The Main River of southern Germany connects the Danube River to the east with the Rhine River to the northwest. As the Rhine’s largest tributary and the primary artery between two of Europe’s longest rivers, cruises that include the Main River are usually a bit longer - between 7 days and three weeks, crossing central Europe.

European river cruises can be an amazing experience for families with members of all ages, and if you’re traveling with minors (under the age of 18), a cruise can be a fantastic way to engage them in history and culture as they see their textbooks come to life in the form of castles, museums, battlegrounds of ancient and modern wars, ruins, and so much more.

Late April to early June and September to early October are widely considered the best times to cruise the Rhine River due to ideal weather and crowds, though cruise prices are correspondingly higher during these periods. That said, the decision of when to take a Rhine River cruise is largely a personal preference of weather.

Any time of the year is an excellent time to go on a Danube River Cruise, but there are distinct seasons that each have their own unique benefits and drawbacks.

The upper and lower Danube Rivers have extremely different cuisines, cultures, sights, and people. Learn about the differences in this article!