Luxury barge and river cruise vacations in France, Spain and Portugal. Train tours in Spain. All-inclusive barge and river cruising and canal barging in France, Spain and Portugal. Cruises on luxury trains, barge hotels or elegant river boats. Enjoy French wines, gourmet cuisine and private guided tours. Travel Burgundy, Champagne, Provence, Normandy, the Loire River valley, the Paris region, Northern Spain,  Andalusiaand the Douro River valley by barge, riverboat or train. Group theme charters and family tours. Cooking and wine appreciation classes. Wine cruises and wine tours.



Barge Cruises, River Cruises and Train Tours in France, Spain and Portugal

 

CRUISE
DESTINATIONS

 


~ Barge Cruises in France ~
Alsace - Lorraine

Colorful villages, unique wines and tasty cuisine

Cruise the rivers and canals of northern France aboard a 12-passenger barge-hotel (7 days - 6 nights). Cruising through Alsace and Lorraine, one of the most picturesque regions in France, is a voyage of endless discoveries: art and architecture, gourmet food and wine, history and heritage. The rolling Vosges mountains dotted with turreted castles and picture-perfect villages with brilliant displays of petunias and geraniums make this a most colorful and memorable barge cruise. An interesting blend of French and German cultures is strongly evident in this region's unique heritage.

Photos and deck plan of luxury barge hotel. All-inclusive river and canal cruising and barging vacation in the Aquitaine region of France.

TYPICAL BARGE CRUISE ITINERARY
(actual program may vary)

Day 1 - Sunday: Strasbourg. Meeting at a designated point in Strasbourg. From there you will be escorted to the barge for a welcome champagne as we introduce you to the crew. Enjoy your first gourmet dinner on board this evening.

Day 2 - Monday: Strasbourg to Hochfelden. Today, enjoy a beautiful guided tour of the principal sights of Strasbourg: The Beaux Arts Museum - The unique beauty of the picturesque “Petite France” riverside district is magnificent - The remarkable Cathedral of Notre Dame, whose construction spread over five centuries from the Romanesque choir to the flamboyant gothic spire, is a highlight. Then, on to Hochfelden, home to the Meteor Brewery, an Alsatian family brewery since 1640. Dinner on board the barge.

Day 3 - Tuesday: Hochfelden to Saverne. Cruise to the enchanting village of Saverne where history traces back to the Gauls. We then moor at the foot of the Chateau de Rohan, the former residence of the bishops of Strasbourg. After lunch, enjoy a scenic drive up into the rolling hills of the Vosges and discover the Route des Grands Crus, where the finest Alsacian wines are produced - private wine tasting of Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir and Riesling. Dinner on board the barge.

Day 4 - Wednesday: Saverne to Lutzelbourg. After breakfast, walking tour of picturesque Saverne followed by a visit to the hilltop 11th-century Chateau du Haut Barr, considered to be (with its 12th-century Romanesque chapel and Gothic choir) one of the most imposing castles in Alsace. A gourmet lunch willl be served in the gastronomic restaurant of the Chateau overlooking the scenic Valley of the Zorn. Afternoon cruise through the valley and forest to Lutzelbourg. Dinner on board the barge.

Day 5 - Thursday: Lutzelbourg to Niderviller. On to the amazing Arzviller boat elevator, this morning. This unique engineering feat allows the barge to glide effortlessly up the mountain in minutes, avoiding 17 traditional locks and an additional day of navigation. One of the highlights of today's cruise, while passing through the two Arzvillier tunnels, is a candlelit brunch on deck. Dinner on board the barge.

After mooring in gorgeous Niderviller, we visit the mountain top village of La Petite Pierre with its medieval castle fortified by Marechal Vauban, Louis X1V's best known engineer. Next is a visit to the fabulous René Lalique collection to admire some 500 or more examples of Art Nouveau and Art Deco glassware, chandeliers and designs from the Belle Epoque era. Dinner on board the barge.

Day 6 - Friday: Niderviller to Mittersheim. On to Nancy, the capital of Lorraine, this morning. The city tour begins at the Baroque Place Stanislas with its ornate gold and wrought iron gates. This square is considered one of the grandest in all of France. The Art Nouveau movement originated in Nancy. So, a tour of the Musee de l’Ecole, to discover its fine collection, is a must. Return to the barge and cruise through a natural park and forests to Mittersheim. Captain’s Farewell Dinner.

