The ruff guide to Europe: 15 dog-friendly holidays
It's not just the scenery (toothy limestone peaks and vast wildflower meadows) that makes walking the dog in the Dolomites so invigorating. A hike along the extensive trails in Alta Badia promises delicious diversions by way of the region's myriad mountain huts, each of which has its own talented chef crafting intriguing local dishes.
Base yourself in La Villa and take the cable car up to Piz La Ila, a ski station that's ideal for hiking in summer. At the top, a small pool offers dogs a place to cool down before a walk to Rifugio Ütia Bioch, an alpine hut at more than 2,000 metres (6,560 ft), which serves cocktails with foraged flowers and herbs alongside traditional Ladin food from the region.
Over in Colfosco, another gondola lifts you to the terraces of Jimmi Hütte for red wine risotto and alpine aperols with views of the jagged Pizes de Cir. Where to stay In La Villa, Hotel Antines has striking views of the Dolomites and an owner who loves dogs so much she'll make yours a freshly cooked dinner. Rooms from €278 a night half-board.
A slow, meandering road trip through the low-lying hills of the Valpolicella wine region north of Verona is an idyllic way to spend a few days with your dog in summer or early autumn. Italy is famously a dog-loving nation, and that doesn't stop at the cellar door – many of the wineries and agriturismos here open their doors to dogs.
Head to La Cantina e Agriturismo Corte Merci to taste its Valpolicella Ripasso, which is given a second fermentation to create a richer and pleasingly complex red, or sample the wines at Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Bertani, which allows small dogs inside for its tours and tastings. Dine at Enoteca del Bugiardo in the town of Pedemonte for excellent pairings of locally sourced cheeses and the region's best wines. Where to stay Sleep amid the vines at Dimora Buglioni Wine Relais, which has a fantastic dog-friendly restaurant. Rooms from €122 B&B a night; dogs €24 a night.
Most Italian beaches are off limits for dogs in summer, but not in Liguria. The fine yellow sand, thatched parasols and rows of loungers at Bau Bau Village in Albissola Marina, 22 miles west of Genoa, look like your average beach club, but the majority of its patrons do their paddling with four legs instead of two.
Founded by Elisabetta dall'Orto in 1997, the beach has become the go-to destination for sea-loving dogs and their owners, offering an agility area on the sand, evening film screenings and a dog-friendly restaurant. There are even showers for getting the salt out of your pooch's coat before you head into town to visit the dog-friendly Casa Museo Jorn, the former home of Danish artist and sculptor Asger Jorn. Where to stay NH Savona Darsena, less than two miles from Bau Bau Village, has rooms from €129 a night, dogs €25 a night (must be under 25kg).
Few dog walks feel quite as fancy as those that take place in the grounds of the Loire valley's great chateaux. This region, located just a couple of hours south of Paris, is known for magnificent castles that were once the summer residences of kings, queens and nobles. Château de Chenonceau is the jewel of the valley, its steeply pointed turrets rising several storeys above the Cher river, and dogs are welcome throughout the grounds on a lead and indoors too as long as you carry them (they won't judge if you want to give your labrador a firefighter's lift).
In nearby Amboise, explore both the Château Royal and Château du Clos Lucé, which have some fascinating Leonardo da Vinci heritage, and don't miss eating your way around Tours with Food Tours in Tours. Where to stay A week at troglodyte cave dwelling Le Martin Pêcheur from €396.
Posh dogs, walk this way: the world‑famous Champagne region is a truly dog-loving destination.
While many of the larger champagne houses in and around Reims don't allow pets, a handful of smaller winemakers welcome them with open arms (and a glass of bubbles). Tours are dog-friendly at GH Martel, as are the cellar visits at Champagne Harlin Père et Fils, a 35-minute drive from Reims. Many other houses and vineyards allow dogs in drinking areas for tastings on terraces or inside their bars.
For walks, head to Parc de Champagne in central Reims, which has beautiful landscaped gardens and wooded areas for shady strolls when the sun's out, or drive out to the Parc Naturel Régional de la Montagne de Reims for longer trails in the hills.Where to stay Appart'City Confort has self-catering apartments from €70 a night (dogs must be under 30kg).
Dog-friendly beaches can be hard to come by during summer in France, as dog bans come into force throughout much of the country from May until September. But you needn't go far to find spectacular sands to share with the dog in the Pas-de-Calais, as several seaside towns along Côte d'Opale have really embraced what they are calling toutourisme – travel designed with dogs in mind.
