If your dream vacation will be to travel in luxury,
exploring the very soul of Europe,
at your own relaxing pace...
your journey's just begun...
Welcome aboard! A gentle crews on one of our hotel barges
is the perfect way to unwind and experience the wonderful countryside and historical treasures
Europe has to offer...
...not to mention it's gastronomic delights and
perhaps the occasional glass of fine wine along the way.
For the thirty years
we have created bespoke barge cruises on some of the most beautiful
inland waterways of Europe.
If you think you've 'done cruising',
then think again.
Far removed from vast cruise liners,
or fleeting visits to overcrowded ports,
ours is a life of serenity,
where small guest numbers and personal service lets you set the pace of life.
And all the time, you're never more than a hop and skip to shore.
No more packing and unpacking during the holiday either.
Wherever you roam,
your luxury floating hotel
will be just around the corner.
Many of our guests get the 'barging bug'
becoming firm friends over the years
as they've explored from the vineyards of Burgundy
to the Shannon in Ireland.
From the Caledonian Canal in Scotland 'Nessie Spotting' in Loch Ness,
to the sun drenched Canal du Midi
in the South of France
Wherever takes your fancy,
there's a myriad of delightful waterways
to be discovered across Europe.
So, let's cast off...
However you arrive,
by road, rail or air
our crew will be at the meeting point to greet you,
and escort you to your holiday home.
From this point, our all-inclusive service will take care of your every need.
At our champagne welcome,
there's time to meet your crew and fellow guests and hear something of the cruise
programme.
So we cruise
on average ten to twelve kilometers a day, it doesn't seem very much,
six to seven miles,
but remember the barge is moving very slowly and it takes a long time to get through these locks
Most of our fleet
began life as cargo vessels, plying the canals of Europe:
carrying coalor wine - even munitions
before being transformed by us into floating boutique hotels.
Now they have bespoke ensuite cabins and saloons,
which can accommodate from four
to twenty passengers
in pure luxury.
Sometimes we set sail on the first evening with a short sundowner cruise.
You can take a look around...
a sundeck with loungers...,
bickes to burn off some calories along the towpath
and oftern a spa pool
to help you fully unwind.
Each voyage is carefully orchestrated to offer you total immersion in the food,
wine and culture of the region.
Our chefs are highly trained culinary artists, whose gastronomic creations
are often rated higher by our clients
than those they have sampled in top restaurants.
We select fine wines from vineyards along the cruise route,
each presented and explained to you by are knowledgeable crew
along with
wonderful local cheeses
Local markets are a great source of provisions,
and you can join the chef from on one of his shopping trips...
but you might have to get up early!
Fresh pastries from a local bakery will be waiting for you at breakfast,...
lunch can be an imaginative buffet on the sundeck.
Dinner is the culinary highlight of the day.
Each course is a delicious creation,
subtly complemented by fine wines and cheeses.
Through all of this, our crew are there to share their knowledge and cater...
...discreetly... for your every need.
Your captain will be an experienced barge master,
guiding the vessel within the lowest of bridges...
...Through to the narrowest of locks.
Where you'll meet some of the locals
who have always got time to say hello.
You'll see tranquil countryside,
and picturesque towns and villages,
all far from the hustle and bustle of city life.
There are bikes for everyone on board,
and some for two.
A cycle trip to a local village may work off lunch.
or maybe a stroll along the towpath.
With the barge never cruising above a brisk walking pace,
she will always be waiting for you at the next lock.
Every hotel barge cruise includes daily excursions to some fascinating local
places of interest.
As our groupes are small,
we can organize visits off the beaten track that you would probably never
find without a tour guide.
For history lovers,
visits to local palaces and castles are a must.
The Abbeye de Fontenay or
medieval Carcassonne, France
Macbeth's Cawdor Castle in Scotland.
Troglodyte cave dwellings in The Loire
or ancient monastic settlements by Irelands River Shannon.
To savour the cultural on offer, you can browse the tiny shops of skilled
craftsmen in Burgundy.
...admire renaissance architecture in Venice,
...watch Delft porcelain being being painted in Holland,
Or visit the last builder of wooden craft on the River Thames.
We meet local producers of culinary specialities including honey,
olives,
truffles, fois gras and Armagnac...
And wander through vibrant local markets,
maybe with a stop to
sample here or there.
No cruise would be complete without sampling some fine wines with a
private tasting at one of our favorite nearby domains.
If you like what you try,
we can bring some back to enjoy on board.
You might even get a airborne in a balloon...
s bird's eye view of our peaceful surroundings.
Most of our guests are happy to join in on floating house partybut
some prefer to charter the whole vessel,
with a group of friends.
Others make up family groups of several generations.
There is something for all ages on board.
For something really special, try one of our
themed charter cruises.
Wine appreciation cruises often visits to wineries in the company of a professional
wine expert.
We have even created are own malt whiskey trail ain Scotland
for those who like a dram...
or two.
Keen walkers are catered with special walking tours,
mainy in Scotland and Burgundy in France.
Some cruises pass through great golf county...
Our golfing itineraries combine the best of golfing and barging.
It is the relaxed friendly atmosphere aboard,
the wonderful cuisine;
and the chance to soak up the scenery and culture as you drift along.
which make a European Waterways voyage
really magical.
For further details visit our website.