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Barges In France, Barges in Europe: Special Offers on Hotel Barge Cruises
Updated: Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Special Offers for Barges in France (... and England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Germany, too!)

Contact us for personal assistance in selecting the hotel barge that best matches your interests, needs, and price. You can rely on our fifteen years of experience and frequent visits aboard all of the barges in France and the rest of Europe to give you honest answers to all of your questions, and to guide you to the experience of a lifetime. Note: Prices quoted and payable in US Dollars. Sale prices and special offers apply to new bookings only. "Cabin" special offers are based on double occupancy, unless otherwise noted.
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* NOTE: All offers below are subject to availability and apply to new bookings only.   Check individual barge websites for dates of "Value" and "Regular" Seasons.   For charter offers, prices quoted apply to full boat charters; lower rates may be available for charters with fewer passengers so call or email us for specific prices, guidance, and recommendations for the best fit to your particular situation.

Offers are grouped, below, by 2013 CABIN OFFERS, and 2013 CHARTER OFFERS.
See also
THEME CRUISE notes, below the Special Offers for charters and cabins

In this edition: Also see TULIP CRUISES in HOLLAND in Spring 2013


2013 Season: Special Cabin Offers *
Barge NamePaxRegular PriceSale Price$ OffApplies to These Cruise WeeksSpecial ExpiresRemarks
ANJODI
WEBSITE
8$4,390
$4,990
$3,390
$3,990
$1,000May 12, Jun 9, 16, 30May 31, 2013REGION: France: Canal du Midi: Prices listed are $1,000 off per person ($2,000 off per cabin) for value season' and 'regular season' cabin pricing respectively. Cannot combine with any other offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
ANJODI
WEBSITE
8$4,390
$4,990
$3,890
$4,490
$500Aug 18
Jul 7, Aug 25
May 31, 2013 REGION: France: Canal du Midi:Prices are $500 off per person ($1,000 off per cabin) for 'value season' and 'regular season' cabin pricing respectively. Cannot combine with any other special offer. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
L'IMPRESSIONNISTE
WEBSITE
8$5,450$4,450$1,000May 5, 12 & Jun 2May 31, 2013REGION: France: Burgundy: Prices listed are $1,000 off per person ($2,000 off per cabin) on 'regular season' stateroom pricing. Discount also applies to 'regular season' junior suite pricing.Cannot combine with any other offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for specific availability and sale prices.
L'IMPRESSIONNISTE
WEBSITE
8$4,750
$5,450
$4,250
$4,950
$500Jul 28, Aug 18
Aug 25
May 31, 2013REGION: France: Burgundy: Prices listed are $500 off per person ($1,000 off per cabin) on 'value season' and 'regular season' stateroom pricing respectively. Discount also applies to 'value season' and 'regular season' junior suite pricing. Cannot combine with any other offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for specific availability and sale prices.
LA BELLE EPOQUE
WEBSITE
12$5,450$4,450$1,000May 12, 26 & Jun 23May 31, 2013REGION: France: Burgundy: Prices listed are $1,000 off per person ($2,000 off per cabin) for 'regular season' stateroom pricing. Discount also applies to 'regular season' junior suite pricing. Cannot combine with any other special offer. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for specific availability and sale prices.
LA BELLE EPOQUE
WEBSITE
12$4,750
$5,450
$4,250
$4,950
$500Jul 14, 21, 28
Jul 7, Aug 25
May 31, 2013REGION: France: Burgundy: Prices listed are $500 off per person ($1,000 off per cabin) 'value season' and 'regular season pricing for staterooms respectively. Discounts also apply to 'value season' and 'regular season pricing for junior suite. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for specific availability and prices.
CAPRICE
WEBSITE
21$3,290$2,632$658July 13-REGION: France: Burgundy: 20% off the regular price of all cabins for the July 13, 2013, cruise date only. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
CAPRICE
WEBSITE
21$3,290$2,303$987May 25, Jun 1 & June 8-REGION: France: Burgundy: Prices listed are 30% off per person on 'regular season' cabin pricing for specified cruise weeks of May 25, Jun 1 & June 8. Double occupancy required. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
ELISABETH
WEBSITE
6$4,500$4,275$225Mar - Jun - REGION: France: Burgundy: 5% off cabin price for March 30 through June 8 "value season" cruise weeks. Double occupancy required. Cannot combine with any other specail offers. Valid only for new bookings.Contact us for availability and prices.
EMMA
WEBSITE
6$5,500$4,950$550All available 2013 & 2014 cruise datesOct 31REGION: France: Canal du Midi: Prices listed are 10% off individual cabin pricing for all remaining 2013 & 2014 cruise weeks. Valid for new bookings only. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Contact us for availability and prices.
