10 Top River Itineraries for Wine, Beer, and Spirits Lovers

by Donna Heiderstadt | Jun 8, 2022

Raising a glass to toast new travel experiences is a favorite pastime of river cruisers — from the vineyards of France to the beer halls of Eastern Europe to the distilleries of the American South. So cheers (or à santé or prost!) to the top river itineraries for wine, beer, and spirits lovers.

Douro River / gkuna/iStock

Photo: Rüdesheim, Germany on the Rhine / iStock.com / Dmitry Orlov

The Rhine River

Both beer aficionados and oenophiles will enjoy a Rhine River cruise, which begins or ends in beer-loving Amsterdam and visits ports in Germany, France, and Switzerland. Top spots for tasting include Rüdesheim, known for hillside vineyards and crisp riesling; Koblenz, home to both beer gardens and weinstubes (wine taverns), and Strasbourg, ideal for sipping Alsatian riesling and gewürztraminer.