Go with the flow - 11/06/2010

Whether an afternoon cruise or a full holiday, relax on the river, says Jeannine Williamson.

In Kenneth Grahame’s enchanting book The Wind in the Willows, water rat, Ratty famously commented that nothing was “half so much worth doing” as messing about in boats on the river. And there’s no doubt that a river cruise is a wonderful way to relax and watch the world float by at a leisurely pace.

On longer trips you only have to unpack once and closer to home a day trip or short break in the UK is a wonderful way to see sights, even familiar ones, from a totally new perspective.

With the weak pound resulting in rising costs of travel, excursions, entertainment and eating out in the ‘Eurozone’, a river cruise is a cost effective way of seeing Europe and its grand capital cities. With full-board accommodation and shore excursions included in the price, it makes it much easier for groups to budget for the trip without the worry of any added expense. All you need is money for those tempting souvenirs that you’ll find en route. Another bonus is that railcruise options are available for groups that prefer not to fly.

Welcome to Europe’s waterways

Flowing 776 miles through six countries - Switzerland, the principality of Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France and The Netherlands - the Rhine (pictured) is one of Europe’s most important rivers. Many major cities have occupied its banks for centuries and it has played a key role in shaping European history.

These days the Rhine is also Europe’s most popular river for cruising, making it an ideal choice for first-time cruise groups. Typical week-long itineraries usually start in cosmopolitan Amsterdam and end in Basel, Switzerland. During the festive season German Christmas market cruises are always popular with groups.

Shorter cruises, which can be combined with land-based stays, are available along the Rhine Valley, arguably one of the most scenic stretches of the river. Meandering through the lush valleys of Germany’s wine-growing regions, with fairytale castles perched along the banks, the stretch between Cologne and Mainz is particularly picturesque. Here your group will discover the enduring legend of the Lorelei rock, where a beautiful siren was said to lure passing sailors to their doom.