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European Waterways Offers Black Friday Special of 25% Off On Select Barge Cruises
European Waterways announced that it is offering a Black Friday Special of 25% off on whole boat charters on two of its popular hotel barge cruises in France. The specials are good for the April 7, 2024 departure of the 12-passenger La Belle Epoque in Burgundy and the March 31, 2024 departure of the eight-passenger Enchanté on the Canal du Midi. With the Black Friday Special, the charter price for La Belle Epoque is $54,375, a saving of $18,125 off the original $72,500 price. The charter price for Enchanté is $42,375, a saving of $14,125 off the original price of $56,500. The Black Friday Special is valid only when booked between November 24 and December 1, 2023 and subject to availability. “Spring is an ideal time to visit Southern France,” noted Derek Banks, Managing Director of European Waterways. “The warming temperatures are great for sightseeing. Views from the barge offer a front-row seat to the rolling green hills of blossoming grape vines, while the charming small towns and villages come back to life with open-air markets and annual celebrations.” Taste of the Good Life Weaving through the countryside along the Burgundy Canal, European Waterways’ La Belle Epoque treats guests to activities that include visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites. There is a private tasting of Chablis wines at the prestigious Domaine Laroche with a visit to its one-thousand-year-old monastery cellars; as well as a private champagne tasting at Maison Taisne Ricour. Guests will also dine with a Baroness at the magnificent Château de Ricey-Bas. Other experiences feature a thrilling falconry display at the Château de Commarin, with a chance to meet its owner, Count Bertrand de Vogüé. A cruise aboard hotel barge Enchanté takes guests on excursions that include a tour, tasting and gourmet lunch at the family-owned Château de Paraza; a visit to one of France’s critically acclaimed “Most Beautiful Villages” of Minerve; an exploration of the medieval city of Carcassonne; and a chance to join a truffle hunt that features the excellent sniffing skills of a faithful truffle hound. European Waterways’ luxury barge cruises are all-inclusive, featuring fully equipped en suite cabins, daily gastronomic meals prepared by a master chef and complemented hand-picked wine pairings, bicycles for pedaling along the gentle towpaths and through nearby towns, as well as all daily guided private excursions per the itinerary. For more information, visit European Waterways.
European Waterways announces enhanced wine excursions
Introducing luxury hotel barge guests to the finest wineries in France, guests ‘Sip and Cruise’ in luxury and comfort. Ernest Hemingway once said, “Wine and friends are a great blend.” This philosophy is at the heart of European Waterways’ dedication to offering its guests some of the most unique and exclusive wine excursions in the industry. Guests cruise with like-minded fellow travellers who are eager to share the experience. They learn about the history and winemaking traditions, as well as the process, from grape growing to bottling. The excursions can feature tastings at family-owned vineyards and private tours of historic chateaux. The cruises also include gastronomic meals paired with the finest regional wines, sometimes from the very vineyard visited. On board hosts explain the significance of each vintage and guide guests on how to best enjoy them. “Wine and the company of fellow passengers are integral parts of the luxury hotel barge cruising experience,” said Derek Banks, Managing Director of European Waterways. “Whether serious connoisseurs, or just curious about wines, our guests are always sure to stay in good ‘spirits’ throughout the six-night, all-inclusive cruise.” Banks noted: “Most European Waterways hotel barges can also be chartered for a themed, more immersive Wine Appreciation Cruise.” A Fine Wine Romance ……..aboard popular hotel barges: * the eight-passenger Finesse, which cruises Southern Burgundy. Guests aboard Finesse visit Maison Champy – a winery located in the heart of Beaune, the Capital of Burgundy Wines. A UNESCO historical monument, the winery was designed by the famed architect, Gustave Eiffel, and is one of the oldest in France. Here they will enjoy a guided tour of the vineyards, a tasting hosted by a wine expert, and a gourmet lunch at CUVE 17 – a unique dining experience within one of the winery’s huge historic wooden wine vats, known as ‘cuves’, where a four-course seasonal lunch with wine parings of Premier and Grand Crus is served. * the eight-passenger Renaissance, cruises France’s oldest canal, the Canal de Briare, when guests can enjoy a tour and private wine tasting at the Sancerre winery of La Perrière. The winery is famous for its vast natural cave, dating back millions of years, where its distillation vats are housed. Renaissance cruises also include excursions to the studio home of artist Rosa Bonheur, the most celebrated female artist of the 19th century, with a private lunch in her salon; as well as a cooking demonstration at the privately-owned Château de La Bussière, a former fortified castle dating back to the 12th century. * the 12-passenger Panache takes guests to visit the boutique Grand Cru champagne house of Frerejean Frères, located in the middle of the Champagne countryside. The tour is followed by lunch in the family domaine, with ingredients harvested from its gardens. Champagne cruise passengers savor more bubbles with tastings at the world-renowned house of Moët & Chandon and the Maison Pannier winery with its labyrinth of medieval underground cellars.
