New AmaWaterways Trips Make River Cruises More Exciting

Photo courtesy of Backroads

River cruises are for lazy people.

People who just want to sit and watch the world roll by outside their window as they flow along the great interior waterways in Europe.

OK, that's a bit harsh and points to a stereotype that I have been happy to prove incorrect in the past two years since I have joined the growing legions of river cruise lovers. (Check out my first Viking River Cruises adventure.)

You know by now that I take my fitness seriously. Indeed, it has taken creative measures at times to satisfy my desire for an active adventure while I'm on a river voyage.

It is true that river-cruise demographics skew toward older cruisers more likely to be seeking something relaxing in their travels.

But a collaboration between river line AmaWaterways and Backroads, an active travel company, will please active travelers of all ages who seek fun and challenging new ways to explore destinations along rivers throughout Europe and Asia.

The travel adventures program from Backroads that includes biking and hiking journeys starts with itineraries on AmaWaterways' Danube River sailings in spring 2015. They are pricey, though. The eight-day, seven-night cruises start at $5,400 per person. Backroads has designed bike tours that take you through Wachau Valley vineyards, farmland in Bratislava, around bike-friendly Vienna and along the Austrian countryside. The company provides expert guides, titanium bikes and routes to suit cyclists of various abilities.

The range of tours expands in 2016, when Backroads and AmaWaterways will feature adventures along the Rhine, Rhone, Seine, Douro, Garonne and Mekong rivers.

See, you don't have to be lazy on a river cruise.

You definitely need some disposable cash for these trips, but you don't have to be lazy.

Travel happy!

JR