes and cultures that it feels like a proper cross-section of Europe.

Excursions tend to lean into that variety, from guided city walks to castle visits and time in wine regions.

👉 https://www.travelnet.ie/packages/8-days-rhine-river-cruise-to-switzerland

Burgundy, the River Rhône and Provence River Cruise

This one has a completely different personality again. The Burgundy, Rhône and Provence River Cruise feels very rooted in southern France — slower, warmer, and very atmospheric.

Lyon is usually a starting point, and from there the journey moves through places like Avignon, Arles, and into Burgundy. Each stop has its own identity, but there’s a shared sense of history and culture running through it all.

Excursions often tie into local life — markets, Roman heritage sites, wine regions, and small towns that feel very lived-in rather than tourist-heavy.

It’s the kind of itinerary where you start to settle into the rhythm of the region without really thinking about it.



👉 https://www.travelnet.ie/packages/8-days-burgundy-the-river-rh-ne-and-provence-river-cruise

A good time to book!

If you’ve been thinking about trying a river cruise, this is actually a really good moment to look at what’s available.

Riviera Travel has just introduced a low deposit of €99 per person, which secures your full package — including flights — on holidays departing in 2026, 2027 or 2028. It’s one of those offers that makes planning ahead feel a lot more manageable, especially for longer or more popular itineraries.

Alongside that, there’s currently:

• 10% off all 2027 & 2028 holidays
• And up to €450 per person off selected sailings in May, June and July 2026

Both offers are running until 27 May, so it’s very much a limited window if you’re considering it.

What stands out across all of these itineraries is how naturally everything flows. You’re not constantly organising or planning — you’re just moving through different parts of Europe in a way that feels easy, structured, and genuinely enjoyable.

Each cruise has its own personality, but they all share that same Riviera approach: simple, well-paced travel that lets the destinations do the talking.