River cruising is the original slow way to travel, as you cruise the calm waters of inland waterways just like Cleopatra did on the Nile. The best river cruise ships are floating hotels with views galore of such wonders as the castles and vineyards of the Rhine or the rice paddies and villages on stilts along the Mekong.
River ships dock near key attractions and feature mostly inclusive pricing; fares include such perks as basic daily walking tours and wine and beer at meals. But beyond certain standards, there are different experiences to be had. One person's idea of a great vacation might include extraordinary excursions such as an exclusive dinner in a chateau, while others may want spacious cabins, or all the foie gras and French cheese you can possibly eat. Want to relax in a swimming pool? That's doable on some but not all ships. And some river cruises are much more active than others with, for instance, biking and hiking tours.
Here's a rundown of the best river cruise lines traversing inland waterways around the world.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on The Points Guy Articles.