Head an hour south of Calais to Berck, home to a wide, brilliantly bright white-sand beach where dogs are welcome on its northern and southern sections even in August. Or stop in bougie Le Touquet, 10 miles north of Berck, for wonderful walks through sand dunes that end at the dog-friendly restaurant La Base Nord right on the Baie de Canche. The tourist offices in both towns offer welcome packs for dogs, including treats, plus maps showing walks, eateries and accommodation suitable for dogs. Where to stay A five-minute walk from the dog-friendly Plage Sainte-Cécile, Evancy Camiers-Sainte-Cécile, Trésors d'Opale has self-catering apartments with balconies overlooking the pool from €94 a night, dogs €12 a night.
Spend your summer in the slow lane of France's vast transport network and make for the Canal du Midi – a 150‑mile waterway that's part of a system of canals and rivers that connect the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. Taking in the entire canal would be ambitious even with an entire summer break at your disposal, but hop on board your own houseboat in Trèbes and you can cruise with the dog all the way to historic Carcassonne and beyond.
Alongside the old walled city, where you'll find the medieval streets littered with dog-friendly bar and restaurant terraces, you will pass vineyards and handsome canalside communes with 13th-century churches, before reaching Castelnaudary about 25 miles (and a good few days) later. Canalside walks make for a pleasant morning routine before you spend your days sunning yourselves on the bow as you pootle along, or barbecuing on the back deck. Where to stay Four-berth houseboat from Le Boat's Trèbes base from €984 a week, dogs (max two) €85 a rental.
The wide, winding Douro River is flanked by mesmerisingly terraced vineyards that give this valley a unique character. In summer, the hillsides are flourishing with plump grapes on rich green vines, while in autumn a palette of oranges, reds and browns takes over, drenching the landscape in sepia tones.
Whenever you visit with the dog, this is excellent walking country, and from Pinhão there are plenty of waymarked long-distance and shorter circular walks that, conveniently, happen to pass through vineyards and wineries. Between hikes, there are dog-friendly boat tours, wine tours and tastings at Croft Winery, and an olive oil museum in nearby Casal de Loivos.Where to stay The Suite Nunes apartment has a kitchenette, its own patio and views over the terraces, from €170 a night.
Portugal's capital is an urban dog walker's paradise – as long as you don't mind a few hills. Streets lined with pretty whitewashed homes, squares overlooked by baroque-inspired buildings painted in pastel colours, and a host of miradouro (viewpoints) for wonderful vistas over the city and towards the ocean make this place a visual feast, ideally explored on foot.
Come in spring or early autumn for the best weather (it's often too hot in summer for dogs unused to the heat) to ascend Miradouro de Santa Luzia to see pretty painted tiles, or Miradouro da Graça for the best sunset views. And if the city gets too much, head along the coast to Estoril and let the dog have a dip in the sea at the dog-friendly coastal area around Praia do Pescoço do Cavalo. Where to stay The effortlessly cool Selina Secret Garden near the Bairro Alto neighbourhood offers private, pet-friendly stays from €80 a night, dogs €12 a night.
Quiet walking trails, majestic hilltop castles and vast almond and cork-oak plantations abound in this natural park in south-east Portugal. Serra de São Mamede natural park sits on the border with Spain, a world away from Lisbon and the busy Algarve coastline.
Its remoteness makes it something of a mission to reach – it's a good seven-hour drive from the nearest ferry ports in Bilbao or Santander – but once you're there the rewards are great. This is Portuguese scenery at its best: dramatic quartzite ridges topped with fortified towns such as Marvão and Castelo do Vide; ancient oak forests teeming with wild boar and deer; and a network of prehistoric dolmen (megalithic tombs) to discover as you hike its many trails. Where to stay Pousada Marvão, where dogs get welcome treats and dinner, has spectacular views of the valley below, from €120 a night.
While the beaches of southern Europe swelter throughout summer, you can count on Germany's Baltic coast to keep you and the dog cool. There's about 600 miles of shoreline here, but one of the most dog-friendly parts lies on the border with Poland on the handsome island of Usedom.
Known for its pretty spa town villas in baroque, art nouveau and Palladian styles, the town of Heringsdorf is a great base with a seven-mile-long promenade for walking the dog, and canine-friendly sections of beaches in nearby Bansin. Fascinating military history can be found at the Peenemünde Historical Technical Museum, and there are wonderful forest walks around a lake at Wolgastsee.Where to stay Painted a regal red, and only a few minutes' walk from the beach, Villa San Remo has one- and two-bed self-catering apartments from €59 a night.
Something quite remarkable is going on in the Harz mountains, a national park 115 miles south-west of Berlin. Disease, drought and invasive bark beetles have ravaged the spruce trees planted on these mountainsides after the second world war. But take the dog for a long walk from peak to peak, or around its many reservoirs, and you'll discover a landscape that's healing and rewilding itself. Beneath the barren, silvery trunks of dead spruce lies a forest floor flourishing with fungi and insects, while native saplings of oak, birch and willow are beginning to thrive.
