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European River & Canal Cruises
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Luxury Hotel Barges on the Canals and Waterways of Europe ...for the Ultimate in Pampered Travel
WHAT MAKES A HOTEL BARGE CRUISE SO SPECIAL ...
The outstanding cuisine and carefully selected wines and cheeses to accompany meals aboard the barge.
The beauty and tranquility of the canals and rivers, with the chance to bike and walk along the canal or waterway.
The pampering and attention from enthusiastic crew members, and the luxury of having them provide individualized, personal, guided tours of special places along the way.
Whether cruising in Italy in glorious Venice, or Loch Ness in Scotland, or the canals of Holland, or the Thames in England, or down the Shannon River in Ireland, or the rural canals of France, the luxury hotel barge experience is truly the most memorable way to travel.
Many luxury hotel barges began service as working barges, but have now been magically transformed into luxurious floating hotels for 4 to 12 passengers (some carry more), complete with amazing gourmet cuisine prepared by an on-board master chef, and a very attentive crew of three or four (and more on larger barges). A full week to enjoy life, fine wines, friends, and cuisine, and the best of all possible excursions!
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Barges in France -- the most comprehensive listing on the internet -- one click away from detailed information about the best hotel barges in Europe. Choose from several different regions: Alsace/Bordeaux; Burgundy; Canal du Midi; Champagne; Loire Valley; Upper Loire; Paris and Provence.
Barges in England -- from London afloat on the elegant Thames River from Hampton Court Palace to Henley-on-Thames, the 8-passenger deluxe hotel barge Magna Carta offers pampered travelling, cruising routes of unusual beauty. Even if you have been to England many times in your life, this is the most memorable way to explore England -- a cruise experience that clients tell us is a "lifetime memory."
Barges in Ireland -- escorted touring and cruising aboard the Shannon Princess II, through a beautiful route in the heart of Ireland. Excellent introduction to Ireland, guided by Irish owners whose pride about and knowledge of the region make a special difference for guests.
Barges in Scotland -- one of the most unique ways to visit Scotland, cruising Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands aboard the Scottish Highlander. A close-up and personal encounter with local villages, people and history (and Nessie!), while your elegant floating hotel accompanies you!
Barges in Holland and Belgium -- From Tulip Cruises and Garden Tours in Holland in March and April ... to Holland and Belgium cruises through the remainder of the regular season, Holland is an outstanding choice for cruising aboard the Savoir Faire, La Nouvelle Etoile, Absoluut2, and Marjorie II. See Keukenhof, Delft, Gouda, art by the Dutch masters, and more in personal, guided excursions. The most memorable way to experience Holland -- aboard Barges in Holland. For cruises aboard larger vessels, come aboard the 88-passenger River Cloud II or 90-passenger River Cloud, cruising in Holland (and also Germany and Danube River Cruises) -- distinctively different and more elegant than larger river cruisers.
Barges in Italy -- Cruise the Venetian Lagoon and the Brenta River (with the feel of a canal in France!) in and around Venice, Italy, aboard La Dolce Vita! The most unique travel experience in Italy ... with Italian chef and crew to show you the most captivating side of Venice few have ever seen.
Barges in Germany -- Join the Hotel Barges La Nouvelle Etoile or Serenite on cruises through the most beautiful cruise routes in Germany. These two barges offer very small group, pampered explorations. La Nouvelle Etoile's cruise on the Mosel, in particular, is one of the most memorable cruise routes in Germany. For cruises aboard larger vessels, the 88-passenger River Cloud II or 90-passenger River Cloud offer deluxe river cruises in Germany (including cruises in Holland, Germany, and on the Danube River cruise route) with an elegance and style that is in a class of its own, set apart from other larger river cruisers.