European Waterways’ 2023 opens Christmas Market Cruises in Alsace & Lorraine
Europe’s celebration of the festive holiday season have always had strong roots in traditions. The continent’s annual Christmas markets, which originated in Germany hundreds of years ago, evoke nostalgic memories of simpler times, with countless stalls selling popular holiday decorations, while the aroma of mulled wine, fresh bread and meat cooking over embers hovers in the air. It’s all part of the immersive experience offered by European Waterways’ new Christmas market cruises in France’s Alsace & Lorraine, which are available in November and December 2023 on selected departures of the company’s 12-passenger luxury hotel barge, Panache. “Germany hosts some 3,000 Christmas markets, and the Alsace-Lorraine region – which was once part of Germany but now belongs to France – carries on the tradition,” noted Derek Banks, Managing Director of European Waterways. “The region is renowned for its bright and festive Christmas markets, as well as its picturesque castles and France’s oldest wine road – all of which are part of European Waterways’ Christmas Markets Cruises.” Banks continued: “In addition to the festivities, Christmas markets offer the opportunity to sample some great seasonal treats, such as vin chaud or mulled wine, a large variety of gingerbread, and christolle – a brioche made with candied fruits and filled with almond cream.” Advance Bookings for Cabins and Charters Now open for booking, European Waterways’ Christmas Markets Cruises - available on Panache’s November 26, December 3, and December 10, 2023 departures - are all-inclusive and include luxury accommodation, daily excursions, fine wine and gastronomic meals served onboard by a master chef. Cabins are £5,450 per person, based on double occupancy. The full barge (12 people) can also be chartered for £58,000 for any of the departure dates. Making Merry Historically important to the towns’ economic and social fabric, and often constructed in front of majestic churches, the many public squares of Alsace & Lorraine come alive with colourful lights, music, feasting and merry-making during the holiday season’s Christmas markets. Among the numerous markets which can be explored with European Waterways is Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik. Welcoming millions of visitors every year, Strasbourg – the capital of Alsace and “the capital of Christmas” – is host to one of the oldest and largest markets in Europe. Guests can “step back in time” as they wander the many historic quarters of the city, such as Place Gutenberg and la Petite France (Little France). They will also visit such local attractions as the Musée du Chocolat, or chocolate museum, where they can watch seasonal candy being made. Capping these memorable experiences is a gastronomic dinner at a traditional Alsatian restaurant. Other memorable excursions include a visit to the six Christmas markets that ring the centre of Colmar, a town whose cobblestone streets and half-timber houses recall the early Renaissance. Among the highlights is the market at Place de la Cathédrale, which spreads out in the shadows of the Gothic Eglise Saint-Martin. The itinerary also includes a visit to the Christmas market of Haguenau, famous for its 54-foot-long nativity scene. In Lorraine, guests visit the city of Lutzelbourg and its Meisenthal Glass Bauble factory, the original birthplace of the traditional Christmas ornaments, to watch the glass blowers in action. They will explore the remarkable glassware collection of French jeweller René Jules Lalique at the Musée Lalique. The building’s extensive creations of glass art were a major influence on the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements.
