Category Archives: European Barging & River Cruises

European Barge Cruise

Posted on by

For travelers that have seen the major tourist sites and now want to experience more of Europe, and still have the comfort of every aspect of the trip taken care of, then a European barge cruise may be for them.  For travelers that are not interested in a typical cruise, this is a totally different experience.  The atmosphere is very relaxed, no formal nights, you are out during the day exploring, so they will never run out of activities.   The similarities are unpack only once, all meals and beverages included, as well as the excursions.  There are special cruises/dates for golfers, garden lovers, wine enthusiasts, and many more.

European Barge Cruise in Burgundy France

A European barge cruise is  unique way of exploring the beauty of Europe, while unpacking only once.  Drifting through the beautiful landscape, enjoying all the creature comforts of regional food and wine, and service superb in every way, while experiencing the chateaux, cathedral, tours, vineyards, and sleepy villages left behind by time.  History, art, architecture, culture, gastronomy, music, gardens, it is all there to be experienced by tours, whether by foot, motor coach or bicycle, with a Luxury Barge Cruise or Casual Bike Barge Cruise.

Barge cruise prices range from the mid $3000 – to over $7000 per person. Some of  the features of the barges that distinguish the prices between barges are the cabin and lounge space, level of food and wines provided as well as barge amenities. On the lower priced barges, you will be looking at cabins around 90 – 100 sq ft, compact bathrooms – usually with a shower curtain and small shower stall. The wines will be good regional wines. The more expensive barges will have bigger cabins – 170 – 250 sq ft with big bathrooms, big shower stalls with a glass door. Other barge feature might include: computers or internet access on board, tvs / dvds in the cabins, hot tubs or fitness rooms. On some of the ultra deluxe barges, there are wines served for the serious wine enthusiasts – featuring  premier and grand cru.

The cruise rates include gourmet meals, wine and cheese of the region with lunch and dinner, open bar with alcoholic beverages and all the sightseeing.  For a different experience, some barges offer a night out at a typical French restaurant for a meal.  No matter what level of barge cruise is selected, you will always find a great crew that will go out of their way to provide top level service and go the extra effort to make sure your cruise is truly memorable.  The crew on board will have knowledge of the areas and love to impart known and little known facts to interested passengers.  The food will always be top quality and prepared with a emphasis on pairing wonderful food with special wines of the regions.

The barge cruising areas within France are:  Alsace Lorraine, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Canal du Midi, Chablis, Champagne, Loire Valley and Provence.  Outside of France, the cruising areas are, England on the Thames River, Ireland on the Shannon River, Italy on the Po River and Scotland on the Caledonian Canal.

There is a large selection of european barge cruises in france such as: Grand Victoria, Anne Marie, Apres Tout, Clare de Lune, Colibri. Enchante, Jeanine, Johanna, Luciole,  La Nouvelle Etoile, le Phenicien, Madeleine,  Magna Carta, Meanderer, Nymphea, Panache, Raymond,  Roi Soleil, Rosa, Savoir Faire, Saroche,  Saint Louis, Shannon Princess II, Cest la Vie, Wine and Water, La Belle Epoque, L’Art de Vivre, Hirondell, L’Impressionniste, Anjodi, Scottish Highlander, Spirit of Scotland, La Bella Vita, Panache and Renaissance.

We also have CASUAL BIKE AND BARGE cruise itineraries in Holland and Belgium, on the Mosel in Germany, Burgundy and Provence in France and Venice and the Po River in Italy. Cruise and bike in a very casual atmosphere with international guests.

Europeanbarging has been selling European Barge Cruise and European River Cruises since 1998.  Contact us so we can help find the perfect barge for you.  888.869.7907

Gourmet France: Famous Cheeses from the Best French Cheese Regions

Posted on by

Aside from French sweets, Gourmet France is known for its cheeses. So crazy are the French about their cheeses that there are around 400 distinct types of French cheeses grouped into 8 categories. Since it would take forever to go through every single type of cheese, here are the 10 tastiest cheeses from different French cheese regions that every aspiring French cheese connoisseur needs to know.

 

Cheese tasting

Cheese tasting on the Apres Tout barge in Burgundy France

Brie
Considered as one of the best-known cheeses in the world, brie is a type of soft cheese that becomes softer as it ages. Named after the historic region in Northern France where it’s mainly produced, brie has a rich milk and buttery flavor that makes it perfect to eat with bread and paired with either red or white wine.

Camembert
Named after its birthplace in Camembert, Normandy, Camembert is another type of soft creamy cheese that the French absolutely love. Made with raw cow’s milk, Camembert has an earthy flavor that is similar to brie, only a bit stronger.

Reblochon
This creamy cheese is made in the Haute Savoie Alps region and is one of the more popular grand mountain cheeses readily available in markets today. Made from raw cow’s milk, Reblochon has a strong aroma with a nutty aftertaste.