There are trails aplenty, as well as dog-friendly gondolas and the Harz Railway, a steam train that trundles to the top of the park's highest peak, the Brocken. Where to stay On the south-west edge of the Harz mountains, the Hardenberg BurgHotel is a brilliant dog-friendly base with an upmarket restaurant. Rooms from €198 a night, dogs €25 a night.
If the Atlantic is too chilly a prospect for your dog, let them dip a paw in the balmy waters of the Mediterranean on Spain's Costa Brava. This part of the coastline has long been popular with Brits, but bringing the dog necessitates getting away from the crowds.
The dog-friendly section of beach in L'Estartit is a good mile-long walk from the main stretch in town, and it's all the quieter for it. Expect soft sand underfoot and a gently sloping beach that's lapped by calm seas, with views out to the small but striking Illes Medes archipelago.
Other dog-friendly stretches of sand abound, including Platja del Rec in L'Escala and a quiet shingle cove in Port de la Selva.Where to stay Set on top of hills above the Med in Begur, Hostal Sa Rascassa is a homely dog-friendly base with rooms from €125 a night.
This coastal city in the east of Spain has several stretches of soft sand for running about with a ball or paddling in the Mediterranean, all of which are dog-friendly outside the main summer season (from June to the end of September), with a year-round dog section at the northern end of Playa de Pinedo.
It's not just about the seaside here, though: the Jardín del Turia is a vast, green artery running through the centre of Valencia, with 136 hectares for dogs to enjoy a sniff about in town, with several enclosed socialisation dog parks and even an agility area. From here, you need only walk 10 minutes into the old town to find dog-friendly bars and terraces for a refreshing sangria. Colmado LaLola welcomes dogs inside and out, and serves beautifully fresh tapas. Where to stay Just a few minutes' walk from the Jardín del Turia, Hotel Ad Hoc Carmen allows dogs for city-centre stays. Double rooms from €94 a night.
San Sebastián has long been famous for its brilliant food scene – it's the proud home of 19 Michelin stars shared by various restaurants in and around the city. For dog owners, many of these are off limits, but fortunately fantastic food is still on offer in the hundreds of pintxos bars throughout the old and new towns. Most won't blink an eye if you rock up with your dog on a lead, perhaps after a thigh-burning walk up Monte Urgull (or on the beaches if it's outside the main bathing season).
Eat sea urchins at Casa Vergara, grilled octopus at La Taberna del Pícaro, or go to Borda Berri for the smoky pork rib (kebab de costilla de cerdo). And it's obligatory to finish with a slice of Basque cheesecake anywhere you can find it. Where to stay Hotel Catalonia Donosti has a rooftop pool and a spa, and bedrooms from €112 a night.
Lottie Gross is the author of upcoming travel guide Dog-Friendly Europe, which will be published next year by Conway
Accommodation prices correct on publication. These are low-season rates – prices may be higher in summer
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The Guardian
5 hours ago
- The Guardian
The ruff guide to Europe: 15 dog-friendly holidays
It's not just the scenery (toothy limestone peaks and vast wildflower meadows) that makes walking the dog in the Dolomites so invigorating. A hike along the extensive trails in Alta Badia promises delicious diversions by way of the region's myriad mountain huts, each of which has its own talented chef crafting intriguing local dishes. Base yourself in La Villa and take the cable car up to Piz La Ila, a ski station that's ideal for hiking in summer. At the top, a small pool offers dogs a place to cool down before a walk to Rifugio Ütia Bioch, an alpine hut at more than 2,000 metres (6,560 ft), which serves cocktails with foraged flowers and herbs alongside traditional Ladin food from the region. Over in Colfosco, another gondola lifts you to the terraces of Jimmi Hütte for red wine risotto and alpine aperols with views of the jagged Pizes de Cir. Where to stay In La Villa, Hotel Antines has striking views of the Dolomites and an owner who loves dogs so much she'll make yours a freshly cooked dinner. Rooms from €278 a night half-board. A slow, meandering road trip through the low-lying hills of the Valpolicella wine region north of Verona is an idyllic way to spend a few days with your dog in summer or early autumn. Italy is famously a dog-loving nation, and that doesn't stop at the cellar door – many of the wineries and agriturismos here open their doors to dogs. Head to La Cantina e Agriturismo Corte Merci to taste its Valpolicella Ripasso, which is given a second fermentation to create a richer and pleasingly complex red, or sample the wines at Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Bertani, which allows small dogs inside for its tours and tastings. Dine at Enoteca del Bugiardo in the town of Pedemonte for excellent pairings of locally sourced cheeses and the region's best wines. Where to stay Sleep amid the vines at Dimora Buglioni Wine Relais, which has a fantastic dog-friendly restaurant. Rooms from €122 B&B a night; dogs €24 a night. Most Italian beaches are off limits for dogs in summer, but not in Liguria. The fine yellow sand, thatched parasols and