European Waterways’ Luxury Hotel Barge Cruises Are Foodie and Wine Lovers’ Dream
Celebrated author Michael Pollan once wrote, "At home, I serve the kind of food I know the story behind.” For European Waterways, it's a philosophy they take to heart on all of the company's luxury hotel barge cruises. Whether cruising the picturesque countryside of Southern France or the legendary Highlands of Scotland, their cruises offers the ultimate gastronomic experiences and the stories behind them. Cruises include immersive wine and food excursions, daily gourmet dining, and onboard meals prepared by master chefs. Exploring the idyllic countryside, far from the crowded streets of major cities, European Waterways' hotel barges include shopping with the chef for evening ingredients and meals paired with local wines that reveal the fascinating history of the cruise regions. Guests can even go truffle hunting in the nearby hills and visit an escargot farm, in season. “Our luxury barge cruises offer the ultimate escape from busy life,” said Derek Banks, managing director of European Waterways. “Since our hotel barges hold just six to 20 people, they create the perfect ‘travel bubble’ for like-minded guests to share their passions.” Wine and Dine European Waterways’ ultra-deluxe Enchanté is a stylish, 8-passenger double-decker hotel barge with an open-plan show kitchen, where guests can observe their skilled master chef preparing gastronomic masterpieces. Among itinerary highlights are a visit to Lagrasse and its 8th century abbey, with lunch in a local restaurant. Guests will also enjoy a private winery tour and tasting of fine Minervois wines, as well as a visit to an olive press to taste the famous Lucques green olives. They will similarly visit the medieval fortified city of Carcassonne, where they can enjoy specialty chocolate and other sweet offerings produced by the city’s many artisanal confectioners. Guests can also stop at a local boulangerie, or bakery, to enjoy freshly baked bread and pastries. European Waterways’ 12-passenger L’Impressionniste hotel barge cruises Southern Burgundy, with an elegant décor that includes hardwood flooring, comfortable leather sofas, and large picture windows for a perfect view of the rolling French countryside. Among the cruise highlights is a private winery tour and tasting as well as a tour of Dijon and its markets. Guests will also enjoy a tour of Domaine Chanson in the heart of Burgundy's Beaune region that includes a private wine tasting and exclusive gastronomic lunch. “If you enjoy world-class cuisine and fine wines in picturesque surroundings, a cruise on a luxury hotel barge is for you,” said Banks.
Experience France and the 2023 Rugby World Cup with a European Waterways’ luxury hotel barge cruise
More than 60,000 international rugby enthusiasts will head to France this year to watch as the world’s top teams go head-to-head in the 2023 Rugby World Cup (8 September-28 October). Running for a total of 51 days, the tournament will see 20 teams play 48 matches in nine venues across 10 host cities, kicking off on 8 September with a blockbuster match between France and New Zealand at the Stade de France, in Paris. Travellers heading to France for the Cup can combine the excitement of the tournament with one of the best holiday experiences France has to offer on a European Waterways’ luxury hotel barge cruise - the ideal choice for those seeking to wind down during, or after the tournament. Immersive private, and often exclusive, daily excursions, four-course gastronomic meals paired with fine wines and charming cruises along the picturesque canals and intimate waterways of the picturesque French countryside. Pre, or Post the Tournament Those attending matches at the Stade de Bordeaux, or Stadium de Toulouse are in prime position to sail away on luxury hotel barge Rosa. Cruising the canals of South-West France, the 8-passenger Rosa features a spacious sun-deck with dining area for enjoying alfresco meals prepared by an onboard chef and comfortable loungers for guests to relax and take in the passing French countryside after a thrilling game. Cabins and whole-boat charters are currently available for the September 3rd departure cruising the Bordeaux region, which includes an itinerary filled with immersive excursions that reveal the cultural, historical, and culinary traditions of the region, such as a visit to the world-renowned Saint Émilion and a tour on the Garonne River aboard a traditional flat-bottomed boat. Cabins are currently available at £4,290 per person, based on double occupancy. Whole barge charters are available at £32,000 based on 8 passengers travelling. Those sailing on the October 22nd Gascony departure can look forward to a private visit to the Château de la Motte, accompanied by the resident Countess and a guided excursion and private tasting at a renowned local Armagnac