Experience the fascinating world of boutique hotel barging, whether cruising the shaded Canal du Midi in southern France, the Venetian Lagoon of Italy, the rustic beauty of Ireland, the Royal River Thames in England, the stunningly rugged landscapes of Scotland, or the flower capital of Holland. See Europe from another perspective... via an all inclusive, luxury, crewed, hotel barge cruise vacation.
We are pleased to announce that the English Hotel Barge Magna Carta has added the Highclere Castle excursion to several of their cruise weeks for the 2017 barging season. This unique trip to the iconic castle and fictional site of the highly popular TV series “Downton Abbey” is a limited opportunity. The visit to Highclere replaces the standard itinerary's visit to Dorney Court.
Current availability for Downton Abbey itinerary (as of March 10, 2017)
April 9 - 1 cabin open, 3 booked - up to 20% off + Value season rates
April 16 - Booked
April 30 - 1 cabin open, 3 booked - up to 20% off
May 28 - Booked
July 9 - 1 cabin open, 3 booked - up to 20% off
July 16 - 4 cabins open. Open for private charter or by cabin
July 30 - 4 cabins open. Open for private charter or by cabin - up to 20% off
August 6 - 1 cabin open, 2 optioned, 1 booked
Note that the week of 9th April has a special 20% discount, plus it is a value season week.
This extremely impressive Victorian castle, designed by Sir Charles Barry who was also the architect of the Houses of Parliament, sits on a 1000-acre estate and is the iconic home of the fictional Crawley family on the show. The "real" Downton Abbey has been owned by the Carnarvon family since 1679, where Lord and Lady Carnarvon still live today.
Located west of London in Berkshire, it is considered one of the finest Victorian homes still in existence, with sprawling grounds that are four times the size of New York City’s Central Park.
Cruising along the famous River Thames in England, passengers aboard hotel barge Magna Carta will also enjoy "royal" views and excursions to majestic castles, palaces and cathedrals. Magna Carta's itinerary also features a private tour of Dorney Court, a remarkable Tudor home on the banks of the Thames, where "Elizabeth", "The Other Boleyn Girl", and Agatha Christie's series "Poirot" were all filmed. We also visit Hampton Court Palace, one of the locations for the award winning film "A Man for All Seasons". The cruise concludes with a tour of Christ Church, one of the most prestigious colleges at the University of Oxford and one of the settings for Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland".
The Royal River Thames cruise route of the luxury, 8-passenger, all-inclusive, crewed English Hotel Barge MAGNA CARTA brings you in touch with the very
soul of England. The Magna Carta cruises from Hampton Court to Henley-on-Thames
past Royal Palaces, quaint riverside towns and villages. It is the
perfect way to admire olde worlde England and the natural beauty of
Surrey, Berkshire and Oxfordshire.
This is a one-of-a-kind experience for fans of Downton Abbey that allows
them to walk the real-life setting made famous by their favorite
television drama.
English Hotel Barge MAGNA CARTA - Experience England from a different point of view
The all-inclusive, crewed, luxury, English Hotel Barge Magna Carta accommodates up to 8 guests. She is approximately 120 feet in length and has two decks.
The lower deck boasts four full-width luxurious staterooms each averaging 200 square feet with private ensuite bathrooms. The staterooms may be configured as Kings or Twins according to your preference. Magna Carta has the most sophisticated modern amenities, including air conditioning, WI-FI internet access and underfloor heating in each of the four full width suites. Each suite has exceptionally spacious contemporary en-suite facilities and colour TVs and DVD players.
The upper deck comprises the main salon and dining areas with large
picture windows and stylish furnishings. Outside you have the sundeck
with comfortable seating and the spa pool/jacuzzi. There are eight bikes on board to take at your pleasure for rides along the tow paths.
The Magna Carta offers 6-night, all-inclusive private charters, as well as cabin cruises. Theme cruises such as golf, tennis, guided walking, family, flower shows, Henley regatta, antiques, etc, are available for private charters.
Check out our Regional Guide to learn more about the area where Magna Carta cruises.
An anniversary – perhaps a wedding milestone, a special birthday or a memorable date with personal significance – is the perfect opportunity to gather together your nearest and dearest to celebrate. If you’re looking for a unique way to commemorate this special event with your loved ones, chartering a hotel barge on one of the peaceful inland waterways of Europe could be the perfect solution.
Lunch aboard French Hotel Barge Emma on the canal du midi
All our hotel barges are available for private charter and many for individual cabin bookings on a shared cruise. Barges come in different sizes and, depending on the one you choose, can accommodate a maximum of six to 20 passengers. With a highly-trained and doting onboard crew – including captain, gourmet chef, hostesses and tour guide – at your disposal, embarking on a chartered cruise allows you the intimacy of your own private vessel along with the expert knowledge and assistance you would expect from a luxury hotel.
WINE APPRECIATION CRUISES
One of our themed cruises would provide a memorable backdrop for an anniversary get-together, such as a wine appreciation cruise.
