6 Great Places to Visit Before or After Your European River Cruise | ShermansTravel
6 Great Places to Visit Before or After Your European River Cruise
Donna Heiderstadt | September 4, 2024
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Many river cruises are seven nights in length — a somewhat short stay in Europe after a long transatlantic flight. While cruise lines often offer pre- or post-cruise tours for an added fee, you can also easily visit nearby cities or regions on your own to extend your vacation. It’s a great way to combine tour-centric river cruising with independent exploration. Here are six great places to visit before or after your European river cruise.
1. From Basel, Switzerland: Head to Zurich and Lucerne or the Jungfrau
Credit: Switzerland Tourism/Beat Mueller
If you’re taking a Rhine River cruise from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland (or vice versa), you can add to your Swiss experience by exploring nearby regions. If you love big cities, Zurich is a short train ride away, and from there you can continue on to Lucerne. Prefer smaller towns, outdoor adventure, and epic scenery? The Jungfrau will astound you.
How to get there: Switzerland is only about the size of Maryland, Swiss trains are efficient, and the journey between Basel and Zurich takes an hour, making the city ideal for a pre- or post-cruise stay. From Zurich, it’s just 45 minutes by train to Lucerne. The Jungfrau region — known as the “Top of Europe” — offers views of 401 mountain peaks, a valley with 72 waterfalls, and a sky-high railway. To get there, you’ll take the train from Basel to Interlaken (two hours), then board a Bernese Oberland Railways train to Grindelwald, a scenic trip of about 45 minutes. If you have enough time, you can combine a visit to Zurich and Lucerne with the Jungfrau.
What to see and do: Zurich may be Switzerland’s largest city, but it is easy to explore on foot. The top historic sights are centered in Altstadt (Old Town) and include the Fraumünster church, featuring modernist stained-glass windows designed by artist Marc Chagall. Wander the area’s picturesque cobblestone streets, ducking into “bierkellers” (beer cellars) and perusing local art galleries. You can also learn about the early 20th-century Dada movement at the Kunsthaus Zurich, which boasts the world’s largest collection of Dada artwork, and people-watch along the shores of Lake Zurich.
Lucerne will charm you with its photogenic lakeside setting, vibrantly painted buildings in Altstadt, and restored 14th-century Kapellbrücke covered footbridge (the original was destroyed by fire in 1993 and meticulously rebuilt). The city is surrounded by the Alps. Ride the world’s steepest cogwheel railway to the top of the 6,983-foot Mt. Pilatus. You’ll be rewarded with scenic views and a soothing soundtrack of cowbells echoing across the mountain slopes, before enjoying an aerial cable car ride back down.
More majestic scenery awaits in the Jungfrau region, where Grindelwald serves as the jumping-off point for outdoor adventures, including hiking and biking. You can also ride a high-speed gondola and then a train to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe, which at 11,362 feet guarantees you’ll be surrounded year-round by snow and ice.
2. From Amsterdam: Explore Brussels, Bruges, and Antwerp in Belgium
Credit: Grote Markt / iStock.com / emicristea
Rhine River cruises also begin or end in Amsterdam, where you can spend a few days enjoying the city’s world-famous canals and museums. But if you’re looking to branch out, head to neighboring Belgium and visit three cities while you savor Belgian beer, chocolate, waffles, and frites.
How to get there: It’s about a two-hour train ride between Amsterdam and Antwerp, 1.5 hours between Antwerp and Bruges, and 45 minutes between Antwerp and Brussels. If you’re planning a pre-cruise Belgium visit, fly to Brussels, then head to Antwerp and Bruges before making your way to Amsterdam to board your ship; for post-cruise exploration, head first to Antwerp, then Bruges, and end in Brussels for your international flight home. (Bonus: If you have the time, you can also add on Paris, since some train rides between Brussels and Paris are under 90 minutes.)
What to see and do: In Antwerp, a city renowned for its Flemish Renaissance architecture and beer culture, top sights include the Gothic-style Cathedral of Our Lady, the photogenic Grote Markt (Grand Market Square) with its guild houses and splashing fountain, and the waterfront modernist Museum aan de Stroom (MAS). Also, look around at the early 20th-century Antwerp Central Station as you exit — it’s a landmark.