producer with cabins currently available at £3,690 per person, based on double occupancy and a whole barge charter available at £27,500 based on 8 passengers travelling. After the tournament With the majority of European Waterways luxury hotel barge cruises starting with a pick up in Paris, those attending games at the Stade de France can take their pick from a choice of barges and cruise itineraries. Cabin space is currently available on the 12-passenger La Belle Epoque, 8-passenger L’Art de Vivre and 8-passenger Renaissance for October 29th departures, the day after the Rugby World Cup’s grand final. Guests aboard La Belle Epoque are treated to the world-class cuisine of Northern Burgundy and explore UNESCO World Heritage sites that include the famed Abbaye de Fontenay, the oldest preserved Cistercian abbey in the world. Also on the itinerary is a visit to the family-owned champagne house Maison Taisne Riocour in the renowned wine growing region of Les Riceys, followed by a champagne aperitif and a private gastronomic lunch with the Baroness in the family’s chateau. Cabins on La Belle Epoque are available at £4,350 per person, based on double occupancy while a whole barge charter is available at £49,000, based on 12 passengers travelling. Cruising the Canal du Nivernais in Burgundy, European Waterways’ L’Art de Vivre is one of the company’s oldest barges. Guests aboard 8-passenger L’Art de Vivre can celebrate the Wallabies or All-Blacks triumph, or drown their sorrows with a visit to the renowned village of Chablis, enjoying a private wine tasting at the prestigious Domain Laroche, followed by a visit to the 1000-year-old Obediencerie, where the wines are aged. With cabins available at £4,450 per person, based on double occupancy and whole barge charters at £28,000 based on 8 passengers travelling, L’Art de Vivre features a spacious sun-deck and spa pool, where guests can truly unwind after an action packed few weeks. European Waterways’ flagship hotel barge, the 8-passenger Renaissance, cruises one of the country’s oldest canals, the Canal de Briare in Western Burgundy and the Loire Valley. A spacious hotel barge with beautifully appointed saloon, sun-deck and spa pool, passengers are treated to a picture-postcard countryside dotted with sophisticated châteaux, quaint villages, and the rolling limestone hills of Sancerre, which many claim produce “the ultimate French Sauvignon Blanc.” Among cruise highlights is a wine tasting at La Perriere winery, known for its Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Cabins on Renaissance are available at £5,750 per person, based on double occupancy. Whole barge charters are available at £42,000 based on 8 passengers travelling.
‘Set-Jetting’ on a Slow Boat Through the Scenic Countryside of Europe with European Waterways
Many travelers say that their choices of vacation destinations were inspired by popular movies and TV series. Some will seek out the glamour of Paris, the ‘City of Love’, thanks to the popularity of shows like Emily in Paris; others are captivated by the sophistication and elegance of the British aristocrats on a visit to the real-life estate of the fictional Crawley family from Downton Abbey; and the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry comes to life on a trip to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter. “A number of our luxury hotel barge cruises include excursions to the real-life settings of beloved movies and TV series. Other locations such as Paris are close enough to our routes that guests can incorporate them into their vacation plans before or after their cruises,” noted Derek Banks, Managing Director of European Waterways. Banks added: “The Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe are favorites, of course. If you’re an Emily in Paris fan, you can also visit the Jardin du Palais Royal, the Pont Alexandre III bridge and the Café de Flore, among others.” A Magical Theme on the Thames Muggles can be witches and wizards for a day on a visit to the “The Making of Harry Potter” in London on a private family charter of European Waterways’ hotel barge, Magna Carta. Cruising England’s historic River Thames, a Harry Potter-themed charter can include visits to numerous sites associated with the movies on the vessel’s six-night, all-inclusive journey. A tour of the studio soundstages and backlots reveals original movie sets that include Diagon Alley and The Great Hall. The attraction also includes costumes and props, as well as animatronic creatures and special effects. In addition to seeing a recreation of the Great Hall during the studio tour, the real-life Great Hall and the iconic 16th century stone staircase – found at Oxford’s Christ Church College – is visited later on in the themed charter cruise. The Magna Carta hotel barge also visits Downton Abbey on certain cruise departures - making a tour