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World River Cruises Shore Excursions

 

Begin a new vacation each time you set foot ashore!
 
No matter where you are in the world, shore excursions offer you the opportunities to experience international cultures, sample local cuisine, sightsee and more.
 
Cruise shore excursions are also unique because of their flexibility. You can take guided tours or customize your sightseeing by renting transportation or embarking on walking tours.
 
Hit all a port of call's local highlights or focus on one or two extended activities. It's your cruise!


World River Cruises
 
Introduction
 
World river cruises serve many purposes. They enable cruisers to get off the beaten path and get up and close and personal with picturesque villages and ancient sites. They also provide a convenient way for cruisers to visit several countries while enjoy the defining landscapes that give them their character.
 
Educational and cultural experiences are the highlight of every world river cruise. Visit an ancient tomb in Egypt, a temple in Myanmar, a castle in Switzerland, a vineyard in Germany or a monastery in Russia.
 
Whether you want to cruise the mighty Amazon, the stately Volga, the magnificent Rhine or the incomparable Nile, there is a world river cruise suited for you.
 
Getting Around
 
Since world river vessels bring cruisers closer to, and sometimes past, onshore attractions, there usually won't be a need to hire a guide to travel inland. River cruisers are likely to have more time at shore, and this gives them ample time to set out on their own and explore at a leisurely pace. It's often convenient to walk or take public transportation to the main sights.
 
World river cruise destinations include:
 

 
 
 
Cruise Tip
 
Leave copies of your passport, airline tickets, traveler's cheques and credit cards with a family member or a friend back on the mainland.

...More Tips

Africa
 
Nile River
Journey to 4,000 years B.C. and dig up the legacy of the Pharaohs when you sail on the world's longest river through the heart of Egypt. Marvel at the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx in Giza, visit the dynasty temples of Luxor and visit the monstrous Aswan Dam.
 
Asia
 
Ayeyarwady River
Unearth the religious of heart of Myanmar (formerly Burma) and discover temples, pagodas, shrines perched on volcanic peaks, and the remains of the ancient capital of Pagan.
 
Yangtze River
Trace China's lifeline along the third longest river in the world, from the Tibetan Highlands to the East China Sea. Wake up to a morning sessions of Tai Chi before exploring the fabled Three Gorges, the tomb of the terracotta Army in Xi'an, and the wonders of Shanghai and Beijing.
 
Australia
 
Murray River
Carve a serpentine course through wetlands, gorges, clay pans, red gum forests and grassland as you cruise the fifth longest river in the world. Follow the lifeblood of pioneers through the driest continent on earth and view Aboriginal rock art, archaeological digs and over 350 species of birds.
 

 
Canada
 
St. Lawrence River and Seaway
Cruise to Quebec City and Montreal, two ageless Canadian cities on the St. Lawrence River, and then continue on the St. Lawrence Seaway, the international route to the Great Lakes. You'll navigate pristine Lake Ontario and the Thousand Islands region, an 80-mile network of scenic river channels and coves.
 
Europe
 
Danube River
Be engulfed with art, music and history when you sail the second longest river in Europe - a river that flows more than 1,800 miles through eight countries. Trace the paths of warlords who invaded Roman and Byzantine Empires and revel in the cultures of Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, Melk and Nuremberg.
 
Elbe River
Voyage through Germany and the Czech Republic past fantastic rock formations, sprawling vineyards and tranquil meadows. Tour Dresden, a glorious treasury of art; Meissen, which produces world-famous porcelain, and Prague, an exhilarating medley of avant-garde creativity and youthful activism.
 
Rhine River
Venture past Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands through the Rhine Valley, which has more castles than any other river in the world. You'll observe hilltop fortresses, Germany's most famous vineyard and Cologne's 700-year-old Gothic Cathedral.
 
Rhone and Saone Rivers
Experience the best of Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. Savor the local cuisine of Lyon, visit Roman ruins in Arles, view the art of Picasso, Renoir and Matisse in Provence, tour the palace of the Popes in Avignon and drink the wines of Beaujolais and Burgundy.
 
Seine River
Glide past the chateaux of kings and the landscape of the Impressionists on the French Seine, which flows through Paris before emptying into the English Channel at Le Havre. Take in Monet's gardens in Giverny, roam the beaches of Normandy and see where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake.
 
Po River
Fall in love with Italy while cruising its longest river to Venice, famed for its decadent architecture, dreamy canals and narrow alleyways. Along the way, visit Mantua, a highly romantic town; Padua, an old university town; and Verona, the setting of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet".
 
Douro River
Drift down the River of Gold, which begins in Madrid, Spain and flows to Porto, Portugal. This wonderfully scenic path encapsulates deep cleft gorges, sleepy fishing villages and almond and citrus orchards. Visit Salamanca, Spain's ancient seat of learning, and Porto, recognized for its medieval alleyways.
 
Russia
 
The Russian Waterways
Immerse yourself in the waterways of the Tsars and step into Russia's imperial past while sailing past stoic cities that contain preserved Kremlins, monasteries and churches. Tour aristocratic palaces and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg and Red Square and St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow.
 
South America
 
Amazon River
Navigate the world's largest carrier of water past small Indian settlements, the stately city of Manaus and remote archeological sites. Nature walks in the rainforest will introduce you some of the most exotic wildlife on the planet, including giant butterflies, toucans and monkeys.

 
Enhance your World river cruise by reading about local culture, people and history in these novels:
Food & Friends: A Chef's Journey through France and Italy - Serge Dansereau
French Dirt - Richard Goodman
A Garden in Lucca, Finding Paradise in Tuscany - Paul Gervais
Notes From an Italian Garden - Joan Marble
Old Provence - Theodore Andrea Cook
Toujours Provence - Peter Mayle
A Walk Across France - Miles Morland

 
 
 

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