Europe is a food lovers paradise. From the chocolate and cheese of the west to the sultry wines of the Mediterranean, traversing the continent is a never-ending journey for the tastebuds with delights to suit every palette. One of the joys of exploring this region is the ease with which you can move from country to country, either by road, rail, air, or boat. Look no further than a European river cruise for a slow-paced holiday in one small pocket of the continent where you can truly immerse yourself in the beauty and tranquillity of your surroundings. It was almost impossible to choose between the endless routes on offer, but here are our top European cruises for foodies.
Paris to Vernon
Let’s start with the Seine. Flowing through Paris and Vernon and on through the Norman countryside, this river cruise takes you from the magnificent grandeur of France’s capital to the charming countryside of Normandy which inspired many of Monet’s greatest works. Visits to the endless array of patisseries in Paris is a must to sample the world-class baking that is almost too beautiful to eat. In Vernon, sample rich creamy camembert paired with cider or calvados, a local brandy.
Porto to Vega de Terron
With this cruise, the clue is in the name. Porto is renowned for its local brew – port wine, grown in neat, terraced plantations in the fields alongside the river. This fortified sweet red wine is often served with dessert and has been produced in this region since the 17th century. Alongside this tipple, tourists can indulge in hefty sandwiches where pork is a prominent feature. In Vega de Terron, the north-western edge of Spain close to the picturesque heritage city of Salamanca, wander the streets in search of the mouth-watering local snacks like savoury hornazo and sweet churros.
Cologne to Frankfurt
As one of the major rivers in Europe and one that flows through some of the continent’s most sensational natural environments, it is no surprise that the Rhine touches endless holiday hotspots, each of which has its own culinary delights to sample. The best section for foodies is between Cologne and Frankfurt as the river flows along Germany’s western border.
In Cologne you have the iconic chocolate museum which will enchant children and adults alike! Historic Mainz with its fairy-tale pink cathedral offers taverns serving traditional wieners, hard cheese, and unique beer and wine in authentic taverns. At Frankfurt, in addition to the Frankfurter wurst, indulge in plates loaded with specially prepared pork and the famous German side dish sauerkraut – a crunchy pickled cabbage with bags of flavour. In the winter, all of Germany’s cities come alive with Christmas markets selling traditional glühwein and festive treats in addition to local arts and crafts.
