
The River That Shaped Europe: Sailing Eleanor Of Aquitaine’s Bordeaux
Trace Eleanor of Aquitaine’s life along the Garonne and Dordogne on a Bordeaux river cruise — medieval history, wine country

We’ve spent decades exploring Europe’s rivers and we've created this site to help you plan the river cruise of your dreams. Whether you’re new to river cruising or planning your tenth voyage, you’ll find helpful advice, honest reviews and inspiring itineraries here. - Ralph Grizzle & Britton Frost
Our journey into river cruising began as a shared adventure between father and daughter. Ralph, a seasoned travel writer with a passion for exploring the world’s waterways, has spent years documenting the nuances of river travel. Britton, inspired by these voyages from a young age, developed her own love for river cruising.
Together, we’ve traversed Europe’s iconic rivers, from the storied Danube to the picturesque Rhine, experiencing the unique cultures, cuisines and histories that each destination offers. Through River Cruise Advisor, we aim to share our insights, stories and practical advice to help you navigate your own river cruise journey.
We’re happy to have you here and can’t wait to see what your next river cruise adventure entails.
Every traveler is different – and every river cruise line is too. That’s why we’ve created a site filled with tools to help you plan with clarity and confidence. Here’s how we can help:
Expert Reviews & Honest Comparisons
We’ve sailed with nearly every major cruise line and share our firsthand impressions – the good and the not-so-good.
→ Read Our Latest Cruise Reviews
Planning Guides for Every Step
From choosing your first itinerary to understanding what’s actually included in your fare, we break it down for you.
→ Planning Your First River Cruise
→ What’s Included — And What’s Not
Live Water Level Updates
Worried about low water impacting your trip? We track it for you.
→ Check Today’s River Water Levels
Personalized Recommendations
Still unsure where to start or which cruise fits you best? We’re happy to help.
In addition to writing about river cruises, we also host them. Each year, we invite a small group of like-minded travelers to join us on curated journeys through Europe’s most beautiful rivers and canals.
These aren’t your average cruises — they’re relaxed, immersive, and full of great food, conversation, and memorable moments.
We’d love to cruise with you.

Trace Eleanor of Aquitaine’s life along the Garonne and Dordogne on a Bordeaux river cruise — medieval history, wine country

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