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Have you been thinking about traveling in Europe? Don't' forget to include river travel in the various options that you should look at. Not doing so would be a shame as you would be missing out on one of the most pleasant and surprising ways to discover the continent.

Regardless of whether you will be cruising by yourself, as a couple, or with a group of people, you will find that European river travel has something special, and that every cruise that you will take on the continent's waterways will be a trip to remember.

River travel allows you to see the interior of the continent from an angle that few tourists experience to the fullest. You will be far from the crowds, travelling with your floating hotel. and will never risk being stuck in traffic or having to wait for hours at airports and train stations.

Even though a European river cruise ship is smaller than an ocean going ship the facilities on board are no less numerous with most ships boasting a ball room, plentiful bars and restaurants, possibly a cinema as well as numerous viewing decks from which you will be able to admire the scenery and the architecture of many of the most beautiful European countries and cities.

There are many European river travel companies that you can go with, but the most important initial part is to decide on the length of the trip that you want to make, on the location and on the kind of comfort. just make sure that you begin with these details so that you can then relax and plan out the trip.

Concerning the length, one or two weeks is standard but there are also short break offers for a weekend, and on the other end of the scale, six week Rhine-to-Danube extravaganzas for people with a lot of leisure time.

As for the location, trips tend to concentrate on the bigger rivers such as the Rhine, the Danube and the Seine, but there are also lesser-known alternatives, such as the tributaries of the Elbe in Germany, the Po in the north of Italy, or the rivers of Poland and European Russia.

You will see wonderful floral displays as you cruise through Holland in the spring or sail through the South of France along the Rhone and Saone in the summer. There you could see the vistas that inspired Van Gogh.

As for the winter, Germany and Austria are great cruising spots because of the snow, the renowned winter markets, and also because of the cakes and cookies! And don't worry, European river boats are all well heated.

As for the price level of the trip, you will find many alternatives, going from fully inclusive, escorted luxury trips from basic "from A to B" travel catering specifically to younger travelers. There are options for all tastes, and for all budgets.