Taking to the water is a supremely soothing and restorative experience – whether you’re gliding across Vietnam’s storied Halong Bay, traversing the neon-bright waters of the Great Barrier Reef, or simply plying the waters of the ancient Nile. River cruises, overnight “boatels” and adventurous day sailings should all be a part of your luxury travel itinerary. Here’s where Luxury Gold comes in – with our built-in days at sea or along the river, you’ll see your destination from a different perspective, stopping off for bucket-list swimming and sightseeing along the way. Here are the luxury cruise experiences to book for the year ahead.

Norway’s Fjords

The peaceful, rock-encircled fjords of western Norway are a must-see while in Scandinavia. On Luxury Gold’s 12-day Timeless Scandinavia tour – which traverses three countries in total – you’ll board a RIB boat to explore its Geiranger Fjord, gliding around this hook-shaped body of water surrounded by cathedrals of rock and skyscraper-tall waterfalls. You’ll feel dwarfed by the sheer scale of nature along this unspoiled body of water, counting the Seven Sisters waterfalls along with the lonely Suitor cascade while a guide tells you all about the local landscape – and lore. Afterwards, retreat to the nature-swathed Hotel Union Gerainger, where you’ll unwind in luxury surrounded by fjordland scenery.

Book Luxury Gold’s Timeless Scandinavia tour.

Egypt’s River Nile

One of the most important waterways in the history of civilization, the Nile still hums with ancient magic. You’ll spend seven nights sailing it on Luxury Gold’s Elegance of the Nile tour, embarking on one of the world’s best luxury cruise experiences aboard the deluxe, all-suite River Tosca vessel. Drifting along past riverbank palm trees, golden kasbahs, mountainside sunsets, wading birds and crocodiles, you’ll be living in style. A spacious outdoor sundeck has a swimming pool and lavishly cushioned sun loungers, a river-view restaurant lets you order with the breeze in your hair, and a smart library-lounge with books, views and a bar are the place to unwind. 

Book Luxury Gold’s Elegance of the Nile tour.

Halong Bay & the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Southeast Asia is famous for its waters: glittering jade bays hugging white-sand beaches, snorkel-friendly lagoons, placid lily-ponds reflecting crumbling temples, jungle waterfalls with cooling pools. But nothing beats the two bucket-list experiences the region holds: Vietnam’s luminous Halong Bay and the mighty Mekong Delta. On Luxury Gold’s 16-day Inspiring Indochina tour, you’ll first take to the Mekong for a guided boat tour close from Ho Chi Minh City, stopping for lunch at the authentic Mango Home thatched restaurants and learning about life along the waterway. On day 11 of the tour, you’ll board a traditional Junk boat for one of the planet’s best luxury cruise experiences: sailing Halong Bay. A dazzling spot for a water-based adventure thanks to its bright emerald waters and vast limestone karsts (island mountains), it has floating villages, complex caves and white-sand beaches to spy from the comfort of your vessel. Sunset over this otherworldly setting is something to experience in your lifetime.

Book Luxury Gold’s Inspiring Indochina tour.

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

Crowned one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, the expansive Great Barrier Reef off Australia’s northeast coast, can be seen from outer space. On Luxury Gold’s Inspiring Australia tour, you’ll get up close and personal with its lurid turquoise waters, containing some 2,500 individual reefs and 400 types of coral, not to mention turtles, sharks, manta rays, clownfish and colourful Maori wrasse fish. On day three of your 13-day tour, you can opt to cruise the Barrier Reef, getting to know one of the world’s most complex eco-systems from the comfort of a captained boat. Borrow masks and snorkels to see the world beneath the surface, and speed past idyllic castaway islands on a sun-soaked day at sea.

Book Luxury Gold’s Inspiring Australia tour.

Matsushima Bay, Japan

Matsushima Bay, Japan (Tohoku Tourism/JNTO)

The world’s finest luxury cruise experiences take you to the still and quiet of nature, often found a stone’s throw from the most bustling metropolis. So it is in Sendai, northeast Japan, where futuristic Japanese architecture and innovation meets the wildness of the sea and craggy coastline. While here, a cruise through Sendai’s contemplative Matsushima Bay is a must; revered as one of Japan’s top three views, it’s factored into day seven of Luxury Gold’s 11-day Majestic Japan tour. Your private sailing will give unparalleled views of the hundreds of pine-covered islands, and you’ll hear about the cultural significance of Matsushima, which has had countless Haiku poems written about its beauty. Along with a serene tea ceremony, this luxury cruise experience will cement your love of Japanese culture while in underrated Sendai.

