About European Canals & Rivers
    Sample European Barge Charter Itineraries
    European Canals & Rivers Map
    European Charter Barges

About European Canals & Rivers

Our barges cruise in seven European countries - Scotland , Ireland , England , France , Germany , Czech republic and Italy .

Experience a fascinating world of hotel barging, whether in the shaded Canal du Midi in Southern France, the Venetian Lagoon, the rustic beauty of Ireland , the Royal River Thames or the stunningly rugged landscapes of Scotland .

The Very Soul of Europe . Imagine the sense of relaxation and enjoyment as your floating hotel carries you from one peaceful mooring to the next with more than enough opportunity to explore little villages, shops, the delightful countryside and much, much more, without the need to pack and unpack every day.

Our luxury hotel barges cruise the inland waterways of Europe , along canals, rivers, lakes and lochs. This is an opportunity to visit these countries and experience life there, from a truly unique perspective.

Your floating hotel cruises gently along, while you relax, enjoy the fine wines and excellent cuisine, the company of fellow passengers - new friends, family, or old acquaintances. Take a guided tour around the many castles, markets, battlefields and ancient monuments, or go off exploring on your own.

Whatever you do, a dedicated and highly trained professional staff will be there to look after you.

Your Captain ensures a safe and yet exciting passage along your chosen route, your Chef will prepare a wide range of exquisite food to suit every taste, your Tour guide is knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and your stewards & stewardesses ensure that the highest standards are maintained throughout your cruise.

The cruises usually include all gourmet meals with wine, all shore excursions, "open bar" and bicycles for the use of the guests. These vessels cruise on small waterways, mostly canals. The purpose of a barge cruise is not to rush from Point A to Point B, but to relax in a stress free environment with fine food and wine, enjoy the delights of the countryside you are passing through, and get to know the "soul of the country." The barges travel neither far nor fast.

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Sample European Barge Charter Itineraries

Sample Barge Itinerary - France

Sunday, Day 1

Paris to Auxerre Guests are met at Hotel Ampere in Paris at 1:30 PM and transferred to the elegant La Belle Époque in Burgundy . Following a Champagne Welcome, you are free to explore the medieval town of Auxerre or take a stroll along the banks of the river Yonne before returning for dinner aboard.

Monday, Day 2

Auxerre to Vincelles Our morning cruise takes us past vineyard-clad hillside to Vincelles where we moor in rural bliss. The afternoon excursion is to St Bris with its extraordinary network of medieval passages beneath the town. A wine tasting introduces you to the outstanding Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the 12th century cellars of Monsieur Bersan. Dinner aboard.

Tuesday, Day 3

Vincelles to Vermenton The morning excursion to the town of Auxerre allows us to discover the medieval town centre. Originally the capital of Lower Burgundy , Auxerre prides itself on a collection of fine churches. During the afternoon we cruise through rich pasturelands and past grazing Charolais cattle to Vermenton. Dinner ashore in a local auberge

Wednesday, Day 4

Vermenton to Mailly le château We take a morning cruise southwards through the Yonne valley past dramatic steep cliffs to the market town of Mailly. In the afternoon we enjoy an excursion to Vézelay, one of Burgundy 's most famous treasures with the Romanesque Basilica of St Mary Magdalene, craft shops and fine views of the surrounding countryside. Dinner aboard.

Thursday, Day 5

Mailly le château to Lucy sur Yonne In the morning we cruise past the Saussois cliffs where an international climbing centre creates a spectacular setting to Lucy sur Yonne. In the afternoon we visit the Chateau of Bazoches, home of Maréchal Vauban, whose illustrious visitors included Richard the Lionheart. Dinner aboard.

Friday, Day 6

Lucy sur Yonne to Clamecy A morning cruise through beautiful countryside towards Clamecy. Take a short walk into Clamecy for a tour of Clamecy Cathedral and also the Logging and Barging Museum . There is also time to wander through the narrow streets lined with ancient buildings and an opportunity for shopping before returning to the barge. Captain's farewell dinner aboard.

Saturday, Day 7

Clamecy to Paris Disembark after breakfast, and arrive at Hotel Ampere in Paris by about 1pm.

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Sample Barge Itinerary - England

Sunday, Magna Carta Standard cruise Day 1 - Kingston-on-Thames - Hampton Court Palace

Meet the Captain at the Stafford Hotel in London at 3pm for afternoon English Cream Tea, before being transferred at 4pm to the Magna Carta. Champagne reception and welcome by the Captain. Early evening cruise to Hampton Court Palace , former Tudor Palace of Henry VIII, where we moor for the night. Dinner aboard.

Monday, Magna Carta Standard cruise Day 2 - Hampton Court Palace - Shepperton

Morning excursion to visit the state apartments of Henry VIII, whose 5th wife Catherine Howard is said to haunt the Great Hall and Gallery of Hampton Court, the finest Tudor Palace in existence. Wander through the beautiful Royal gardens and maze. In the afternoon enjoy a meandering cruise upstream following the course of the Thames to Shepperton. Dinner aboard

Tuesday, Magna Carta Standard cruise Day 3 - Shepperton - Runnymeade

Morning cruise to Runnymede . We moor at Bell Weir Lock adjacent to a luxury spa hotel. After lunch we have the opportunity to visit the spa and use the facilities including pool, sauna and steam room. Beauty therapies, massages and other treatments are available but are best booked in advance. Our tour for the afternoon takes us a short distance to the Magna Carta memorial. Here in 1215 King John was forced to meet the powerful barons and seal this historic document which took away absolute power from the King and later became the basis for the American Bill of Rights. We also visit the JFK Memorial and the Commonwealth Air Forces Memorial before moving on to Savill Gardens , part of Windsor Great Park and containing a wealth of diverse plants and shrubs. Dinner aboard.

