Top Hotel Barge Cruise Destinations

1. Canal du Midi

Linking the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, the sunny Canal du Midi is one of the oldest man-made waterways in Europe. A World Heritage Site, the Canal du Midi has unusual oval locks and beautiful bridges and aqueducts and is sheltered by plane trees for long stretches. The sun-drenched Midi region is noted for its Corbieres and Minervois wines, ancient Roman settlements and sleepy villages, and for its blend of Provencale and Mediterranean cuisine.

Central on the Canal du Midi is Europe's largest and best preserved medieval fortress at Carcassonne. Its medieval towers and walled city make a romantic World Heritage site. Eastwards cruise to Argens, dominated by its 14th century chateau. The Canal du Midi winds past vineyards to villages such as pretty Le Somail, the start of a long lock-free section.

Perhaps diverting down the Canal de la Robine towards Narbonne, the Canal du Midi continues to the interesting village of Capestang and the world’s oldest canal tunnel at Malpas. Then descend the flight of seven locks at Fonserannes to the west of Beziers, birthplace of Pierre-Paul Riquet, founder of the Canal du Midi. Close to the Mediterranean the Canal reaches the fishing village of Marseillan on the banks of the Etang de Thau in the Camargue. Four hotel barges operate on the Midi: 8-passenger Anjodi well-known from Rick Stein’s TV French Odyssey, 8-passenger Enchante and 10-passenger Athos.

West of Toulouse in the Gascony region, enjoy cruises over the Canal de la Garonne on 8-passenger Rosa (also used by Rick Stein). Highlights are Montauban, the amazing inclined plane boat lift at Montech, and the graceful aqueduct at Moissac.

2. Burgundy

Burgundy is renowned for its vineyards, ancient chateaux, historic churches, and picturesque villages. Long-time associated with fine food and wine, the Burgundy region is crossed by three major canals – the Canal de Bourgogne, the Canal du Nivernais and the Canal de Briare. Our luxury hotel barge routes cover different sections of canal – each passing through superb countryside with a wealth of history and attractions.

In the east of Burgundy, the Upper Burgundy Canal is cruised by the 12-passenger La Belle Epoque through the wine country of Chablis. Sights include the chateaux of Tanlay and Ancy fe Franc and the World Heritage Site of the Abbaye de Fontenay. The Lower Burgundy Canal is cruised by 12-passenger L’Impressioniste. Visit chateaux, the city of Dijon and its ducal palace, and Beaune noted for its wines and its ancient Hotel Dieu Hospice.

The Canal du Nivernais is one of the loveliest in France, passing through medieval towns, sleepy villages, forests and pastures. Cruised by 8-passenger L’Art de Vivre, sights include Auxerre and its cathedral, the hilltop village of Vezelay with its World Heritage Site church, and Chablis vineyards.

In western Burgundy the Canal du Briare is the oldest in France, featuring the Pont de Briare, built by Gustav Eiffel in 1896, and the seven lock flight at Rogny les Sept Ecluses. Cruise through the Sancerre wine region, explore the beautiful village of Apremont, and tour wine chateaux. The northern Canal de Briare is cruised by 8-passenger Renaissance.

3. Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is known as the ‘Garden of France’ with rolling green hills planted with vines, and dotted with historic villages. The River Cher and the Loire weave through the valley beside medieval hamlets, graceful bridges and the architectural treasures of hundreds of picturesque Renaissance chateaux.

Near the River Cher in the Loire Valley famous chateaux include the wonderful Chateau de Villandry and its Renaissance gardens, the Royal Chateau d ’Amboise, Chateau de Nitry and its rose garden, and Close Luce at Amboise where Leonardo da Vinci lived for three years until his death in 1519.

Your hotel barge cruise goes through the 5-arched bridge which supports the exquisite Chateau de Chenonceau and continues to Montrichard and the troglodyte village of Bourre. In this territory of Touraine vintages, discover vineyards and their fine wines, and enjoy colourful street markets.

4. England

A scenic cruise along the Thames begins at Henry VIII's Hampton Court Palace, passes historic Runnymede, takes in a tour of the Queen's Windsor Castle, and visits Tudor manor house Dorney Court, often used as a film location. See the Stanley Spencer Gallery at Cookham, a traditional wooden boatbuilder at Hurley and sail the course of the Henley Regatta. Your hotel barge is the 8-passenger Magna Carta.

5. Scotland

In Scotland the journey from Inverness begins with a visit to Cawdor Castle and the site of the 1746 battle of Culloden. See Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness and Eilean Donan Castle in its island setting. Experience the atmospheric setting of Glencoe and see the engineering marvel of the 8-lock Neptune’s Staircase with dramatic views of Ben Nevis. Your hotel barge is the 12-passenger Spirit of Scotland or the 8-passenger Scottish Highlander.

6. Holland and Belgium

The 12-passenger Panache cruises through Holland in the Spring. Highlights include the traditional windmills of Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the colourful Keukenhof Gardens, home to millions of flowers. There is also the opportunity to explore the Dutch city of Alkmaar and the charming town of Delft, renowned for its porcelain.

The 8-passenger La Nouvelle Etoile explores the picturesque waterways of Holland and Belgium, visiting the famous Keukenhof Gardens, the Delft Pottery Works and Flemish city of Antwerp, before calling at Bruges, known as the Venice of the North.

7. Italy

Italy is a country designed for hotel barge cruises. Its beautiful canals and rivers pass through diverse landscapes, from picturesque lagoon islands with their colourful houses, to wild beach dunes and pine woods with an abundance of birdlife. These waterways were once the ancient trade routes used by the Romans and the early Mediterranean settlers. They are perfect for gaining a real insight into the many cultures that have influenced the arts, architecture and history of the Venice region over many centuries.

Venice itself is the heart of any Italian cruise. The lagoon surrounding Venice and its magical islands, the Venice Lido beach, the fabulous private villas on the River Brenta all complement the many attractions of Venice including St Mark's Square, the Grand Canal, Bridge of Sighs and the many canal backwaters which reward exploration.

Cruising south through the Venice lagoon reach the fishing port of Chioggia and its cathedral with fabulous works of art. Your hotel barge then takes the River Po and Bianco Canal to the lakeside setting of the Renaissance city of Mantua. Excursions include the Estense Castle at Ferrera, noted for its moat, drawbridge, and sumptuous apartments.

8. Ireland

The River Shannon is the longest river in the British Isles, and our cruise on the 10-passenger Shannon Princess II brings you in touch with the soul of Ireland. Cruise Loch Ree to bustling Athlone, and visit Clonmacnoise 6th-century monastic ruins.Through Portumna swing bridge cruise into the idyllic Loch Derg and lunch at the ancient Derg Inn. Enjoy a taste of Ireland in Guinness and oysters in Galway city before cruising to the lakeside village of Mountshannon and Killaloe.