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Some Active excursions were rather short meanderings around charming, cobblestoned towns, while others involved 30-minute hikes up mountains at nearly a 90-degree angle (and I wish I was exaggerating). The latter was a hike in Cochem, Germany -- one that was solely labeled "a hike" without much warning of what was truly to come. Other routes are the Danube River, Burgundy to Provence via the Saone and Rhone rivers; on Bordeaux's Garonne River; on the Loire River; and on the Rhine (departures from Basel to Amsterdam and in the reverse direction).
My latest river cruise adventure included kayaking, biking and hiking — here's how yours can, too
While she made sure to educate us on the town wholly, she also kept it concise and light-hearted -- and quick so we had more time to spend at our local wine-tasting. Our advice is to ask your guide before you set out from the ship how long and far your walk or hike is. Fortunately, Avalon makes the excursion selection process flexible (but they do highly recommend booking in advance for planning purposes). While our guide was happy to appease us (and most guides are with Avalon), situations like these made it a smidge more difficult to decide which Active excursions would match our needs and even daily moods. We couldn't fully grasp how active we'd be on an excursion, which ostensibly ranged from almost no movement to training for the Olympics.
Best Active River Cruises
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Or, during that line’s call at Bratislava, Slovakia, travelers can take a guided hike to the Bratislava Castle ruins. Uniworld’s sister river cruise line, U by Uniworld, also draws an often younger, more active clientele. U by Uniworld’s eight-day “Vienna Vibe” voyage sails eight days from Vienna to Nuremberg, Germany. Alternatively, cruisers might check out Avalon Waterways’ “Active and Discovery on the Rhone” excursion.
What to Expect on Avalon Waterways Active & Discovery on the Moselle Cruise
You're going to be doing a lot of walking regardless of whether you're participating in an active program or not, so you'll need a great pair of shoes. For most, a good pair of cross-trainers, with a thicker sole and solid footbed will do the trick. We like the RYKA Women's Dynamic 2 Cross-Training Shoe, with its breathable upper and grippy soles, perfect for everything from resistance training to dancing and walking. Shoes provide light support for lateral movements and make walking Europe's cobblestone streets feel more comfortable.
These two countries are legendary for their extensive network of car-free paths for bicycling. Most river boats in Europe carry a fleet of bicycles on board, so you can often cycle right from where your boat is docked to tour cities like Antwerp and Dordrecht, as well as pedal through the countryside. Heidi Sarna is the cofounder of QuirkyCruise.com, a guide to small-ship cruising. Healthy dining options are available at every meal, too, which are labeled on menus as "Avalon Fresh" items.
The average age of an Avalon cruiser has dropped from 68 to 62 in recent years, a top marketing executive at the company told me during this sailing — a significant drop. But even travelers closer to 60 years old than 70 years old on average are not a traveling cohort that necessarily wants to kayak for miles or for hours. The experience ended with a tasting of the port wines made at the estate — a common activity on trips on the Douro.
Day 3: Bernkastel, Germany
We even had half an hour to wander around the town of Dürnstein, which made this excursions extra memorable. While men, too, can wear yoga pants, most we've chatted with on cruises prefer shorts. Try out these Champion men's shorts, which are long enough to provide some modesty no matter the activity, yet not so long as to look like that weird shorts/capri pants hybrid.
Contrary to popular belief, there are sailings out there that spotlight physical wellness and overall healthy living that are fittingly referred to as active river cruises -- and they're in the heart of Europe. Uniworld has a partnership with upmarket tour operator Butterfield & Robinson. Cyclists make tracks on shore using the ship as a floating hotel and spa. The river cruise biking option is offered on selected sailings on the Danube and Rhine rivers. This luxury river line maintains a fleet of free cycles for self-guided or escorted group excursions.
European River Cruises Are the Best Option for Active Travelers - Matador Network
European River Cruises Are the Best Option for Active Travelers.
