As one of Europe's best-known rivers, the Rhone is a fantastic European river cruise destination. It takes you through France's picturesque landscapes, connecting cities and winds right down to the Mediterranean.
Francophiles will really be in their element on the River Rhone, which offers everything from the world-famous vineyards of Burgundy to the celebrated food of Lyon.
In case you haven't already considered a cruise along this wonderful river, we've picked five reasons why now is the perfect time to explore it...
1. You'll visit incredible cities and towns
From underrated Lyon (an excellent alternative to overcrowded Paris) to delightful Arles with its impressive Roman amphitheatre, there are many places to explore on the River Rhone.
You'll experience Burgundy and the Rhone Valley (with many opportunities to sip delicious wine), take in the quaint town of Viviers, be wowed by the sun-drenched vineyards of Beaune and marvel at the beauty of Avignon.
2. It's a foodie haven
As the gastronomic capital of France (and even the world according to some gourmands), Lyon is a terrific place to start a food-filled Rhone cruise.
It has more than 1,500 eateries and thanks to its location surrounded by farms, lakes and valleys, you'll be treated to quality regional ingredients. Beaujolais and the Rhone Valley offer top-notch wines and there are delectable cheeses to match.
3. You'll get to meet Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux Jr.
Yes, really. On Country Living's exclusive Rhone cruise, you'll enjoy a cooking demonstration, a trip to a market with Michel in Lyon and listen to his tips and tricks.
4. You'll sleep on a luxurious ship
If you've always wanted to cruise Europe's rivers in style, sailing the Rhone aboard one of the world's finest river cruise ships, is the way to do it.
On Country Living's cruise, your base will be the elegant Emerald Liberte, offering luxurious cabins, a splash pool and a sun deck to soak up the rays.
5. There's so much to see
Aside from experiencing beautiful destinations from the river, you'll have plenty of time to stop and visit amazing attractions. In Beaune, you'll see the colourful 15th century Hospices de Beaune, a glorious example of High Gothic architecture, while Avignon is home to the stunning Popes' Palace.
It features turrets and towers, with its exterior resembling a mighty fortress. Pretty Viviers is another must-see. A visit to this quaint town is like stepping back in time.
Book a spot on our exclusive River Rhone cruise, where you'll discover many delights and meet culinary stars next spring.
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15 eco-friendly travel accessories so you can look after the planet whilst exploring it
House of Marley Positive Vibrations 2 Wireless Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones
Consciously crafted from FSC certified woods, solid bamboo, up-cycled fabrics and recycled plastic bottles, these headphones also come with superior sound, making them a must-have for the eco-travellers who love their tech.
Fjallraven's special edition Kanken backpack is made entirely of polyester recycled from plastic bottles and can be recycled again. It's great as carry-on luggage or carrying around during the day on a city break.
If you like a packed lunch during your travels, this sustainable alternative to cling film is the perfect answer to wrapping your sandwiches on the go. It lasts up to a year and can be cleaned with dish soap.
This mint green water bottle comes from Chilly's mission to encourage the everyday use of reusable products. It comes in so many colours and keeps your drink hot for 12 hours or cold for 24 hours.
Speedo Hydrosense Swimsuit and Aquashort
Speedo
£55
Speedo's Hydrosense Flowback Swimsuit is constructed from recycled yarns that's soft and as good for you as it is the environment.
Speedo
£38
The matching men's Hydrosense Panel Aquashort is designed to enhance your connection to the water, while its eco-friendly Powerflex ECO fabric is gentler on the environment.
Ditch the plastic shampoo bottles and save yourself the hassle at airport security with a 100 per cent natural of bar of butter shampoo made from amazing butters and oils that are kinder to your locks, too.
This earth-friendly suitcase is made from repurposed polypropylene and recycled wood waste. It's not just better for the environment than your average case - it's stylish and comes with a telescopic handle and four wheels for practicality.
REN Clean Screen Mineral SPF 30
REN
£30
REN's mineral facial sunscreen is a real all-rounder. It's vegan, silicone-free, won't clog your pores and even the packaging uses recycled plastic.
A recycled down sleeping bag designed for hiking and camping, with sustainable natural insulation technology, this eco-friendly sleeping bag uses 80/20 recycled down fill from used sleeping bags, which is silverised to make it odour–resistant.
rCUP rCup reusable coffee cup
Leak-proof, environmentally friendly and with a sleek design, you won't want to sip your coffee from anything other than the world's first reusable coffee cup constructed from recycled single-use paper cups.
Made from sugarcane, no trip to the beach is complete without this eco-friendly bucket and spade set that's 100 per cent sustainable and fun.
Haglofs Mens and Womens Eco Proof Jackets
Haglofs
£270
This Mens Eco Proof Jacket was made with parts that can easily be replaced or repaired so it will last you longer than the average jacket while helping to save our planet, too.
Haglofs
£270
The Womens Eco Proof Jacket is also made from 52 per cent recycled materials and was designed to be worn, used and fixed with minimal fuss.
Lasting as long as conventional toothbrushes, this environmentally-friendly alternative is made from FSC Beechwood.
Green travellers won't want to be without this mini pouch of 12 soft makeup removal pads and 4 scrub pads that are made from cotton and bamboo, which you just pop in the washing machine when you get home to get them clean again.
Not just a brilliant design that allows you to wheel it, carry it in your hand and wear it on your back, this eco-friendly travel backpack was cleverly crafted from 21 recycled bottles.
Roshina is a contributing editor to Hearst UK. She was previously Senior Travel Editor, where she covered titles including Country Living, Red, ELLE, Harper's Bazaar and Good Housekeeping.
When she's not scoping out the next destinations we should explore (Uzbekistan, the Austrian Alps, Tbilisi), she loves revisiting old favourites (Mauritius, the Dolomites, Istanbul) and spending summer in the mountains - especially when hiking or wrapped in a spa robe.
