With a strong foothold in Western Europe, river cruise lines have recently been highlighting itineraries that include Central and Eastern Europe.
Avalon Waterways, for instance, has developed four itineraries for 2013 that incorporate destinations in Central and Eastern Europe.
The company is introducing a nine-day Austrian Highlights & Bavaria cruise that includes the Austrian capital of Vienna, as well as the towns of Melk, Durnstein and Grein in Germany’s Bavaria region, the Bavarian capital of Munich, Oberammergau and Neuschwanstein and Linderhof, known for their castles.
A 13-day Highlights of Germany itinerary will cruise from Munich to Basel, Switzerland.
Additionally, Avalon is introducing a Capitals of Central Europe cruise with 10- and 12-day options that stops in Vienna; Bratislava, Slovakia; Prague, Czech Republic; and Budapest.
“We're seeing more demand for cruisers to go off the beaten path,” Avalon noted in a statement.
Viking River Cruises recently sent out a newsletter also highlighting its Eastern European destinations.
“Once hidden behind the Iron Curtain, this dramatic and beautiful region is full of delightful surprises,” Viking said in the newsletter.
Viking has several itineraries that sail through Eastern and Central Europe, including an 11-day passage to Eastern Europe from Budapest to Bucharest, Romania.