of the rooms, buildings, and grounds of Highclere Castle. The majestic, 1,000-acre estate in the English countryside is the real-life setting for the fictional Crawley family. Taking the High Road The spectacular, sweeping ruggedness of the Scottish Highlands have been the inspiration for many popular movies. They were the backdrop for James Bond’s Skyfall, with Bond driving the Glen Etive Road to Loch Etive – a lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The region’s castles have also enjoyed movie ‘stardom’. Eilean Donan, visited aboard hotel barges Scottish Highlander and Spirit of Scotland, is one of the Highlands’ most beautiful and famous. It makes a cameo in many movies such as The World is Not Enough and Elizabeth: The Golden Age. The Highlands also offer a treat for Harry Potter fans, who will recognize the real-life route to Hogwarts – the Glenfinnan Viaduct – a railway structure spanning 1,000 feet and towering 100 feet above the ground. European Waterways can help guests arrange a ride on a “Hogwarts Express”-style steam locomotive that runs here from May – October. From France to Italy France has a wealth of history and culture, with many of its villages exquisitely preserved and serving as great movie locations. European Waterways’ guests can visit some of the regions’ real-life movie settings on planned excursions, depending on the cruise region. Among the excursions offered by hotel barge Rosa in southwest France is a visit to Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val. The town, surrounding a Benedictine monastery built in the 8th century, is the real-life setting for The Hundred-Foot Journey. Chocolat with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp used the real-life village of Flavigny-sur-Ozerain in Burgundy as the fictional Lansquenet, visited aboard La Belle Epoque. Rosa and Anjodi, the latter which cruises the Canal du Midi, are TV stars in themselves, serving as “home” for Rick Stein’s French Odyssey, a highly successful television cooking series. Venice’s Grand Canal and piazzas are also popular movie settings. Among them is James Bond’s From Russia with Love and Casino Royale. The Grand Canal is also the backdrop for Indiana Jones, the classic Don’t Look Now with Julie Christie, and The Tourist, with Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp. A cruise aboard hotel barge La Bella Vita includes the Venetian Lagoon and Canal Bianco. “It’s always exciting to walk in the footsteps of your favorite characters by visiting the real-life settings of their movies,” said Banks. “But even if you just want to relax and enjoy the beautiful countryside, you’re always a ‘star’ as a guest of European Waterways!”
It’s ‘Foodie Heaven’ on European Waterways’ Popular Culinary Cruises in Rural France
Luxury hotel barge cruising specialist European Waterways announced that it has enhanced its popular culinary themed charter cruises in France. Offering the ultimate in gastronomic experiences, these unique "foodie cruises" now feature more immersive wine and food excursions, daily gourmet dining, and onboard cooking classes presented by master chefs. Cruising the idyllic countryside, far from the crowded streets of major cities, they include “vine dining” at local wineries, “shopping with the chef” for evening ingredients, and meals paired with local wines that reveal the fascinating history and cuisine of the cruise regions. Guests can even go truffle hunting in the nearby hills and visit an escargot farm, in season. "Foodie Cruise" charters are available on the company’s luxury hotel barges L’Impressionniste in Southern Burgundy and Enchanté on the Canal du Midi. “Our themed cruises offer the ultimate escape from the busy cities,” said Derek Banks, managing of European Waterways. “Since hotel barges hold just a small number of people, they are perfect for groups of like-minded friends, special-interest clubs and families – who will have the boats all to themselves. Themed cruises are especially fun because everyone is sharing their particular passions with people they know.” Cheese and Truffles on the Canal du Midi European Waterways’ ultra-deluxe Enchanté is a stylish, 8-passenger double-decker hotel barge with an open-plan show kitchen, where guests can observe their skilled master chef preparing gastronomic masterpieces. Itinerary highlights include a visit to a goat farm for a comparative tasting of young and mature goat cheeses. Guests will also visit an olive press and taste the famous Lucques green olives, as well as Picholine or Ascolana tapenades, which are made with puréed or finely chopped olives. They will similarly visit the medieval fortified city of Carcassonne, where they’ll discover specialty chocolate and other sweet offerings produced by the city’s many artisanal confectioners. It can all be capped with a stop at a local boulangerie, or bakery, to