The words “river cruises”, usually conjure up a bygone era where paddle wheelers steamed up the Mississippi, gliding by the moss-covered trees hanging above the banks, and allowing passengers glimpses of the glorious Old South mansions. But today, river cruises have taken on a whole new meaning.

There are river cruises available on virtually every continent in the world, that will take you along some of the most famous rivers to historic cities. You can also get cruises that will take smaller rivers, and allow you the opportunity to visit historic and scenic places not accessible on the major rivers.

Currently, the Chinese government is working on a major dam project, which will change the course and nature of the Yangtze River, so if Asian culture and historical artifacts are among your interests, this would be a trip well-worth taking before such treasures are lost forever, as some were in Egypt with the flooding caused by the Aswan dam project.

European river cruises can lead you down the incredible beauty of the Danube and Rhine Rivers, with stop offs to admire ancient European castles, sample wine at some of the most famous vineyards in Europe, or tour scenic gems that make a change from doing more traditional ocean cruises.

Egypt is another highly desirable itinerary, from the moment you set sail from Aswan. The leisurely trip down the Nile, perhaps the most famous river in the world, gives you a hint of the glories of Ancient Egypt, and an appreciation for the raw beauty of a sunrise or sunset over the desert. While almost every stop has something of historical interest, dropping anchor at Luxor opens up the past in a way that only Egypt can, with the great pyramids, the Valley of the Kings, and the Egyptian Museum to visit.