10 Scenic River Cruises Anyone Will Love

Lot River, France

Winding through Southwest France, the Lot River offers up vineyard views, cliffs, and medieval buildings perched atop high hills. There are so many historical towns to explore on this route that you'll want to go at your own pace. These boats, professionally managed by Wyndham Vacation Rentals, are a great choice: A weeklong self-catering stay on a boat that sleeps four people starts at $1,320. (Larger cruisers that sleep up to eight people are available starting from $2,462.) You'll be able to chart your own course, and there'll be no one to judge you when you make the captain's executive decision to stop at every cheese shop along the river!

Nile River, Egypt

Riverboats sail up and down the Nile, mostly treading the 124-mile path between Luxor and Aswan. Both ports offer incredible ancient monuments and tombs that rival those in Giza. Most boats will have guided excursions with Egyptologists, so you'll be able to truly appreciate the sites. On board the ships, you'll have a front-row sea to modern Egyptian life as you cruise past the riverbanks. Many companies offer three- to seven-night cruises; Sonesta has plenty of options on five-star ships.

Yangtze River, China

The Yangtze River is famous for its breathtaking gorges, and there's no better way to see them than from the deck of a ship. On a river cruise, you'll also get to experience the Three Gorges Dam Project up close as you sail through the dam's locks. Abercrombie & Kent's Yangtze River Cruise features worthwhile shore excursions, including a sail on a traditional sampan on the Shennong Stream and a visit to Fengdu, a rural river town.

Rhine, Main, and Danube Rivers, Europe

If the idea of a grand European tour conjures up images of a rushed journey with much of your time wasted in train stations and airports, consider a cruise on the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers instead. This trip covers five countries with no stress. The three rivers join to connect the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary, and you can easily sail through them all in just two weeks. Best of all, you'll only have to unpack once! Viking River Cruises' Grand European Tour journeys through all five countries in 15 days.

St. Lawrence River, Canada

The St. Lawrence River connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, and there's plenty to see along the way. Explore classic Canadian cities like Quebec City and Halifax, and enjoy the natural scenery of the Thousand Islands. St. Lawrence Cruise Lines offers several voyages at different lengths and prices.

Volga River, Russia

Experience Russia's two most iconic cities on a Volga River cruise that begins in Moscow and ends in St. Petersburg (or vice versa). You'll get beyond the famous cities and explore small, less-visited towns like Yaroslavl and Uglich. On the voyage, you'll cross Europe's largest lake (Lake Ladoga) and see its second-largest lake (Lake Onega). Travel with Viking River Cruises and check out classically Russian sites like the Preobranzhenskaya (Transfiguration) Church, which was built in 1714 without using nails; the Vodka Museum; and the former Kremlin of Uglich.

Chobe River, Africa

When you think of safaris, you might imagine open-air drives in the desert, but river safaris are unique and popular ways to see game—especially on the Chobe River, which flows through Angola, Namibia, and Botswana. From the comfort of your cabin, you can gaze at hippos and crocodiles bathing in the river water and elephants, buffalo, lions, antelopes, leopards, and many more on the banks. AmaWaterways' Zambezi Queen boat was specifically designed for cruising on the Chobe River, and its unique layout maximizes animal sightings.

Amazon River, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru

Not so much into hiking long distances, but still want to see a large chunk of the Amazon? Do it in style on an Amazon River cruise. Choose to check out the Upper Amazon and explore the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, which teems with exotic wildlife. Or, focus on ancient cultures and travel through Peru, visiting Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Cusco along the way. G Adventures' nine-day Amazon Riverboat Adventure cruise takes you on an excursion to find the unbelievable pink dolphins that reside in the river.

Ganges River, India

The heaving Ganges River is unlike any in the world, and there's no better way to immerse yourself in it than on a river cruise. Along the Lower Ganges, you'll get a glimpse of rural India and see gorgeous scenery, like the mango orchards and mustard fields that line the banks. On APT's Spirit of India cruise, you'll have plenty of opportunities for on-shore exploration, including visits to Mother Teresa's tomb and the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata.

Mississippi River, U.S.

Cruising the Mississippi River on a steamboat is a classically American experience. In fact, it's so American that you may even catch a glimpse of an American bald eagle! The river is a massive 2,340 miles long, so many voyages break up the trip into two options: the Upper Mississippi (think Memphis to New Orleans) or the Lower Mississippi (St. Louis to St. Paul). But there are plenty of other combinations available. You definitely won't be bored on board if you take one of the themed voyages from the American Queen Steamboat Company, which offers trips based on everything from bourbon to Elvis.

Which river cruise should have made the list? Tell us in the comments!

You Might Also Like:

• 12 Worst Cruise Rip-Offs
• 10 Beaches That Should Be on Your Bucket List
• 10 Hidden Places the World Doesn't Know About