If you’re looking for a new, thrilling, and fascinating way to see the world, consider taking a river cruise. Whether you are a senior citizen enjoying your retirement, a family on a holiday vacation, or a student backpacker traversing the globe, river cruising is an experience you won’t forget.

The global map is teeming with well-known and largely unknown bodies of water, with oceans, lakes, rivers, straits, and canals just waiting to be explored and discovered. Sailing the world’s rivers will literally take you all over the map, including diverse and exotic places such as the Yaroslavl River in Russia, the River Po in Rome, the Murray River in Australia, the Rajang River in Borneo, and more.

There is more than one way to cross the waterways of the world. You can step aboard a large luxury cruise ship along the French Riviera or sail the Danube River in a boutique ship. You can also chart a yacht, rent a hotel barge, paddle in a canoe or kayak, or sail the seas in a paddle streamer, tug boat, or longboat.

If the notion of cruising the world’s rivers appeals to you, here is some information about some of most powerful and prestigious rivers to include on your travel itinerary:

Brahmaputra River: Located in Bangladesh, the Brahmaputra River is approximately 1,800 miles long. Stated more accurately, the river ends in Bangladesh, however it originates in Tibet and runs through the Himalayas and Assam Valley. When the snow on the Himalayas melts in the springtime, this river has been known to overflow, causing severe flood damage. Experts have identified tidal bares, the most powerful type of tidal wave, on the Brahmaputra River.

Congo River: This African river is 2,992 miles long and is also known as the Zaire. The Congo is the most powerful river in Africa, beginning quietly near Lake Tanganyika and gradually picking up speed until the waters become dangerous rapids.

Yangtze River: The Yangtze is Asia’s longest river and the third longest in the world. It is about 4,000 miles long and its strong tides have been known to create massive, devastating floods. The river is mostly used for transport and electricity.

Nile River: The Nile River is undoubtedly the most famous river in the world, claiming the top spot as both the longest river in Africa as well as in the world. The Nile is mentioned numerous times in the Bible, and throughout the ages until modern times has served as Egypt’s main source of food, water, and trade. If you’re visiting Egypt, be sure to ask your Egypt tour operator about Nile River cruises, which are a great way to visit all the major cities of the country. Most Nile cruises begin and end in Luxor, however you can embark and disembark from any number of ports.

Amazon River: The Amazon River in South America is the second-largest river in the world next to the Nile. It measures approximately 4,000 miles in length (6,400 kilometers) and is known for its powerful water flow. The river is unequaled in depth and at its mouth can release up to eight trillion gallons of water daily.