9 awe-inspiring travel destinations best explored by small ships

 If you prefer more personalised travel experiences and a friendly, laid-back atmosphere, you might want to think about cruising on a small ship.

Small ship cruises can offer a more intimate travel experience; allow you to stop at smaller, quieter ports; and explore remote places larger cruise ships can’t access. You can also get up close to some of the world’s most incredible scenery, so it’s ideal if you want to visit off-the-beaten-track destinations, or see yourself as more of an independent traveller.

Plus, with fewer people on board, you can count on better service from the crew, quicker boarding and off-boarding at destinations, and a warm, relaxed feeling between you and the other passengers.

To shine a light on how special small ship cruises can be, we’ve partnered with the award-winning Jules Verne*. Established in 1978, Jules Verne specialises in small group tours for people who are passionate about seeing the world. Combining expertise and experience with curiosity and enthusiasm, these tours deliver authentic travel experiences that are small enough to be flexible, yet large enough to be ground-breaking.

So, if you’re interested in a cruise but would like a more personalised experience – and the chance to get up close to the landscapes you’re exploring – where should you go? While most bodies of water are suited to small ship cruises, some destinations are just more magical than others when traversed in these vessels.

So, from the rivers of India and Egypt to the canals of France and Scotland – not to mention the captivating Croatian coastline – here are nine awe-inspiring travel destinations best explored by small ships.

1. Provence, France

The South of France is known for herb-scented hills, medieval towns, sprawling vineyards, and sweeping golden beaches – not to mention fabulous cuisine and a rich cultural heritage. This part of the world is best explored slowly, adopting the locals’ unhurried pace of life, and taking time to soak up the sights, sounds, and smells. So why not climb aboard the MS Péniche Anne-Marie* to enjoy a week-long no-fly cruise* along Provence’s 60-mile Canal du Rhône à Sète?

After taking the train to historic Avignon, you’ll transfer to Sète, where your journey along this unique waterway begins. You’ll visit Arles and its Roman ruins, the fortified town of Aigues-Mortes, the wild wetlands of Camargue national park, the pilgrimage village of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, and the oyster farms of Étang de Thau. Excursions to Pont du Gard, Montpellier, and Nîmes are also on the itinerary, and when you’re not exploring, you can soak up the rays on your ship’s sun terrace, complete with a jacuzzi.

2. The Croatian Coast

Croatia is celebrated for its dazzling coastline, and if you’d like to explore this special stretch of the Med, why not do it by boat? The seven-night Coast of Explorers and Emperors cruise* takes you through the prettiest parts of the Dalmatian Coast, meandering past wild islands, idyllic beaches, and atmospheric old towns. Climb aboard the MV Admiral*, a modern, luxurious vessel that’s perfectly designed to weave past the countless islands speckling these deep blue waters.

Beginning and ending in Split, the cruise first heads to the island of Hvar, where you’ll tour the Old Town. Then, sail to Korčula for a wine tasting and dinner, before heading to Mljet island to explore its gorgeous national park. Dubrovnik is up next, and you’ll have two nights to make the most of this magnificent medieval city. Savour another wine tasting on the Pelješac Peninsula before sailing to Brac, the largest Dalmatian island, and mooring at Pučišća. Then end with a walking tour of Trogir and spectacular Split.

3. Brahmaputra River, India

If you’re drawn to India, why not explore its diverse landscape, colourful culture, and fabulous cuisine on a river cruise? The mighty Brahmaputra River flows through some of Northeastern India’s most fascinating regions and attractions – from world-renowned tea plantations and riverside villages to wild national parks. Travelling on the stylish RV Charaidew II*, the 11-night Assam and the Brahmaputra* cruise gives you a unique insight into life in today’s rural India.

Kicking off in bustling Kolkata, you’ll have three nights to explore this vibrant colonial city. After flying to Guwahati, you’ll board your ship and sail to Kaziranga National Park, to potentially spot elephants, one-horned rhinos, and maybe even tigers. Tour Assam tea plantations, visit the UNESCO enclave of Majuli Island, meet tribal people in riverside villages, and explore the palaces of Sivasagar. Along the way, you’ll also get to feast on Assam cuisine, enjoy traditional dance shows, and marvel at ancient temples.

4. The Nile, Egypt

The Nile winds through North Africa like a lifegiving green ribbon – yet it’s Egypt that it’s interminably linked to. A Nile cruise is arguably the best way to explore Egypt’s historical and cultural treasures, and on this 14-night Original Nile by Royal Steamer cruise*, you’ll explore some of the country’s most iconic sites, plus lesser-visited landmarks. Journey through time on the SS Misr*, the former floating palace of Egypt’s last monarch, King Farouk – a vessel that combines modern comfort with indulgent elegance.

Accompanied by an Egyptologist, the journey begins by Aswan’s High Dam, sailing north to Kom Ombo, Efu, and then Luxor, where you’ll moor for three nights. From here, you’ll visit many of Egypt’s most impressive attractions, from the Valley of the Kings to Karnak Temple. Then, visit the Dendera and Abydos temples, and the tombs of Tell el-Amarna, Tuna el-Gebel, and Beni Hassan, before finishing in Giza to see the Sphinx and pyramids. A once-in-a-lifetime cruise for anyone passionate about ancient Egypt!

