Sometimes a river cruise just isn’t enough. You may have just enjoyed seven nights cruising through a beautiful part of the world, but the chance to explore further by land is an opportunity that shouldn’t be passed up.

Luckily, many river cruise operators offer land-based extensions that can be added before or after your cruise. This will give you the chance to see more of the city from which your cruise is departing, linger longer in the destination where your ship ends its journey or even visit somewhere a bit further afield but within the same region.

Here are some great river cruise extensions available in 2019.

What? Burgundy’s Vineyards
With Who? Viking River Cruises
Which Cruise? Lyon & Provence

Having already sampled some of the delicious wines produced in Provence during your river cruise, this extension allows you to travel north and enjoy yet more delightful vines in the famous winegrowing region of Burgundy. Staying in Dijon for three nights, you’ll sip from glasses at wineries in Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, the latter being the capital of this wine-loving part of the world.

During your time in Dijon, you will also have the pleasure of a guided city tour to take in splendid sights such as the Ducal Palace and the Church of Notre Dame. Finally, you will be transferred back to Lyon for your flight home.

What? Ulaanbaatar And The Gobi Desert
With Who? Uniworld
Which Cruise? Highlights Of China & The Yangtze

If you’re going to go all the way to China for a river cruise, why not discover some other fascinating countries in the region too? Namely Mongolia, a country with a mystical history that often intertwines with that of China. Having finished your river cruise, you will travel to Beijing. Then, as morning breaks, you’ll venture to the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar for an unforgettable experience.

Your time here will include a city tour and a private performance courtesy of some local, traditional throat singers before you head out into the Gobi Desert for two nights in a Mongolian Ger. This is truly an off-the-beaten-path adventure on which you’ll learn about the nomadic culture and savour the relaxing nature of your remote location.

What? Lisbon Extension
With Who? Riviera Travel
Which Cruise? Douro, Porto & Salamanca

Having seen the delights of the Douro and Porto, you cannot leave Portugal without seeing the country’s capital too. Your journey south will take you through the city of Coimbra, where historic buildings, Moorish influence and a breathtaking Roman aqueduct all create a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continuing on, you’ll pass through Fatima, a small town which became a pilgrimage site after three children saw an apparition of The Virgin Mary in 1917.

Finally reaching Lisbon, you’ll enjoy a tour that takes in some of the magnificent architecture on display. The Monument to the Discoveries, Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery all have their own stories to tell and you can choose to find out more during your free time in the afternoon.

Before returning home, there’s time to drive to Sintra, a former summer escape of the Portuguese royal family. More beautiful buildings fill the skyline here, including the impressive National and Pena Palaces. It’s easy to see why Byron once described the town as a ‘glorious Eden’.

What? Rwanda Extension
With Who? AmaWaterways
Which Cruise? Wildlife And The Falls

AmaWaterways’ Wildlife and the Falls itinerary already packs an incredible list of sights into a 13-night river cruise that sees you visit Johannesburg, Victoria Falls and the Kruger National Park. However, there’s no reason why the adventure-of-a-lifetime has to end there. Add this Rwanda extension to the end of your cruise and you could finish your epic trip with an extraordinary gorilla encounter.

Staying at the Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, you’ll venture deep into the Volcanoes National Park as you and your experienced guide attempt to track these majestic creatures. As the mist slowly lifts, you’ll come face to face with one of our closest ancestors.

The extension lasts for four-nights and also includes some free time in the Volcanoes National Park and the city of Kigali.

What? Lake Balaton And Varazdin
With Who? CroisiEurope
Which Cruise? A Journey Between Central Europe And The Balkans

This may be the shortest extension on our list (two nights/one day) but that doesn’t make it any less exciting. Following a journey from Budapest to Zagreb, via Serbia and Bosnia, you can tour the Baroque streets of Varazdin and the leafy surrounds of Lake Balaton – the largest lake in Central Europe and a popular summer getaway destination for Hungarians.

Jutting into this mass of freshwater is the Tihany Peninsula. This leafy region is home to limestone geysers, a beautiful Benedictine abbey and rare birdlife that lives amongst the marshlands of the Külsőtó – a dried up smaller lake.

If you would like to learn more about the river cruise extensions we can offer, the team at GoRiverCruise is always ready for your call. Telephone 0800 954 0064 or contact us through the website.