All Aboard for a Great Season of Savings on European Waterways’ Luxury Hotel Barge Cruises

Aug. 2, 2010 - PRLog -- Last-minute travelers have the last word in savings on luxury hotel barge vacations in Europe during the warm, waning days of summer and into the crisp, colorful days of fall.  European Waterways, Europe's largest luxury hotel barge cruising company, is offering discounts of up to $2,100 per cabin on their luxury “floating hotels” on select six-night cruises to some of the most popular regions of France, England and Ireland, if booked by August 31, 2010.  Fast-acting travelers can still catch some great last-minute specials in August, while September and October cruises offer spectacular fall vistas as the European countryside bursts into life with the rustic colors of the season.

“Summer has its appeal, and we still have some excellent, last-minute values if you can pick up your bags and go,” says Derek Banks, Managing Director of European Waterways. “Meanwhile, we have great specials for fall, which is just around the corner.  The days are cool and mellow, the colors of the fields and forests turn red and gold, and you can observe the centuries old tradition of the wine harvest in the vineyards along many of the canals.”

A Beautiful Time on La Belle Époque
One of the most popular barging areas in France, Burgundy is world-renowned for its lush vineyards, historic abbeys and châteaux, and picturesque villages - that are straight out of the Renaissance age.  Known as the land “where food and wine is an art form,” its gastronomic offerings are legendary, and include such seasonal and fall delicacies as field mushrooms, truffles and wild boar, as well as hundreds of different cheeses.  All European Waterways passengers enjoy delicious seasonal dishes like these throughout the leisurely journey thanks to their on-board master chefs.  

The elegant, 12-passenger La Belle Époque represents the ultimate in passenger comfort.  Featuring a spacious sundeck, spa pool, and an open bar, its diverse itinerary includes a wine tasting expedition to sample Burgundy’s renowned Chablis wines; a visit to the Abbaye de Fontenay, a UNESCO World Heritage site; and a visit to the village of Flavigny sur Ozerain, where the movie “Chocolat” was filmed.  Some cabins are still available at up to $2,000 off for select August cruises, while fall travelers will be rewarded with savings of $1,000 per cabin for select departures in October.

Relax and Recharge on the Renaissance
The Renaissance, which accommodates up to eight passengers on its classic Burgundy cruise, is also offering a special last-minute sale of $2,000 off per cabin for its August 22nd departure, and $1,000 per cabin for select October cruises.  Highlights of the tour include a visit to the splendid Chateau Landon; negotiating the 7-lock flight at Rogny Les Sept Ecluses, and a wine tasting expedition to Sancerre.

European Waterways has a great selection of other generous summer and fall specials on select cruises in Burgundy, Gascony and the Midi regions of France, as well as on the Upper River Thames in England, in August, September and October - from $1,000 off to $2,000 off per cabin.

Whole boat charters are also available at 25% off for select cruises through the end of October in Burgundy, Gascony, the Scottish Highlands, England, and Ireland.  Theme cruises are available for a supplemental fee.  Complete itineraries and details on every cruise, as well as the latest list of special, last-minute offers can be found on the European Waterways site, http://www.gobarging.com.  

“Anytime is the perfect time to take that great European vacation you’ve been dreaming about, with savings that will make the experience even sweeter,” says Derek Banks.  “Our excellent rates, combined with a strong American dollar, make a European Waterways cruise one of the best travel values in every season.”

All-inclusive European Waterways cruises are for 7 days/6 nights and include transfers to and from the barge at a designated meeting point, a master chef onboard every vessel, and an open bar with a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.  Prices also include excursions and admittance to scheduled attractions – all while enjoying luxury accommodations and the service of an attentive, English-speaking crew.

About European Waterways
European Waterways is Europe’s largest all-inclusive luxury hotel barging company, offering vacations in nine countries and carrying thousands of passengers a year.  Founded nearly 40 years ago, the company designs, builds, owns and operates a private fleet of luxury barges with exclusive cruises in France, Italy, Scotland, Ireland, England, Germany, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg.  Pioneers in hotel barging, they were the first company to operate a hotel barge on the Upper Nivernais Canal in Burgundy, and in the “real” Loire Valley. They are also the only cruise company offering barge cruises in Scotland and in the Venetian lagoon and River Po valley, as well as the first company to offer an Avignon-to-Amsterdam 6-week trans-Europe cruise, a 1,000 mile journey along Western Europe’s inland waterways.  

For more information, pricing, cruise schedules and a copy of their new brochure, contact European Waterways at 1-800-394-8630, or +44 1784 482439, or visit their website at www.gobarging.com.