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October 10, 2025

The Uniquely Riverside program by Riverside Luxury Cruises was created with the aim of offering moments that go beyond a simple tourist excursion, turning every stop into an encounter with the authentic soul of the places.

River travel is no longer just a refined way to cross natural and cultural landscapes of rare beauty: with Riverside Luxury Cruises it becomes a privileged opportunity to take part in unique events, designed to enter the heart of the destinations visited.

Intimate atmospheres, direct contact with tradition, carefully curated sensory and cultural experiences: this is the hallmark of a company that interprets luxury as attention to detail and the pursuit of the unrepeatable.

The events unfold along itineraries crossing France, Austria, Germany, Serbia and Bulgaria, intertwining stories, flavors and melodies destined to remain in the memory of those who take part. Every stop becomes a small stage where local culture naturally unfolds, whether it’s a concert at sunset through the streets of a medieval village or a toast with centuries-old wines in a baroque castle.

Viviers – The magic of an evening stroll on the Rhône

Viviers, with its roots dating back to the Middle Ages, is a village that seems suspended in time. The program Uniquely Viviers: Evening Stroll leads travelers into the heart of its old town, where cobbled alleys tell silent stories and stone palaces preserve centuries of ecclesiastical and civic events.

Accompanying the walk is a local guide, able to transform walls and squares into living pages of a history book. To intensify the atmosphere even further, carefully selected musicians animate the streets with melodies blending with the echo of ancient stones. It is a way to experience Viviers not as spectators, but as privileged participants in a scene that merges history, art and everyday life.

Tournus – The poetry of twilight in Burgundy 

The initiative Uniquely Tournus: Twilight Magic along the Saône captures the true essence of southern Burgundy, combining architecture, music and conviviality. After dinner on board, guests will have the chance to stroll among half-timbered houses and cobbled streets, which under the sunset light take on rosy and golden hues.

The focal point of the experience is the magnificent 10th-century abbey, symbol of the city and guardian of a spirituality that transcends the centuries. The route ends with an exclusive toast: a glass of champagne, served in an intimate setting, accompanies the performance of local musicians who turn the evening into a close encounter with the musical tradition of a region that has made refinement and joie de vivre its distinctive traits.

Tulln – The timeless elegance of Gobelsburg Castle 

Just a few kilometers from Vienna, Tulln provides access to one of the most symbolic places of Austrian viticulture: Gobelsburg Castle. The event Uniquely Tulln: Castle Wine Tasting is a celebration of history and taste. With roots going back to 1138, the estate represents the oldest winery on the Danube still in operation.

The visit unfolds through a tour of the castle interiors, including reception halls and ancient vaulted cellars where time seems to have stopped. Here, the Moosbrugger family has been pursuing, for almost thirty years, a viticulture respectful of nature and its balance.

The final tasting is not just a convivial moment: it is a journey into the scents of the land, an opportunity to grasp the nuances of the wines. Every sip becomes a narration of centuries of tradition, but also of innovation and sustainability.

Novi Sad – Spirituality and Serbian wines among the hills of Fruška Gora 

In the heart of Serbia, Novi Sad opens the doors to an experience that unites religiosity and wine culture. With Uniquely Novi Sad: Fruška Gora Monastery Visit & Serbian Wine Tasting, travelers reach the Krušedol Monastery, founded in the 16th century by the Serbian Despotate and still today a spiritual landmark. Here, among solemn frescoes and contemplative atmospheres, one breathes the history of a people who preserved their identity even in the most difficult times.

The excursion then continues to the vineyards of Fruška Gora, cradle of a wine tradition dating back to the 15th century. At the Deurić Winery, nestled among green hills and unspoiled nature, the tasting reveals the elegance of local wines: fresh whites, structured reds and refined rosés, authentic expressions of a land still little known to the general public but rich in potential. The narration of expert winemakers turns every glass into a cultural experience, able to explain how climate and soil contribute to a distinctive character.

Rüdesheim – The secret of the Rhine’s most famous coffee 

On the Rhine, the experience takes a surprising turn thanks to Uniquely Rhine: Rüdesheimer Coffee, which takes place directly on board. More than a tasting, it is a performance: an expert demonstrates the steps that made this beverage, created in the 1950s, so famous. Flaming brandy, strong coffee, sugar and whipped cream come together in a ritual that captivates with both spectacle and aromatic intensity.

The Rüdesheimer Coffee is not just a drink, but an emblem of German conviviality. Savoring it while the Rhine’s landscape slowly passes outside the ship’s windows amplifies the sensation of living a suspended moment, on the border between tradition and modernity.

 

The magic of Christmas – Between Glühwein and ancient recipes 

Still on the Rhine, the Christmas season brings with it a unique atmosphere, which Riverside celebrates with Uniquely Christmas: German Festive Treats. This is a journey into the flavors of tradition, guided by the discovery of Glühwein, the spiced wine that enlivens German Christmas markets. The red, white and rosé variants are offered alongside a selection of typical sweets, capable of evoking the memories of entire generations.

More than a tasting, it is an immersion in the festive culture of a country that has made Christmas a true institution. Between legends, anecdotes and culinary curiosities, every glass becomes a toast to memory and shared joy.

Vidin – Bulgarian hospitality between cuisine and daily life 

On the Danube, in Vidin, the experience is intimate and authentic. The event Uniquely Vidin: Bulgarian Home Visit takes guests into a private home, opening a window onto the daily life of contemporary Bulgaria. They are welcomed with warm bread and rakia, the local distillate, symbols of hospitality and tradition.

The most engaging moment is the preparation of banitsa, the savory cheese pie that is a pillar of Bulgarian gastronomy. It is not just about observing, but actively participating, learning the gestures of a home cooking handed down through generations. It is an experience that unites conviviality and discovery, leaving the memory of an authentic and sincere encounter.

Melk – The baroque abbey and the concert that defies time 

Last but not least, one of the most solemn experiences of the entire program: Uniquely Melk: Abbey Visit & Concert. The Melk Abbey in Austria is a baroque masterpiece founded in 1089 by the Benedictines, dominating the Wachau landscape with its grandeur.

Inside, the library with its 16,000 volumes and frescoed ceiling conveys the sense of a culture that shaped centuries of European thought. The spiral staircase, symbol of harmony and perfection, finally leads to the abbey church, an authentic treasure chest of sacred art. To make the experience even more unforgettable is the chance for guests to attend a suggestive organ concert, which seems to give voice to the very stones of the abbey. The notes spread through the space, creating a dialogue between past and present that goes beyond mere contemplation.

In conclusion, the Uniquely Riverside program demonstrates how luxury does not lie only in the comfort of the ships or the refinement of onboard services, but above all in the opportunity to live unrepeatable experiences, capable of transforming the journey into a personal story.

Every event is designed to create an emotional bond with the places visited, bringing to light stories and traditions not found in simple guidebooks.

Through evening strolls, exclusive concerts, tastings of centuries-old wines and moments of home life, Riverside Luxury Cruises invites to rediscover river Europe with new eyes, gifting memories destined to last long after the end of the cruise.

Do not miss further updates, news and offers by Riverside Luxury Cruises on our Cruising Journal website.

Mara Di Dio

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