European Waterways Luxury Hotel Barging a Great Alternative to Villa Rentals

    NEW YORK, NY, April 10, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Chartering a luxury hotel barge from European Waterways can be a great alternative to renting a villa in Europe. Instead of being confined to a single location, hotel barge cruises offer families and small groups memorable "floating" holidays as they cruise through some of the most historic and culturally rich regions of France, Italy and the British Isles. Since European Waterways' cruises are all-inclusive, all gourmet meals, drinks, transportation and tours of local attractions are included. For villa rentals, most of these expenses are additional and can significantly increase the final cost of a vacation. Now, with up to $12,000 off full boat charters on select cruises for the summer months, European Waterways vacations are even greater value. All offers are good when booked by May 9.

On a European Waterways cruise, there is no need to make reservations at expensive restaurants or pack everyone into rental cars to visit attractions. Every hotel barge carries its guests in luxury, pampered by a crew of four that includes a master chef, a hostess, an English speaking tour guide and a professional, highly personable captain. Guides accompany them to local vineyards for private tastings, colorful food markets and châteaux in a wide range of historic and cultural excursions. Onboard bicycles allow guests to pedal along the towpaths and explore the nearby towns or, if they prefer, they can relax in the on-deck spa pool with a glass of chilled wine as their hotel barge glides slowly through the ever-changing countryside.

"A hotel barge is really a floating luxury villa - with a doting crew at your service, an open bar and freshly cooked gourmet meals every day of your vacation!" said Derek Banks, managing director of European Waterways. "Chartering a hotel barge gives you the best of both worlds - a private, luxury setting for your entire group and personalized attention so that everyone can spend quality time together enjoying their vacation instead of worrying about the itinerary."

Floating in Luxury
Among the wide range of hotel barge cruises available from European Waterways, L'Art de Vivre in Burgundy and Anjodi on the Canal du Midi in Southwest France are always in demand. A current special of $8,000 off full barge charter on select departure dates in June, July and August makes them an even better choice. With both being eight-passenger vessels, they are ideal for families and small groups to enjoy views of ever-changing landscapes, charming villages and lush vineyards on a gentle voyage of exploration - unlike villas, which offer just one view.

The traditionally-built L'Art de Vivre in Burgundy cruises gracefully along the Canal du Nivernais, one of France's most charming inland waterways. Family itineraries can include swimming, theme park visits and supervised activities for the young, while a château visit and a private tasting at one of the oldest wine cellars in the town of Chablis are offered for the adults.

The Anjodi, cruising the 300-year-old Canal du Midi in Southwest France, features hand-crafted wood and brass interiors to create an ambience reminiscent of a classic yacht. It takes guests from the sunny shores of the Mediterranean across lagoons full of migrating birds and past canal-side vineyards to ancient Cathar cities such as Carcassonne. Along the way there are plenty of family activities such as a visit to the underground Caves of Limousis.

For L'Art de Vivre and Anjodi there is $8,000 off per full barge charter on selected departures in June, July and August and up to $12,000 off for other vessels. Offers are good when booked by May 9.

The hotel barging experience is different from large vessel river cruising. It offers a slower paced, "gentle voyage of discovery" along the more intimate canals and waterways of Europe, allowing a small number of guests to become more fully immersed in the culture, history and gastronomy of the region. European Waterways is Europe's largest all-inclusive luxury hotel barging company, offering vacations in nine countries and carrying around 2,500 passengers a year. Founded nearly 40 years ago, they own, operate and market a private fleet of luxury hotel barges with cruises in France, Italy, Scotland, Ireland, England, Germany, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg. Pioneers in hotel barging, they were the first company to operate a hotel barge on the Upper Nivernais in Burgundy, and the "real" Loire Valley. They are also the only cruise company offering barge cruises in Scotland and in the Venetian lagoon and River Po valley.

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