enjoy freshly baked bread and pastries. Also on the itinerary is the food market in Narbonne, a former Roman Mediterranean capital, where guests will accompany the vessel’s chef in picking ingredients for the evening meal. This will be followed by an educational tour and wine tasting at Château Pique Perlou in Minervois. Another day will be dedicated to truffles, with guests experiencing the art of cavage, or truffle hunting, in the hills of Minervois, after which they will taste the famed white variety, known as “white gold”. They will also tour La Cargolade farm, named after the traditional Languedoc dish of snails. The farm specializes in the Petit Gris variety of escargot, as well as olive oils and seasonal vegetables. Guests then return to the hotel barge to watch a cooking demonstration with the truffles found that day. Savoring the Moments in Burgundy European Waterways’ 12-passenger L’Impressionniste hotel barge cruises Southern Burgundy, with an elegant décor that includes hardwood flooring, comfortable leather sofas, and large picture windows for a perfect view of the rolling French countryside. Among the culinary highlights is a visit to the Abbaye de Citeaux, home to Cistercian monks. The monks have been making cheese for over a century, using the milk of the white Montbéliarde cows that graze in their meadows. Another treat for guests is a drive through the slopes of Côte de Beaune, home to the great names of Burgundy wine. This is followed by a private tour and tasting at Domaine Chanson, one of Burgundy’s most historic producers, and a gastronomic lunch in the Domaine’s château. Guests will also visit the Chevaliers du Tastevin, the fraternity of wine enthusiasts, located in the wall-enclosed Grand Cru vineyard of Clos de Vougeot. A walking tour of old Dijon is a popular excursion, with a visit to its mustard shops and indoor food market to select ingredients for the next meal. Guests will then visit the Edward Fallot Moutarderie mustard mill – a family-run establishment that has been making the spicy condiment since the 1840’s. The tour includes a private tasting of their diverse mustard-based products. Along with the Midi region, Burgundy also enjoys a reputation for fabulous cheeses, which can be explored with a visit to the Gaugry Fromagerie – a famed specialist that still produces the traditional raw milk Époisses, as well as Plaisir au Chablis, a soft and mellow cheese matured with Chablis. “If you enjoy world-class cuisine and fine wines in picturesque surroundings, a cruise on a luxury hotel barge is for you,” said Banks.
European Waterways announces spring 2023 special offers
European Waterways is offering last-minute opportunities for travellers to experience “the joys of luxury hotel barge cruising” with 20% off specials on a number of 2023 departures in Europe, applying to both charter and cabin bookings. They include charters for the April 9 and April 30 departures of Finesse in Burgundy and the April 2 and April 9 departures of Enchanté on the Canal du Midi. Cabin specials are available for the March 26 departure of Panache in Holland and the May 14 departure of La Bella Vita in Italy. Valid when booked by 13 February, 2023 - and not combined with other offers - the 20% off savings on eligible departures can be significant. They are as much as £9,800 (approx... USD 12,171.65) off the £49,000 (approx...USD 60,858.24) charter price for the eight-passenger Finesse, which can now be booked for £39,200 (approx...USD 48,686.60) for the April 30 departure. Charter of the April 2 departure is even less, at just £33,600, a saving of £8,400 off the original £42,000 (approx... USD 52,164.21 ) price. Cabins for the March 26 departure of the 12-passenger Panache are now available for £3,720 (approx... USD 4,620.26 ) per person, a saving of £930, (approx...USD 1,155.18). based on double occupancy and a starting price of £4,650 (approx... USD 5,775.88). “People are definitely ready to travel again after years of pandemic-related restrictions,” said Derek Banks, European Waterways’ managing director. “With ‘relaxed luxury’ experiences and multi-generational travel among the biggest trends this year, it’s clear to see why the European Waterways’ experience is more frequently found on travellers’ ‘bucket lists’. We offer luxury accommodations, daily gourmet meals prepared onboard by a master chef, fine wine, as well as private and often exclusive excursions as part of our all-inclusive cruises.” Cruising in Holland The end of March signals the start of Holland’s famed tulip season. The region’s colourful tulip fields are coming to life, populating the land as far as the eyes can see. The temperature is also ideal for bicycling and walking along the canals’ level towpaths. European Waterways’ hotel barge Panache, whose March 26 departure is eligible for the 20% off special, features large, panoramic