The Telegraph has compiled a list of some of the top river cruises around the world which provide travellers with the best and most relaxing way to witness breath-taking scenery and countryside.

A cruise along the Nile between Luxor and Aswan provides cruisers with a deeply cultural experience. Holidaymakers can visit the temples at Luxor and Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and the temple dedicated to Horus at Edfu.

The attractions of both Moscow and St Petersburg can been enjoyed by cruising along the Volga River and other waterways which connect the two cities.

The Three Gorges and the Three Gorges Dam are the highlight of a cruise along the Yangtze River in China. Many travellers also choose to spend time in Shanghai before beginning the cruise.

A cruise along the Danube offers a cultural journey through European history, starting from the Hungarian capital of Budapest and sailing through Slovakia, Austria and Germany.

A cruise along the Amazon, the world’s largest river, takes travellers to the picturesque city of Santarem and many other stunning destinations.

Europe’s most popular cruising river, the Rhine, offers plenty of sightseeing opportunities along its 900 mile course, including fairytale castles, medieval towns and the impressive UNESCO World Heritage gothic cathedral in Cologne.