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by Alison Gardner, Editor Travel with a Challenge

Cruising along Europe's historic waterways in Spring, Summer, and Autumn provides an authentic link with past and present cultures and with Nature at an unhurried vacation pace. Many of the Continental European canals and locks still in use were constructed as early as the 16th century, long preceding highways as reliable transportation between villages and market towns. Since the canals were the main street, impressive buildings were frequently designed to display their best face to the action.

Still standing today, canals are preserved, like time capsules, as historic working monuments. Often with intricate lock systems and tunnels, they represent astonishing feats of engineering for their time. Along their banks, one may visit Greek, Roman, and early Christian sites; medieval walled cities; and great castles with noble and sometimes infamous histories. Vineyards, owning wine labels coveted throughout the world, are a feature of many "shore excursions", and the special dishes and drinks of each region make most barging vacations a gastronomical treat from start to finish.

The best-established barging routes, whether self-guided or fully-catered with all the trimmings of a deluxe hotel and dining room, are in England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, and France though Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Italy are up and coming barge destinations too. Each route is steeped in history, country atmosphere, and culture which faster-moving vacations fail to allow time to fully absorb or appreciate. Each vessel, operator, and route has a distinctive personality -- which may be, in itself, a compelling argument for consulting a specialist in this type of travel.

These are grand vacations for photographers, bird watchers, walkers, artists, and multi-generational families, leaving plenty of room for spontaneous as well as planned land-based explorations. Some barge companies offer specially-themed weeks scheduled for golfers, cuisine vacationers, and wine lovers. With canal barging, you can lend a hand at the locks, help wind the sluices to send thousands of gallons of water rushing into the lock chamber, or just sit back and enjoy the slowly changing scenery. You can drop into a lockside pub, take a bicycle ride or a walk into a medieval village for a baguette of French bread and a bottle of wine, and still be on board in time for tea.

With a brief lesson in boat etiquette and vessel management before hitting the water on your own, self-skippered vessels are often small enough for one or two families or even a couple to create a wonderful, affordable holiday, ideal for that memorable three-generation vacation where the lack of telephones, TV and Nintendo set the perfect atmosphere for creative communication and shared activities.

In Britain alone, there are over 4,000 miles of navigable rivers and canals covering the length and breadth of the country. From 1761 until well into the 19th century, "narrow boats" were the working vessels of the canals (or indigenous craft, as they are fondly called), generally about 70 feet long and 7 feet wide, often barely smaller than the width of the canals themselves. Now restored for their new role as carriers of tourists, they are decorated in traditional style with polished brasses and intricate rope work; today they are run on diesel engines instead of being pulled by horses as in times past.

Growing in popularity, Germany is also a culturally and historically significant destination with a vast network of canals, rivers and lakes, including the country's largest lake, the Muritzsee. You can even head to Brandenburg at the heart of reunited Germany and visit Berlin with its famous Museum Island. Whether choosing an ultra-deluxe, full service vessel or a modest self-skippered pénichette, Germany is a country that deserves more attention in the barging and canal boating vacation lineup.

Shoulder or "value" seasons undoubtedly provide the best deals. Check with your barging consultant on shoulder dates in particular countries. For example, cruising seasons are April to October in both France and the U.K., with self-skippered boating in parts of France starting in mid-March. Also inquire about discounts for second and subsequent weeks on the same vessel. Singles especially appreciate these vacations because there are often single cabins with little or no surcharge. Also ask about the barge operators who welcome small children or extended families, often with designated "family weeks".

Did you know that most French barges are British or American Owned?

As a result of the hot politics surrounding the Iraq War, a little known fact of ownership in the French canal barging industry has come to light. In 2003 when many British and American travelers decided to boycott French barging vacations as a political statement on France's lack of support for the Iraq war, it turns out that they were punishing their own countrymen!

Canal barging vacations started in the mid-60s when British investors recognized the commercial potential of France's then-neglected canal system. American companies got into barging in the 1990s and introduced many innovations, particularly in the Deluxe and Ultra-Deluxe categories.
Caption: Barge Johanna navigates a lock in northwest France. Johanna Charters

Featuring profiles on Imagine Barging, Shannon Princess, The Saint Louis, European Waterways, ROW Adventures, and Johanna Charters!

Previous fans of Imagine Barging (previously known as Barge and Breakfast) will be delighted to welcome back this intimate Burgundy, France vessel, www.imaginebarging.com, under the new ownership of Lynne and Malcolm Widdison. They are carrying on the Imagine tradition of warm hospitality and flexible scheduling that has made this meticulously-restored 1906 Dutch barge such a memorable cruising experience. Check out your new hosts' interesting personal story.

Accommodating a maximum of 4 guests in two staterooms each with en suite bathroom, the whole boat rate encourages friends or family members to explore together Burgundy's magnificent countryside and rich history: cycling, walking or jogging the canal tow paths; exploring villages, markets, ancient chateaux and Cistercian Abbeys; and tasting wine, cheese, and local specialties. On each week-long cruise, all meals aboard are covered, but guests may also enjoy a typical Burgundian meal or two in local restaurants at their own expense. Most guided tours off the barge are included. Tel: (April-Oct) 760-621-3826; Email: info@imaginebarging.com.

