3 Great River Cruises

A Slow Sail on the Nile
The Nile is the longest river in the world, running through 11 African countries before emptying into the Mediterranean. The northernmost of these countries is Egypt, where the river's sinuous course has historically been its lifeline and lifeblood.

See Also: Small ship cruising

Accordingly, a tour along the Nile takes travelers deep into the history and heart of Egyptian culture. Most Nile tours use expedition-style cruise ships to ply the river from Luxor to Aswan and back. Geographic Expeditions offers an alluring alternative on its Sailing the Eternal Nile trip. This 12-day journey features seven days aboard a traditional dahabeya sailing boat.

Sailing in deliciously slow, 19^th-century style affords a more intimate appreciation of riverside life in between visits to the mesmerizing temples and ruins at Edfu, Kom Ombo and Abu Simbel. Cost of this trip, which includes three days of sightseeing in Cairo, starts at $8,225.

See Also: Solo travel tips

Don George is a contributing editor at National Geographic Traveler and edits the online magazine Recce: Literary Journeys for the Discerning Traveler. He also edits and writes for Gadling.com.