Spending a day — or better still, an overnight — in Bruges is a must. Most of the UNESCO World Heritage Site-listed historic center dates to the 14th through 16th centuries and is easily explored on foot or via a scenic canal cruise. Don’t miss Grote Markt, the buzzy central square, and the 13th-century Church of Our Lady, home to the famous “Madonna and Child” statue by Michelangelo. Most of all, Bruges is about enjoying the well-preserved architecture while sampling local specialties: beer, of course, but also waffles dripping with sweet toppings, indulgent chocolates, and heaping servings of moules et frites (steamed mussels and fries).
Brussels has two personalities: Its bustling modern sector is home to NATO Headquarters and the futuristic Atomium sculpture (created for the 1958 World’s Fair), while its historic center offers exceptional charm. The main historic square, Grand-Place, is especially photogenic and is home to the Gothic Hotel de Ville (Town Hall), but don’t miss the nearby Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert (an elaborate 19th-century shopping arcade) and the famous Manneken Pis (the tiny bronze cherub doing his business in the fountain). You’ll find a place to sip Belgian beer around every corner, so order a flight and taste several varieties.
3. From Bordeaux: Visit Cognac and La Rochelle, France
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After a week of cruising the Garonne and Dordogne rivers in the heart of the Bordeaux wine region — where vineyard tastings are on the itinerary and local vintages are uncorked onboard — why not extend your indulgence? Head to Cognac to learn about how some of those same grapes are distilled and aged to become the prized, eponymous spirit by legendary Cognac houses in and around the city. You can also visit the coastal city of La Rochelle, renowned for its historic harbor and medieval and Renaissance architecture.
How to get there: From Bordeaux, take a train to Cognac (a connection is required and the trip takes 90 minutes to 2.5 hours). Once in Cognac, you can book day tours that visit your favorite Cognac house or tour several to find a favorite. It also takes about the same time to travel from Cognac to La Rochelle by train, so you should plan to stay overnight there.
What to see and do: Cognac, a small town of about 20,000 inhabitants, is pretty much all about, you guessed it, Cognac. This dark amber spirit is produced by legendary houses set in historic castles and manors scattered amid rolling vineyards. In Cognac proper, choose from the House of Hennessy on the banks of the River Charente or the House of Baron Otard in the historic Chateau de Cognac castle. The House of Remy Martin is situated just south of Cognac, while the House of Courvoisier is located in neighboring Jarnac.
Next, step back in time in the historic maritime city of La Rochelle, which grew from a small fishing village to one of France’s most important seaports from the 14th to 17th centuries. Historic architecture — half-timbered houses, white-limestone buildings, shady arcades, and an assortment of lighthouses — is the main draw, along with fresh seafood. You can also explore nearby Île de Ré, which is home to quaint villages, beautiful beaches, and more than 60 miles of bike paths. Don’t miss the local food markets, especially the one in the island’s capital, Saint-Martin-de-Ré, with its picturesque harbor and 17th-century fortifications.
4. From Lyon, France: Discover Switzerland’s Lake Geneva region
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The Rhône River, which cuts through the historic city of Lyon in southern France, originates in the Swiss Alps, located just over the border. That means that once you’ve enjoyed a Rhône River cruise to Arles, Avignon, Vienne, Viviers, and other towns in France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Occitanie regions — or before you even start your cruise — you can easily enjoy the scenic vistas of Switzerland’s Lake Geneva region.
How to get there: From Lyon, take the train directly to Geneva (it’s a scenic two-hour ride) and plan your return flight to the U.S. from there rather than from Lyon. If you’ll be doing the Swiss portion before your Rhône River cruise, fly into Geneva, and afterward you can take a train to Lyon. Either way, this sophisticated city will serve as the starting point for exploring several lakeside towns renowned for their stunning views, flavorful wines, and rich cinematic and Olympic history.
What to see and do: Geneva is Switzerland’s second-largest city, and its French-speaking populace makes the transition from France easy (although the currency is the Swiss franc, not the euro). Sights here include the Jet d’Eau water fountain, which shoots 460 feet into the air in the middle of Lake Leman (the official name of Lake Geneva). It is best viewed during a stroll in the Jardin Anglais (English Garden), home to the L’horloge Fleurie (Flower Clock), which represents the city’s watchmaking history. On a clear day, you can also see 15,777-foot Mont Blanc (France’s tallest peak). Don’t miss Old Town, where you’ll find St. Peter’s Cathedral and Place du Bourg-de-Four, the city’s oldest square. One night in Geneva is plenty to enjoy the sights.