Oenophiles love the plethora of wine tours that we offer throughout France and Italy. In Burgundy or Bordeaux, Loire Valley or Languedoc-Roussillon, carefully-crafted wine cruises offer you the opportunity to visit some wonderful, long-established wineries and vineyards, as well as explore the cultural and historical delights of each wine-growing region you cruise through.
And, of course, there will be plenty of tasting opportunities both on and off the vessel – a perfect way to toast that special occasion!
So, if you’re looking for a special way to celebrate a special anniversary with family or friends, a hotel barge cruise on one of Europe’s beautiful inland waterways is a wonderful way to create memories that will last a lifetime.
See special offers for 2017 barging cruise vacations. Click HERE.
What special occasion would you like to celebrate?
Irish Hotel Barge Shannon Princess - Barge Cruises In Ireland
Laethanta Saoire Sona !
Current availability:
Aug 20-26, 2017: Cabin cruise week:
2 cabins booked
2 cabins optioned (but not yet booked)
1 cabin OPEN
THE RIVER SHANNON
The Shannon Princess cruises through a countryside little changed through the centuries. Come aboard and join the Shannon Princess cruising on the River Shannon – an incredible journey through the heart of hidden Ireland. The River Shannon (named after the Celtic goddess ‘Sionna’) is a series of lakes, rivers and tiny canals, which at almost 200 miles in length, is Ireland’s longest river. For over ten thousand years, the river was vital to the survival of the prehistoric people living along its banks. After Christianity, it became the refuge of saints & scholars.Today the River Shannon remains unspoiled and has retained its great natural beauty and enjoys a richness in wild flowers, bird and animal life.
Cruise the Shannon between Athlone and Killaloe
As barge guests cruising on the River Shannon, aboard the Shannon Princess, you are “up close and personal” with the sights. Each day you will pass crumbling ivy-covered ruins, medieval garrisons and shoreline villages. Moor right at Clonmacnoise, a monastery established in the 6th century which survived for 1000 years. Your route takes you through dappled woodlands and floodplain meadows. The barge also calls at historic towns such as Athlone and Killaloe – today a pretty riverside village, but once home to the court of the last High Kings of Ireland. Observe wildlife – rare white tailed eagles nesting in waterside trees, go fishing, or even swim from the barge.There is always time for early morning strolls through twisting country lanes – or to explore the villages and roads by bicycles. Be as active as you wish! Everywhere, the friendly Irish people will welcome you as honoured guests.
THE SHANNON PRINCESS
The Shannon Princess has been thoughtfully designed throughout. The barge’s inviting interior makes a charming floating living space – a perfect ‘Home away from Home’ for guests to enjoy. The welcoming atmosphere is enhanced by Ruairi and Olivia’s love of antiquities, crafts, pottery and art with many works by established and local Irish artists. On board the barge a friendly & relaxed mood has been created by carefully mixing casual informality with quality service.
Shannon Princess can be booked on an individual cabin basis or as a whole-boat, private charter. The barge provides accommodation for up to 10 guests in 5 cabins with a professional Crew in attendance.You will be charmed with excellent but friendly service, gorgeous food & wines, and share in a slice of local life and knowledge.
MEALS ARE ALSO AN IMPORTANT PART OF BARGING
Shannon Princess is very proud of their reputation for fantastic food and attentive service. With an emphasis on delicious modern cuisine, their foods and menus are prepared by sourcing fresh, free range and organic produces. Each day the menus are designed around the finest and freshest ingredients gathered at farm shops and country markets along the River Shannon and of course from the sea. You will be surprised and seduced by Ireland’s abundant natural ingredients.
On Shannon Princess you will enjoy scrumptious breakfasts, mouth watering lunches and elegant dinners prepared daily on board in the barge’s galley by the professionally trained chef.
Menus also offer a low fat, healthy eating option. Shannon Princess is always happy to attend to any special dietary requirements or preferences you may have; just let us know at the time of booking and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Don't miss out... Book your 2017 Irish barge cruise NOW
Mick, a Yorkshireman, is a warm host and happy to share his passion for all things nautical with passengers in Highlander’s extended, visitor-friendly wheelhouse. Having explored every creek and cove of the Virgin and Windward Islands, Mick enjoys studying maps and charts old and new and, after a full season on the Caledonian Canal, his idea of relaxation is to embark on a 3000-nautical mile transatlantic yacht delivery.
Hotel Barge SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER moored at Urquhart Castle
Luxury Crewed Canal Cruises in Scotland - The Caledonian Canal, Loch Ness & the Highlands
The hotel barge Scottish Highlander has the atmosphere of a Scottish
country house with subtle use of tartan furnishings and landscape
paintings. At 117 feet, Scottish Highlander is spacious and has every
comfort for year-round cruising. Scottish Highlander accommodates up to
eight guests in staterooms that can either be configured for doubles or
singles, each with ensuite bathrooms. The experienced crew of four, led
by your captain, ensure attention to your every need.
A six-night cruise includes all meals, open bar, daily escorted
excursions, local transfers and use of barge facilities such as
bicycles. View their online brochure.