5. Champagne, France

If you’re passionate about Champagne, there’s a good chance you’ve always dreamed about visiting the eponymous region in France. On Jules Verne’s six-night Péniche Champagne cruise*, you’ll travel along the meandering Canal de la Marne, stopping off at the many elegant towns, rustic villages, and sun-soaked vineyards the region is famed for. And, of course, you’ll taste a new Champagne every day – it’s up to you whether you want to enjoy it on your barge’s* sun deck, jacuzzi terrace, or stylish lounge bar.

Your trip begins in Paris, where you’ll take a city tour to see its most iconic landmarks. Sailing towards the historic city of Lagny-sur-Marne, you’ll learn about the history and production of this beautiful drink, tucking into local delicacies like Brie as you taste. You’ll drift through tranquil countryside, exploring charming towns like Saint-Jean-les-Deux-Jumeaux and Chateau-Thierry, as well as the ‘capital of Champagne’, Épernay. Visit Champagne houses, tour ancient cities, and enjoy Champagne toasts every day.

6. Scottish Highlands

If you’d prefer to stay closer to home, why not explore the Scottish Highlands? The six-night Lord of the Glens cruise* is a breathtaking voyage through Scotland’s wildest and most spectacular landscapes, giving you the chance to see another side of the British Isles. At just 150 feet, your beautiful vessel is the ideal size to navigate the intricate waterways of the Caledonian Canal, as well as the Sound of Mull – yet it has all the grandeur of a stately home, with teak decks, polished wood panels, and traditional furnishings.

You can admire the atmospheric ruins of Urquhart Castle, on the banks of Loch Ness, and explore the historic village of Fort Augustus. You’ll sail along Scotland’s longest stretch of lochs, Neptune’s Staircase, set in the shadow of the mighty Ben Nevis, before heading to the Isle of Mull. Here, you can explore the colourful capital, Tobermory, before mooring at Craignure to visit the Isle of Iona. The last two nights will be spent in Oban, where you can tour the town, stroll the harbour, and visit the stunning McCaig’s folly.

7. Inland Croatia

Croatia might be most famous for its coastline, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to its natural beauty. Home to dramatic canyons, rugged mountains, cascading waterfalls, and turquoise lakes, Croatia’s interior boasts breathtakingly beautiful scenery – and this seven-night Natural Wonders of Croatia cruise* is the best way to sightsee. Beginning in UNESCO-listed Split, you’ll explore the vibrant seafront and historic old town before taking a tour of the tiny neighbouring island Trogir.

Travelling on the graceful MV Admiral*, this spellbinding cruise includes visits to three stunning national parks. The first, Krka, is known for magnificent monasteries and tumbling waterfalls, while Kornati is home to otherworldly islands, caves, and grottos. And the wooded hills and crystalline waters of Plitvice Lakes will have you thinking you’ve fallen into a fairytale. Along the way, you’ll visit historic Sibenik, enjoy wine tastings, feast on local cuisine, soak up Dalmatian culture, and discover the many charms of Zadar.

8. Hooghly River, India

Another fabulous destination for an Indian river cruise is along the Hooghly. As the western distributary of the Ganges, the river flows past sleepless cities, rural villages, mysterious ruins, ornate palaces, and ancient temples – and following the flow gives you a unique insight into life in rural India. There are two cruises along the Hooghly – upstream* and downstream* – and while they travel in different directions, both are seven-night cruises (and 11/12 day holidays) that take you far off the tourist trail.

Both cruises begin and end in Kolkata, where you can take a tram ride, explore colonial Calcutta, and tour the city’s landmarks. Then, on board the RV Rajmahal*, you’ll begin your 250-mile journey. Discover the lost city of Guar (or Gauḍa), admire terracotta temples, relax in Mughal-style gardens, and sail under the Howrah Bridge. Plus, take a rickshaw ride in historic Kalna, learn about local culture and history in museums, and admire gorgeous views of rice paddies, river islands, and mango orchards as you cruise.

9. Alsace, France

A final cruise for the francophiles among us, this time in the Alsace region. Bordering Germany to the east and Switzerland to the south, this part of the country has its own distinct identity, cuisine, history, and architecture, and a cruise along the Marne-Rhine canal is the best way to discover its charm. The six-night Péniche Alsacienne* cruise begins in charismatic Strasbourg, and takes you through verdant valleys and past rugged mountains, with stops at some of France’s most spectacular sights and scenery.

Travel in style and comfort aboard the elegant MS Péniche Madeleine*, admiring sensational views from the sun deck as you drift through the rural heart of Alsace. You’ll dine in the small canal town of Waltenheim, visit Lutzelbourg Castle in the gorgeous Zorn Valley, and tour the half-timbered houses of historic Saverne and Chateau Haut Barr. You can also marvel at the ingenuity of the canal as you navigate tunnels and locks before sailing through the lakes, emerging at lovely Lagarde to enjoy a final gala dinner.

One of the reasons cruises are so popular is because they allow you to see more than you would if you travelled by land. If you don’t like the idea of travelling on a huge cruise ship with thousands of other passengers, why not consider a cruise on a small ship?

Not only do these types of cruises offer more intimate experiences, but they also allow you to navigate bodies of water you simply can’t access in large cruise ships – from the narrow lochs of the Scottish highlands and French countryside to the rivers of rural India and the island-speckled seas of Croatia.

Whichever destination is calling you, cruises with Jules Verne* are authentic, immersive, and flexible, and the service you’ll receive on board is unrivalled. Plus, you’ll be travelling in style, on ships small enough to traverse remote waterways, yet large enough to provide guests with luxurious accommodation.