Holidays of Indulgence for Active Travellers

By day, explore the vineyards, castles and river bends on the Danube, Rhine and Moselle in walking boots or on two wheels; in the evening, sit back on the balcony of your luxury cabin and put your feet up. A combination of a river cruise with Rivage and a hiking holiday with Baumeler is sometimes sporty and sometimes indulgent, sometimes sweat-inducing and sometimes leisurely, sometimes characterised by dreamy landscapes and sometimes by exciting cultural sites. But it is always unforgettable.

When all the passengers have embarked, the gangway has been raised and the mooring ropes hauled in, the journey can begin. The luggage is on board and the cabins have been taken. Walking boots or cycling gear are laid out ready for action. The lovely thing about river cruises is that guests don't have to wait long for the first stop. Europe's waterways offer countless cultural and scenic highlights – literally right by the wayside.
Whether on the classic cycle route along the Danube from Passau to Budapest, on the Seine through Paris or through the splendid wine-growing valleys between Basel and Worms – the range of cruises from Rivage river cruises is varied and promises exactly the right programme for everyone. On three-day taster trips, guests can combine culture and exercise on leisurely day excursions, hiking or cycling to the loveliest monasteries and castles in the Rheingau and in Cochem without overexerting themselves.

“Anyone who is looking for a challenge should sail on the MS Amadeus Provence on the Saône and Rhône,” recommends Markus Heuberger. The experienced tour guide from active-holiday operator Baumeler Reisen and his brother Karl accompany some of the active river cruises on the ships of Rivage river cruises. “Cycling through the Rhône valley or to the Pont du Gard aqueduct are truly unforgettable moments that you have worked hard for on the pedals,” Karl agrees with his brother. On this eight-day active cruise you leave up to 200 kilometres behind you, and the hiking is no less demanding either.
And anyone who works hard during the day has honestly earned the relaxation in the evening. The luxury fleet of Rivage river cruises is tailored precisely to the needs of active travellers. The five-star ships MS Amadeus Silver II and III, MS Amadeus Star, Provence and Diamond and MS Emerald Star and Sky are designed for around 150 passengers on average. They have spacious cabins, most with a French balcony, with elegant interiors and a comfortable seating area. The top suites aboard the Rivage ships even offer a walk-out outdoor balcony.

Life on board is relaxed. After an eventful day cycling or hiking, everyone meets on the ship's terrace for an aperitif. “There is probably nothing more relaxing than the combination of a ship and an active holiday. Sometimes we enjoy the passing countryside and the peace with a book or a glass of wine on the ship's sun deck – at other times we cycle through pretty little towns, historic regions and protected floodplains,” raves tour guide Markus Heuberger. The former employee of the Federal Department of Finance loves being able to pursue his favourite sport in such beautiful places.
An active holiday naturally also includes a suitable culinary accompaniment. Rivage river cruises rely on on-board restaurants with a cosy atmosphere and large windows, so that guests can watch the wonderful landscapes on the banks drift past even at dinner. The cuisine on board is as varied as the range of different river cruises. International dishes and local specialities feature on the multi-course menu. The matching wine from a region the ship may be passing through at that very moment naturally mustn't be missing either.
Some ships in the Rivage fleet that are used on the active trips with Baumeler even have a fitness centre, a swimming pool and a massage room. After a day in the fresh air, guests can return to the floating hotel and let the evening drift away with wellness and relaxation. After all, recovery is part of an active holiday too.

This article comes from the knecht reisen magazine "Reisewelten"