Fresh from the success of operating a successful 2009 season of river cruises on the Rhône and the Danube, and with their 2010 season virtually sold out several months prior to the first river cruise in May, Swan Hellenic has brought forward the launch of their 2011 river programme on the Rhône, Danube and Rhine to satisfy demand.

Each of the dedicated Swan Hellenic river itineraries highlights the special experience of cruising through the heart of Europe, with cruises on the Rhône, Danube and the Rhine carefully designed to unfold an ever changing landscape of cities, towns and villages shaped by civilisations from antiquity to the present day. The rivers of Europe were – and continue to be – major communication and trading routes, frontiers and boundaries, each influenced by the peoples who have lived along their river banks.

Swan Hellenic’s river cruises on the Rhône link historic French cities such as Avignon and Lyon with smaller, delightful towns such as Viviers in the Ardèche. Cruises on the Danube combine the elegant cities of Vienna and Budapest with the lesser visited cities of Esztergom in Hungary and Bratislava in Slovakia  – each with a distinctive historical and artistic tradition – while Swan’s river cruises on the Rhine sail from Cologne to cities distinguished by historic cities, cathedrals, palaces and half-timbered house that line the river banks.

As with their ocean cruises on Minerva, Swan Hellenic’s distinctive approach to discovery cruising – which blends an inclusive excursion programme  with a tailor-made programme of talks from distinguished guest speakers – allows travellers to gain greater insights into, and a fuller appreciation of, each country visited.  With a Swan Hellenic guest speaker travelling on each river cruise, and expert guides ashore, passengers will gain a deeper insight into the fascinating history of each river. Distinguished speakers travelling on the 2011 river programme include Professor Jeremy Black, historian (Danube, 15-22 May); Dr Richard Chartres, Bishop of London (Rhone, 11-18 June);   Professor Richard Holmes, military historian (Rhône, 10-17 September) and Professor Ian Beckett, military historian and NADFAS speaker (Rhine, 3-10 September).

Each river cruise is meticulously planned by Swan Hellenic’s shore side planning department and each cruise features an experience British Swan Hellenic Cruise Director and Excursion Manager; every one dedicated to ensuring that each day of a Swan Hellenic river cruise meets passengers’ expectations.

Swan Hellenic is pleased to be continuing its partnership with A-Rosa. This company’s fleet of modern river cruisers have been specially designed for the European rivers, ensuring that passengers can travel in comfort and style. Carrying fewer than 200 passengers on each cruise, passengers have the choice of cabins with Juliette balconies, large picture windows or portholes, each outside cabin allowing views of the river banks at close proximity. Spacious public rooms and generous open deck space, good food and attentive service, provide the facilities for an enjoyable holiday on any one of these three fascinating European rivers.

Swan’s river cruising is going from strength to strength as Colin Stone, Swan Hellenic’s Managing Director, comments, “Selling out our 2010 river programme in 2009 was extremely pleasing for us and for the dedicated team who have developed this product for the company. We are launching our 2011 itineraries ahead of schedule to meet the growing demand for this section of our business. It is good to see that Swan Hellenic river cruising is becoming increasingly popular with our passengers as they experience the same ocean-going standard of comfort that they experience on Minerva, whilst visiting some of the most fascinating sights Europe has to offer. A Swan Hellenic river cruise allows passengers to discover the heart of Europe in comfort and style.”

An 8-day river cruise starts from just £1,425 per person - fares are inclusive of escorted international flights (Rhône, Rhine and Danube) or train travel (Rhône and Rhine only), transfers, all on board meals, a tailor-made guest speaker and shore excursion programme, and  all gratuities on board and ashore. To take advantage of a wide range of cabin grades and facilities, call 0844 209 9000 or visit your local travel agent. For the latest cruise itineraries and special offers, visit the website: www.swansrivercruises.co.uk