European Waterways has announced the availability of its new luxury hotel barge cruising brochure for the 2024/25 season. Celebrating 50 years as pioneers of inland waterways cruising, the company is marking this milestone with the introduction of a new vessel, Kir Royale, which will cruise the Champagne region of France starting May 2024. European Waterways is also expanding its private excursions and gastronomic experiences with such offerings as a tour and wine tasting with gourmet lunch at the Château de Paraza on the banks of the Canal du Midi, as well as a tour and whisky tasting at Ben Nevis Distillery, one of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland.
“Growing up next to each other on the banks of the River Thames, John and I discovered our shared passion for the extraordinary experiences of river life beyond the crowds of the large cities and well-worn tourist spots,” said Derek Banks, who manages European Waterways with John Wood-Dow. “We decided to share this passion with as many people as possible, taking them ‘off the beaten path’ to explore the history, culture, and gastronomic traditions of the picturesque European countryside – all while traveling in complete luxury and comfort.”
“For our guests, it’s truly about the journey, more than the destination,” agreed Wood-Dow. “Today’s more experienced travelers don’t just want to watch the world go by – they want to be immersed in the experience. Our cruises introduce them to like-minded fellow guests and takes them to private, sometimes exclusive excursions and unique ‘insider experiences’ that reveal the heart and cultural spirit of the cruise region along the canals and smaller waterways of Europe.”
European Waterways’ 2024/25 free brochure can be ordered or viewed online via the following link.
A ’Royal’ Treat
For the 2024 season, the newest member of European Waterways’ growing fleet, the eight-passenger Kir Royale, joins hotel barge Panache in France’s Champagne region. Boasting major new luxury upgrades, it will cruise the River Marne and Canal latéral à la Marne from May through October. It features a more spacious layout, modern furnishings, three sundecks, a spa pool, an upper observation deck with a panoramic view, and four very spacious air-conditioned en suite cabins.
Kir Royale guests will be treated to tours and tastings at some of the region’s most prestigious champagne houses. These include Moët & Chandon; the boutique winery of Frerejean Frères, with a private gourmet lunch in the salon of the family domaine; and Maison Pannier, the largest champagne house in the Western Marne Valley.
A Taste of the Good Life
European Waterways’ new brochure also highlights a wide array of new and enhanced excursions throughout its other vessels. On the eight-passenger hotel barges Anjodi and Enchanté, on the Canal du Midi, guests will enjoy a tour and wine tasting with gourmet lunch at the Château de Paraza. Guests aboard the eight-passenger Scottish Highlander and 12-passenger Spirit of Scotland will find themselves enjoying a tour and whisky tasting at the Ben Nevis Distillery, named after the highest mountain in the British Isles. ‘Ports of call’ on 20-passenger La Bella Vita’s new Venetian Lagoon Cruise – which visits some of the lagoon’s most beautiful islands – include colorful Murano; Burano, known as ‘The Island of Lace’; and Lido – home of the Venice Film Festival.
Late November and December will welcome European Waterways’ Christmas Market Cruises in the Alsace & Lorraine region of France. The company’s 12-passenger hotel barge Panache will introduce guests to the region’s most popular Christmas markets including Strasbourg, Colmar and Haguenau. Itinerary highlights also include a visit to René Lalique glassworks, a festive glass blowing experience in Meisenthal, and an artisanal chocolate-making demonstration at the Musée du Chocolat.
Launch Specials
European Waterways is currently offering 10 percent off whole-boat charters aboard Kir Royale for travel throughout 2024 (excluding all September departures), when booked by November 30, 2023. In addition, guests can enjoy 2024 cruises at 2023 prices when booked by May 31, 2024. Other offers, plus further details, are available online at https://www.europeanwaterways.com/special-offers-2/?y=2024
High resolutions images are available at this secure Dropbox link.
European Waterways’ Co-Founders Derek Banks and John Wood-Dow celebrate 50 years of “a shared passion for the extraordinary experiences of river life beyond the crowds of the large cities and well-worn tourist spots.” |
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