Category Archives: River Cruise & Barge Specials

The Old Town of Salzburg

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The Old Town of Salzburg is a Sight to See

Salzburg, Austria’s fourth largest city, is famous for being the birthplace of Mozart and the film – Sound of Music as well as the annual Salzburg Festival.

the old town of salzburgFrom the river you have a view of the Hohensalzburg Fortress across the skyline behind the old town. Another spectacular site is the gardens and fountains at Schloss Hellbrunn, once the summer palace of the Archbishops. A visit to the Schloss Mirabell offers a chance to view one of the world’s most beautiful wedding halls – The Marble Hall as well as beautiful gardens.

If you want to explore on your own, there is a great bus system in Salzburg and a 24 hour ticket will run about 5 euro. If you want a little more active touring, then bicycles are available to rent around the city

There is Something for Everyone to do in Salzburg

Salzburg’s “Old Town” (Altstadt) has internationally renowned baroque architecture and one of the best-preserved city centers north of the Alps. In 1997 this old town was added to the list of UNESCO World heritage sites. There is great little shops and small cafes that have a special Austrian flavor. There are many boutiques with really stylish clothing and gifts. You can also enjoy another taste of Sacher Torte at the Sacher Cafe.

The old town is full of cobbled streets and tunnels connecting one street to another. Stores are closed on Sundays.

Christmas Market

At Christmastime there is a big Christmas Market offering a magical feeling. There are lots of stalls, offering local crafted items as well as Christmas decor and such tempting cookies, cakes and mulled wines and apple juice.

Several Danube River cruises offer a full day excursion to Salzburg from Vienna or Linz or Passau. The Danube river is a beauty in itself, cruising towards the next destination is a treat on its own.

For more information contact: Europeanbarging, 888-869-7907, jan@europeanbarging.com

Barging on the Burgundy Canal in France

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Burgundy has been a rich and prosperous area of France since ancient times. The Romans were the first to plant vineyards there, during the time of their occupation of Gaul, and their efforts were richly rewarded. The amazing red wines that come from the region are so famous that their color is known to the English language as “burgundy.”

 

Dijon And Burgundy

Burgundy was once an independent nation, easily the rival of Paris in power, and Dijon was its capital. The city still retains much of the structure of the Middle Ages, and half-timber buildings can be seen from the ancient canal. The famous Tower of John the Fearless overlooks the city, watching over your deluxe barge cruise down the canals of Burgundy. The salient historical, and geological, fact about this area is that one of the most important and essential of all early canals was cut through here. The river that runs through Dijon, the Ouche, drains into the Saone, and then the Rhone, and then the Mediterranean. On the other side of the rolling plains of the Burgundian region is the Yonne, which drains to the Seine and then travels past Paris on the way to the Atlantic. As one could imagine, this was of tremendous importance to medieval France. The ability to carry freight from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic without having to brave the ocean or sail around Spain was central to the economic life of the Middle Ages. Water travel was no longer a matter of life and death for an ancient merchant, but a pleasant opportunity to see the country and conduct business. The fascinating historical architecture that grew up around the canals shows this history of growth and profit.

 

What To Expect On A Burgundy Canal Cruise

The canal path through the beautiful hills and green mountains of Burgundy is well used and well-traveled. While enjoying a grand and luxurious Burgundy canal cruise you can walk alongside the barge at a leisurely pace, and even participate in opening and closing the locks as they arrive. A wine cruise on the legendary canal from the Yonne to the Saone can unlock a world of viticulture and wine culture for you and your family. If you would like to book your Burgundy Canal Cruise, please feel free to contact us today.

Biking Tours on the Deluxe River Cloud II

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You can now enjoy active exploring while on a deluxe river cruise – with our bicycle cruises. River Cloud is offering several biking excursions on their Holland and Danube cruise itineraries.  In addition to several carefully planned cycling excursions, you will also enjoy the luxury of a floating 5-star hotel – the perfect place to retire at the end of the day. Take in the beauty of the passing landscape as you dine, or enjoy a relaxing evening in your stylish outside cabin.

Our spring bicycle cruises guide you through the beautiful landscape of northern Holland. Picture yourself cycling through lush, green fields and past quaint canals and windmills along the banks of Lake IJssel.  We will, of course, be making a stop in the lively city of Amsterdam, as well as the proud ancient merchant city of Antwerp.

In summer, we explore four countries intersected by the Danube and their exquisite cultural settings with spectacular views, as well as plenty of history and art in the landmark cities of Passau, Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, Melk and Dürnstein. You can cycle through the magical Wachau Valley and through the Donau-Auen National Park. You will also have the opportunity to sample a Grünen Veltliner and to follow in the footsteps of the Nibelungs.

On our cycling trips, the support van is not only a practical solution for transporting luggage; it also acts as a mobile workshop to provide support when we need it. You will see the van regularly wherever its route crosses our cycling path. The vehicle is never far away should you need to retrieve something from your luggage or pack something away, or if you feel the need to take a break.