Edel de Cleron
Made in the village of Cleron in the Franche-Comte region, Edel de Cleron is a traditional cheese made from pasteurized cow’s milk. This soft cheese, known for its woody aftertaste, is best eaten ripe when it’s runny and gooey on the inside.

Delice
The Delice is a type of cheese that is made in Burgundy. Since cream is added in twice with the milk during the cheese-making process, this cheese is rich and exceptionally creamy that you’ll feel it melting in your mouth.

Morbier
Produced in the Eastern region of France, the Morbier is a type of semi-soft cheese that can be made from either raw or pasteurized cow’s milk. The Morbier has a tangy flavor with a hint of citrus and is also fairly elastic.

Pont-L’Eveque
Known as one of the oldest cheeses from Normandy, the Pont-L’Eveque is the only semi-soft cheese with a cross-hatched pale orange rind. Made from raw cow’s milk, it has a creamy smooth texture and a fairly strong pungent aroma.

Mimolette
Traditionally produced in the city of Lille, the Mimolette is a type of hard cheese with a bright orange color and comes in the shape of a cantaloupe. When properly aged, this cheese has a nutty flavor and makes a great addition to any cheese platter.

Comte
Also known as the Gruyere de Comte, the Comte is a delightful hard French cheese with a smoky yet fruity taste. Made from unpasteurized cow’s milk and produced in Eastern France, this versatile cheese is usually melted to make fondue, eaten as a sandwich, or grated over savory dishes.

Roquefort
Known as one of the most popular blue cheeses around, the Roquefort is made from sheep’s milk in the south of France. Similar to the Bleu d’Auvergne, the Roquefort is a rich, creamy, sharp cheese with a pungent aroma.

Taking a barge cruise through the canals of France will give you a chance to taste many different cheeses. The cheeses will be accompanied by complementary wines of the regions as well as great food. Barge cruises range in price from low $3,000’s to over $7.000 per person for 6 nights. Rate includes the cruise, all meals, most non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages and excursions. All barges include bicycles for cycling the towpaths along the canals and exploring the nearby towns and villages. Check out our site to learn about the different barges we offer. For more information contact: jan@europeanbarging.com or 888-869-7907  Barge and River cruise specialist since 1998.

Visit One of the Most Beautiful Hidden Gems in the World – Bamberg

Posted on by

Germany is known for its numerous tourist spots and beautiful medieval towns. Some of the commonly visited places are Nuremberg, Heidelberg, and Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Since these three are heavily promoted and recommended by travel books and other resources, people miss the opportunity on finding this incredible, hidden gem, called Bamburg Germany.

Bamberg is pure eye candy. It is known for its many Catholic churches, authentic medieval setting preserved by very minimal damages from World War II, home to a wide variety of locally brewed beers, the imperial couple’s tomb, and the only place where a pope is buried north of the alps. This article will feature reasons why Bamberg has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

According to many travel bloggers and enthusiasts, strolling around Bamberg is best done during the day. The peaceful silence and vibe can be most enjoyed during the morning, around 8 to 9am. The picturesque sights and architecture of the town will allow you to enjoy lengthy and relaxing walks throughout the town.

Bamberg Church (locally known as Bamberger Dom) is one of the most artistically crafted churches ever. It is one of the world’s few imperial cathedrals, where the tomb of imperial couple King Henry II and Cunigunde of Luxembourg reside. They are known for their godly acts as they received sainthood. Another grave located in the church is Pope Clemence II. Formerly named bishop Suidger of Bamberg, he was elected as pope in 1046. The cathedral encountered a few mishaps, having been destroyed by fire twice on two occasions. Damaged areas were repaired in 1237 and the building is still standing tall today.

The Old Court, just nearby the Bamberg Church, was originally a fort. Alte Hofhaltung, as it was locally known, was later converted to a home for bishops, then eventually became Bamberg’s largest museum.

The Altes Rathaus or the Old Town Hall, is easily the most attractive building in Bamberg. One side of the wall is painted with gorgeous artwork. Its location where it was built is also interesting, as it rests in the middle of the Regnitz River, connected by bridges on each side – truly an interesting piece of architecture.

The Klein Venedig is a small area where people could eat and socialize. Its name translates to “Little Venice”. The best part of his place is it provides a lovely view of the town as you sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee. Last but definitely not the least, Bamberg is famed for its uniquely brewed smoked beer. This can be found in The Schlenkerla, one of the town’s famous breweries.

Bamberg can be easily visited by taking a German river cruise through the Main-Danube Canal. For the best experience, the AmaWaterways line is recommended. Their Europe’s Rivers and Castles cruises between Nuremberg and Luxembourg on the AmaDante ship. It offers trips for as low as $2,999 and guarantees a luxurious experience while cruising 3 rivers of Germany.

