Canal cruises and luxury barge tours are a convenient way to see quaint towns and villages. The idea of vacationing on a canal boat may not seem elegant at first, but many of the current hotel barges are up to 300 feet long, hold more than 80 guests and feature elaborate furnishings and gourmet food. If you have always dreamed of seeing old Europe, a canal cruise can offer you a chance to view a variety of countries while enjoying comfortable accommodations and a relaxing atmosphere.
The Barge Company
- The Barge Company offers canal and barge hotel cruises in France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Germany, Italy, Belgium and the Czech Republic. Guests can choose from fully-crewed barges that offer three gourmet meals a day or half-board cruises that offer guests two meals onboard and one meal off at their own expense. You can book your next vacation with a deluxe luxury barge, such as the Anacoluthe, which is 210 feet long and can accommodate up to 50 guests as it cruises through the north of France. If you are looking for a more intimate experience, opt for something like La Chouette, which is 100 feet long and accommodates six guests on its tour through Belgium, Burgundy, Champagne and Paris.The Barge Cruise Company Ltd.,501 Chemin Lacoste,82170 GrisollesFrancebargecompany.com
European Waterways
- European Waterways provides canal cruises in several countries, including France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Italy and Holland. Classic barges feature gourmet food and daily excursions. They even provide bikes to get around the towns and villages. European waterways additionally offers theme cruises so that you can spend your vacation shopping for antique furniture on the Antique Cruise or improve your wine-tasting skills on the Wine Appreciation Cruise.European Waterways011-800-394-8630gobarging.com
Boat Bike Tours
- Boat Bike Tours offers a fun and authentic way to tour Europe by offering canal cruises in the Netherlands, Belgium and France. A combination of daily cycling tours with canal and river cruising makes Boat Bike Tours a great idea for the active and energetic vacationer. The Highlights of Holland & Flanders Tour cruises from Amsterdam to Bruges and visits ports in the historic Flemish cities of Antwerp and Ghent, along with smaller towns and fortified villages. Average bike tours are between 15 to 30 kilometers.Boat Bike ToursNoordeinde 51141 AE MonnickendamNetherlands011-31-299-313060boatbiketours.com