Wednesday, Magna Carta Standard cruise Day 4 - Runnymeade - Windsor

This morning we cruise to Windsor before enjoying lunch on board. Afternoon excursion to Windsor Castle . Built by William the Conqueror in 1066 and inhabited for over 900 years by the Royal Family, this is the largest inhabited castle in the world. We explore the State Apartments, Queen Mary's Dolls House and St George's Chapel and enjoy the far-reaching views from its elevated fortress position. Late afternoon cruise to our private moorings. Dinner aboard

Thursday, Magna Carta Standard cruise Day 5 - Windsor - Cookham

Leaving Royal Windsor behind us we cruise past fabulous waterside homes, through the spectacular Clivedon reach and the open English countryside. We moor in Cookham, once described as 'Heaven on Earth' by artist Stanley Spencer. One of England 's greatest and most eccentric painters, Spencer would transpose biblical scenes into his surroundings. We visit his gallery and take a walk around the village he loved so much and painted so frequently. Dinner aboard.

Friday, Magna Carta Standard cruise Day 6 - Cookham - Henley-on-Thames

A morning cruise to the village of Hurley where we have time to wander Peter Freebody's boatyard where we can watch in wonder at the traditional craftsman at work. We have time to explore the ancient village including Ye Olde Belle, reputed to be the oldest inn in the country, before returning to the barge. After lunch we cruise to Henley on Thames , our final approach being along the famous Henley Regatta Course. Once we arrive in Henley we will visit the award winning River and Rowing museum. Afterwards there is plenty of time to explore the town for shopping opportunities and browse in antique shops before returning to Magna Carta for the Captains Farewell Dinner aboard.

Saturday, Magna Carta Standard cruise Day 7 - Henley-on-Thames to London

Following breakfast, disembark at 10 am and return to London .

Sample Barge Itinerary - Ireland

DAY 1- SUNDAY : ATHLONE 

Guests shall be met at 3.00pm at the Aberdeen Lodge Hotel in Dublin and transferred by coach to the Shannon Princess at her charming Castleside mooring in the heart of Athlone. Athlone is a flourishing riverside and garrison town dating from the 13th. Century. Your Captain and his crew welcome you onboard the delightful Shannon Princess with Champagne , Black Velvets or Irish Coffees! 

DAY 2 ­ MONDAY : ATHLONE TO BANAGHER

The Shannon Princess descends through Athlone Lock and heads south through Europe¹s richest example of Callow landscape. Countryside little changed in over 1000 years. This is one of Irelands premier Wildfowl Reserves. We moor at Clonmacnoise ruins, a famed 6th.Century University and early Christian settlement. After a visit to the interpritive centre we lunch onboard enroute to Banagher arriving mid-afternoon to this typical Irish riverside town. A short bus ride to the narrow gauge bog railway where you will get a fascinating insight to the unique boglands of Ireland . Dinner onboard

DAY 3 ­ TUESDAY : BANAGHER TO TERRYGLASS 

We travel a very pretty stretch of the Shannon with an ever-changing landscape slipping by. Travelling down through Meelick lock, pausing as Portumna swing bridge is opened to allow the Shannon Princess passage onto idyllic Lough Derg. We moor at Terryglass Harbour . Time to explore this charming Hamlet before an afternoon excursion to Birr Castle with its glorious landscaped gardens dating from 17th. Century and family seat of the Earls of Ross Lunch in The Derg Inn in the village 

DAY 4 ­ WEDNESDAY : TERRYGLASS TO GALWAY  

A full day excursion to Galway City ­ A lively University City and cultural centre for Irish speaking regions in Western Ireland . Visit Galway crystal and a profusion of craft and linen shops. Lunch at a Traditional Guinness & Oyster pub. Return to Shannon Princess for Dinner 

DAY 5 ­ THURSDAY: TERRYGLASS TO MOUNTSHANNON 

We sail south through the especially beautiful Lough Derg passing Forrest park and ancient mountains as we set our course for Mountshannon ­ a lovely lakeside village perched above the Lough. The afternoon excursion is to a unique project set in the grounds of Graggaunowen Castle , designed to bring Bronze Age & Celtic culture to life. Also on display is a reconstructed hide boat used by Irish Monks to sail to North America in the 5th. Century Dinner onboard

DAY 6 ­ FRIDAY : MOUNTSHANNON TO KILLALOE

This morning we cruise through south Lough Derg and her many Islands rejoining the River Shannon and entering Killaloe, once home to the court of the greatest High King of Ireland Brian Boru. We moor on the Tipperary side of this elegant little town. A visit that afternoon to the famous Hunt Museum housed in Limerick City . This is a fascinating collection donated to the state by the Hunt Family Extra optional activities in the afternoon include a visit to Tinaranna House Spa where you can pamper yourself with Sauna, Massage, Aromatherapy and other Spa Services. Alternatively your Captain can hire a private fishing boat and guide. Farewell dinner ends your cruise in style 

DAY 7 ­ SATURDAY : KILLALOE TO DUBLIN AIRPORT/CITY 

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