I am reclining on my bed looking out at the Provençal countryside through a floor-to-ceiling glass window, as our boat, The Ravel, glides noiselessly along the Rhône. The feeling of calmness is all-enveloping on this ship, which is part of the Riverside Luxury Cruises fleet travelling languidly up and down Europe's great rivers. The Ravel, which is the length of a football field, has just 55 bedrooms.
So, invariably, it is no problem to locate a quiet corner on the Upper Vista Deck or relax by the small but enticing and surprisingly underpopulated indoor pool. The moment you step on board, the strains of everyday life seem to melt away; it's like living in the most supremely luxurious cocoon. As the boat skims silently from Avignon to Lyon, the only sound we hear is the lapping of the waves against the sides.
Every night this soothing rhythm gently lulls us to sleep. The next morning we wake refreshed and open the curtains to reveal another exquisite medieval town. Before long, I start to think, "I could get used to this.
" Eating and drinking The first thing to say about eating on The Ravel is that there is no Captain's Table or forced jollity with other passengers. You are absolutely not obliged to go to any cabaret nights or to socialise with strangers – I can hear you shouting "hurray!" from here. It is easy to get the best seat in the house at a peaceful table by the window and while away the time in the company of the person you have actually chosen to go on the tr.