rows of loungers at Bau Bau Village in Albissola Marina, 22 miles west of Genoa, look like your average beach club, but the majority of its patrons do their paddling with four legs instead of two. Founded by Elisabetta dall'Orto in 1997, the beach has become the go-to destination for sea-loving dogs and their owners, offering an agility area on the sand, evening film screenings and a dog-friendly restaurant. There are even showers for getting the salt out of your pooch's coat before you head into town to visit the dog-friendly Casa Museo Jorn, the former home of Danish artist and sculptor Asger Jorn. Where to stay NH Savona Darsena, less than two miles from Bau Bau Village, has rooms from €129 a night, dogs €25 a night (must be under 25kg). Few dog walks feel quite as fancy as those that take place in the grounds of the Loire valley's great chateaux. This region, located just a couple of hours south of Paris, is known for magnificent castles that were once the summer residences of kings, queens and nobles. Château de Chenonceau is the jewel of the valley, its steeply pointed turrets rising several storeys above the Cher river, and dogs are welcome throughout the grounds on a lead and indoors too as long as you carry them (they won't judge if you want to give your labrador a firefighter's lift). In nearby Amboise, explore both the Château Royal and Château du Clos Lucé, which have some fascinating Leonardo da Vinci heritage, and don't miss eating your way around Tours with Food Tours in Tours. Where to stay A week at troglodyte cave dwelling Le Martin Pêcheur from €396. Posh dogs, walk this way: the world‑famous Champagne region is a truly dog-loving destination. While many of the larger champagne houses in and around Reims don't allow pets, a handful of smaller winemakers welcome them with open arms (and a glass of bubbles). Tours are dog-friendly at GH Martel, as are the cellar visits at Champagne Harlin Père et Fils, a 35-minute drive from Reims. Many other houses and vineyards allow dogs in drinking areas for tastings on terraces or inside their bars. For walks, head to Parc de Champagne in central Reims, which has beautiful landscaped gardens and wooded areas for shady strolls when the sun's out, or drive out to the Parc Naturel Régional de la Montagne de Reims for longer trails in the to stay Appart'City Confort has self-catering apartments from €70 a night (dogs must be under 30kg). Dog-friendly beaches can be hard to come by during summer in France, as dog bans come into force throughout much of the country from May until September. But you needn't go far to find spectacular sands to share with the dog in the Pas-de-Calais, as several seaside towns along Côte d'Opale have really embraced what they are calling toutourisme – travel designed with dogs in mind. Head an hour south of Calais to Berck, home to a wide, brilliantly bright white-sand beach where dogs are welcome on its northern and southern sections even in August. Or stop in bougie Le Touquet, 10 miles north of Berck, for wonderful walks through sand dunes that end at the dog-friendly restaurant La Base Nord right on the Baie de Canche. The tourist offices in both towns offer welcome packs for dogs, including treats, plus maps showing walks, eateries and accommodation suitable for dogs. Where to stay A five-minute walk from the dog-friendly Plage Sainte-Cécile, Evancy Camiers-Sainte-Cécile, Trésors d'Opale has self-catering apartments with balconies overlooking the pool from €94 a night, dogs €12 a night. Spend your summer in the slow lane of France's vast transport network and make for the Canal du Midi – a 150‑mile waterway that's part of a system of canals and rivers that connect the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. Taking in the entire canal would be ambitious even with an entire summer break at your disposal, but hop on board your own houseboat in Trèbes and you can cruise with the dog all the way to historic Carcassonne and beyond. Alongside the old walled city, where you'll find the medieval streets littered with dog-friendly bar and restaurant terraces, you will pass vineyards and handsome canalside communes with 13th-century churches, before reaching Castelnaudary about 25 miles (and a good few days) later. Canalside walks make for a pleasant morning routine before you spend your days sunning yourselves on the bow as you pootle along, or barbecuing on the back deck. Where to stay Four-berth houseboat from Le Boat's Trèbes base from €984 a week, dogs (max two) €85 a rental. The wide, winding Douro River is flanked by mesmerisingly terraced vineyards that give this valley a unique character. In summer, the hillsides are flourishing with plump grapes on rich green vines, while in autumn a palette of oranges, reds and browns takes over, drenching the landscape in sepia tones. Whenever you visit with the dog, this is excellent walking country, and from Pinhão there are plenty of waymarked long-distance and shorter circular walks that, conveniently, happen to pass through vineyards and wineries. Between hikes, there are dog-friendly boat tours, wine tours and tastings at Croft Winery, and an olive oil museum in nearby Casal de to stay The Suite Nunes apartment has a kitchenette, its own patio and views over the terraces, from €170 a night. Portugal's capital is an urban dog walker's paradise – as long as