Book Luxury Gold’s Majestic Japan tour.

More luxury cruise experiences: Beauty Beyond Words: Past Guest Sal On Cruising Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast.

Set sail into the awe-inspiring landscapes of Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast with this luxury European cruise as part of our Croatia & the Dalmatian Coast luxury tour. You’ll kick back on the lavish Rhapsody yacht as you float from stunning islands to ancient towns, with culinary delights, glamorous nightlife, and unique local experiences in between. Dive into the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic, dine in world-class restaurants at sunset, and soak in the hot tub on deck… This is Europe’s most glamorous cruise.

Experience it: Croatia & the Dalmatian Coast

Your cruise ship

You’ll cruise the Adriatic for a week aboard the new MV Rhapsody Deluxe Superior yacht-like cruiser. Built to the highest specifications with modern amenities such as air-conditioned cabins, the Rhapsody is a truly befitting vessel for what is Europe’s most glamorous cruise. Whether you want to relax in your cosy private cabin, or relax on the large sundeck in the hot tub or chaise loungers, you’ll feel right at home on the Rhapsody.

Read more: 9 Reasons to visit Croatia & the Dalmatian Coast

Day 1: Split to Primošten

The cruise element of this tour begins in the ancient city of Split. Set on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea, Split is renowned as the gateway to the stunning Dalmatian Islands, which you’ll visit on your cruise. But Split is more than just an entry point. It’s also famed for its beautiful beaches and ancient history dating all the way back to the 2nd and 3rd century BC.

Before boarding the cruise ship, you’ll join a Local Expert on a tour of Split. You’ll visit the UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace, between the late 3rd and early 4th centuries AD by the Roman Emperor Diocletian. This grand, fortress-like palace was intended as a retirement residence for the emperor and today is one of the most important architectural ruins on the Adriatic Coast. You’ll then wander through the labyrinthine streets of Split’s Old Town, marvelling at the ancient Roman architecture. See the Golden Gate, St. Duje’s and the Temple of Jupiter before heading to the port.

After boarding the boat, we’ll cruise to the picture-perfect town of Primošten, enjoying a delicious dinner onboard and taking in the glorious sunset. It’s the most idyllic way to kickstart your week aboard Europe’s most glamorous cruise.

Read more: Sun, Sand and Sequins: Why Summer is the Best Time to Visit These Glamorous Coastal Cities

Day 2: Primošten to Kornati National Park to Telašćica

Today we’ll sail through Kornati National Park’s spectacular maze of islands, cliffs, ruins and Roman villas. Kornati encompasses 89 islands across 85 square miles, making it the densest archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. One of the park’s most striking features is its dramatic, towering cliffs, known locally as ‘crowns’. Some of these cliffs rise over 262 feet above the sea and drop down 295 feet below the surface. The islands have been inhabited since prehistoric times, and you’ll see many ruins, such as the Tureta Fort on the island of Kornat, that date back to the Byzantine era. Keep your eyes peeled for ancient Illyrian fortresses, Roman villas, and medieval settlements. 

Beneath the surface of the water, the park is home to rich marine biodiversity, including coral reefs, colorful fish, and sponges, making it a popular spot for snorkeling and diving. You’ll have time to take a dip in the crystal clear waters before we cruise to our next destination – the beautiful Telašćica Nature Park. 

The natural wonders of Telašćica are some of the most breathtaking in the Adriatic, from the famous White Cliffs to the intriguing Salt Lake. We’ll cruise through Telašćica Bay flanked by the White Cliffs soaring 532 feet above the ocean, and meet an expert guide to learn about the formation of the Salt Lake following the last Ice Age. This fascinating lake is filled through underground cracks and limestone channels fed by the sea.

Read more: Connect With the Natural World Through These Exclusive Experiences

Day 3: Telašćica to Mali Losinj

Waving goodbye to Telašćica, we’ll cruise to the island of Lošinj, disembarking to explore Mali Lošinj town’s harbor and historic quarter. You’ll enjoy a private, VIP tour of the Museum of Apoxyomenos, home to the perfectly preserved 2000-year-old bronze statue. The statue of Apoxyomenos, an ancient Greek athlete, was found in the sea near the island in 1999, and today has become a symbol of the island’s cultural heritage. Get to know the story of the statue, and take your time admiring this treasure and other fascinating artifacts in the museum, without the crowds.

You may also like to visit other renowned sites such as the Church of St. Martin, the oldest church on the island, and the Lošinj Aromatic Garden, where you can learn about the island’s healing herbs. Known as the Island of Vitality, Lošinj is known for its beautiful landscapes, crystal waters, over 2,600 hours of sunshine annually, and lush Mediterranean vegetation, with over 1,200 aromatic and healing herbs.

