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.
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We have updated our special offers for 2023 barge charters and cabin cruises.
Some discounts have been increased from 10% to 20%. New discounted weeks have been added, as well as new No Single Supplement weeks in France, Holland, and Scotland. These specials are valid through January 4, 2023. Some may be extended but don't risk it. Inquire now to take advantage of these super rates.
Please note that Grand Cru, Prosperite, and Rendez-Vous have increased their rates, effective January 3, 2023. Book now and save.
In recognition of Black Friday, the French Hotel Barge Enchante is offering a 25% discount on a private, 6-night cruise on the Canal du Midi in the south of France. Read more...
The luxury, 8-passenger Hotel Barge Aurora is offering a 20% discount for new cabin bookings on their 14-night, 3-country barging cruise next May.
After Hotel Barge Aurora completes their springtime Dutch Tulip cruise season, they offer a 3-country cruise from Amsterdam in The Netherlands, through Belgium, to Paris, France. This itinerary offers an exciting mix of three cultures with river and canal cruising for a diverse barging experience. Read more...
If you’re a keen gardener or would simply like to admire some of Europe’s finest gardens, why not combine your passion for horticulture with a luxury hotel barge cruise?
Our dedicated garden cruises include visits to some of the best gardens, estates, and parklands in Europe. You will learn about the history of each garden from the expert guides, as well as the cultivation and preservation of a variety of plants and flowers from the professional gardeners. Read more...
We have updated the latest special offers and discounts for the upcoming 2023 barge charter season. Book by January 4, 2023. See specials...
When summer in Ireland comes to an end there is a slight drop in temperature and the evenings get a little shorter but what comes next is an amazing transformation and the beginning of a new season. There is also a change in the types of food available. In autumn, an abundance of fruits and nuts begin to appear on trees and shrubs across the country. There is also a change in the types of food available. A whole range of tasty treats can be made with what is gathered. Read more...
We have created a new web page about French Christmas Markets in Alsace. Panache has a new winter cruise that will get you in the mood for holiday festivities. The Christmas Market cruise has three departures available in 2022 between Nov 27th and Dec 17th. You may book one of these special weeks as either a cabin cruise or a private charter. Read more...
We have updated the latest special offers and discounts for the remaining 2022 barge charter season. Book by September 19, 2022. See specials...
We have created three new pages about the French Canal du Midi in the Regions / Destinations section of our Barge Charters website.
This is a great opportunity for a couple (or single) wanting a barge curise in Ireland this summer. If this is of interest, please don't wait as Shannon Princess is fully booked for 2023.
Need a bit more incentive? These two weeks are offered at a 15% discount. Read more...
If you love fine food and are interested in all aspects of its preparation, a culinary cruise aboard the luxury French hotel barge Enchanté is for you.
Each culinary-themed barge cruise includes cooking demonstrations in the open galley by the onboard chef, wine and food pairings for each meal, Mediterranean cuisine focussing on the freshest local produce, and presentations of all cheeses and wines. Read more...
We are excited to present this new winter cruise in Alsace Lorraine aboard the Hotel Barge Panache. The Christmas Market cruise has three departures available in 2022 between Nov 27th and Dec 17th. You may book one of these special weeks as either a cabin cruise or a private charter. Read more...
Prices for the 2023 season for barge cruises will be going up by approximately 6% on the following barges:
Anjodi, Athos, Enchante, Finesse, L'Art de Vivre, La Bella Vita, La Belle Epoque, La Nouvelle Etoile, L'Impressionniste, Magna Carta, Panache, Renaissance, Rosa, Scottish Highlander, Shannon Princess, and Spirit of Scotland.
These increase will go in effect on Monday, 18 July 2022. As mentioned previously, other barges have gone up as well.
We still have time to start the process if you would like to contact us now and save a bit of cash. Contact us with your barge vacation details.
We have created calendars for each barge we represesnt so you can check availability for your preferred dates.
The online brochure's Rates page for each barge now has a button under the list of rates for a particular year. For example, under the 2022 rates you will see a Check 2022 Availability button. We have also created a page that has links to all barge calendars for 2022 & 2023. The link to this page is found on the More page.Read more...
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.
We have updated our Special Offers & Discount page. We hope you can take advantage of these savings. See special offers here...
We have uploaded three new pages about Scotland in our Regions / Destinations section of the Barge Charters website.
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
We have updated our Special Offers & Discount page. We hope you can take advantage of these savings. See special offers here...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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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...
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...
Today, we updated our special offers & discount page. We hope you can take advantage of these savings. 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...
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...
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...
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...
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:
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...
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, prosperous, and an absolutely fabulous new year! Read more...
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