you don't mind a few hills. Streets lined with pretty whitewashed homes, squares overlooked by baroque-inspired buildings painted in pastel colours, and a host of miradouro (viewpoints) for wonderful vistas over the city and towards the ocean make this place a visual feast, ideally explored on foot. Come in spring or early autumn for the best weather (it's often too hot in summer for dogs unused to the heat) to ascend Miradouro de Santa Luzia to see pretty painted tiles, or Miradouro da Graça for the best sunset views. And if the city gets too much, head along the coast to Estoril and let the dog have a dip in the sea at the dog-friendly coastal area around Praia do Pescoço do Cavalo. Where to stay The effortlessly cool Selina Secret Garden near the Bairro Alto neighbourhood offers private, pet-friendly stays from €80 a night, dogs €12 a night. Quiet walking trails, majestic hilltop castles and vast almond and cork-oak plantations abound in this natural park in south-east Portugal. Serra de São Mamede natural park sits on the border with Spain, a world away from Lisbon and the busy Algarve coastline. Its remoteness makes it something of a mission to reach – it's a good seven-hour drive from the nearest ferry ports in Bilbao or Santander – but once you're there the rewards are great. This is Portuguese scenery at its best: dramatic quartzite ridges topped with fortified towns such as Marvão and Castelo do Vide; ancient oak forests teeming with wild boar and deer; and a network of prehistoric dolmen (megalithic tombs) to discover as you hike its many trails. Where to stay Pousada Marvão, where dogs get welcome treats and dinner, has spectacular views of the valley below, from €120 a night. While the beaches of southern Europe swelter throughout summer, you can count on Germany's Baltic coast to keep you and the dog cool. There's about 600 miles of shoreline here, but one of the most dog-friendly parts lies on the border with Poland on the handsome island of Usedom. Known for its pretty spa town villas in baroque, art nouveau and Palladian styles, the town of Heringsdorf is a great base with a seven-mile-long promenade for walking the dog, and canine-friendly sections of beaches in nearby Bansin. Fascinating military history can be found at the Peenemünde Historical Technical Museum, and there are wonderful forest walks around a lake at to stay Painted a regal red, and only a few minutes' walk from the beach, Villa San Remo has one- and two-bed self-catering apartments from €59 a night. Something quite remarkable is going on in the Harz mountains, a national park 115 miles south-west of Berlin. Disease, drought and invasive bark beetles have ravaged the spruce trees planted on these mountainsides after the second world war. But take the dog for a long walk from peak to peak, or around its many reservoirs, and you'll discover a landscape that's healing and rewilding itself. Beneath the barren, silvery trunks of dead spruce lies a forest floor flourishing with fungi and insects, while native saplings of oak, birch and willow are beginning to thrive. There are trails aplenty, as well as dog-friendly gondolas and the Harz Railway, a steam train that trundles to the top of the park's highest peak, the Brocken. Where to stay On the south-west edge of the Harz mountains, the Hardenberg BurgHotel is a brilliant dog-friendly base with an upmarket restaurant. Rooms from €198 a night, dogs €25 a night. If the Atlantic is too chilly a prospect for your dog, let them dip a paw in the balmy waters of the Mediterranean on Spain's Costa Brava. This part of the coastline has long been popular with Brits, but bringing the dog necessitates getting away from the crowds. The dog-friendly section of beach in L'Estartit is a good mile-long walk from the main stretch in town, and it's all the quieter for it. Expect soft sand underfoot and a gently sloping beach that's lapped by calm seas, with views out to the small but striking Illes Medes archipelago. Other dog-friendly stretches of sand abound, including Platja del Rec in L'Escala and a quiet shingle cove in Port de la to stay Set on top of hills above the Med in Begur, Hostal Sa Rascassa is a homely dog-friendly base with rooms from €125 a night. This coastal city in the east of Spain has several stretches of soft sand for running about with a ball or paddling in the Mediterranean, all of which are dog-friendly outside the main summer season (from June to the end of September), with a year-round dog section at the northern end of Playa de Pinedo. It's not just about the seaside here, though: the Jardín del Turia is a vast, green artery running through the centre of Valencia, with 136 hectares for dogs to enjoy a sniff about in town, with several enclosed socialisation dog parks and even an agility area. From here, you need only walk 10 minutes into the old town to find dog-friendly bars and terraces for a refreshing sangria. Colmado LaLola welcomes dogs inside and out, and serves beautifully fresh tapas. Where to stay Just a few minutes' walk from the Jardín del Turia, Hotel Ad Hoc Carmen allows dogs for city-centre stays. Double rooms from €94 a night. San Sebastián has long been famous for its brilliant food scene – it's the proud home of 19 Michelin stars shared by various restaurants in and around the city. For dog owners, many of these are off limits, but fortunately