Climb aboard a "barge built for two" with two crew members that keep both you and the boat running smoothly as you cruise the Upper Loire and Western Burgundy. Or, join a small group of 22 as you take in Burgundy and the Alsace Lorraine. The barge travels slowly along the Burgundy Canal, so you have the option to hop off at a local village and catch up with your ride again farther up the river. Sample Brittany, that part of France that has a strong British and Irish influence, on a four-passenger barge on the canal de Nantes a Brest. France Cruises Inc. specializes in river barge vacations throughout France. Choose from a number of itineraries and a varied fleet of vessels. All have private bedrooms and bathrooms and have multilingual crew members. Vacations include all meals, some of the gourmet variety. Menus vary with the chosen barge and may include items like roast duck with orange and plum sauce and fresh baked chocolate croissants.
France Cruises Inc.
9901 IH 10 West, Suite 800
San Antonio, TX 78230
866-498-3920
francecruises.com
Cruise the inland waterways of England and Ireland on a collection of river barges. In Ireland, the Shannon Princess II cruises the river of the same name with 10 passengers. Visit Galway City, Killaloe and Leap Castle. Cruise aboard the Scottish Highlander and hear tales about Loch Ness. Cruise down the Thames through the heart of London and into the British countryside. On the continent, climb aboard La Dolce Vita and take a river barge vacation through the waterways of Venice. Size and configuration of the vessels vary, but all include private cabins and attentive crews. Meals are included and cuisine is influenced by the areas visited. eWaterways also offers river barge cruises through the French countryside and to view tulips in Holland.
eWaterways
6 West Lancaster Ave.
Ardmore, PA 19003
877-359-7458
ewaterways.com
The Barge Connection offers you the chance to cruise European rivers in the luxury of a fully serviced river barge or to take a self-drive river barge vacation. The self-drive barges can take a maximum of eight passengers, depending on the vessel, and are fully fitted cabin cruisers with shallow drafts. You are your own boss; cruise when you wish and tie up at docks and villages along the way. Cook in your own galley or have a night out at a local restaurant. Barges carry enough diesel for up to a two-week cruise and enough water for two to three days. There are water stations set up along the waterways so you can refill your tanks. No special operator's license is needed and instruction and manuals are provided. Self-drive river barge vacations are available throughout England, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Belgium, Scotland and Ireland.
The Barge Connection
2036 Nevada City Highway #311
Grass Valley, CA 95945
530-274-0764
bargeconnection.com