Day 7 - Saturday: Mittersheim. Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the designated drop off point.

On alternate weeks, the cruise is in the reverse direction.
This itinerary is subject to change without notice.

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Highlights

  • Strasbourg: the "pink" cathedral and the picturesque "Petite France" district
  • Nancy, home of the Art Nouveau movemenT
  • The "Arzviller" barge lift: raising watercraft 170 feet
  • Picturesque Alsatian villages

Included

  • Accommodations with private bath or shower and all meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 7
  • Wine with lunch and dinner
  • Bar drinks
  • Sightseeing tours and entrance fees as specified

Not Included

  • Transportation to and from beginning and end points. (Optional transfers to and from Paris are available.)
  • Health and travel insurance
  • Barge crew gratuities (suggested 5% of cruise price)
  • Personal expenses
  • Optional activities when available
  • Other items not specifically listed under "Included" above

Barge Features

  • 6 Cabins (twin/double)
  • 5 crew members
  • Size: 128ft long
  • Sundeck and spa pool/hot tub
  • DVD and satellite TV in each cabin
  • WiFi (subject to local reception)
  • Piano
  • Air conditioning and central heating
  • 2 Air-conditioned minibuses for excursions

Cruise Departures

Every Sunday, from the middle of June through early November, subject to availability

This barge can be chartered for groups. Various themes and dates can be arranged to fit the specific interests of each group.

DEPARTURES AND PRICES

Dates and prices of all-inclusive canal barging and river cruising trips near Bordeaux, France
Prices and dates of charter and theme canal barging and river cruising vacations near Toulouse, France

BOOK YOUR CRUISE

Availability of Aquitaine-Armagnac barge cruise
Register for this hotel barge cruise in France

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DEPARTURES
AND PRICES

(R) Riverboat cruises
(C) Private charters only

France: Burgundy

Burgundy - Chablis
Burgundy - Dijon I
(C)
Burgundy - Dijon II
(C)
Burgundy - Sancerre
Burgundy - Tanlay
Burgundy - Vézelay
Burgundy - Vougeot
Chablis - Tanlay

France: Paris & Vicinity

Ile de France - Briare
Ile de France - Loire
Paris - Champagne
Paris - Honfleur
(R)
Paris - Normandy
(R)
Paris - Rouen
(R)

France: Rhone River

Burgundy - Provence I (R)
Burgundy - Provence II
(R)
Lyon - Provence
(R)
Paris - Barcelona
(R)
Paris - Riviera
(R)
Provence - Camargue II
Rhone - Provence

South of France

Midi - Beziers (C)
Midi - Carcassonne I
Midi - Languedoc I
Midi - Languedoc II
Midi - Marseillette
(C)
Midi - Narbonne
Provence - Midi I
(C)
Provence - Midi II
(C)

France: Bordeaux Region

Aquitaine - Armagnac
Aquitaine - Garonne
Bordeaux - Medoc

France: Loire Valley

Loire - Chenonceau

France: Alsace

Alsace - Lorraine

Portugal: Douro River

Douro - Lisbon (R)
Douro - Porto I
(R)
Douro - Porto II
(R)
Douro - Porto III
(R)

Spain: Rail Cruise

Andalusia - Seville (T)
Galicia - Leon
(T)
Galicia - Vasco
(T)

(R) Riverboat cruises
(C) Private charters only
(T) Train tours

Cabins on canal barges and riverboats in France, Burgundy, Provence, Normandy, the Loire Valley and Portugal
Group charters on canal barges and riverboats in France, Burgundy, Provence, Normandy, the Loire Valley and Portugal
Specials for cruises on canal barges and riverboats in France, Burgundy, Provence, Normandy, the Loire Valley and Portugal
Barge in Alsace Lorraine
Questions about our river cruises in France, Spain and Portugal
Availability of barge cruises on canal barges and riverboats
Ask about our river cruises
Register for a cruise on canal barges or riverboats in France, Burgundy, Provence, Normandy, the Loire Valley or Portugal
Canal barge and riverboat cruises in France, Spain and Portugal
 

Villages in Alsace

Pretty Alsatian villages

 

Storks in Alsace

Storks in Alsace

 

Strasbourg cathedral

Strasbourg

 
 
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