fantastic food is still on offer in the hundreds of pintxos bars throughout the old and new towns. Most won't blink an eye if you rock up with your dog on a lead, perhaps after a thigh-burning walk up Monte Urgull (or on the beaches if it's outside the main bathing season). Eat sea urchins at Casa Vergara, grilled octopus at La Taberna del Pícaro, or go to Borda Berri for the smoky pork rib (kebab de costilla de cerdo). And it's obligatory to finish with a slice of Basque cheesecake anywhere you can find it. Where to stay Hotel Catalonia Donosti has a rooftop pool and a spa, and bedrooms from €112 a night. Lottie Gross is the author of upcoming travel guide Dog-Friendly Europe, which will be published next year by Conway Accommodation prices correct on publication. These are low-season rates – prices may be higher in summer
Times
6 hours ago
- Times
17 of the best river cruises in Europe for 2025
There are clear differences between river and ocean cruising. Unlike the sea-crossing kind, river cruises in Europe (and beyond) offer smaller ships, more regular stops and, almost always, a far more central dock from which to explore some of the continent's great cities. These cruises are all about living life in the slow lane, with time spent drifting gently past vineyards, villages and meadows. The majority of operators deliver a good standard of luxury, with large staterooms, quality cuisine and sundecks; increasingly you'll also find spas and pools; better yet, all-inclusive board is common, including an excellent range of excursions focused on topics from food to history. Some, such as Viking and Avalon, also book your flights; others, like Scenic, offer door-to-door transfers. Now that really is relaxing. Here are the best river cruises in Europe. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Best for romanceWith big cruise ships now banned from the heart of Venice, an unobtrusive luxury river cruise boat is the best way to explore the city and the islands of the misty lagoon. You'll dock at San Basilio on the Giudecca Canaland usually spend three or four nights here, with plenty of time to lose yourself among Venice's greeny-blue waters, marble palaces and sunlit squares. There'll be forays into the lagoon and, water levels permitting, along the River Po. Here you can take in islands including Burano, famed for its brightly painted houses, Murano, the centre of Venice's glassblowing industry, and sleepy Torcello. Most cruise lines offer a day trip to Bologna, including a pasta-making demonstration, while others treat you to the unforgettable experience of a private, after-hours view of St Mark's Basilica, guided by an art historian. • Discover our full guide to Venice Best for longer sailingsThe narrow Moselle River flows into the Rhine at Koblenz and is often featured as part of a longer European river cruise. The Moselle valley is especially scenic, with terraced vineyards clinging to almost sheer slopes guarded by craggy castles, and the banks dotted with water meadows and quiet villages. The river loops around a series of curves as you head upstream to the historic villages of Cochem and Bernkastel-Kues, both renowned for their wine production, and on towards Trier. The city has some of the best-preserved Roman structures in the whole of Germany, including the original Porta Nigra town gate and an amphitheatre built for 20,000 spectators. • Best cities to visit in Germany Best for going back in timeBeyond Budapest, the Danube cuts its way through the southern Carpathian Mountains, continuing under the vast skies of the steppes and finally reaching its marshy delta in Romania. Along the way are cool cities such as Novi Sad and Belgrade, standing in stark contrast to swathes of forested countryside in Bulgaria and Serbia. There's ancient history in Veliko Tarnovo, the former capital of Bulgaria, at the medieval fortress of Baba Vida; and in the wind-sculpted rock formations at Belogradchik. But this is also an opportunity to learn about the tragedies of the much more recent Balkans conflict, which kept this stretch of the river off limits for decades. Several lines have now added the eastern Danube to their river cruise collections, some of them providing an extension to Bucharest, a city of grand boulevards and brutalist architecture, and to mysterious Transylvania, a region of jagged mountains where vampires are still very much part of the local for cultureSpring is the most popular time to cruise the network of waterways criss-crossing the flat countryside where the multiple arms of the Rhine flow into the North Sea. The fields in spring are dazzling with stripes of scarlet, orange and yellow tulips, while a day at the award-winning Keukenhof garden, brilliant with blooms, is a winner of an excursion. But this historic region is worth exploring by water at any time of year. Cruises may start in Amsterdam, where you'll need a couple of days to take in the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House and the canals. Stops on the voyage might include the medieval harbour town of Veere, and the Unesco world heritage site of Kinderdijk, its canals lined with 18th-century windmills. Across the border in Belgium, you can shop for diamonds in Antwerp and handmade chocolate in Bruges, or join a beer-tasting tour in Brussels. • Read our full guide to Amsterdam Best for oenophilesSailing