Crime investigator Steve Liebmann has gathered plenty of evidence on the merits of Europe river cruising.

The journalist and long-time co-host of the Channel 9 Today show takes his fifth cruise in May, already convinced it’s the best way to see Europe.

Steve Liebmann on the vessel Avalon Scenery in Lyon, France

Better-known more recently for hosting the high-rating TV show Crime Investigation Australia, Steve struck a deal a couple of years ago to act as the public face of Avalon Waterways, part of the Europe-based conglomerate which also owns the Globus and Cosmos coach tour operations.

He tells Travel Monitor: "When they (Avalon) came up with my name, the first thing I asked them was ‘what do I have to do?’

"They said ‘nothing’. They just wanted me to be a passenger".

Steve took a four-day test cruise to see whether he could endorse the product and was an immediate convert.

"I’ve had enough of getting on and off planes, struggling through airports and checking into and out of hotels.

"River cruising, where you unpack and re-pack your suitcase just once in a week or two weeks, is a terrific way to see Europe, and Avalon really is a great product".

Avalon has not given him any special role during his cruises.

When he boarded in Budapest on the first sailing, he jokingly told passengers: ‘I hope you have a great time. But if you do have a problem, don’t come to me. Talk to the staff’.

Nonetheless, he makes a point of "drifting around" the restaurant talking to other passengers towards the end of evening meals and he and his wife, Di, join fellow travellers on shore trips.

Along with Paris, his favourite place to visit in Europe is the French wine town of Beaune, centre the Burgundy wine region and noted for its preserved medieval architecture, including a 15th century hospital.

Noosa is his favourite holiday spot in Australia.

His May cruise with Avalon will be on the Seine from Paris return, with a side-trip to the battlefields of Normandy.

The final episode of Crime Investigation Australia goes to air on Foxtel next month.

Steve says: "We planned to make six episodes when we started four years ago. We ended up making 37".

More recently, Channel 9 has begun screening the series.

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