windows providing superb views of the landscape as it welcomes Spring. Itinerary highlights include a visit to the famous Keukenhof Gardens – “the garden of Europe” – which features 32 hectares of flowers. Guests will also visit the Zaanse Schans museum and conservation area to learn about the history of windmills, as well as the traditions of clog making and cheese production. Cruising in France The ultra-deluxe Finesse April 9 and April 30 departures can be chartered at 20% off. Among the newest members of European Waterways’ expanding fleet, this barge carries guests in utmost comfort, with luxury accommodations and panoramic windows that perfectly frame the rural splendour of Southern Burgundy’s vineyards and picture-perfect villages. A demonstration galley lets guests observe the experienced master chef at work. Among the highlights are a private tasting and exclusive gastronomic lunch in the unique barrel-shaped cellars of Maison Champy, Burgundy’s oldest wine maker, as well as a private tour and tasting at Domaine Chanzy. The eight-passenger Enchanté is a spacious double-decker hotel barge with a bright, art deco design and open-plan demonstration kitchen that allows guests to watch their daily gastronomic creations being produced. Its Canal du Midi cruise features private winery tours and tastings. Guests also visit the fascinating 100-year-old Halles de Narbonne market that reflects France’s rich and diverse food culture. Other excursions include a visit to the medieval city of Carcassonne and to Lagrasse’s 8th century abbey. With the 20% off special, charters of the April 2 or April 9, 2023, departures of Enchanté are now £29,200 (approx... USD 36,273.85). Cruising in Italy European Waterways’ La Bella Vita hotel barge cruises between Venice and the Renaissance city of Mantua across the lagoon and along the Canal Bianco. In between, guests are treated to unique experiences that include a private dinner hosted by the owner of the 17th century Villa Ca’Zen; a tour of the historic town of Chioggia; a private visit to the wine cellars of Villa Widmann-Borletti; and a visit to Mantua’s Ducal Palace and gardens. They will also cruise through the UNESCO designated Po Delta Biosphere Reserve, renowned for its 360 species of birds that include the purple heron, flamingos, and snipe. “Through these specials, we want to give travellers a last-minute opportunity to experience the magnificent European countryside at its most colourful, when the landscape starts to bloom for Spring and the temperature is ideal for sightseeing,” said Banks.
Post pandemic ‘Travel Bubbles’ and Top Trends for 2023 lift European Waterways to record sales
European Waterways is reporting record sales of its luxury hotel barge cruises as post-pandemic concerns continue to drive many of the major travel trends that speak to the company’s canal barging experience. With some travelers still preferring to create a “travel bubble” composed of families and small groups, for example, the company says that its private charter bookings have increased more than 45 percent. Travellers are also seeking experiences that take them “off the beaten path”; they want to be more than observers, but also become immersed in the local culture, gastronomy, and history of the region. These are all integral parts of the European Waterways experience. “We had a record year in 2022, with bookings 16 percent higher than our previous record, because our cruises tick all the boxes,” said Derek Banks, European Waterways’ managing director. “We offer exclusive ‘slow travel’ and ‘relaxed luxury’ experiences that are consistently among the most frequently cited industry trends.” Launching a New Niche Market Derek Banks and John Wood-Dow, who co-founded the company, launched European Waterways more than forty years ago with the purchase of their first barge, Anjodi. Built in 1929 originally to transport grain, the barge was meticulously transformed into a “boutique hotel on the water,” according to Banks. It was one of the first luxury hotel barge on the Canal du Midi. Their venture helped ignite a new niche travel industry that proved instrumental in the revitalization of Europe’s intricate network of scenic canals and inland waterways as tourism destinations. As a tribute to their focus on providing “the ultimate slow travel experience,” hotel barge Anjodi still sails the waters today, setting the standards for all-inclusive, luxury travel along the canals and waterways of the French countryside. Exclusive Experiences During the many years helping to grow the canal cruising market, European Waterways has developed close relationships with many local businesses, vineyards, personalities, and restaurants along their routes. These have proven essential in creating highly curated experiences for their guests that have become a hallmark of European Waterways cruises. For example, guests