Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 3213–26 August 2016 11 W hat’s not to like about river cruising? It’s easy — once you step aboard, everything is taken care of. It’s efficient — two weeks will cover five countries. And it’s beautiful — your floating hotel will take you right into the heart of the European countryside. Think medieval castle dinners, classical concerts in palaces and sipping local wines in river-side vineyards. An Amsterdam-to-Budapest (or vice versa) ticket will see you sail along the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers, cruising through the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. It’s a scenery-packed trip. Amsterdam is known as the Venice of the North for its maze of 17th-century canals. Take a boat tour to find out more about the city’s history, or walk from your ship’s central docking area along picturesque streets to museums, art galleries and markets. Famous for its twin-spired Gothic cathedral, Cologne is Germany’s fourth-largest (and oldest) city. A day here allows time to explore the city, perhaps starting with a ship’s guided tour, then wandering through the squares, museums and shopping precincts on your own. Chocoholics will enjoy the Schokoladenmuseum — culture and indulgence in one sweet hit. Heading south from Cologne, ships cruise through the castle-studded Rhine Gorge, a 65-kilometre stretch of river between Koblenz and Bingen that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Moselle flows into the Rhine at Koblenz, a town dating back some 2000 years. Marksburg Castle, a 30-minute bus ride from Koblenz, is worth the short trip; it is the only Rhine castle that has survived wars, weather and bombs — intact and inhabited — for more than 700 years. Sally Macmillan  sails the rivers of Europe. Your floating hotel will take you right into the heart of the European countryside