10 river cruise ports you must experience
Part of the reason river cruises are so appealing is that they give you an opportunity to experience captivating towns and cities on intimate port stops.
We’re put together a list of 10 of our favourite ports often frequented by river cruises.
We’ve also included a selection of images showcasing the beauty of the port’s surrounds in the gallery above. The images correspond with the list below.
1. Kotor, Montenegro
Sitting on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast, Kotor is characterised by its winding streets, and Romanesque churches. Lonely Planet named it as the best city to visit in 2016.
2. Budapest, Hungry
Bisected by the mighty Danube, Budapest is a fascinating, modern city with a rich, compelling history, and also offers some of the most spectacular views in Europe.
3. Manaus, Brazil
Manaus is the major departure point for most trips to the surrounding Amazon Rainforest. Just east of the river you can bear witness to the Meeting of the Waters phenomenon.
4. Phnom Penh, Cambodia
The capital city of this fascinating country, Phnom Penh is home to busy streets, a walkable riverfront and the ornate Royal Palace and spectacular Silver Pagoda.
5. Varanasi, India
Pilgrims travel to Varanasi from all over India to bath in the River Ganges’ sacred waters. The spiritual capital of India, with 2,000 temples among its winding streets.
6. Bratislava, Slovak Republic
Surrounded by vineyards and the Little Carpathian mountains, Bratislava is a fascinating European city that is also well known for its lively bar and café scene.
7. Belgrade, Serbia
The capital of Serbia, Belgrade is home to a number of significant landmarks including Beogradska Tvrđava, a fortress at the confluence of the Danube and the Sava rivers.
8. Basel, Switzerland
Sitting stately on the Rhine, close to Switzerland’s borders with France and Germany, Basel is a fascinating town which includes a spellbinding medieval old town.
9. Durnstein, Austria
This small town on the Danube is growing in popularity by the year. Well-known as a wine growing Mecca, Durnstein has become one of the most-visited destinations in Wachau.
10. Pinhão, Portugal
While Porto might get most of the praise, the lesser-known but just as spectacular Pinhão is just as spectacular. Pinhão sits in the heart of Portugals wine country on the Douro.
Related links:
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