With the continued growth of the private rental market worldwide, luxury hotel barge cruising specialist European Waterways is reporting an increasing demand for their private whole boat charters. The company’s luxury vessels are often likened to “floating vacation homes”. They cruise the canals and smaller waterways of the European countryside and provide a unique alternative to land-based lodgings. Their routes take guests along the “paths less traveled,” far from the crowded cities and congested tourist sites, immersing them in the history, culture and culinary heritage of the cruise regions.
“In terms of cost and convenience, chartering our hotel barges can be like renting an intimate, luxury country home for a week, but with an attentive crew that caters to all your needs,” said European Waterways’ Managing Director, Derek Banks. “We offer all-inclusive itineraries that include gourmet meals cooked onboard by a master chef and private, often exclusive guided tours, including exquisite wine tasting excursions. There’s also the added bonus of a rural, ever-changing European landscape as the vessels make their way along the waterways.”
Up to 20% Off Charters
For a limited time, guests can take advantage of European Waterways’ latest special offers of up to 20% off on select departures. They are available on whole-barge charters for a range of cruises in France, Italy, and Ireland, valid when booked by May 17, 2021. With the special, whole-barge charter prices can be as low as $31,680. More information is available at www.europeanwaterways.com
Get-A-Ways on the Waterways
“Travelers are willing to spend up to 20% more on private luxury rentals that don’t sacrifice comfort, over booking top hotels,” Banks noted, citing recent surveys. “With health and safety a continuing concern as travelers emerge from months stuck at home, our hotel barges allow guests to cruise together the entire journey in ‘travel bubbles’ that maximize comfort and well-being.”
European Waterways maintains strict health protocols that include regularly disinfecting all of the common areas and frequently used surfaces, such as hand-rails and counter-tops. The boats cruise at a leisurely pace just feet from shore, with the opportunity to ‘hop on, hop off’ at every lock. Every hotel barge includes bicycles free to guests for riding the level towpaths or exploring nearby villages. Or guests can simply take in the fresh countryside air, stretch their legs and perhaps take quiet strolls along the towpaths. Guests will therefore never experience a feeling of being “lost at sea!”
European Waterways’ vessels accommodate just six to 20 passengers. They present an attractive vacation option for families and small groups, which can modify their itineraries to satisfy their special interests, whether it’s sports such as golf, gastronomy, health and well-being, or family-oriented activities.
A Foodie’s Joy
With European Waterways, food and wine are integral parts of luxury hotel barging. Wine enthusiasts aboard the 8-passenger L’Art de Vivre and the 12-passenger La Belle Epoque in Burgundy can savor a private tasting and ‘vine dining’ at the prestigious Chablis house of Domaine Laroche, among many other experiences. Guests on L’Impressionniste in Southern Burgundy can visit the Gaugry Fromagerie, where they will taste the traditional raw milk Époisses and the mellow Plaisir au Chablis, a cheese matured with Chablis.
The 8-passenger Enchanté on the Canal du Midi offers an excursion to the L’Oulibo olive cooperative to sample their famous Lucques Picholine and Ascolana varieties of green olives, as well as see the process for producing their other olive oil-based products. The 8-passenger Anjodi takes guests to an escargot or oyster farm, as well as truffle hunting, in season.
“While every hotel barge offers its own, unique experiences, they all have the most important things in common – luxury accommodations, gourmet dining onboard, exclusive excursions, and attentive crews that are ready to provide every guest with first-class service,” said Banks.
Book With Confidence
European Waterways’ “Book with Confidence” policy provides flexibility in rescheduling future cruises, should they be impacted by government restrictions. The health and safety of guests are also top priorities, with strict protocols in place that include crew and passenger temperature checks as well as deep cleaning and disinfecting of all cabins and public surfaces on the boats. For more information, visit www.europeanwaterways.com.
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