Next, take a train (45 minutes) from Geneva’s Cornavin station to Lausanne, a hilly city that’s home to the International Olympic Committee and the engaging Olympics Museum, as well as Lausanne Cathedral, the largest Gothic church in Switzerland. Spend a night or two and then take a 20-minute train ride to Vevey, which has a lovely waterfront promenade and offers access to the beautiful hillside vineyards of Lavaux, where the Chasselas and Gamay varietals are definitely worth sipping. Vevey is also home to Chaplin’s World, a delightful museum located on the estate where film legend Charlie Chaplin lived the final 25 years of his life. Spend two nights here and you can also hop a train for an 8-minute ride to Montreux, famous for its annual jazz festival and landmark Château de Chillon. It’s just 90 minutes by rail back to Geneva for your connection to Lyon or to Geneva airport.
5. From Vienna: Experience Prague, Czech Republic
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While many Upper Danube river cruises begin or end in Budapest, a few itineraries start or finish in Vienna. Spending a few days in the Austrian capital is worthwhile, and it’s easy to then hop on a train and add on a few more nights in Prague, a fairytale city with a hilltop castle and a one-of-a-kind medieval bridge.
How to get there: The train from Vienna takes about four hours. You should plan to spend at least three nights in Prague.
What to see and do: Prague is a city that’s ideal if you love to wander — strolling back and forth across the 15th-century Charles Bridge with its centuries-old statues of Catholic saints is never boring. The views at dusk are especially magical as the “City of a Hundred Spires” shows off its distinctive skyline. You’ll be crossing the Vltava River between Staré Město (Old Town) and Malá Strana (Lesser Town) — and each side offers plenty to see.
Staré Město is home to Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí), a medieval landmark lined with significant Gothic and Baroque buildings as well as lively bars and cafes. You’ll be captivated by the 250-foot, multi-spired towers of the Gothic-style Church of Our Lady Before Tyn and delight in the movements of the twelve apostles on the 15th-century Astronomical Clock on the Old Town Hall Tower. This area is also home to Prague’s historic Jewish Quarter, the National Gallery, the 15th-century Powder Gate Tower, and plenty of beer halls (Czechs consume the most beer per capita worldwide).
Across the Charles Bridge in Malá Strana, the star attraction looms high above the river: Prague Castle. This hilltop fortress is a mini-city housing two palaces, two churches (most notably the Gothic-style St. Vitus Cathedral, where Czech kings and queens were coronated), and tidy, whimsical homes along 15th-century Golden Lane (Czech writer Franz Kafka once lived here). Malá Strana is also home to the Franz Kafka Museum, the gardens of Petřín Hill, and beautiful building facades and doorways painted in bright hues and adorned with sculptures. Depending on your interests — museums, churches, local cuisine — Prague will fill your stay with vivid experiences.
6. From Bucharest, Romania: Tour Transylvania
Credit: iStock/Adrian Catalin Lazar
If you begin or end your Lower Danube cruise in Bucharest, Romania (the other embarkation or disembarkation city is Budapest, Hungary), it’s worth staying another day or two to explore this historically complex city. If you can go farther afield, head to Transylvania. Though fictional association evokes Dracula nightmares, it is actually quite bucolic and full of scenic and architectural charm.
How to get there: Transylvania is expansive, and public transport can be challenging among the main points of interest. Therefore, your best bet is to search online and book a guided tour. Options generally range from one to three days and cover the top sights.
What to see and do: There are four main places to visit in Transylvania, each in a spectacular setting. Among the most famous is Bran Castle, a photogenic landmark originally constructed in 1377. Widely known as “Dracula’s Castle,” it resembles the description of the vampire’s residence that English writer Bram Stoker described in his 1897 novel “Dracula,” even though Stoker never visited Transylvania. Historical figure Vlad Tepes is associated with the castle; as the one-time ruler of Wallachia, he had the nickname Vlad the Impaler. Another more elaborate castle to visit is Peleș Castle, which was built in the late 19th century by the first king of Romania, Carol I, in a stunning display of architectural styles: mainly German neo-Renaissance with touches of neo-Ottoman and neo-Rococo.
Most tours of Transylvania visit three cities: Brașov, set against a backdrop of the Carpathian Mountains and home to elaborate 15th and 16th-century buildings and Romania’s largest Gothic church; Sibiu, celebrated for its Germanic architecture and picturesque main square; and Sighișoara, a 16th-century walled town with turrets, winding cobblestone streets, a medieval clock tower, and the reported home of Vlad Dracul, father of Vlad the Impaler.
