Imagine sitting on a sun-deck, sipping your favourite poison and maybe biting into some juicy kebabs, as you gaze at a great river flowing by. Feels good, doesn’t it?

If you’re looking for a unique holiday that promises tranquillity, book yourself a luxury river cruise — in India or abroad. The cruise liners come loaded with modern amenities and double up as your hotel-cum-transport. All you have to do is step aboard — and let them take you places.

Whether you’re gazing at the mangrove forests on the Ganges or the beauty of Assam as the mighty Brahmaputra meanders through it, river cruises promise a lot of fun. Or indulge yourself with a super-luxe cruise on the Nile, while another on the Rhine sails through five European countries.

Check out some of the best river cruises up for grabs.

The Ganges

There’s nothing like cruising on the Ganges. As you chill out on the four-decked luxury cruiser, M.V. Paramhamsa, sail to the Sunderbans, explore fishing villages or relax on the Ganga Sagar beach en route. And if you’re a true blue Bengali, you can savour delectable on-board fare of fish, prawns, shrimps and crabs. What’s more, you might be lucky and spot a Big Cat!

Hot ticket!

Vivada Cruises has weekly 3-night and 4-day cruise packages on M.V. Paramhamsa between September and May from Calcutta to the Sunderbans. The cruiser has 32 river-facing, air-conditioned cabins, multi-cuisine restaurant, a live kitchen counter, a gym and more. Deluxe cabins come for Rs 34,000 and luxury cabins for Rs 39,000 per person on twin-sharing basis.It includes accommodation, meals and sightseeing as per itinerary. For details call 33-24631990/ 33-24631991.

The Brahmaputra

The mighty Brahmaputra traverses some 2,900km over Tibet, India and Bangladesh. Now you can get up, close and personal with the river as it flows through Assam. Sail along the beautiful River Kolong, one of the Brahmaputra’s tributaries and drop in at Mayong, a village famous for black magic practices. Courtesy the Brahmaputra Cruise, the trip will also take you to the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary and the Kaziranga National Park. Watch out for the one-horned rhino, elephants and other wildlife.

Hot ticket!

Between November and April, Brahmaputra Cruise is offering a 4-night and 5-day package that includes two nights on a houseboat and the other two on land. You’ll have to book for six people (the number of passengers accommodated) at Rs 5,000 per person per night on twin sharing basis. It includes accommodation, meals, transfers and sightseeing as per itinerary, safaris, park and guide fees. For more call 9435558002/ 361-2600244

The Nile

Set sail on the Nile aboard the luxury Nile cruiser, the Oberoi Zahra, declared the Best 5-star cruiser on the Nile by the Ministry of Tourism, Egypt, in 2009. The cruise takes you through Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Quina and Luxor. You’ll visit the Philae Temple, the Valley of the Kings and Deir-el-Madina, a village of craftsmen who built and decorated the Pharaohs’ tombs.

Hot ticket!

The Oberoi Zahra has 25 luxury cabins, two luxury suites, a spa, a restaurant, theatre, library and more. Between September 28 and December 20, a 7-night and 8-day cruise from Aswan to Luxor will cost 580 euros (Rs 35,322) per person on twin sharing basis in a luxury cabin while a luxury suite will cost 1,850 euros (Rs 1,12,693). This includes accommodation, meals, sightseeing as per itinerary, airport transfers and taxes. Airfare excluded. Call 1800-11-2030 for details.

The Rhine

Rising from the Swiss Alps and flowing into the North Sea, the Rhine is one of the longest rivers in Europe. Cruising down the river is a great way to see some of the famous sights of the continent. Starting in Amsterdam, the journey aboard the Viking Helvetia or Viking Sun will take you through Kinderdijk in Netherlands, Cologne, Koblenz, Rüdesheim, Heidelberg, Speyer, and Breisach in Germany, Strasbourg in France and Basel in Switzerland. Explore the Heidelberg and the Marksburg castles, gawk at Cologne Cathedral, sample the local wines of Rüdesheim, or simply stare mesmerised as you sail through the Black Forest.

Hot ticket!

Viking River Cruises has deluxe cruisers offering 7-night and 8-day Rhine Getaway trips between March and December 2010. Tariffs range between $1,156 (Rs 53,773) and $3,556 (Rs 1.65 lakh) per person on twin sharing basis. This includes accommodation, six guided tours, meals and port charges. Airfare not included. Go to www.vikingrivercruises. com for more.