On any of our hotel barge cruises, one of the wonderful ways you get to experience the best of your cruising region is through the gastronomy. Our barge chefs and sommeliers know the characteristics of the local wines and cheeses they serve and how best to pair the two together.
There are a number of similarities between wine and cheese, those staples of the French diet. Both go through a fermentation and aging process; both have flavors that vary depending on the soil, sunlight, rainfall and geography of the area in which they are produced. In France, both are given the esteemed certification of AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) to indicate the quality and provenance of their traditional production.
Like wine, the tasting of cheese is something of a science, as different regions produce so many diverse flavors in all shapes, sizes and colors. If you are a cheese connoisseur, you will certainly be able to indulge your passion on any of our hotel barge cruises in France.
Cheeses can be classified in a number of different ways. For example, by the country or region of origin: a hard cheese made in the Alpine climes of Beaufort would be incredibly difficult to make in the flat, western region of Normandy.
Another difference is the method of production: for example, the outside of washed rind cheeses are repeatedly dusted with ‘morge’ – a mixture of brine, whey and old cheese scrapings – to create a colored rind, while the inside of a blue cheese is pricked with needles to grow blue mold.
These varying processes and environments create cheeses that are wildly different in texture, smell and taste, which we invite you to try as part of every meal during your "culinary voyage of discovery".
When you cruise on the Canal du Midi you will be introduced to the distinctive tastes of the region’s cheeses, with Roquefort Papillon, Cathare au Chèvre, and Tomme au Piment d’Espelette on the menu, paired with a local Corbières or Minervois wine.
In the Loire Valley you may be treated to a cheeseboard featuring Crottin de Chavignol, a creamy goats’ cheese that is surprisingly perfect with a dry, white wine from Sancerre. In Burgundy, Epoisses and Aisy Cendré are examples of cheeses served with full-bodied red wines sucha s Meursault or Santenay-les-Beaunes.
Let us open your eyes to a world of delicious, gourmet cheeses on any of our French hotel barge cruises – you won’t be disappointed!
See special offers for 2017 barging cruise vacations. Click HERE.
The French Hotel Barge RENAISSANCE is offering two free nights at the 4-star Hotel Westminster in central Paris for charter guests in 2017. The hotel stay includes breakfast and can be used either before or after your cruise. This offer can also be combined with current specials on the Renaissance of 10% off charters for select departures in April and May and 10% off per cabin on select departures in May. Booking deposits must be made by January 6, 2017 to be eligible.
The eight-passenger, French hotel barge Renaissance
provides a true luxury cruise experience. Among its amenities are
spacious suites, an on-deck heated spa pool, alfresco dining on the
forward deck, a fireplace in the saloon – enjoy these things along with
the undivided, personal attention of a five-person crew that includes a
captain, tour guide, master chef and two hosts/hostesses.
The Renaissance
travels along the Canal de Briare and Canal Latéral à la Loire between
the towns of Montargis and Chatillon-sur-Loire. This area is known as
the Gâtinais and the "Garden of France". The Canal de Briare is one of
the oldest canals in France, completed in 1642, and is steeped with
history. You will
discover quaint villages, beautiful scenery, and partake in interesting
side trips.
Save on Spring 2017 barging charters on French Hotel Barge Rendezvous in southern Burgundy, France.
French Hotel Barge Rendezvous
Cruising the Canals of Burgundy France between Fleury-sur-Ouche and Vandenesse en Auxois
Enjoy a $7,500 savings on 6-night private charters for up to 6 guests in April 2017:
$22,500: April 9-15, 2017 (normally $30,000/week)
$22,500: April 16-22, 2017 (normally $30,000/week)
$22,500: April 23-29, 2017 (normally $30,000/week)
Cruise Rate Includes: 6 nights/7 days in a cabin with a private bath, chauffeured transfers from Paris to the barge & return, all meals, from dinner the first night to breakfast the last morning, all wines with lunch & dinner, open bar, daily escorted excursions and use of onboard bicycles.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Rendezvous accommodates up to 6 guests
in 3 cabins which can be configured with one Queen/King bed or two Twin
beds. Which ever arrangement works best for you.
CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS:
Visit the vineyards of the Côte de Nuits
Cycle along the Route des Grands Crus
Explore Dijon's food market, Les Halles, designed by Gustave Eiffel of the Parisian tower fame
Wine tasting in Beaune, wine capital of Cote d'Or
Visit the village of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois and its fairy tale style castle
Taste and learn about cheesemaking at a local farm
Rendezvous is designed for guests who want a high quality cruise but also an experience which reflects their interest in cuisine and wine, fitness, and immersion into the culture and people of France. Even the name of this barge suggests the coming together of people and places.
Rendezvous packs a lot of casual living into its space, including an open kitchen, large and canopied deck (complete with spa pool/hot tub), and cozy cabins with every amenity. Décor is contemporary and comfortable, with high quality furniture, fabrics and accent pieces, all hand-selected.
Sightseeing includes a bicycle ride through the vineyards, a private mustard tasting and tour in Beaune, and a visit to a cheese farm with a wine tasting. Optional golf will be available on several easily reached courses along the route.