aboard La Bella Vita on Italy’s River Po can enjoy a private lunch with a Countess at her legendary villa. As part of cruising Rosa in Gascony, guests will find themselves at the 18th century Château de la Motte, where the resident Baroness will give them a private tour, then take tea with them in her apartment. Cruising the Champagne region on Panache, guests will enjoy a private tour, wine tasting and gastronomic meal at the boutique Grand Cru winery of Frerejean Frères. The company’s Scottish Highlander and Spirit of Scotland in Scotland include a private tour of the Dalwhinnie whisky distillery, followed by a tasting of several of its famous single malts. Anjodi on the UNESCO listed Canal du Midi includes a private wine tasting at the Château Pech-Celeyran and a unique truffle hunting “expedition” with trained “truffle hounds”. Throughout all this, guests enjoy private chauffeured transportation in air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz minibuses to and from their excursions. Onboard their hotel barge, they are rewarded with exceptional gastronomic meals every day, prepared by a master chef, that include wine pairings from local vintages. Barges also include onboard amenities such as spa pools and bicycles, available for guests’ use. “Our 2023 bookings are already on another record pace,” said Banks. “We’re also seeing strong bookings for 2024 and even 2025. It reflects another travel trend of people feeling more confident about the future and booking their dream, ‘bucket list’ vacations far in advance.” Banks added: “More and more travelers are discovering the ‘joys of luxury hotel barge cruising,’ and we are thrilled and honored to be recognized as a pioneer and standard-bearer for the industry.”
European Waterways launches new Christmas market cruises in Alsace & Lorraine
European Waterways has announced the launch of the company’s new Christmas market cruises in the Alsace and Lorraine region of France, where the old-world traditions of Europe’s colourful Christmas markets can be found in full swing during the holiday seasons. Available on the 12-passenger luxury hotel barge Panache, the six-night, all-inclusive cruises immerse guests in the annual holiday celebrations that have captivated visitors worldwide for centuries. Reservations are now being accepted for the cruises, which depart November 26, December 3, and December 10, 2023. Cabins are USD 7,490 per person, based on double occupancy. The full boat can also be chartered for USD 79,500 for any of the departure dates. “Christmas market cruises capture the true spirit of the holiday season, introducing travelers to Alsace and Lorraine at their most festive,” said Derek Banks, managing director of European Waterways. “The cruises will take our guests back to the most magical time of their childhood, when the spirit of Christmas was truly everywhere.” Bright Lights, Good Cheers Sitting at the border of Germany, with architecture and culture blending German and French influences, Alsace & Lorraine lights up the evening sky during the holidays with Christmas traditions going back more than five centuries. The capital of Alsace – and also known as “the capital of Christmas” – Strasbourg welcomes more than two million visitors every year at this time. They are witnesses to streets illuminated by shimmering multicolor lights and vendors selling holiday decorations as part of the city’s iconic Christkindelsmärik. European Waterways guests will explore its renowned Christmas markets, the oldest in France and featuring more than 300 wooden chalets, spread throughout different squares in the city. Guests will also visit the Musée du Chocolat to watch seasonal candy being made. They can wander through Place Gutenberg and la Petite France (little France) with its cobbled streets, boutique shops and quaint little cafes, after which they’ll be treated to a gastronomic dinner at a traditional Alsatian restaurant. Known for its half-timbered houses, flower-laden windowsills and winding, cobblestone streets, Colmar seems to rise straight out of a child’s fairytale during the holidays, with white Christmas trees decorating every corner. European Waterways guests will visit the famous six Christmas markets that ring the town center. Also on the itinerary is a visit to the Christmas market of Haguenau, renowned for its 54-foot-long nativity scene. In the city of Lutzelbourg in the Lorraine region, guests will visit the Meisenthal Glass Bauble factory, the original birthplace of the iconic Christmas decoration, to watch the glass blowers in action. They can also stop by the Musée Lalique to see the remarkable glassware collection of French jeweler René Jules Lalique, whose extensive creations of glass art was a major influence on the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements.
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