Barge cruising in Europe is nothing new, but it is certainly a trending option for avid travelers hoping to experience something different. The top destinations for barge cruising are France, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
France is the best destination for barge cruises and has been perfecting this style of cruising for years. Looking for a touch of the romantic for your European cruising experience? A barge cruise in France is unparalleled (make sure to ask for a bed that accommodates two, as cabins tend to be a bit small). As you cruise through France, you’ll certainly enjoy going through the many locks (especially on the Canal du Midi). Your cruise also may visit the popular countryside regions of Burgundy, the Loire Valley, Franche-Comte, Alsace-Lorraine, and Bordeaux. Sleepy villages, medieval towns, and chateaus line the way.
The United Kingdom has a host of great barge cruises to choose from, exploring the ancient and beautiful backcountry of Scotland, Ireland, and England. Castles, pubs, distilleries and rolling countryside highlight the itinerary. While exploring Scotland, you’ll navigate ancient Lochs, including Loch Ness, as well as visiting the theatres that first hosted Shakespeare’s plays. Step back in time centuries to see where Scottish clans battled each other. Listen as the traditional sound of bagpipes fills the air.
Cruising through Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium are good barge cruise destinations if you want to really spend your vacation getting to know Central Europe. In Holland, you’ll see seemingly endless fields of tulips, windmills that look like they were picked straight out of storybooks, tiny towns where age-old traditions are still very much alive today, trademark Flemish styles, and big cities like Antwerp, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and others.
In addition to these top destinations, Italy is an up and coming destination for barge cruises and we feature several unique experiences from Venice!
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.