through the rolling countryside of one of the world's greatest wine-growing areas, a cruise from Bordeaux is, naturally, all about wine. The inclusive experience of a cruise here will feature visits to Saint-Émilion, Cadillac and Sauternes, with tours of honey-coloured châteaux slumbering amid lush vineyards. Pedal between the vines on guided cycling excursions, drool over the cheeses in the market at Libourne and gaze from the sun deck at the passing countryside, with salty sea breezes from the nearby Atlantic hanging in the air. You'll sail three waterways: the Gironde estuary, and the Dordogne and Garonne rivers, with the city of Bordeaux sprawling elegantly along the banks of the latter. Bordeaux is one of the few ports in Europe where ships on ocean cruises dock alongside smaller riverboats. Here, check out the grand 18th-century architecture, the classy shops and the cleverly designed Cité du Vin wine for countrysideThere are many reasons to cruise the Seine, not least the glorious countryside of Normandy, with apple orchards, weeping willows and thatched cottages lining the banks. You'll call at historic Rouen and have a chance to visit the poignant D-Day landing beaches and cemeteries. Cruises also take in the Palace of Versailles and, in season, Monet's house and garden at Giverny. Best of all, though, you're usually docked close to the centre of Paris at the beginning and the end of the cruise, with all its magnificent sights a stroll away, from the Champs-Élysées and Montmartre to the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay and the Eiffel Tower. Add this all together and a voyage on the Seine has to be one of the loveliest cruises in Europe in terms of scenery and history — and the most effortless way to enjoy Paris and the surrounding countryside. • The best of Paris Best for dramatic scenery The Elbe is tricky for most river cruise ships to navigate but a generation of shallow-draft boats and paddle-wheelers is able to take you from edgy Berlin to medieval Prague. A typical cruise visits Wittenberg, including a look at Martin Luther's house, Meissen, of pottery fame, and elegant Dresden. The landscape is especially spectacular as you head south from here, cruising through 'Saxon Switzerland', where the river slices through dramatic sandstone mountain ranges. Some river cruises end in Melnik in the Czech Republic, while others join the Vltava River and sail into the heart of historic Prague. Either way, you can easily bolt on a stay in Prague as an extension to your trip. • Best river cruises for solo travellers• The world's best rivers to cruise on Best for a Christmas cruiseWhile many European cruises sail from Amsterdam to Basel along the Rhine, others leave the river near Mainz and sail the navigable stretch of the Main. This takes you as far as Bamberg, where the Main-Danube canal begins, to continue your journey to Nuremberg. The river flows through forested hills and past lush water meadows. Between Frankfurt and Würzburg, you'll visit a typical village along the way for a guided walking tour past half-timbered houses straight out ofGrimms' fairy tales. A cruise in winter is particularly scenic, the banks cloaked in snow and the Christmas markets in full swing. Frankfurt, Germany's financial centre (its nickname is 'Mainhattan'), is a largely modern city with a sensitively restored medieval heart and lively pubs lining the riverbank. In the elegant university town of Würzburg, meanwhile, you'll visit the Residence, one of Europe's most opulent baroque palaces. • Best Christmas market cruises Best for seeing the Black ForestOne of Europe's longest and most important waterways begins its journey high in the Swiss Alps and finds its way to the North Sea in the Netherlands. The Rhine is yours to discover on a romantic river cruise — a voyage that can cover the Netherlands, Germany and Austria all on one sailing, on a trip that can last up to 23 days. Whichever direction you choose to head in, and whichever cruise ship you choose, you'll pass lush vineyards, medieval towns and dramatic rocky gorges with stops to explore the cities of Strasbourg, Koblenz and Cologne. It's also possible to go beyond the typical Black Forest routes and wind along the Moselle. • Best Rhine river cruises Best for sun-soaked French landscapesIf you'd like to experience France in microcosm, a cruise along the Rhône is going to tick all the boxes. Sailing one of Europe's finest rivers will take you to the vineyards of Burgundy and charming Avignon, showcasing some of the country's finest landscapes on the way. Highlights include winding through Burgundy and the sun-soaked countryside of Provence. You'll explore Lyons, with its grand boulevards and quaint old town, the medieval streets of Avignon and its opulent papal palace, and the stupendous Roman amphitheatre in Arles — and much for food and drinkWine tasting, gourmet cuisine, beautiful landscapes … the treasures of the Douro River are easy to discover on a luxurious river cruise, usually from Porto or Lisbon in Portugal to the Spanish city of Madrid. Enjoy the medieval architecture and bountiful local tastes of Porto's wine regions, and drift through the peaceful Iberian countryside. Possible shore inclusions allow you to discover the most beautiful towns and monasteries in Portugal along the way, including the ceramic-laden Lamego