Barges in Europe, Danube Cruises -- Join the 88-passenger River Cloud II as it cruises between Hungary and Germany on glorious 3 or 4-country Danube River cruises. The River Cloud II offers a delightful and elegant alternative to larger river cruisers. Also cruises in Amsterdam at the beginning of the season, and on the Rhine River between Amsterdam and Basel mid-year.
There is also the choice of a Trans-Europe, Multi Country Barge Cruises.
"Barges in France and Belgium, Holland, England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Italy, and the Danube River. Prices in this edition apply to the 2010 cruise season only. All rates subject to availability and subject to change until confirmed.
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ABOUT HOTEL BARGES AND BARGE CRUISES...Historically, they were working barges (peniche, in French), but have been transformed into elegant floating hotels ... and the vacation experience of a lifetime!
Cruise Length: Hotel barges typically cruise for seven days and six nights. Most start on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Each day barges typically cruise for several hours and also offer a guided excursion to points of interest near the cruise route.
Cost: You can charter a barge for friends, families, groups, OR book individual cabins on most barges. Charters are a fantastic way to celebrate friendships, family reunions, and other special occasions. Or you can book an individual cabin and share in the adventure with other passengers; many passengers have found friendships for life. All rates are in US Dollars and range from $2,500 to more than $6,000 per person, based on double occupancy. (The main differences are sizes and elegance of cabins and public space aboard the barge.) A couple barges have single cabins with no single supplement.
Category: Categories primarily relate to the amount of on-board cabin space, with "Ultra Deluxe" offering the most spacious cabins -- typically 160 square feet or more -- and a very high level of overall elegance in decor and appointments throughout the barge. "Deluxe" barges typically have cabins of 120 square feet or more, and "First Class" barges typically offer cabins that are from 70 to about 100 square feet. We're introducing a new category this year: the "Pilot-Only" category refers to a new style of barge offering without meals, beverages, or excursions, but with pilot and comfortable barge accommodations. In this category is the new self-catered barge, "Maria."
What's included and not included: Barge cruises are typically ALL-INCLUSIVE: your cabin with private bath, all meals, wines, open bar, escorted side excursions and transfers from a major city to the barge and return, unless otherwise noted. Some barges offer half-board as an option instead of full-board. (One new barge, Maria, offers pilot-only cruises in 2010.) Airfare, transfers to the barge pickup point and return and crew gratuity are not included. In France, Paris transfers are included where noted, below. Otherwise a direct train can take you to the rail station to meet the barge crew to start your cruise. In England, Scotland, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Holland, and Italy, transfers are included from a major city near the cruise route.
About the barges and cruise routes: The barges carry from 4 to 22 passengers, plus the 88-passenger River Cloud II. Most barges are 16.5 feet wide, and 80 to 128 feet long. All of the barges in France are air-conditioned. The Scottish Highlander and Shannon Princess are not air-conditioned. In France, barges primarily cruise in Burgundy, Alsace, Normandy, Champagne, and the South of France (Provence and the Canal du Midi). We think that the Nivernais and Briare Canals in the Burgundy region, and the Canal du Midi in the South of France are particularly beautiful, but all cruise routes offer something special. The barges in England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Germany, and Italy cruise through beautiful regions unique to each country.
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There are larger river cruise experiences available too, if that better suits. Take a Europe River Cruise to save time and money, no constant packing and unpacking. Let this relaxing adventure take you from one exquisite site after another, with spectacular scenery rolling by. We offer vacation packages to suit your time and budget. You can choose a cruise along the Danube River or Rhine River, or opt for the fabulous Tulip Cruise. These cruises take you through principal European countries along the way, so you can tour Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Amsterdam, Belgium, Italy, France, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Romania, Russia, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland and Ukraine. We also offer European Sea Cruises.
Please contact Special Group Tours (Toll Free) on 1 866 725 5250 or email specialgrouptours@yahoo.comto book your vacation package; check availability and get tax-inclusive rates from most US cities. Full itineraries, hotel and ship brochures complete with photos, are also available via Special Group Tours.
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