EMMA
WEBSITE
6$5,500$4,675$825May 11 & 18 cruises-REGION: France: Canal du Midi: Prices listed are 15% off individual cabin pricing for May 11 & May 18 cruise dates only. Valid for new bookings only. Cannot combine with any other specail offers. Contact us for availability and prices.
ENCHANTE
WEBSITE
8$6,330$5,330$1,000May 12, 19 & Jun 16May 31, 2013REGION: France: Canal du Midi: Prices listed are $1,000 off per person ($2,000 off per cabin) for 'regular season' cabin pricing. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
ENCHANTE
WEBSITE
8$5,540
$6,330
$5,040
$5,830
$500Aug 11, 18
Jul 7
May 31, 2013REGION: France: Canal du Midi: Prices listed are $500 off per person ($1,000 off per cabin) for 'value season' and 'regular season' cabin pricing respectively, . Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
HIRONDELLE
WEBSITE
8$5,400$3,780$1,620Jul & AugJun 30REGION: France: Burgundy: Prices listed are 30% off 'regular season' cabin prices for available July and August cruise dates. Charter discounts also available for these dates for up to 8 passengers (for more information on charter discounts, see charter section below). Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
MAGNA CARTA
WEBSITE
8$4,990$3,742.50$1,247.50Jun 2 & 30, Jul 7 & 14May 31, 2013REGION: England: Thames River Prices listed are 25% off 'value season' and 'regular season' suite pricing respectively. Cannot combine with any other offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
NAPOLEON
WEBSITE
12$6,050$4,235$1,815Jul & AugJun 30REGION: France: Provence: Prices listed are 30% off 'regular season' cabin prices for available July & August cruise dates. Charter discounts also available for these dates for up to 12 passengers (for more information on charter discounts, see section below). Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
PANACHE
WEBSITE
12$4,890
$5,650
$3,890
$4,650
$1,000Jun 2
Jun 30
May 31, 2013REGION: Alsace-Lorraine, Champagne: Prices listed are $1,000 off per person ($2,000 off per person) for 'value season' and 'regular season' pricing. Cannot combine with any other offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
PANACHE
WEBSITE
12$4,890
$5,650
$4,390
$5,150
$500Aug 18
Jul 7, Aug 25
May 31, 2013REGION: Alsace-Lorraine:Prices listed are $500 off per person ($1,000 off per cabin) for 'value season' and 'regular season' cabin pricing. Cannot combine with any other offer. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
LE PAPILLON
WEBSITE
6$4,750$4,275$475Jun 30 cruise only-REGION: France: Burgundy: Prices listed are 10% off per person for 'regular season' cabin pricing for Jun 30 cruise date only. Double occupancy is required. Cannot combine with any other special offer. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for specific availability and sale prices.
RENAISSANCE
WEBSITE
8$6,090
$7,100
$5,590
$6,600
$500Jul 21
May 26, Jun 30
May 31, 2013REGION: France: Loire Valley, Burgundy: Prices listed are $500 off per person ($1,000 off per cabin) 'value season' and 'regular season' cabin pricing respectively. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
SAROCHE
WEBSITE
6$5,250$4,200$1,050May 12 and 19-REGION: France: Provence: 20% off per person for May 12 and 19, for individual cabin bookings. Double occupancy required. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
SAVOIR VIVRE
WEBSITE
8$3,500$3,150$350May, June July, Aug-REGION: Southern Burgundy: Prices listed are 10% off 'value AND regular season' cabin prices for all remaining cabin weeks in May, June, July and Aug. Charter discounts are also available, see charter specials below. Double occupancy required. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER
WEBSITE
8$4,250$3,250$1,000May 19 & Jun 9, 23 & Jul 7May 31, 2013REGION: Scotland: Caledonian Canal: Prices listed are $1,000 off per person ($2,000 off per cabin) on 'regular season' cabin pricing. Discounts also apply to 'regular season' suite pricing. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER
WEBSITE
8$3,690
$4,250
$3,190
$3,750
$500Sep 29, Oct 6 & 20
Sep 15
May 31, 2013REGION: Scotland: Caledonian Canal: Prices listed are $500 off per person ($1,000 off per cabin) on 'value season' and 'regular season' cabin pricing respectively. Dicount lso applies to 'value season' and 'regular season' suite pricing. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
SHANNON PRINCESS II
WEBSITE
10$4,660$4,160$500Aug 11May 31, 2013REGION: Ireland: Shannon River: Prices listed are $500 off per person ($1,000 off per cabin) on 'regular season' suite pricing. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
SHANNON PRINCESS II
WEBSITE
10$4,660$3,660$1,000May 12, 19, 26 & Jun 9, 30May 31, 2013REGION: Ireland: Shannon River: Prices listed are $1,000 off per person ($2,000 off per cabin). Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.


2013 Season: Special Charter Offers *
Barge NamePaxRegular PriceSale Price$ OffApplies to These Cruise WeeksSpecial ExpiresRemarks
ALOUETTE
WEBSITE
4$28,600$20,020$8,580Jul & AugJun 30REGION: France: Canal du Midi: Prices listed are 30% off 'regular season' charter pricing for available July & Aug cruise dates for charters of up to 4 people. Discount also applies to charters of 2 and 3 passengers. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
AMARYLLIS
WEBSITE
8$63,600$44,520$19,080Jul & AugJun 30REGION: France: Burgundy: Prices listed are 30% off 'regular season' charter pricing for available July & Aug cruise dates for charters of up to 8 passengers. Discount also applies to charters of 6 and 7 passengers. Children's special also available: 2 children, aged 11 or under at time of travel to sail free and share an additional complimentary cabin. Must be accompanied by 2 full fare paying adults. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
APRES TOUT
WEBSITE
6$36,000$34,000$2,000July - REGION: France: Burgundy: $2,000 off charter for 6 price for July 2013 charter cruises. Valid only for new bookings. Cannot be combined with any other special offer. Contact us for availability and prices.
L'ART DE VIVRE
WEBSITE
8$31,000
$35,500
$28,400$3,100
$3,550
Jul 14, 28
Jun 2
May 31, 2013REGION: France: Burgundy: Prices listed are 10% off 'value season' and 'regular season' charter pricing respectively for a full charter for 8 passengers. Discount also applies to charters for 6 and 7 passengers. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
L'IMPRESSIONNISTE
WEBSITE
12$61,000$48,800$12,2000May 19May 19, 2013REGION: France: Burgundy: Prices listed are 20% off 'regular season' charter prices for full 12 passenger charter. Discount also applies to charters of 8, 9, 10 and 11 people for the same date. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
L'IMPRESSIONNISTE
WEBSITE
12$53,000$47,700$5,300Jul 14May 31, 2013REGION: France: Burgundy: Prices listed are 10% off 'value season' charter price for a full 12 passenger charter. Discount also applies to charters of 8, 9, 10 and 11 passengers for the same date. Cannot combine with any other special offer. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
LA BELLE EPOQUE
WEBSITE
12$53,000$47,700$5,300Aug 4 & 18May 31, 2013REGION: France: Burgundy: Prices are 10% off 'value season' charter pricing for a full charter for 12 people.Discount also applies to charters for 8, 9, 10, and 11 passengers. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
CLAIR DE LUNE
WEBSITE
6$30,000$24,000$6,000Jun 2, 9, 30May 31, 2013REGION: France: Canal du Midi: Prices listed are 20% off 'regular season' charter pricing for a full charter for 6 people. Discount also applies to charters for 4 and 5 passenger. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid for new bookings only. Contact us for availability and prices.
CLAIR DE LUNE
WEBSITE
6$26,400$23,760$2,640Jul 14, 28 & Aug 11May 31, 2013REGION: France: Canal du Midi: Prices listed are 10% off 'value season' pricing for a full charter for 6 passengers. Discount also applies to charter prices for 4 and 5 passengers. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
ELISABETH
WEBSITE
6$23,800$22,610$1,190Mar - Jun - REGION: France: Burgundy: Prices listed are 5% off 'value season' charter rates for full charters of 6 people for March 30 through June 7, 2013, cruise weeks. Discount also applies to charters for 4 and 5 passengers. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
EMMA
WEBSITE
6$30,000$27,000$3,000All 2013 cruises-REGION: France: Canal du Midi: Prices listed are 10% off 'regular season' charter pricing for all remaining 2013 cruise weeks. Discount also applies to charter prices for 4 and 5 passengers. Cannot combine with any other special offer. Valid for new bookings only. Contact us for availability and prices.
EMMA
WEBSITE
6$30,000$27,000$3,000May 11 & May 18 cruises-REGION: France: Canal du Midi: Prices listed are 15% off 'regular season' charter pricing for a full week, full 6 person charter on May 11 & May 18 cruise dates only. Discount also applies to charters for 4 and 5 passengers. Cannot combine with any other special offer. Valid for new bookings only. Contact us for availability and prices.
ENCHANTE
WEBSITE
8$48,600$38,880$9,720Jun 2May 31, 2013REGION: France: Canal du Midi, Provence: Prices listed are 20% off 'regular season' charter prices for full 8 passenger charter. Discount also applies to charters of 6 and 7 passengers. Cannot combine with any other special offer. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
ENCHANTE
WEBSITE
8$42,300$38,070$4,230Jul 28 & Aug 4May 31, 2013REGION: France: Canal du Midi, Provence: Prices listed are 10% off 'value season charter pricing for full charter for 8 passengers. Discount also applies to charters for 6 and 7 passengers. Cannot be combined with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
FLEUR de LYS
WEBSITE
6$47,700$33,390$14,310Jul & AugJun 30REGION: France: Burgundy: Prices listed are 30% off 'regular season' charter pricing for available July & Aug cruise dates for charters of up to 6 passengers. Discount also applies to charters of 4 and 5 passengers. Children's special also available: 2 children, aged 11 or under at time of travel to sail free and share an additional complimentary cabin. Must be accompanied by 2 full fare paying adults. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
HIRONDELLE
WEBSITE
8$43,300$30,310$12,990Jul & AugJun 30REGION: France: Burgundy: Prices listed are 30% off 'regular season' charter pricing for available July & Aug cruise dates for charters of up to 8 passengers. Discount also applies to charters of 6 and 7 passengers. Children's special also available: 2 children, aged 11 or under at time of travel to sail free and share an additional complimentary cabin. Must be accompanied by 2 full fare paying adults.Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
MAGNA CARTA
WEBSITE
8$36,100$27,075$9,025May 12 & 26, Jul 21, 28May 31, 2013REGION: England: Thames River: Prices listed are 25% off charter pricing respectively for a full 8 passenger charter. Discount also applies to charters of 6 and 7 passengers. Cannot combine with any other special offer. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
MEANDERER
WEBSITE
6$31,400$24,000$7,400May 12 & May 26 cruise dates only-REGION: France: Upper Loire region of Burgundy: Prices listed are discounted from 'regular season' pricing for a full charter of 6 passengers. The same discounted price applies to charters of 4 and 5 passengers. Cannot be combined with any other. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
MEANDERER
WEBSITE
6$31,400$27,000$4,400All remaining 2013 weeks-REGION: France: Upper Loire region of Burgundy: Prices listed are discounted from 'regular season' pricing for a full charter of 6 passengers. The same fixed discounted price of $27,000 applies to charters of 4, 5, and 6 passengers. Cannot be combined with any other. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
MEANDERER
WEBSITE
6See remarksSee remarksSee remarksOct 20 - 28 - REGION: France: Upper Loire region of Burgundy: End of the Season Special – (9 days Auxerre to Rogny Les Sept Ecluses October 20-28 - Charter for 4, 5 or 6 passengers. A fantastic opportunity and VALUE to cruise Meanderer from Auxerre to Rogny Les Sept Ecluses. This end of season offer is priced at the sale price of $27,000 -- with 2 extra, full service days added at no charge. Short cruises from Sun-Thur ($24,000) or Sun-Fri ($25,500) are also available for this week. Cannot combine with any other special offer. Valid for new bookings only. Contact us for availability and prices.
NAPOLEON
WEBSITE
12$72,600$50,820$21,780Jul & AugJun 30REGION: France: Provence: Prices listed are 30% off 'regular season' charter pricing for available July & Aug cruise dates for charters of up to 12 people. Discount also applies to charters of 8, 9, 10 and 11 passengers. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
PANACHE
WEBSITE
12$53,000$47,700$5,300Jul 14, 21 & Aug 11May 31, 2013REGION: Alsace-Lorraine: Prices listed are 10% off 'value season' pricing for full charter of 12 passengers. Discount also applies to charters for 8, 9, 10, and 11 passengers. Cannot combine with any other special offer. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
PHENICIEN
WEBSITE
18$71,400$57,120$14,280June 2-8 - REGION: France: Provence: Prices listed are 20% off 'regular season' pricing for a full charter of 18 people for June 2 cruise date. Discount also applies to charter rates for 9 through 17 passengers. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
PROSPERITE
WEBSITE
8$53,900
$55,900
$45,900$14,280All remaining 2013 cruise weeks - REGION: France: Burgundy: Prices listed are 'value season' pricing for a full charter of 6, 7 or 8 people for all remaining cruise weeks for 2013. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
RENAISSANCE
WEBSITE
8$53,000$47,700$5,300May 12, Jun 9 & Jul 7May 31, 2013REGION: France: Loire Valley, Burgundy: Prices listed are 10% off 'regular season' charter pricing for a full charter for 8 passengers. Discount also applies to charters for 6 and 7 passengers. Cannot combine with any other special offer. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
ROI SOLEIL
WEBSITE
6$34,900$36,900$2,000Jun 9, Jul 7-REGION: France: Provence, Canal du Midi: Prices listed are 'value season' pricing for specified cruise dates. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid for new bookings only.
SAROCHE
WEBSITE
6$30,000$24,000$6,000May 12 and 19-REGION: France: Provence: Prices listed are 20% off 'value season' charter pricing for a full charter for 6 people on select dates: May 12 and 19. Discount also applies to charters for 4, 5 and 6 passengers. Cannot combine with any other special offer. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
SAVOIR VIVRE
WEBSITE
8$26,000
$28,000
$23,400
$25,200
$2,600
$2,800
May, June, July or Aug-REGION: France: Southern Burgundy: Prices listed are 10% off 'value & regular season' pricing for a full charter for 8 people. Discount also applies to charters for 6 and 7 passengers. Discount applies to all remaining open weeks in May, June, July and Aug.See website for Special Family Charter pricing & details. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.
SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER
WEBSITE
8$29,000
$33,000
$26,100
$29,700
$2,900
$3,300
Oct 13, 27
Sep 8, 22
May 31, 2013REGION: Scotland: Caledonian Canal: Prices listed are 10% off 'value season' and 'regular season' charter pricing respectively for full 8 passenger charter. Discounts also apply to charters of 6 and 7 passengers. Cannot combine with any other special offer. Valid for new bookings only. Contact us for availability and prices.
SHANNON PRINCESS II
WEBSITE
10$43,330$39,000$4,330Jun 23, Jul 21, Aug 4 & 25May 31, 2013REGION: Ireland: Shannon River: Prices listed are 10% off 'regular season' charter pricing for a full charter of 10 people. Discount also applies to charters for 6 and 8 passengers. Cannot combine with any other special offers. Valid only for new bookings. Contact us for availability and prices.


THEME CRUISES
ELISABETH: Chocolate and Wine Cruise! The 6-passenger hotel barge ELISABETH, cruising in Burgundy on the beautiful Canal de Bourgogne between Tanlay and Veneray les Laumes, is again offering its fabulous Elisabeth La Chocolat Cruise for Wine Lovers and Chocoholics. Highlights include:
• Lezinnes, and a visit to the beautiful renaissance, Ancy le Franc chateau.
• Wine tasting in Chablis and visit to the chocolaterie to hear the history of and taste the chocolate Pillars of Chablis.
• Ravierres for a visit to the caves of Grottes d'Arcy sur Cure, to see some of the oldest cave paintings in the world.
• To Montbard, and a tour of the Abbay de Fontenay, a UNESCO world heritage site
• Lunch in the village of Flavigny (where the movie "Chocolat" was made) and a walking tour of the village.
• In Alesia, see the site of the last great battle between the Romans and the Gaules. The Roman ruins and amphitheatre date back to 345BC.
• Special chocolate tastings, and demonstrations all through the week, with chocolate and wine pairings!
For full details Click here for Elisabeth's Chocolate and Wine Itinerary.
LUCIOLE ACTIVITY CRUISE
Luciole Activity Cruise: For those interested in chartering a hotel barge with more fun activities, the LUCIOLE is offering the option of tree walking, horse riding, cave climbing and kayaking along with their regular visits. Note: A surcharge of $3,000 is added to the usual charter price for this Adventure Barge Cruise. See the Luciole sample itinerary and call or email for further details.
Call or email for more information.
HONEYMOON CRUISE Honeymoon Special! aboard ELISABETH. Book a honeymoon or a special wedding annniversary charter cruise for two and be pampered and looked after by a crew of three for your private cruise week. Imagine Wine and Chocolate and Romance. Red roses and champagne in the cabin as an extra treat! Take the whole barge for yourselves at just USD$12,500 (March 30 through June 7, 2013, value season) or USD$13,000 (June 8 through October 25, 2013, regular season). Spend time together away from the hustle and bustle of the real world. Relax and enjoy the privacy of your own intimate floating hotel. Let the crew of the Elisabeth do all the work and organization. Enjoy your special time together!
Call or email for more information or to book your Honeymoon Cruise!
HANDS-ON CUISINE CRUISE:
Cooking Classes & Cruising
Interested in a HANDS-ON CUISINE CRUISE? Charter Parties: Enjoy Regional Cooking Classes & Cruise: The ultra-deluxe 4-passenger ALOUETTE, and the deluxe 18-passenger LE PHENICIEN offer private hands-on lessons and then the chance to enjoy your carefully prepared sumptuous meals and desserts! Cruise routes for this special program include Burgundy, Canal du Midi, and Provence. (Cuisine class supplement may apply.) Or, just looking to sit back and watch your chef? Then consider this gorgeous selection of barges, each equipped with demonstration kitchens: ROI SOLEIL, PROSPERITE, RENAISSANCE, and ENCHANTE. Call or email for details.
SPRINGTIME IN HOLLAND 2013 and 2014:
The TULIP and GARDEN CRUISE OF A LIFETIME!
Springtime display of tulips at the Keukenhof Gardens Tulip Cruises in Holland: If you've not experienced the Keukenhof in Holland in the Springtime, with hundreds of thousands of tulips, there is still availability on Tulip Cruises through mid May in 2013 and from mid March to mid May in 2014. Please call or email us soon to check on availability! Select from the following luxury hotel barges:
Don't miss the amazing display of thousands of tulips at Keukenhof, the Aalsmeer flower market with up to a million flowers auctioned daily, up-close-and-personal encounters with the art works of the Dutch masters, the town of Gouda and cheesemakers, and the classic artistry of Delft's pottery works where porcelain is still handmade and painted. Priceless memories! Prices vary by barge, starting at USD$4,500 per person aboard the Savoir Faire. (Prices are higher for later April/May cruise weeks on some barges.) Prices include Amsterdam transfers, all meals, guided excursions, wines with meals, and bar drinks. Call or email now to book your 2013 or 2014 Tulip Cruise.
ACTIVE CRUISES:
Cycling Cruises
Golf Cruises
Runners Cruises
Tennis Cruises
Tour de France Cruises
Walking Cruises
With your luxury hotel floating along with you, combine your interest in walking, golf, cycling or running with a barge cruise. If you are casually interested in these activities, nearly all barges can accommodate you during the course of a regular cruise week. If you would like to have cycling, golf, or the 100th TOUR de FRANCE in July 2013 to be a major focus of your cruise, you can join in on a cruise week that is organized specifically for this or you can gather friends with similar interests and charter a barge to customize the week to match your interests exactly. Call or email for details
  • CYCLING CRUISES can include casual cycling along the towpath and into villages (nearly all canal cruises offer this as part of their regular itineraries), or serious daily cycling (e.g., 25-50 miles each day) with or without a cycle tour guide -- this kind of cycle cruise is specially arranged, and typically provides rented bicycles that match your individual size and preferences. See our bike-and-barge website, http://www.BargeCycle.com for more detailed information about bike-and-barge cruises.

  • GOLF CRUISES can include as many as three or four golf days at local courses along the cruise route, with separate excursions for non-golfers -- these are specially arranged golf cruise weeks. The golf cruise aboard the 10-passenger Shannon Princess in Ireland includes golf at three of Europe's best Golf Courses, The K Club in Kildare, the Adare Manor Golf Course in Limerick, and the Lahinch Golf Course on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, plus one local course, the Glasson Golf Course. You can also choose to play golf on your own during most any cruise week aboard any barge, by arrangement with the crew. For more information, please visit the golf itinerary aboard the Shannon Princess.

  • TENNIS CRUISES include several days of tennis at world class courts, sightseeing and luxury dining and cruising. Play on the red clay "Roland Garros" style courts in France, with a cruise in the Northern Burgundy region, aboard the 8-passenger L'Art de Vivre, in Auxerre, Vermenton, Chatel Censoir and Coulange Sur Yonne. A tennis cruise in England aboard the 8-passenger Magna Carta will include the opportunity to play on a few of Englands most exclusive lawn and grass courts. Enjoy a match with your party at the private Lensbury Club in Teddington, the Runnymeade Hotel, the Windsor Lawn Tennis Club and the private club at Royal Berkshire.

  • TOUR de FRANCE stages include routes that are on or very close to the cruise routes of several barges. If you're interested in planning a barge cruise around the stages in the TOUR de FRANCE, contact us soon, and we'll be happy to match you up with a barge cruising on or near one of the stages. Contact us for further details.

  • WALKING CRUISES are organized to absorb the most that the particular cruise region has to offer. Spend your week ambling through historic villages and slowly unfolding scenic vistas of hilltop castles, ancient vineyards and verdant pastures. In the company of a professional walking guide saunter along the region's scenic pathways, as you are provided just the right balance of exploration and exertion combined with relaxation. The Belle Epoque, the L'Art de Vivre and the Magna Carta, all have organized walking tours, with a professional guide to lead the way.




Open 7 days a week!
Call 1-877-642-2743
(outside US/Canada: phone 001.443.321.3614)
Experience barging in France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Germany, or Italy to see why everyone says this is the most pampered experience along waterways of incredible beauty.

MOST BARGE CRUISES ARE ALL INCLUSIVE: Unless noted, all canal and river cruises are seven days and six nights. The majority start their cruise on Saturday or Sunday afternoon. The all-inclusive trip price includes all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), alcoholic beverages, transfers, and excursions, except where noted. Most French barge cruises in Burgundy include transfer from and to Paris in their price (some even on the TGV train), whereas barges in the Canal du Midi, for example, typically don't include transfers from Paris. In Ireland, Scotland, England, Holland, Belgium, Germany, and Italy, prices usually include transfers from and to the major gateway airport or hotel or train station. "Value season" is typically early April and end of October, and July and August for some barges; "regular season" is all the remaining months. Call or email.
MORE ABOUT BARGES and SPECIAL OFFERS:

This edition of our specials page highlights offers for the 2013 season and provides additional suggestions for special cruises -- including Spring Tulip Cruises in Holland, a fabulous cruise in Burgundy for chocolate and wine lovers, and cruises for runners, walkers, cyclists, golfers, antique-hunters, as well as cruises with emphasis on special interests, including garden cruises, archaeology, history, etc. If you've never cruised aboard a hotel barge, now is the time to discover why hotel barges are the best kept secret in travel!

If you've ever thought about cruising the canals of France (or waterways in England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Germany, and Italy) and being pampered like you've never imagined -- call toll-free from US/Canada at 1-877-642-2743, or email us at info@SpecialPlacesTravel.com to discuss "the best kept secret in travel" -- a vacation experience like no other! (Outside US/Canada, call 001.443.321.3614 or email.) We suggest you call early because many of the most popular weeks are already sold out on some barges -- but there are still many openings. So if you are considering cruising this year or next, contact us soon!

All special price offers apply only to new bookings, and are subject to availability. Unless otherwise noted, all prices are in US Dollars. For a full description of each hotel barge listed on this page, click on the barge name.

Are you thinking of planning a family reunion, high school or college reunion, family celebration of a special anniversary or birthday? We will work with you to make the most memorable lifetime event for groups of 2 to 21. Do you have at least ten people who MIGHT go, but the group may expand to more, where you would like flexibility to eventually accommodate, 14, 16, even 18 total passengers? If so, call or email us soon, and we will work with you to create the most perfect imaginable reunion or family/group celebration for anytime in the cruise season (typically end of March through first week in November, though a shorter season applies to some barges). Group sizes from 2 to 21!

Hotel barging offers something for everyone:

  • Garden Tours/Tulip Cruises, especially springtime in Holland with visits to Keukenhof!
  • Barge Cruises for Walkers -- featuring casual or vigorous walking programs
  • Golf and Tennis Cruises -- the most memorable golf or tennis cruise you'll ever experience.
  • Running and Cycling Cruises -- create your own runners or cycling barge week, or join a formal cycle tour. Cycling can be as vigorous or as easy as you want -- and there are a lot of possibilities. Call or email to help decide. For details, see
    http://www.bargecycle.com: Cycle Tour Ideas: Barges in France and elsewhere in Europe
  • Gourmet cuisine showcase weeks -- All barges provide exceptional dining experiences from on-board chefs, and some barges offer restaurant touring as well. Special gourmet cruise weeks on some barges raise the gourmet emphasis to an even higher level. Special cooking classes can also be hosted on some barges either for on-board demonstrations, or visiting local chefs in local chateaus or restaurants. Call or email to set up your Gourmet Cruise week.
  • Wine connoisseurs go barging! -- All the hotel barges in France and elsewhere in Europe feature excellent wines through the cruise week, and most offer visits to wineries. A few barges offer special wine cruises with premier cru and grand cru tastings and winery visits. Call or email for information.
  • Antique hunters cruise weeks -- A few barges offer special antique cruise weeks with outstanding opportunities to discover a wide range of antique items, led by a veteran antique shopper. Call or email to arrange!
If you're considering a cruise for this year or next, call or email us now and we'll work with you to help you make the best choice for what will be one of the greatest vacation weeks you are likely to have ever experienced!

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Special Places Travel, LLC
"Barges in France (and the rest of Europe) ... for the experience of a lifetime!" ™

For booking information,
Phone (toll-free): 1-877-64-BARGE (1-877-642-2743)
Outside of the U.S.: 001.443.321.3614
or E-mail: info@specialplacestravel.com

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Web site creation by Don Dillin of www.specialplacestravel.com.         Questions? Call 1-877-64-BARGE, or send an email to info@specialplacestravel.com
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Barges in France, A Division of Special Places Travel, LLC.
Barges in Europe, A Division of Special Places Travel, LLC.

Accredited, Better Business Bureau; Member: American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), Outside Sales Support Network (OSSN). Bonded. Founded 1997. American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Discover accepted.

Accredited, Better Business Bureau. Member, ASTA-American Society of Travel Agents, 
CLIA-Cruise Lines International Association, OSSN-Outside Sales Support Network. 
Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover Cards Welcome
Accredited, Better Business Bureau. Member, ASTA-American Society of Travel Agents, 
CLIA-Cruise Lines International Association, OSSN-Outside Sales Support Network. 
Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover Cards Welcome