Tag Archives: luxury barge cruise

Comparing Luxury Barge Cruises with Casual Bike and Barge Cruises

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Below is a brief description of the difference between a Full Service barge and a Casual Bike and barge cruise.

Many of the casual bike and barge cruises are 7 nights instead of the 6 nights on a regular full service barge.  Prices range from $1640 to $3278 per person.  Cruises are in Holland/Belgium, Germany, France and Italy.  These barges range from  6, 20, 21, 22, 24 and 34 passengers.

These cruises are typically for serious cyclist as the biking ranges from  20KM – 65KM per day.  Bikes on these barges are typically heavy duty bikes designed for cycling in the  area.  Many bike and barge cruises have electric bikes available at a cost of between $100 – $150 for a week.

Included in the price: 6 or 7 night cruise, guide for the cycling tours  (except the Johanna which offers area maps,  a GPS and pre paid cell phone), breakfast buffet including makings for your packed lunch, dinner (3 courses) on boat, water with meals, clean towels and  bed linen delivered half way through the cruise and bike rental (with helmets).

Not included:  entrance fees for museums and the like, drinks on board, Listed meals ashore and personal insurances and transfers to and from the barge.

Click here for a slideshow on a casual bike and barge cruise.

Luxury barges range in price from low $3000’s to over $7000 per person.  We have several barges in the mid to high $4,000’s.

These rates include: 6 night cruise, daily maid service, bicycles on board for cycling, gourmet meals, wine and cheese of the region with lunch and dinner, open bar with alcoholic beverages and all the sightseeing.  Some barges will have a small swimming pool or spa/Jacuzzi.

The prices are based on the features of the barges and wines provided. 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 regional wines. The more expensive barges will have larger cabins – 170 – 230 sq. ft. with larger bathrooms, big shower stalls with a glass door. Some of the wines will be premier and grand cru.

Barges also range from  4 (Bordeaux only), 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 18 passengers.

Many of the barges offer themed cruises – Gardens, wine, cycling, art, family and golf.  Some of the regular barges, in addition to having the bikes on board for guests to cycle any time, also offer for charter, special biking itineraries.  On these barges, the bikes are not the heavy duty cycling bikes but more for the casual cyclist.  Only for a special cycling charter will you have the professional bikes.

Click here for a link to a barge cruise video.

Cruising Upper Loire Valley on the Meanderer

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http://www.europeanbarging.com ~ 713-240-6753 ~ 888-869-7907: The 6 passenger deluxe Meanderer is the only barge offering multiple excursion options. Choose from escorted cycling tours, walking tours or tours by mini van. Aboard this luxury barge cruise in France, you’ll get an opportunity to experience life there from a truly unique perspective.

 

Ballooning from the Meanderer barge

Carrying between Continue reading →

Cruising on the Moselle between Metz and Cochem

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A Luxury Barge Cruise or A Casual Bike and Barge Cruise – What is your Preference?

The Moselle Valley has a splendid countryside. The cool and delicious wines, the picturesque little towns with rich histories and the excellent conditions for cycling are a few of the high points of this area. Here you can enjoy your vacation whether you want it to be on board a luxury barge cruise or a combination of bike and barge cruise.

Your cruise takes you on a tour of this wonderful region where you come across several interesting places. Metz is designated a ‘town of art and history’ because of its rich historical and cultural background. This is a designation bestowed by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication to specific towns and cities with a purpose to preserve and promote France’s heritage. In Metz, you will discover much art and history! The city is home to some world-class venues such as the Arsenal Concert Hall, the Centre Pompidou-Metz Museum, and the National Opera of Lorraine (along with the Nancy Opera.) Metz has the pride of having 20 miles of landscaped walks along the rivers, canals and ramparts making it a lovely and lushly green city.

Remich is another interesting place. This is one of the quaintest towns in Germany. Remich is surrounded by vineyards that produce the majority of wines in Luxembourg. It is actually known as “la perle de la Moselle”, and is renowned not just for its wines but its riverside esplanade as well.

Trier is the oldest city of Germany founded before the 16th century.  It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site noted for its Roman monuments, particularly the Imperial Baths and the imposing fortified gate, the Porta Nigra. Trier lies in a valley between low vine-covered hills. This is an important Mosel wine-growing region.

Cochem will be your last stop. Situated deep in the most romantic part of the Moselle River Valley, Cochem is famous for its wine taverns, half-timbered houses, riverside promenades and the magnificent Reichsburg Castle above the town.

A wonderful experience is yours as you cruise through the Moselle Valley while you view and visit charming villages and ravishing towns. You will taste the region’s excellent wines in the welcoming taverns here.  Light whites are a specialty, and Riesling is the best-known variety produced here.

You have a lot of choices when it comes to cruising the Moselle. You can take a casual bike and barge cruise on the 26 passenger “Sailing Home”, the 8 passenger ultra-deluxe La Nouvelle Etoile or numerous other river cruises.

Luxury Barge Cruising Northern Italy – Europe River Cruises and Barging

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http://www.europeanbarging.com ~ 713-240-6753 ~ 888-869-7907 :: Cruising Northern Italy by luxury barge cruise, casual bike and barge cruise or river cruise. Being one of the most beautiful countries in the world, Italy, is an ideal place for luxury barge cruising. Contact European Barging to plan Continue reading →

Meanderer 2013-Guided Biking Tours! Flexible choice of Excursions

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Have you ever thought you can experience one of the most relaxing and luxurious ways to explore France? If you want to cruise its beautiful canals and rivers in a royal style and discover the green countryside, Meanderer 2013 is what you are looking for. Aboard this luxury barge cruise in France, you’ll get an opportunity to experience life there from a truly unique perspective. Carrying between 1-6 guests, this spacious barge cruise is ideal for a group of family or friends. You can charter your own barge or reserve a cabin with other guests.

Meanderer 2013 is known as one of the best crafts plying the European waterways. These floating hotels take you from great cities to remote landscapes of forests, fields and hidden villages you never knew. This all- inclusive cruise gently glides along while you relax and enjoy gourmet cuisine, fine wines and the company of fellow passengers.
Multiple Excursions Options is the latest offering on Meanderer 2013. It is a whole new concept introduced by this luxury barge cruise. It allows you to choose a specific program according to your interest. The most exciting is fully guided cycling tours as part of the multiple excursions options. The small region in Burgundy between Montargis within the Loire Valley and Nevers is suitable for both cycling and sailing. Following the flow of the Loire River, the bike route gently rolls through green countryside with charming little villages sporadically intermingled. The rich landscape bears many fruitful vineyards. The famous ones are the wines from Pouilly-sur-Loire and Sancerre; and of course there are the Burgundy (Bourgogne) wines, said to be among the most prestigious in the world.
This wholly new program can be expanded at will to include full Barge and Biking charters. The biking options are available to all or individual guests on any given day and custom designed in accordance with biking skills and level of comfort. Maps, GPS, water bottles, helmets and essential spare parts are available. Cyclists can also bring their own shoes and clip-on pedals.
Our biking program is designed to allow as much flexibility as possible. We shall always try to accommodate any specific group and individual preferences. However, there is only 1 guide available and therefore majority rules (GPS is available)
Combine your passion for cycling with one of the most pampered ways to travel — aboard our floating hotel Meanderer 2013 on the canals and waterways of France!