AROUND THE WORLD · GUIDED
Every trip has one free day too few. These 15 guided river trips justify the slot wherever you are, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes.
Join Wendella Tours & Cruises for a 90-minute architectural cruise from the DuSable Bridge. Guides such as John, Sarah, Alex, and Scotty D explain Chicago’s skyline with humor, while you choose an open deck or climate-controlled seating and can buy local beer, spirits, and Garrett’s Popcorn onboard.
“Unreal tour guide, super knowledgeable. Stunning views, great day out.”
Spend about eight hours exploring the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City. Cruise from My Tho past floating homes, ride a small sampan through narrow canals, visit Vinh Trang Temple and Ben Tre, and enjoy lunch, fruit, honey tea, and regional music. Guides such as David, Theo, and Son are praised for their energy and care.
“Good day trip away from the city for a different experience. Would recommend if you're up for a full day trip.”
Set out from Chouinard Pier for a 90-minute guided cruise past Old Québec, Château Frontenac, Île d’Orléans, and Montmorency Falls. A bilingual guide, often presented in character as Louis Jolliet, explains the sights in French and English. Enjoy outdoor decks, an enclosed bistro, and drinks onboard.
“Everything was good! Great info provided by the guide”
Raft the Ayung River with a professional guide, passing jungle, waterfalls, wildlife, and carved stone walls. The rapids suit beginners, though the steep 300 to 400 steps each way require fitness. Guides such as Gede, Putu, and Ari are known for clear instruction and good humor.
“It was so funny, great group and guide! Highlight was the amazing waterfall”
Cruise from Montréal’s Grand Quay past the Old Port, Biosphere, Jacques Cartier Bridge, Olympic Stadium, and Îles-de-Boucherville. A bilingual English and French guide provides lively city context, while outdoor decks, a bar, and onboard food service make this a relaxed way to see Montréal.
“Great way to see the city during a spell of very hot weather. You could sit outside or inside and there was a bar on board too.”
Cruise the Seine from Port de Suffren on a quiet electric boat, with live English and French commentary from guides such as Bernadette or Caterina. You’ll pass the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame, Musée d’Orsay, and historic bridges. Choose a daytime, sunset, or illuminated evening departure.
“Great time. Our guide Caterina was fun, engaging and lively. Learned so much about the many arrondissments of Paris from the water! Highly recommend!”
Set out from Kaštel Žegarski with an English-speaking guide such as Andrea or Julio, then paddle through the Zrmanja canyon on calm water, gentle rapids, and small waterfalls. Expect swimming stops, short walks over rocky ground, a 3-meter drop, and a 5 to 7-hour outing suited to beginners and families.
“This is the BEST activity you can do when visiting Zadar! We booked the transfer option which was definitely worth it as other options were much more expensive! The only area for improvement would be a pick up point in the old town, but the walk to the McDonald’s pick up point wasn’t too far. Our guide, Ricky (I may be wrong, I can’t remember his name 😣) was super funny and really helpful! You can rent water shoes there for €3 if you don’t already have some, but they’re definitely necessary for this activity! I had never been kayaking before, but it was really easy to get the hang…”
Meet near Parque Torre Leonera in Benahavís for a three-hour canyoning trip through the Guadalmina Gorge. Guides such as José, Juan, Alex, and Andrés lead you through swims, rock scrambles, natural slides, optional jumps, and one rappel. Wetsuits, safety gear, insurance, and photos are included.
“The river canyon was beautiful. The level of difficulty was perfect - challenging but not too much.”
Spend 45 minutes on the River Cam with a live English-speaking punter, passing seven Cambridge colleges and hearing stories about Isaac Newton, Prince Charles, student traditions, and life by the river. Cushions, blankets, and private group options add comfort.
“Great chauffeur with lots of interesting facts about the city & university. Saw lots of people trying to steer their own punts - badly. V glad we had a guide.”
Cruise the Vistula for 45 minutes past Wawel Castle, the Church on the Rock, Bernatek Footbridge, and Manggha Centre. Choose daylight or after sunset, then listen to English or Polish commentary. The boat has a heated lower deck, blankets, and wheelchair access, with drinks available at the departure restaurant.
“The weather was glorious & the trip superb, lots of points of interest spoken in English on the way, refreshments can be taken before & after on their restaurant boat, I would definitely recommend this trip.. Thank you 🙏”
This self-guided experience from Mon Petit Paris combines timed entry to the Catacombs with a one-hour Bateaux Mouches cruise. Walk through narrow, bone-lined tunnels 65 feet below Paris, then see the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Notre-Dame from the Seine.
“I didn’t go on the cruise however the ticket is valid for a year. But the catacombs were incredible absolutely amazing. The audio guides and seeing and hearing about everything was insane”
Spend about nine hours exploring the Douro Valley with a specialist guide such as Pedro, Bruno, Miguel, or Telma. You’ll travel by air-conditioned van, stop at a sweeping viewpoint, cruise the river in a traditional Rabelo boat, eat a Northern Portuguese lunch, and visit two wineries.
“Amazing experience. Great wine and scenery. Pedro is hilarious and super entertaining. The Douro valley landscapes are stunning.”
Spend about nine hours beyond Ho Chi Minh City, visiting Vinh Trang Temple, cruising by motorboat, rowing through palm-lined canals, tasting local foods, enjoying music, and eating Vietnamese lunch. Guides such as Son, Viet, Tommy, and Kevin have earned praise for making the day lively and informative.
“They had the wrong phone number and I got on the wrong tour after I contacted them and they was like sorry you missed the tour and have to reschedule. After showing them the messages and even showing them that they had the wRead more”
Cruise Budapest’s Danube for about 70 minutes aboard a clean glass-enclosed boat, with a choice of beer, wine, sparkling wine, soft drink, or water. Listen to a 30-language audio guide, pass Parliament and Buda Castle, and get off at Margaret Island for up to 45 minutes before returning by boat.
“The boat tour was great! The audio tour guide is included in the seats on the boat, with headphones available. We toured north up to Margaret Island, and were let off to explore it. The boat comes back about ever 45 minutes (depending on the season), and you can hop back on any boat you’d like, or stay on your original if you don’t want to visit. The boat returns back to the original dock at the end.”
Cruise Bordeaux’s Garonne River for 90 minutes with live commentary in French and English. See the Pont de Pierre, Place de la Bourse, Chartrons, Cité du Vin, and major bridges from the water. Guides such as Yassir, Robin, and Victoire are known for warm, lively explanations.
“Freindly crew. good lay out with tables and chairs on top deck rather than rows of seats”
An hour, an evening, a set of rapids or a week aboard.
Every country and city on the site, from the Nile to the Chicago.
