Summary of our 2022 barge blog posts about everything barging brought to you by Paradise Connections, your barge charter cruise specialists. Experience the fascinating world of boutique hotel barging and see Europe from another perspective – via an all-inclusive, luxury, crewed hotel barge cruise vacation.
Coronavirus testing requirement lifted for flights to USA
International travelers flying to the United States will no longer need to show proof of a negative coronavirus test before boarding their flights, the Biden administration said Friday, ending one of the last pandemic-related travel requirements. The requirement will end at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, June 12, 2022.
Special Offers for 2022 updated
We have updated our Special Offers & Discount page. We hope you can take advantage of these savings. See special offers here...
Scotch raspberry and dark chocolate chilli tart with a clotted cream ice cream
This is a dessert recipe from the Tomatin Distillery that is visited on the Whisky Trail barge cruise aboard both Scottish Hotel Barges Spirit of Scotland and Scottish Highlander. Get the recipe here...
Book a 2023 barge cruise at current 2022 rates
As we mentioned in an earlier post, Savoir Vivre has raised their rates for the 2023 barging season (unless you book by June 30th). This is due to increased fuel prices and other associated increases.
If you are considering a hotel barge cruise on the European waterways for next season, please contact us soon before other barges raise their rates. This is a trend we are seeing in yacht charters and it won’t surprise us if more barges notify us about rate increases within the next few weeks. Read more...
Enjoy Wine Tasting on Your Barge Cruise
During a cruise on one of our hotel barges, you will have the chance to sample several of the finest wines they offer. Wine tasting can feel a little overwhelming if you haven’t much experience, but fortunately, this post helps to break the process down into four sip-size steps. Read more...
Savoir Vivre - Rate Change for 2023 Cruises
Savoir Vivre has announced an increase in rates for 2023 barge cruises. This represents a $2000 increase for private charters and an increase of $500 per cabin for cabin cruise weeks. Savoir Vivre has reduced their rate for single supplements by $250. Book now and save. Read more...
Join La Bella Vita in Italy this Summer for an Opera Cruise
Book your spot aboard La Bella Vita’s Opera Cruise for a lavish barging experience departing on 17th July 2022. Beginning in Venice, the “City of Canals”, La Bella Vita travels down the Po Valley to Mantua, with stops at magnificent locations on an opera-themed cruise. Guests aboard this cruise will benefit from choice seats in the front stalls to experience a thrilling performance of George Bizet’s "Carmen". Read more...
Visit Burgundy’s Oldest Winemakers With Finesse
Since its founding in 1720, Maison Champy has been producing award-winning wines, and it’s the newest stop on Finesse’s itinerary. The new Maison Champy wine-tasting experience, lunch and vineyard tour can be enjoyed on the Finesse classic cruise itinerary, as well as their golf and wine themed cruises. Families can also choose to visit the vineyard, where younger guests are offered a juice tasting. Read more...
Special Offers for 2022 updated
We have updated our Special Offers & Discount page. We hope you can take advantage of these savings. See special offers here...
The Canal de Briare, France
We have uploaded a three-part series on our French Regions/Destination page for the Canal de Briare. The picturesque Canal de Briare, one of the oldest canals in France, connects the valleys of the Seine and the Loire. A popular route for both private and commercial cruising vessels, the canal is renowned as one of the loveliest places for a barge cruise, and being a highly impressive feat of engineering. The French Hotel Barge Renaissance cruises on the Canal de Briare.
The English Hotel Barge Magna Carta which cruises the River Thames, is fully booked for the 2022 season EXCEPT for two cabin weeks this spring. Read more...
French Hotel Barge Renaissance: Visit Artist Rosa Bonheur's Home
The French hotel barge Renaissance has added a visit to the home of Rosa Bonheur to their itinerary. She is the most celebrated female artist of the 19th Century. On this truly fascinating tour, guests will discover her studio that remains completely untouched since her death in 1899. Read more...
New pickup time for French barge Savoir Vivre
We received news today from the French Hotel Barge Savoir Vivre concerning their pickup time in Dijon as the TGV schedule has changed. Read more...
Shannon Princess has 3 open weeks for 2022
The Irish Hotel Barge Shannon Princess has a few opening this season for Lower Shannon River barging cruises in Ireland between Glasson and Killaloe. They are usually fully booked by this time of the year so grab your dates quickly! Did we mention they have a special discount for these weeks? Read more...
Save on 2022 Barge Cruises
We have updated our Special Offers & Discount page. We hope you can take advantage of these savings.
For example... There is ONE open week for a charter in Scotland at 10% off, take a Dutch tulip cruise and save 20-30%, Shannon Princess in Ireland has a couple of open weeks at discounted rates, 10% discount on Aurora's 14-night, 3-country cruise from Rotterdam in Holland to Paris France, reduced prices on select weeks for France, Scotand & Italy, and there's something for solo travelers, too. Read more...
Barging in France: The Burgundy Canal
Learn about the Canal de Bourgogne with our three part guide to the Burgundy Canal.
We would like to welcome the Dutch / French Hotel Barge Aurora to the group of barges we are proud to represent.
Come aboard Aurora and discover a world of enchantment, relaxation and true happiness. This extraordinary trip will focus on your well-being, as well as the country’s gems such as art, history, music, and food. Read more...
As a gift or a much needed getaway, a barge cruise is definitely the way to discover Holland. The Netherlands are famous for tulips, of course, but as a country with a rich artistic and cultural history, it has a lot more besides. Read more...
Electric eBike Option Available
Barges' standard bicycles are free for guests to use, but some barges now have an eBike option. Electric bikes are available on pre-order for the following barges: Read more...
25% Off April 2022 Charters on Savoir Vivre
The French Hotel Barge Savoir Vivre, cruising the Canal du Bourgogne in southern Burgundy, has three weeks open in April 2022 and is offering a 25% discount for private charters on those dates. Read more...
Welcome Adagio - Barging in Holland & France
We would like to welcome the Dutch / French Hotel Barge Adagio to the group of barges we are proud to represent.
Adagio offers private charters and cabin cruises in Holland and France for up to 8 guests, in 4 well-appointed staterooms. Decorated with fine furnishings, the saloon, dining room and bar are finished in mahogany, teak and brass. These public areas have panoramic windows to take in the scenery. Adagio has two sundecks; one forward and one up top. Read more...
Dutch Government Relaxes Covid Rules
In a 25 January 2022 press conference, the Dutch government said it will ease its Covid-19 restrictions beginning Wednesday, 26 January 2022. As we understand it, if you are travelling from the USA to The Netherlands for a barge charter, you need:
to be fully vaccinated,
show proof of vaccination,
show your negative covid test result on paper or your phone (negative PCR test collected 48 hours or less before departure or negative antigen test collected no more than 24 hours before departure),
if you arrive by air, complete a health declaration form,
Save on Spring 2022 Barge Cruises. We have updated our special offers page with the latest round of discounted barge cruises for Spring 2022.
Barge cruise vacations are increasingly popular, particularly in times of the "new normal" and it's easy to see why. There’s simply no better way to explore a region while avoiding crowded tourist hotspots; maintaining a luxurious, holiday feeling; and avoiding the constant packing and moving common to most tours. Read more...
Happy New Year
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, prosperous, and an absolutely fabulous new year! Read more...
On the Blogger platform we have two blogs pertaining to hotel barge cruising: