Do you love heading out on adventures with your family? If you said yes, you are not alone. Family vacations are the number one way to spend time together and have fun! There are so many options when it comes to what you can do for these vacations. I love going on cruises with my kids. We get to see numerous destinations at once. The food options are plentiful. And we never need to switch hotels at each new destination. Plus, we can choose our favorite excursions. If you want to cruise with your family, I recommend considering a European river cruise. There are quite a few river cruise routes to choose from. This means you can venture out to the European destinations that are calling you the most.  

European River Cruise Routes for Your Next Family Vacation 

Rhine River 

The Rhine River is 820 miles long. Therefore, it shouldn’t be surprising there are at least three different river cruise routes to choose from. The length of the river also ensures you can see parts of up to six countries. The countries you visit during your next family vacation would be dependent on the river cruise route you choose.  

A river cruise on the lower Rhine will take you along the shorelines of the Netherlands and Belgium. Stops in the Netherlands are usually made in Amsterdam, Edam, Neukenhof, Kinderduk, and Willemstad. In Belgium, you will find yourself exploring the areas of Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, and Brugges.  

I personally love visiting the Netherlands during the spring. This is when the tulips are in full bloom. Everything is pretty and colorful. Add in the windmills, and you have Instagram-worthy photos to share.  

Another river cruise route on the Rhine will take you from The Netherlands all the way down to Switzerland. This journey will take you along the shorelines of those two countries, as well as Germany and France. It is an excellent way to check four countries off your bucket list while making memories with your family.  

If you are only interested in Germany, you will love the river cruise route that takes you from Trier to Nuremberg. It is one of the most popular European river cruise routes. Especially if you want to learn more about the country and the people who live there.  

The Danube 

The Danube is even longer than the Rhine River. Yet, it isn’t even the longest European river. It comes in at number two.  

This European River is normally divided into two routes for river cruises. The Upper Danube is the river cruise route that is chosen the most by travelers. So, you will find the most available cruises there.  

This route will take you to four countries. Your family vacation will begin in the Czech Republic before continuing to Germany, Austria, and Hungary. During your stops, you will have the opportunity to visit villages, capital cities, castles, Abbeys, and other attractions.  

The Lower Danube takes you through Eastern Europe. Your family adventure will begin in Budapest and end at the entrance to the Black Sea. Everyone will fall in love with the views of Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, and Romania.  

The Seine 

Heading into Normandy is simple when you take a river cruise along The Seine. This river cruise route will take your family through Giverny, Honfleur, and Rouen. Plus, numerous medieval towns in between. The highlight of this family adventure is always visiting the D-Day Normandy beaches.  

This is a fabulous European river cruise option for those who love history.  

The Rhone 

Exploring the country of France is easy when you choose to take a river cruise on The Rhone. Your adventures will take you through the wine regions of Cote du Rhone and Beaujolais. You won’t want to miss the beauty in Avignon or the history in Arles.  

This is a wonderful European river cruise for those who love fine wines and delicious cuisine. Don’t worry; the kids will love every minute too. Even if they are younger and can’t drink.  

The Douro 

The Douro is a river that will take you along the shoreline of Portugal. This family river cruise will normally begin in Porto. Other destinations normally include Salamanca, Regua, Sintra, and Lisbon. You may even stop in a couple of fishing villages that dot the shoreline of the Douro.  

While this river cruise route takes you through wine country, the entire family will have a good time. Especially once they start tasting all the Portuguese cuisine that is available along the way.  

Dordogne and Garonne Rivers 

The Dordogne and Garonne Rivers are part of river cruise routes in France. They are the perfect European river cruise option if you want to spend more time on land than out on the water. In fact, this is the European river cruise I would recommend if you are a first-time river cruiser who isn’t sure how the family will feel about it.  

The best part about this river cruise is the two nights your family will get to spend in Bordeaux.  

I highly recommend considering taking this river cruise during the months of September or October. That is when the grape harvest takes place. This is an activity your entire family won’t want to miss seeing!  

These are the best European river cruise routes you should consider for your next family vacation. You can easily visit the countries you want to see the most while enjoying time out on the water at the same time. I would love to help plan a European river cruise for your family, so you can make memories that will last a lifetime.  Check out my guide to the best European river cruise lines. It will help get you started thinking about exactly how you want this family vacation to be. 

So, are you ready to book a European river cruise for your next family vacation??  

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to schedule a planning session with me by clicking here. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.  

And if you are not ready to book a river cruise or other family vacation, you can always sign up for my newsletter here. This will ensure you don’t miss out on all the exciting travel information I share.