Full-Day River Trips Around the World: 12 to Book

1.London In One Day Tour with River Cruise & London Eye Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,678 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $177Our pick

Start at Victoria Coach Station for a guided coach tour past Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, and Buckingham Palace. Watch the Changing of the Guard, tour St. Paul’s Cathedral, explore the Tower of London, then cruise to Westminster. An optional London Eye ticket is used at about 6:30 pm.

“Lots of historical sites to visit, guide was thorough and enjoyable. The add ons are excellent. Sandra is the best”

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2.Small-Group Mekong Delta Day Trip: Boat Ride, Cottages & Pagoda

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,327 reviews · from $48Top rated

Spend 9 to 10 hours exploring My Tho and Ben Tre with a small group of up to 12 people. Expect motorboat and hand-rowed boat rides, coconut candy, honey tea, tropical fruit, a five-course lunch, traditional music, optional cycling, and Vinh Trang Pagoda. Guides such as James, Nam, Manh, and Luan are known for lively local insight.

“Vinh gave us a wonderful adventure! Action packed with many, varied, fun experiences. He is a great communicator and enthusiastic about his culture. The whole day ran smoothly, without a hitch. My favorite parts were the coconut island experiences, the boat trip through the coconut grove "tunnel", and lunch + crocodiles + bike ride. There were only 10 in the group and everyone was pleasant. HIGHLY recommend ☺️”

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3.From Brussels: Day Trip to Amsterdam with Canal Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,243 reviews · 12 hours · from $81

Travel from Brussels to Amsterdam by coach, hear the city’s story in English and Spanish, cruise its canals for an hour, then enjoy 3.5 hours to explore alone. Guides such as Antonio, Julian, Pablo, and Carlos are known for clear directions, history, and useful food and sightseeing tips.

“Everything was good- Antonio entertained us and made the trip interesting”

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4.Giethoorn Guided Day Trip with Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 335 reviews · 8 hours · from $80

Travel from Amsterdam to car-free Giethoorn by coach with an English-speaking guide such as Ibrahim, Jay, or Said. Hear Dutch history on the ride, stroll beside thatched cottages and canals, enjoy a one-hour boat trip, and sample stroopwafels. Allow about eight hours, with free time for lunch and village wandering.

“Tour guide was very helpful, humorous and knowledgeable. The tour was well paced too.”

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5.Malacca Day Trip with River Cruise and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 312 reviews · 10 hours · from $78

Spend 10 hours traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca with an English-speaking guide such as Yoga, Kugan, or Jasmine. Walk from A Famosa and St. Paul Church to Dutch Square and the Street of Harmony, enjoy a Peranakan lunch, cruise the river for 40 minutes, and visit Kampung Morten. Expect a long day, warm weather, and about four hours on the road.

“The guide was friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend this tour.”

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6.1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide & Driver

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 148 reviews · from $209

This 8 to 9-hour private day trip pairs a four-hour Li River cruise with an English-speaking guide, onboard Chinese buffet lunch, Yangshuo countryside touring, and free time on West Street. Your guide and chauffeur handle hotel pickup, dock transfers, and the return drive to Guilin. Tony is one guide named in a detailed tour account.

“1-Day Guilin Tour to Reed Flute Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat & Night Show This tour was truly amazing, made even more special by our excellent English-speaking guide, Mr. Jeff. He is caring, attentive, and took very good care of us Read more”

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7.Chobe National Park: Day Trip, Safari drive & River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 100 reviews · 10 hours · from $190

Spend about 10 hours crossing from Zambia into Botswana for a Chobe game drive and a 3.5-hour river safari. You may see elephant herds, buffalo, lions, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, and many birds. Maano Adventures handles transfers, border guidance, lunch, park fees, and English-speaking guides such as Nature, Tana, and Max, depending on the day.

“Absolutely brilliant day out from Livingstone. Very well organised, friendly and knowledgeable guides, fantastic wildlife, small vehicles and boat, great lunch”

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8.Day trip to Bruges from Paris with canal cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 81 reviews · 13 hours · from $159

Travel from Paris to Bruges in a small group of up to eight, with an English, French, or Spanish-speaking guide such as Jean Baptiste, Roland, or Serge. See the Belfry, Grand Place, Burg Square, Beguinage, and Lake of Love, then enjoy free time, Belgian specialties, and a canal cruise from April to November.

“Our guide was Jean Bapthiste, a good driver and excellent asset for visiting Brugges. As requested tour was in Spanish. Pick up on time in a 8 passenger mini SUV. Jean made stop into gas station to use toilets or buy snacks. It was a very cold day with rain and snow walking tour. The boat activity was closed due to weather. However we followed his dinner recommendations, and he nailed it!! Food, waffles and chocolates from the best places. Loved and enjoyed Christmas season in Brugges!!”

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9.Arles: Culture & History River Cruise – Day Trip w/Meals

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 13 reviews · from $105

Cruise from Avignon toward Arles, passing the Saint-Bénézet Bridge, Palais des Papes, Tarascon, Beaucaire, and the Vallabrègues lock. You get lunch aboard, a two-hour Arles visit, and an evening aperitif dinner with entertainment. French and English service is offered, though the Arles guide may not always speak English.

“Very friendly staff, excellent food, good value for money. Overall very satisfied, would recommend.”

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10.Accra: Shai Hills and Volta River Cruise Day Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 11 reviews · 10 hours · from $200

Join guide Davis and driver Maxwell for a 10-hour outing from Accra Mall to Shai Hills and the Volta River. Expect wildlife viewing, hiking or rock climbing, a scenic boat cruise with music, riverfront lunch, snacks, water, and English guidance. The day suits active visitors who want nature and scenery without arranging transport themselves.

“The tour was fantastic, the hills and national park are very beautiful and the river cruise was serene. David and his team were also great. We had a lot of last minute changes and they accommodated all of it without hesitation. Highly recommend this tour!”

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11.Best of Istanbul in 1 Day: Guided Tour with Bosphorus Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.1 · 7 reviews · 1 day · from $21Best value

You’ll tour Sultanahmet with an English-speaking guide, visiting the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Basilica Cistern, with optional Topkapi Palace and Harem entry. Finish with a two-hour Bosphorus cruise between Europe and Asia. Confirm your ticket option and cruise meeting details before booking.

“I booked a daily tour, supposing it would have been a single one-day visit to multiple locations. Instead, I joined several different tours, visiting quickly the main spots. The guides were confused and it seemed they hadn’t clear how to handle my reservation- nevertheless, they were very friendly and passionate explaining throughout the visits. No cruise ticket provided, but I decided to give up and didn’t ask again.”

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12.Vecht River Day Trip with Cruise and High Tea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 5.5 hours · from $247

Travel privately from Amsterdam, Utrecht, or Schiphol along the Vecht River, passing villages, drawbridges, castles, and 17th-century estates. Cruise on a classical open-top boat with a glass of bubbly, then enjoy a 1.5-hour high tea at a riverside restaurant. Guides speak Dutch, English, or German.

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