Posted: Thu, 19 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
There’s no assigned seating on a river cruise, and not really even set dining times. Unlike some other river cruise lines that just offer one big lounge onboard, the Avalon Impression makes use of all its space to offer not one, but two indoor lounges (along with a large Sky Deck, and small shaded outdoor lounge). If you're considering a heavy cycling trip, such as one offered via an AmaWaterways/Backroads or Scenic/Trek Travel partnership, you might want to get yourself some serious biking shorts.
This is the second abbey founded by St. Hildegard during the early 12th century, and throughout its existence, it has endured periods of adversity, including the Thirty Years War and World War II. History buffs will be thrilled to visit the impressive Stolzenfels Castle, a stunning example of Romantic Rhine architecture. The Electoral Palace, another architectural gem, showcases the city’s royal past and is a treat for the eyes. The banks of the Moselle River are lined with picturesque castles (cruising along it with Avalon Waterways confirmed this!), but possibly none more impressive than Reichburg Castle which is perched on a hilltop in Cochem.
I’m also a big fan of the Active & Discovery cruise I tried out, and would absolutely go on another! I think this style of cruise is better suited to a slightly younger crowd, and might be exactly what the river cruising industry needs to break out of its current stereotype of only being “for” retirees/Baby Boomers. Ama and Viking are pretty similar in their itinerary offerings, as well as their style of cruises. I found Avalon to be slightly more relaxed, and more suited to families, younger couples, and groups of friends who want to have a memorable trip together. On the Impression, as on all of Avalon’s ships, everything is centered around the view. Whether it’s floor-to-ceiling windows in most state rooms to a dining room designed to make sure every seat has a view of the river, everything about cruising on an Avalon ship is designed to make sure you can see the scenery.
While "Active" is self-explanatory, the "Discovery" excursions were geared toward hands-on experiences and the "Classic" excursions were more typical river cruise activities, such as a gentle walk or motorcoach tour. In theory, any river cruise can be an active one, given that shore-centric itineraries allow passengers to pursue all manner of land-based activities. For a more active excursion, you can opt for a moderate hike to the Landshut Castle (it’s an included one too!). This castle ruins is one of the oldest structures in the Moselle, perched upon the remnants of a fort that dates back to the 4th or 5th century. We opted for the Walking and Wines in Bernkastel tour, but had plenty of time after to navigate our way to Landshut Castle on our own.
Our group consisted of six people, almost all of which were in their 50s and 60s -- and in great shape. We ambled through the heartwarming town of Cochem with our guide, then to our hiking trail's starting point. The hiking trail was straight up a mountain face with numerous stairs zig-zagging upwards. Of course, you can spend days exploring the city, but don’t miss the iconic Romer, a collection of nine houses forming the Frankfurt city hall (Rathaus). The Old Opera House (Alte Oper) is a Frankfurt highlight with its grand architecture and world-class performances, such as a captivating orchestral rendition of classic pieces by the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra. For a glimpse into the city’s recent past, the New Frankfurt Old Town presents a meticulously reconstructed quarter, capturing the essence of pre-war Frankfurt.
My go-to was Greek yogurt with granola, marinated apricots, granola and chia. Though for a couple of days I splurged on a strawberry waffle and yummy charcuterie. We learned about the fascinating tradition of winemaking and the spiritual significance of the vineyards surrounding the abbey. Year-round, guided by the master winemaker, the nuns and volunteers at the Abbey of St. Hildegard nurture grapevines with devotion. You can explore the historic heart at the Deutsches Eck, and take in the breathtaking views from the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, accessible by a scenic cable car ride. Or wander through the cobbled streets of the Old Town, adorned with charming squares and colorful buildings, and immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the city.
While the mustard created was delicious, we felt disconnected from the region. Most of the Backroads sailings limit participation to 30, but several full-ship buyouts are offered each year. The Panorama Suites are a highlight of Avalon’s offerings, featuring beds facing floor-to-ceiling windows for panoramic views. The open-air balcony adds an extra touch of luxury and allows guests to immerse themselves in the natural beauty outside.
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