Cruise down the sparkling rivers of sun-drenched Europe.
Few destinations conjure a sense of luxury and adventure quite like Europe, bringing to mind images of mouthwatering food and quaint, cobbled streets. With a terrific train system and exhilarating drives, there are many ways to explore this diverse continent – but perhaps the most intriguing of all is by boat. Bruce Blacklock, director of Hello World St Heliers, has been offering guided river cruises throughout Europe for five years. A seasoned traveller himself, Bruce is here to tell us why this mode of exploration is a must-try for anyone with a passion for European adventures.
What drew you to this line of work?
Can you share your favourite personal travel experience?
What do you most love about your work?
You now escort groups on river cruises throughout Europe. Why did you decide to focus on this style of travel and what locations do you visit?
What do river cruises offer that other methods of travel don’t?
It’s over 25 years now as a travel consultant, with 10 years before that at Air NZ. My father worked with Qantas for 40 years, so I guess I was always heading this way.
The Taj Mahal. It truly is breathtaking.
No day is ever the same. You can be booking luxury cruises one minute and the next you’re booking someone to Australia to see grandma!
I’ve developed a great relationship with Australian Pacific Touring. They suggested I take a group river cruising. So, I did, and haven’t looked back. I’ve done the Amsterdam-Budapest journey six times, I’ve sailed the Rhone and Rhine rivers four times, and the Douro River in Portugal twice. All with APT.
River cruising, like ocean cruising, offers the chance to unpack once. Unpack in Amsterdam and you don’t have to do anything for another 14 days! Cruises also include all your meals, so make sure your diet has worked before you leave home!
What can people expect from a river cruise?
People can expect a trip of a lifetime. It really is a spectacular way to see Old Europe. You’re not racing along the motorways but meandering along the river through 1,000-year-old villages. The lengths vary from seven to 14 days, with the 21-day Amsterdam-Bucharest being the pinnacle of it all.
Can people add a river cruise onto another trip they’ve planned?
Yes, most definitely. I have people combining river and ocean cruises all the time. Or people doing a coach tour then jumping on the river cruise – but be sure to do the coach tour first!
What is your number one piece of advice for people embarking on a river cruise?
Pick your river cruise carefully. There are lot of operators on the river some include a lot more than others. That’s a sign to call me!
