4 of the Best River Shore Excursions in the World
“If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.”
– Loren Eisely, anthropologist and natural science writer
It’s one thing to explore a new place on its streets — to walk past iconic buildings and mix in with locals and tourists alike. But have you ever considered exploring a new place from the waters that run through it?
Imagine learning about cities and villages around the world while floating down a relaxing river with other inquisitive travelers. You’ll catch the most magnificent views the area has to offer, with many stops along the way to experience its food and culture.
Our river shore excursions give you a way to travel with a new perspective. With guided river shore excursions in 13 areas including Paris, Moscow, Vienna, and Budapest, each excursion has a unique experience rich with education, new flavors, and more.
Simply choose the excursion that suits your cruise itinerary, and we’ll take care of the rest…including making sure you get back to your ship right on time to continue your adventure!
Consider one of our top 4 river shore excursions and spice up your next cruise trip.
Venture to Lake Balaton
Lake Balaton is just an hour’s drive away from Budapest, Hungary. It’s one of the top sailing destinations in Europe thanks to its spectacular scenery and clear, glassy waters.
The fact that the river is lined with world-class wineries and an epic food scene that any true foodie would fawn over doesn’t hurt, either.
On the Venture to Lake Balaton river shore excursion, you’ll see firsthand why Lake Balaton is one of Hungary’s greatest treasures.
You’ll be picked up directly from your cruise pier, where you’ll be taken to the lake to spend the day. Your day trip will be packed with rejuvenating activities like a visit to Balatonfured, the oldest and most esteemed resort in the North Shore.
Afterwards, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll around the area, taking in all the timeless villas and shops that seem to send you right back to the 18th and 19th centuries.
Finish off your trip with a relaxing drive to the marina on the Tihany Peninsula, where you can swim surrounded by panoramic views of the lake and villages.
Private Unguided Tour to Cesky Krumlov from Melk
Do you prefer doing a tour at your own leisure? Try out an unguided river excursion, like our Tour to Cesky Krumlov from Melk, and enjoy exploring on your terms.
Cesky Krumlov is a breathtaking village with brightly colored buildings, each one displaying a tasteful variety of gothic, renaissance, and baroque architecture. The fairy-tale-like village sits upon the banks of the gorgeous Vltava river.
You’ll meet your “guide” at the cruise ship pier, who will drive you through the rich green countryside to Cesky Krumlov. There, you’ll have 4-5 hours to explore wherever your heart desires — whether it be lunch on the riverside, or a scavenger hunt to find the best architecture.
Feeling stumped? Your guide will have plenty of suggestions of what to explore if you need them.
Afterwards, you’ll be picked up at the same place you were dropped off and head back to your cruise pier.
Best of Salzburg, Mozart, and The Sound of Music
Music fans, rejoice: You now have the opportunity to explore the iconic scenery from The Sound of Music — an expansive landscape that also happens to have been home to Mozart.
Your guide for the Best of Salzburg, Mozart, and the Sound of Music tour begins as soon as your guide picks you up from your cruise pier.
They’ll take you on a scenic drive from Vienna to beautiful Salzburg, the fourth largest city in Austria. Salzburg has been dubbed “The Stage of The World” thanks to its rich history of music.
Your first stop in Salzburg will be the Salzkammergut countryside. This is the very same countryside where Maria twirled and sang in front of the Alps in the Tony award-winning musical The Sound of Music.
Next, it’s off to the city where you’ll head to Mirabell Palace. If the name sounds familiar, it might be because it too was the setting for a memorable The Sound of Music scene where the children sang the “Do-Re-Mi” song (that likely still gets tuck in your head from time to time).
You’ll end The Sound of Music portion of the trip at the pond, where BronVon Trapp sang the song “Edelweiss.”
Then, it’s off to phase 2: the birthplace of Mozart. Walk the very streets that Mozart did as a boy. Nearby you’ll find the breathtaking St. Peter’s Abbey, founded all the way back in 696 AD.
End the adventure by having a bite to eat in the city, then heading back to your cruise pier.
Dinner and Show at the Moulin Rouge
One of the most wonderful things about shore excursions is that many involve journeys you thought you’d only see in the movies. The Dinner and Show at the Moulin Rouge excursion is an excellent example of fantasy coming to life, thanks to the magic of travel.
You’ll be picked up after a short 5-10 min walk from your cruise ship pier, and taken directly to the world-famous Moulin Rouge Cabaret.
The Moulin Rouge was founded over 127 years ago and has been a treasured piece of the city of Montmartre ever since. Today, it attracts over 600,000 enthusiastic visitors a year.
People don’t only flock to the Moulin Rouge for its unbeatable cabaret performances featuring over 80 performers and countless colorful costumes. They also come for the charming historical area that surrounds the theater, divided by the romantic riverside of the Seine.
Dinner will be a trip through time, as you’ll be served food that was heavily sought out all the way back in the 1600s, including pan-fried salmon and beetroot carpaccio.
Explore Even More
The fun of river shore excursions can be experienced in other types of excursions, too. Enjoy waterfront luxury and the full sensory experience of new lands by choosing from any of our vast selection of shore excursions.
Our London excursions feature riverside, city, country, and nature excursions all in one beautiful country.
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