and Barca d'Alva, with its 13th-century castle. Some cruises also visit Salamanca in Spain, where you could try a flamenco show and tour the city — a historic beauty with a fascinating past. • The best of Portugal Best for varietyThe Danube River has been the lifeblood of central Europe for centuries and there's no better way to experience it than on a river cruise. Wake up each morning in a new destination — such as the charming cities of Vienna and Bratislava, home to some of Europe's most stunning Christmas markets — and spend your days admiring the ever-changing countryside of Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. You'll soon see how Budapest, the 'Pearl of the Danube', earned its nickname: on the western bank of the Danube you'll find the medieval city of Buda, and on the opposite bank is Pest, with its fabulous neo-gothic architecture and fistful of Unesco world heritage sites. • Best Danube river cruises Best for unique sailingsThe Vltava is shallow enough in places to wade across, so it's understandably not an option for the ships of most river cruise lines. But the lightest vessels can sail here, heading deep into the countryside of the Czech Republic. A voyage on the Vltava is certainly an unusual experience, offering an intriguing insight into forested Bohemia as you head south from Prague to Stechovice, known for its gold mines and pottery, and the former Habsburg hunting lodge, Konopiste Castle, once the home of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. There's time in Prague itself too, to see the Charles Bridge, the castle and the atmospheric old town. • Read our full guide to Prague Best for hunting for the Loch Ness MonsterThe Caledonian Canal follows the natural fault line of the Great Glen, which slices through northern Scotland. A cruise along it means sailing over silent lochs, framed by brooding mountains, forest and heather-clad hillsides, on a voyage that takes you between Oban, on Scotland's west coast, and Inverness in the northeast. You'll explore the sea lochs of the west, stopping at Loch Leven and the Highlands village of Glencoe, before sailing the length of Loch Linnhe and into the canal itself. One of the highlights here is Neptune's Staircase, an extraordinary flight of eight locks. You'll also sail the length of narrow Loch Ness, sheer-sided mountains plunging into the deep, dark, peaty waters that conceal the secret of 'Nessie'. • Discover our full guide to Scotland Best for impressive architecture The very name Andalusia conjures up images of flamenco and sherry, of narrow winding streets through historic old towns. It's not normally associated with cruising, but it is possible to experience the charms of southern Spain and see some of its greatest classical cities on a river cruise. You'll typically wander the elaborate Alcazar and beautiful gardens of Seville, discover the sherry bodegas of Jerez, spend time in the coastal city of Cadiz, and discover Cordoba's celebrated mosque-cathedral. • Discover our full guide to Andalusia Best for la dolce vitaThere's no better way to explore the world's most famous city on water than from a cruise between Venice and Mantua, or vice versa, on the Po River. You'll glide to some of Italy's prettiest towns including Chioggia, with its winding canals and gelato-coloured buildings, and Adria, an Etruscan town known for its archaeological museum. Excursions included along the way will see you snooping around the gothic Doge's Palace in Venice, enjoying a private wine tasting in the cellars of the Bagnoli Estate and dining ashore at the 17th-century villa Ca'Zen, where Byron wrote some of his best poetry. Best for history lovers Flowing through nine counties, the Thames is England's longest river and passes some of the country's most fascinating historical sites. After meeting fellow guests over (what else?) a traditional afternoon tea in central London, you'll transfer to an eight-passenger barge and sail to Hampton Court Palace to tour Henry VIII's apartments, cruising onwards through Runnymede to Windsor Castle. Other history-heavy highlights include the 11th-century village of Hurley, the Tudor manor house of Dorney Court and the impressive Cliveden estate, as well as an optional trip to the Olde Belle, one of the oldest hotels in the world. Additional reporting by Richard Mellor and and Siobhan Grogan • Best cruises with fewer than 200 passengers
The Independent
13 hours ago
- The Independent
Uber helicopter launched in Italy to help tourists avoid crowds
Uber will offer Helicopter and boat services in Italy this summer to help travellers avoid crowds. From July 26 to August 23, Uber Copter will operate between Sorrento and Capri every Saturday and Sunday, costing €250 per person, including door-to-door transportation to and from the helipad. Uber Boat will also launch in Italy, offering private charters for up to 12 people from Sorrento Marina on Italian Gozzo 35 boats, including a personal skipper and complimentary refreshments. The Amalfi Coast is expected to be very busy this summer due to the launch of international flights at Salerno Airport, leading to potential traffic and ferry congestion. Anabel Diaz, VP at Uber, stated that these new services aim to provide unforgettable travel experiences by land, sea, or air, responding to increased demand for Uber 's mobility services in Italy.
