Barge holidays are one of the most unique ways to see Europe. Enjoy the beauty and serenity of the rivers and canals that wind through the countryside and into some of the more exciting cities in this part of the world.
There are many companies in England, Ireland, Holland, France, Italy, and Germany that offer these wonderful river and barge cruises. The style and size of the ships varies from larger, more typical barges to the shorter and narrower type known as “narrowboats”. For a river barge cruise you will likely find yourself on one of the larger barges while the narrowboats are used to cruise the canals.
Many of these barges are old canal boats that were once used to transport goods from city to city and have been converted into cozy and comfortable or luxurious floating hotels. They may accommodate anywhere from eight to forty people in private “en suite” cabins. Most meals are served on board, but shore excursions to see the sights often allow for having a wonderful meal in cities like Paris, London, and Amsterdam.
Barge holidays are the perfect choice for a relaxing getaway weekend, short week, or even longer. They provide ample opportunity to go ashore at various moorings or locks along the way and explore the villages and countryside. You can even walk or bicycle to the next lock where your barge will be waiting for you.
Here are some wonderful examples of river or Barge Holidays you can enjoy.
Barging the Thames in England – If you choose the full barge cruise holiday on this 215-mile long river, they start and finish in London with stops at Hampton Court too tour one of Henry VIII’s homes. One day is spent at Runnymede where luscious spa treatments await. Another stop is at Windsor with a visit to Windsor Castle and then on to Henley-on-Thames.
Canal boat holidays in England – You can choose to board a narrowboat and cruise the canals that wind through London and go on to the famous Roman city of Bath, Oxford, historic Chester, or Shakespeare’s Stratford.
Holland canal cruises – What better way to see the tulips in bloom in the spring than from a barge on the canals of Holland. Most cruises begin and end in Amsterdam but there are some ports in Belgium that take the Holland route. Along the way you will stop in cities like Gouda and Delft to soak up the local atmosphere and shop for the local products like cheese and China.
Barging German rivers – There are a variety of different barge cruises in Germany like a six night tour of the Mosel River. There are some cruises that include the Mosel as well as the Rhine with stops in places like Trier, the oldest city in Germany, and historic Heidleberg.
France river and canal cruises – There are a wide variety of ways to see France from the water. Barge cruises on the Seine with at least a one-night mooring in Paris is one choice. Several different canal cruises cover both northern and southern Burgundy, Bordeaux, the Loire Valley, and Alsace Lorraine to name only a few.
Canal or river barge holidays can provide all manner of experiences. It can be like a floating cosy home-away-from home or a luxury hotel. On board you can relax on deck, drink fine wine, eat great food, meet fun people, and soak up beautiful scenery.