Read more: After Hours: Travel Like a VIP With These Exclusive Experiences

Day 4: Mali Losinj to Zadar

Today we head to Zadar, a vibrant city on the Dalmatian Coast, with a history dating back 3,000 years. You’ll dive into this ancient history with a Local Expert, visiting the remains of the 1st century Roman Forum, the largest on the eastern side of the Adriatic. You’ll also visit the 9th-century St. Donatus Basilica, a pre-Romanesque famed for its excellent acoustics, and stroll through the 16th-century Venetian city walls.

If you’re into contemporary attractions, be sure to visit the symphony of the Sea Organ. This architectural sound art object plays music when the sea waves interact with tubes located beneath large marble steps. You can also witness the Greeting to the Sun, a 72-foot diameter circle set into the pavement filled with 300 multilayered glass plates that collect the sun’s energy during the day and produce a stunning light show after sunset. Both of these installations were designed by local architect Nikola Bašić and have become iconic symbols of the city. Alfred Hitchcock famously said that Zadar had the most beautiful sunset in the world, so you don’t want to miss this. 

Read more: Travel Concierge Sharon, on the experience that awaits when you visit Croatia

Day 5: Zadar to Skradin to Šibenik

After a leisurely morning, we’ll visit the acclaimed Bibich Winery in Skradin for a delicious tapas lunch paired with the finest Croatian wines. The Bibich vineyards are over 500 years old and are run by a family of vintners who have worked on this land for generations.

We’ll then sail on to the spectacular Krka National Park where you’ll marvel at the enchanting waterfalls. Walk along the shaded paths as the cascades flow all around you. Formed from the Krka and Čikola Rivers, the cascades flow over a series of terraces and travertine steps, ending in the mighty Skradinski Buk waterfall, plunging 148 feet. Despite the power of the waterfall, the pool below remains serene, and you can swim right up to the base of the falls.

Next up, we’ll visit the historic city of Šibenik, one of the oldest native Croatian towns. We’ll take a walking tour with a Local Expert, visiting remarkable sites such as the UNESCO-listed Cathedral of St. James. Built over a period of more than 100 years in the 15th and 16th centuries, the cathedral is a testament to Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles. Šibenik is also known for its four fortresses, each with its unique history, architecture, and panoramic views of the city and sea. As a city built on and with stone, the Old Town is another delight. Wander down the narrow, stone streets, alleyways, and archways and admire the beautiful stone houses.

Read more: How your travels with Luxury Gold help conserve nature for future generations

Day 6: Šibenik to Hvar

Today we sail to the gorgeous island of Hvar. Known as the “sunniest spot in Europe”, Hvar receives more than 2,700 hours of sunshine a year, and it’s an essential stop on Europe’s most glamorous cruise. From sprawling lavender fields, vineyards and olive trees, to sandy beaches, secluded coves, and historic towns, there are endless treasures to explore in Hvar.

Check out the 17th-century Hvar Theater, one of the oldest surviving theaters in Europe. Wander around St. Stephen’s Square, the largest piazza in Dalmatia. You can also visit the impressive Spanjola Fortress, which offers panoramic views of the town and the surrounding islands. The UNESCO-listed town of Stari Grad, on the northern side, is one of the oldest towns in Europe.

With its reputation for summer luxury and vibrant bars and nightlife, Hvar also attracts an endless stream of celebrities. Prince Harry, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Tom Cruise, Steven Spielberg, Sean Connery and many more have all graced the glitzy shores of Hvar. 

Read more: Secret islands and snowy retreats: 5 hotspots loved by the British Royal family

Day 7: Hvar to Bol to Split

This morning we’ll cruise to Zlatni Rat, also known as the Golden Horn. It’s one of the most famous beaches in Dalmatia and for good reason. This breathtaking beach has a unique horn-like shape that changes depending on the wind and tide. Snap some gorgeous photos of the turquoise water against the white sand and lush greenery. Then it’s back on deck to relax as we cruise back to Split. Here we disembark for our final three days exploring the wonders of Dubrovnik. 

Read more: Six of the world’s most beautiful walled cities and towns

You can set sail on Europe’s most glamorous cruise on our Croatia & the Dalmatian Coast luxury tour. The cruise is just one week of this 2-week journey. You’ll experience other on-land highlights across Zagreb, Pula, Istria, Opatija and the Plitvice Lakes. Discover more through our luxury Croatia tours.