With holiday season once again on our doorstep, there isn’t a better time to plan out your movements for the summer months. The culture lovers among you will be looking for beautiful trips away to meaningful spots, whether quiet villages brimming with tradition or vibrant cities with centuries of architecture.
One of the best ways you can discover new sights and experiences on holiday is by cruise; the rivers of the world are entryways to history, culture and tradition, and the views from their banks windows into the past. Below are just some of the most beautiful of these cruises, along with the sights you can expect to see along the way.
The Nile
Egypt is world famous for its cultural heritage, being home to some of the most well-preserved examples of ancient civilisation on the planet. The Pyramids of Giza are an Ancient Wonder of the World, but a drop in the ocean of historical monuments and landmarks that can be found on the banks of the River Nile. Speaking of which, no tour of Egypt is complete without a cruise down the River Nile. Its fertile banks made it the perfect place for the Ancient Egyptians to live and to build, placing the Great Sphinx and the Valley of the Kings alike in the Nile Valley.
The Seine
For a distinctly more European flavour, the River Seine is the majestic river that flows through the north of France – from Paris to the English Channel. On its way to the Channel, the Seine takes in the city of Rouen before reaching the lowland estuary flanked by Le Havre and Honfleur. Of course, Paris is the main event for any cruise along the Seine, with its lights and quintessential architecture forming the perfect backdrop for a quiet cruise with a significant other.
The Ganges
The Ganges is a vital river in India, spanning over 1,500 miles and a sacred body of water to the many settlements that call its banks home. Perhaps the single most important stop on a Ganges river cruise would be Varanasi, the temple city which arguably gave the river its worldwide recognition as a sacred waterway.
Many Hindus travel to Varanasi in order to live out their final days, of the belief that cremation and interment into the Ganges will allow them safe passage to the afterlife. A river cruise of the Ganges is a reverent affair, and a beautiful introduction to the customs that it hosts – as well as a great opportunity to admire the ancient architecture of Varanasi.
The Venetian Lagoon
Lastly, but certainly not least, Venice’s reputation as a city of culture and prestige precedes itself. The ‘city on stilts’ defines the Veneto region, with its unique layout and construction conveying centuries of culture and tradition. A cruise of the Grand Canal will reveal the story of Venice, from early efforts to settle to the grandiose Byzantine builds that threaten to sink ever deeper into the marshland on which they are built. Many a cruise offers unparalleled views of landmark locations, but when it comes to Venice, you simply haven’t seen it until you’ve been on the water.
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