River Cloud II offers the elegant travelling style of a bygone era and the rediscovery of a slower pace that is a pleasure and an enrichment alike. On board the River Cloud II, you can satisfy this yearning in the scenic heart of Europe, while enjoying an atmosphere of richness and elegance with the beautiful woods, brass and etched glass.  With only 44 cabins and 35 staff, there is plenty of room to relax and be pampered by an attentive staff.

Clos de Vougeot – The Headquarters or Center of Burgundy Wine

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The Clos de Vougeot vineyard is located in the Cote d’ Or area which is the most popular part of Burgundy, France. This wall-enclosed vineyard was named after River Vouge, which is only a stream separating the village Vougeot from Chambolle-Musigny. Despite being a tourist magnet, Clos de Vougeot is authentic and easy to visit unlike most Burgundy estates. The 12th-century Clos de Vougeot is the birthplace of the wine tradition in Burgundy. It served as the flagship vineyard of the Cistercians, and has been a highly recognized name for centuries.  Clos de Vougeot is a medieval chateau and serves as the headquarters of the Chevaliers du Tastevin, the famous Burgundian wine society.  It is the largest single vineyard in Cote de Nuits that is entitled to the Grand Cru designation.

The wines of Clos de Vougeot became famous when the Cistercians tended the entire vineyard and produced the wine. In producing Clos de Vougeot, the Cistercians first produced cuvées from the different parts of the vineyard, and then blended them to produce a high-class wine. Typically, wine from the top and middle parts would be used, and only occasionally would the bottom part be used for the final Clos de Vougeot wine. Wine from lower down the slope can be better in dry years, so this blending practice allowed the production of a wine that should have been consistent in quality.

There is a fine museum with changing art exhibits. Situated on ground level, the cellar and the vat house are both models of architecture and form a cloister around a small central courtyard with four enormous oak wine presses, used by the Cistercian monks. Part of the vat house dates from the twelfth century; others date from earlier centuries.  It was classified as a national monument in 1949 and opened to the general public.

Located just north of Dijon, Clos de Vougeot is offered as an excursion on several deluxe and ultra- deluxe barges offering French canal cruises in the Burgundy region of France.  The six passenger Après Tout and Fleur de Lys both offer wine tasting and visit to the chateau on this French barge cruise.

Luxury French barges Napoleon and Hirondelle Save with 30% Discount

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The twelve-passenger Napoleon is one of Europe’s finest small river cruisers, combining all the amenities of a luxury hotel with the friendly ambiance of a country inn.  The beautifully appointed large picture windows of this luxury barge cruise provide amazing views of the countryside. She takes you on a lovely voyage along the River Rhône.  Aboard Napoleon, you’ll forget about time as you gaze on views of the French countryside.

This part of Provence is famous for never-ending vistas of tiled roofs, historic monuments, lavender fields and olive groves. This region has a sophisticated culture dating back to Roman times.

Excursions lead to the wine region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the delightful towns of Avignon and Arles. Visits to St Rémy, birthplace of Nostradamus, and the ancient sites of Pont du Gard and Glanum are also part of the action-packed agenda.

Napoleon, the luxury Provence barge cruise offers you every facility you can think of aboard a barge cruise.  A sun deck with Jacuzzi and exercise equipment is located on the top deck while the main deck contains the salon, dining room and one state cabin. The beds are king-sized doubles, which can be arranged as twins if desired. In suite bathrooms are fitted with a pedestal basin, a shower stall, and a flush pumped water closet.

The Hirondelle is equally wonderful and enriched with all amenities as Napoleon. She cruises in Southern Burgundy on the Canal du Centre, the River Saone and the Canal du Rhone au Rhin between Chagny and Besancon. Along this route, you will enjoy a wine tasting at Chateau Chassagne Montrachet, a visit to Beaune with its famous Hospice, as well as visits to the quaint town of Dole and beautiful old city of Besancon.

This eight-passenger Burgundy barge cruise has four beautifully appointed staterooms, three with twin beds and one with a double bed.  Each stateroom has a private bathroom with shower as well as large windows that open well above the waterline. There is a spacious living room/dining salon, sun deck with lounge chairs and sheltering umbrellas, stereo, games, writing desk and reading material. The Hirondelle provides bicycles for cycling along the towpath and into villages, and has a minibus for excursions to local landmarks.  The large windows and the sundeck on the top deck of the Hirondelle make it easy for you to enjoy the passing scenery.

In the evening, your crew prepares an elegant five course gourmet dinner graced by fine wines and cheeses that are unknown outside of France. Dining aboard the Hirondelle is among the highlights of the cruise. Our five-course candlelit dinners are a  special treat. You will enjoy a buffet style continental breakfast, large lunch including pâtés, cheeses, cold meats, tarts, terrines and salad. Dinners are always plated with at least four courses and complementary wines.