A gentle cruise on a hotel barge is the perfect way to discover the very soul of Europe, exploring its wonderful countryside and historical treasures and meeting its many friendly, diverse people.
Hotel Barging Compared to Other Forms of Cruising
- Intimate ‘house party’ atmosphere with small passenger numbers and an unparalleled level of personal service
- Cruises are generally less than 70 miles in a week, at only 3mph
- Cruises are on smaller waterways and canals inaccessible to larger vessels
- Unique cruising experiences such as Eiffel’s Aqueduct at Briare, the Arzviller Boat Elevator and the Malpas Tunnel
- Gentle pace and immersion in the local culture and history
- Cruising just a few feet from the towpath, it’s easy to moor up and explore on foot or bicycle
- Usually the cruise is for only a few hours each day and never at night
- Excursions in small groups to “off the beaten track” places
- Whole barge charters possible for a group of friends or family
Cruising in Champagne Region, France
The region starts around 75 miles from Paris, around the city of Meaux and stretches along the beautiful River Marne to the city of Epernay, home of such renowned Champagne houses as Moet & Chandon. There is a plethora of vineyards spread across the undulating plains as far as the eye can see, brilliant green with the new leaves of spring, turning to gold as the grapes ripen in the autumn. The Champagne region is rich in other gastronomic products, including its wonderfully creamy Brie and Coulommiers cheeses and mustards from Meaux.
Cruising in Burgundy, France !
Taking a Burgundy barge cruise down one of the region’s canals is a truly wonderful experience. The area boasts some of the world’s finest wines with around 60,000 acres of sunlit vines and arguably the prettiest canals in France. The waterways wind through the heart of the territory’s renowned vineyards,medieval towns, elegant châteaux, magnificent cathedrals, picturesque villages and wonderful local markets. En route, barging in Burgundy guarantees a wealth of sightseeing opportunities.
Cruising in Loire Valley France
The Loire Valley is as rich in legend as it is in beauty; here the aristocracy of France have built their castles and palaces over the centuries and you will realise that, fortunately, little has changed. Talk to a cheesemaker and find out why his is the most famous goat’s cheese in France. Wind your way through the narrow streets of a centuries-old village, perhaps discovering hidden shops with hand-painted pottery, or stumble across an open market on your own.
Cruising in Bordeaux, France
Lying in the southern part of western France on the Atlantic coast and with a well-drained stony soil, the area gets exactly the right blend of sun, rain and gentle breezes to create their wonderful wines. A hotel barge cruise along the Canal de Garonne is a unique way to explore and appreciate the slow rhythm of this region with its subtle mixture of natural landscapes, medieval bastide towns and iconic vineyards, some of which are grand estates with imposing chateaux and others, more modest family affairs.
Luxury Barge Cruising in Scotland
For a magical barge cruise, Scotland is hard to surpass. Cruise sedately through the Great Glen between Inverness and Fort William, navigating beautiful lochs and the engineering masterpiece that is the Caledonian Canal. Ancient castles perched on the water’s edge, heather-clad hillsides and arguably the finest inland cruising in the world offer the guests on board, unforgettable experiences on a handpicked barge cruise. Scotland’s legends of the past, the taste of single malt and the mythical inhabitant of Loch Ness all contribute to a magical charm only experienced in the dramatic Highlands.
Ireland River Cruises
When it comes to river cruises, Ireland remains one of the most fascinating undiscovered locations in the world. Offering a mixture of folklore, quaint customs, friendly locals and the sort of lush green landscapes which earn the island its nickname of ‘The Emerald Isle’, Ireland river cruises are sure to satisfy even the most demanding enthusiasts!
Golf Cruises
Scotland, Ireland, England and France all have some great courses including Royal Dornoch, Lahinch, Galway Bay, Wentworth, Sunningdale and Cap d’Agde, which should be enough to inspire and challenge any keen golfer. They also possess some magnificently scenic waterways, so why not combine the best of both worlds and book one of our unique, memorable golf cruises? When you join this themed holiday, tee times can be arranged so that you have time to play a memorable round and still enjoy a relaxing cruise aboard your floating hotel with gourmet cuisine and fine wines.
Wine Appreciation Cruises
On these dedicated luxury charter cruises guests will be taken directly to the vineyards for private tastings where the sommelier will explain the grapes, cultivation methods and history of the vineyard. Guests will be tasting fine Burgundies such as Nuits St-Georges, Santenay and Vosne Romanée, often premier or grand cru vintages that the knowledgeable guide will have handpicked to give you the finest possible experience.
Wine tours in the Loire Valley provide an introduction to crisp Vouvrays and Touraines, nurtured for centuries by their Chateau-owning families, or further south you can enjoy the lighter, fruitier flavours of the Provence and the Languedoc-Roussillon regions. In Alsace there are the crisp whites to be found on the Route des Grands Crus.
There is so much to choose from:
- Cruises in 9 countries on a wide selection of hotel-barges that accommodate up to 20 passengers
- A wide selection of ‘themed’ cruises, for example – golf-tours, walking-tours, cycling-tours, Flower-show, culinary, Family and opera cruises
- Cruises for like-minded travellers on an individual cabin basis, or whole barge charters for families, friends & special interest groups.
For details & to plan your holiday for an incredible cruise holiday, please drop in a mail at [email protected] or call +91 9873 797960. It would be our pleasure to assist in creating this memorable trip for you, our valued clients.