Taking to the high seas, Ben Parker and Simon Calder take a look at the best of European cruise holidays.Whether a summer escapade in the Mediterranean is taking your fancy or you're hoping to find a hidden gem, this episode of Travel Smart looks at what to do when off the cruise ship. Simon takes you on a tour of the best port destinations including Barcelona and Porto, while Ben takes a look at a trip down the Rhine and Danube rivers to find less-visited sites.Watch Travel Smart on Independent TV, across desktop, mobile and connected TV.
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00:00Welcome to Travel Smart Weekly, the new insider's travel guide from Independent TV.
00:05This is the series in which we share our opinions and advice on the best destinations,
00:11plus how to make the most of your trips worldwide.
00:15In this episode, we're raising an anchor and setting sail to bring you the best of European cruise holidays,
00:21whether you're looking for a summer holiday at sea, a float down the river, or some winter escapades on the water.
00:30The Mediterranean is your quintessential summer cruise destination, offering a blend of relaxation and adventure.
00:42On the water, you can spend days basking in the sunshine before evenings filled with dinner and entertainment.
00:50There's still a chance to grab yourself a last-minute holiday,
00:53or you can plan ahead to next summer and give yourself something exciting to look forward to.
00:58There's a wide range of cruise lines sailing the Med, so you'll always be able to find something that ticks your boxes,
01:04whether it's a luxury getaway you're after or something for the whole family,
01:08including ships that might have their own water parks complete with high-adrenaline slides on board.
01:14If enormous ships aren't for you, the waters around Southern Europe are also sailed by more intimate boutique vessels as well.
01:21For more information on the right cruise for you or the right ship, visit independent.co.uk forward slash travel.
01:28For me, one of the joys of cruises is approaching a port for the first time,
01:39framed against a beautiful backdrop and with the prospect of history, culture and cuisine.
01:51The classic stops are popular for good reason.
01:54Take Santorini.
01:56After being ferried by tender to the shore,
02:00passengers can see the island's whitewashed buildings and blue-domed churches up close
02:06or wander to the volcanic beaches for a dip in crystal-clear waters.
02:11Other popular Greek visits include Mykonos,
02:14where you can enjoy a buzzing party atmosphere,
02:17and Rhodes, where history really comes alive.
02:22Some cruise lines will stop at smaller islands such as Mylos,
02:26where you can enjoy quieter, laid-back Greek experiences.
02:32Spain has superb ports along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts,
02:38of which the most popular is Barcelona.
02:46Don't miss Gaudi's masterpiece,
02:49the basilica known as La Sagrada Familia,
02:52set finally to be completed in 2026.
02:56And make sure to spend some time in the Gothic Quarter.
03:01In the north of Spain, ships dock in Bilbao,
03:04the de facto capital of the Basque Country.
03:08The city is lauded for its modern architecture and vibrant culinary scene.
03:14Be sure to visit the Guggenheim Museum as well as Ribera Market,
03:19the largest indoor market in Europe,
03:22filled with fresh local produce, bars and restaurants,
03:26plus regular live music performances.
03:30Looking for a less-visited cruise destination?
03:32There are still plenty out there.
03:34You could try Saranda in Albania,
03:36which is home to beautiful beaches and ancient ruins.
03:43There's also Porto Ferraio,
03:45Napoleon's home during his exile to the island of Elba,
03:49also blessed with fantastic beaches and historic sites.
03:53If you have time, there are trails to explore on foot or bike.
03:58When summer turns to autumn,
04:00look to the rivers of Europe for a holiday on the water.
04:02Early in the season, you can still expect fine weather
04:05for a relaxing and invigorating break.
04:09Sailing along the Danube later in the year
04:12means less crowds on visits to cities such as Budapest and Vienna.
04:16And a slow journey through the Václav valley
04:19is better when you can see the changing colours of the landscape before winter.
04:24Another stretch of water that is beautiful when bordered by autumn leaves
04:28is the Rhine.
04:29It's popular for its castles and vineyards
04:32and highlights include stops in Amsterdam and Strasbourg.
04:35If enjoying wine when on holiday gets you excited,
04:38a river cruise through Spain and Portugal on the Douro should be on your list.
04:42The region hosts a string of festivals at this time.
04:45The terrace vineyards turn vivid shades of yellow, orange and red
04:49and you'll be there just in time for the harvesting of the grapes.
04:56In late autumn, deep winter and early spring,
05:00the only way for me is to go to the Danube.
05:03In spring, the only way for me is up north
05:07in search of the northern lights.
05:10You can sail across to Iceland
05:12or even better, make your way to Bergen on the Norwegian coast
05:16and catch one of the ships which departs for Tromso
05:20and even deeper into the Arctic.
05:28If you're willing to brave the cold,
05:30December until March gives you long, dark nights
05:33to seek the aurora borealis, the northern lights,
05:37with typically clearer skies in the Arctic regions.
05:41Late winter and early spring also offer a decent chance
05:45of seeing nature's light show
05:48with the benefit of more daylight for non-celestial activities.
05:54That's it for this episode of Travel Smart.
05:56You'll find the next one along soon
05:58which you can watch at independent.co.uk forward slash TV
06:01on the independent mobile app or on your smart TV.
06:04Meanwhile, for all the latest travel news, reviews and advice
06:09be sure to check out independent.co.uk forward slash travel
06:14and do have a listen to my daily travel podcast.
06:28.