Journeying by river provides the perfect opportunity to discover new
places or see a new side of a familiar destination. Presented here are
50 remarkable and memorable trips chosen because of the stunning scenery
they pass through as well as the historic and cultural sites that can be
visited from side excursions. Some cover lengthy trips such as a cruise
on the Danube that passes through ten countries from its source before
emptying into the Black Sea; others are shorter but have a strong,
unifying theme, such as Portugal's Douro River that was built on
viticulture. In Southeast Asia, the leisurely pace of a river trip along
the Yangtze, Mekong or Ayeryawaddy Rivers allows time to take in the
ancient cultures and exotic landscapes.
Beautiful countryside, wine-rich valleys and dramatic gorges are the
highlights of a river journey; the scenery is constant and ever
changing. But as well as the natural wonders, there are also remarkable
man-made engineering feats to experience as you pass through intricate
lock systems or under state-of-the-art bridges.
All the important landmarks and cities, scenery and architecture are
described for each journey, and each one is illustrated with a route
map.