For more information or to book a cabin, please contact: jan@europeanbarging.com or 888-869-7907.  Barge and River Cruise Specialist.

Sens, The Cathedral town

Posted on by

This historical town of Sens, is located at the French Compte region of France on the Yonne River. Its name was derived from one of the Celtic tribes, the Senones.

Sens houses one of the biggest Gothic cathedrals and one of the first to be built in France, the Cathedral of St. Etienne. This cathedral was the basis of other gothic churches and cathedrals around France; it is a marvel on its own. It is where Louis IX of France married Marguerite of Provence. It is popular for the magnificent stained-glass windows made in the 13th to 19th century.

The local government installed a light show in its façade and it is enjoyed by the tourists and locals every night. You can see the show while you’re on a French barge cruise like the La Nouvelle Etoile that offers a wine cruise.

Beside the famed cathedral, is the Palais Synodal, or the Archbishop’s palace, which was turned into a museum for ancient ornaments and relics from the time it was still the house of the Archbishops of France. The Palace also has a collection of archaeological finds and art. If you’re shopping for souvenirs, the Grande Rue is a bustling go-to shopping scene here in Sens located at the center of the town.

You can also visit the marketplace across the Cathedral for fresh produce. If you’re feeling hungry, you can head on to Place de la République where stalls sell cheese and wine and other traditional French food.

 

There are also various parks for an afternoon of reading a book or just admiring the nature. One of the famous parks in this town is is Parc du Moulin à Tan, a vast expanse of greenery, with greenhouses and some farm animals.

Sens will give you a hint of the vibrant history of France with its scenic infrastructures, myriad of traditional French cuisine and overflowing wine.

The La Nouvelle Etoile, offers 6 night cruises in Holland during Tulip season, France along the canals in Alsace Lorraine, Chablis and Champagne regions and Germany in the fall along the Mosel River. This ultra deluxe barge has 4 suites, an elevator and a mini van that is equipped to carry a wheelchair. All meals, wines of the regions and excursions are included in the rates, which begin at $8450 per person.  For more information contact jan@europeanbarging.com  or 888-869-7907

Europeanbarging Offers Discount River Cruises

Posted on by

Europeanbarging, in cooperation with AmaWaterways, recently announced its newest promo that gives travelers the chance to save $1000 when ordering one of the company’s 2018 or 2019 Holiday River Cruise Specials. Moreover up to $50 ship board credit is also given per person, the company stated.
To receive the discount and other perks, customers must book on or before August 30, 2018. For convenience, the company also has several cruise payment plans for customers to choose from, as well as specially priced airfare.

About the Company
Europeanbarging is a company that specializes in European barge and river cruise products. Some of these include luxury river cruises, small ship cruises, and even casual bike cruises.

2018 and 2019 Holiday River Cruise Options
Europeanbarging has given several selections for its Affordable River Cruises in order to satisfy every traveler’s cruise demands. Each cruise has different itinerary, departure dates, as well as rates.

One river cruise option for travelers is the Iconic Christmas Market Cruise. The journey follows the beautiful Danube River, spending seven nights onboard from Budapest to Nuremberg, in addition to a total of three nights land tour in Prague and two nights in Budapest. Some of the most noteworthy stops in this tour are the St. Stephen’s Basilica, Mirbach Palace, and St. Stephan’s Cathedral, where the largest cathedral organ is located.

Another cruise choice is the Rhine River Cruise which spends seven nights in a trip from Amsterdam to Basel, as well as a tour of Switzerland for four nights. The tour begins in the scenic canal of Amsterdam where the house of Anne Frank is located. It then proceeds to several towns of Germany, France, and Switzerland. Some of the iconic sites to see in this cruise are the Cathedral Square in Germany, the Swiss Lion Monument, and the “La Petite France” neighborhood.

And for those who want to celebrate the Holiday season traveling, Europeanbarging also announced its Christmas on the Rhine Tour. The different departure dates for this cruise are set from November 26 to December 24, 2018. The journey includes seven nights cruising between Amsterdam and Basel, then an additional four nights of land tour in Switzerland. Aside from the different sceneries to be seen in the journey, the cruise also highlights its stops in different Christmas markets. Some of these include the Christmas market in Rudesheim, which boasts a collection of over 120 stalls from 12 countries, and the largest Christmas market in Europe, which is located in Zurich.
2018 Cruise Fare

Europeanbarging has released a list for its upcoming 2019 cruises. The rates depend on the type of cruise selected, the choice of room, and departure dates. Generally, the company stated that standard fares for cruise can go as low as $2499 for March departures.

For more information, visit their website at www.europeanbarging.com or to book a cruise contact: Jan@europeanbarging.com or call 888-869-7907