Carving a dramatic route through the heart of hidden Ireland, hotel barge Shannon Princess navigates from the flood plain meadows of Lough Ree in the Leinster Midlands through to the hills and valleys of Munster in the South West. This magical slice of Irish countryside has changed little through the centuries with crumbling ivy covered ruins, medieval garrisons and sleepy market villages. You will appreciate why this barge cruise is featured in Chris Santella's book, Once In A Lifetime Trips: The World's 50 Most Extraordinary and Memorable Travel Experiences.

MV Shannon Princess, www.shannonprincess.com, is owned and operated by Irish husband and wife team Ruairi (barge skipper and tour guide) and Olivia Gibbons (master chef). Onboard the 10-passenger barge, expect contemporary luxury and traditional hospitality, gorgeous food and wines, and a slice of local life and knowledge. Sailing between April and October, price includes accommodations with private bathroom, all meals and wine, open bar aboard, guided sightseeing tours, and complementary transfers to and from Dublin to the barge. Check the website for special theme tours and for early sailing discounts. Tel: 00353 87 2514809; Email: shannonprincess@eircom.net.

The Saint Louis, www.saintlouisbarge.com, is extremely comfortable, with 3 large double/twin en-suite guest cabins, a superb saloon, and airconditioning/central heating throughout. The Saint Louis provides week-long cruises on the magical unspoiled waterways of southwest France, between Montauban and Bordeaux, under the expert touch of Scottish owners, Alasdair and Barbara Wyllie.

Excursions are taken to a huge variety of places of interest, including medieval villages, ancient abbeys, vineyards, distillers of Armagnac, local markets and country museums. Barbara's cuisine is highly recommended -- fresh delicious meals crafted from the best of local ingredients, all beautifully presented. These great cruises are inclusive of transfers, excursions, all food and all drinks. Clients come from all over the world to sample the delights of the Saint Louis, often in groups of 2 or 3 couples, or in family groups. Mobile tel: 0033 (0) 685 95 25 41; Email: saintlouisbarge@orange.fr.

Since 1974 , European Waterways, www.gobarging.com, has been a pioneer in the vacation hotel barging business, offering luxury cruise holidays in countries that include Scotland, France, England, Ireland, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and Holland. This company has been a leader in hotel barge design and in developing new routes and themes for their creative itineraries. See our unique stories on barging across Scotland and the Venice, Italy barging vacation. Among the most popular choices remain canal cruises in the south of France and the Fall cruise around the Chablis Vineyard region in northern Burgundy. Family barge charters are also in high demand.

European Waterways' large fleet of beautifully-presented 4-20 passenger hotel barges cruise in nine European countries at a calm majestic pace, allowing passengers to truly experience a country’s character from within. Barges feature restaurant, bar, saloon, sometimes sauna and spa pool/Jacuzzi, bicycles and cabins with ensuite facilities, a knowledgeable English-speaking crew, great food and quality guided excursions. Travel individually or charter a whole barge. Tel: [toll-free USA] 800-394-8630, [toll-free Canada] 888-342-1917 or [Britain] 44 (0) 1784 482439. Email: Sales@GoBarging.com.

ROW Adventures, www.rowadventures.com, offers all-inclusive luxury barge cruising throughout France as well as partially-serviced "casual" cruises in France, Italy, Germany, Holland and Ireland. Rental prices vary greatly depending on the time of year, size of barge and length of trip. Variety is the ROW specialty in Southern France. Flexible itineraries and departure dates let you take charge of your barge trip to the south of France. Groups of 6-18 can be accommodated.

Luxury hotel barge trips start at $2,500 per person, per week, including meals and excursions. Whichever you choose, there's ample time to stroll the streets of picturesque medieval villages, visit with the locals, ride a bike to a country winery, assist a lock-keeper or relax on deck.

About 40% of trips are multi-generational family groups. Of the remainder, that is, couples or friends vacationing together mostly from the USA and Canada, about 80% are mature travelers. Tel [toll-free USA and Canada]: 1-800-451-6034 or (208) 765-0841 worldwide; Email: info@ROWadventures.com

Experience waterway life amidst the natural beauty of Lorraine/Ardennes, relaxing and watching the world go by while the crew do all the hard work. Prepare your favourite meals in the barge's well-equipped kitchen after you have shopped for superb local produce, or dine out in quaint villages on traditional French cuisine. The comfortable accommodation is ideal for six persons, and the spacious sundeck is great for savoring fine wines after a barbeque on long summer evenings. Barge Johanna cruises between May and September.

Almost all Barge Johanna groups are made up of older people (3 couples are common), but also occasionally extended families include grandparents and children, 5 years and up. Most guests come from the U.S., Canada and Australia. Contact Johanna Charters, Hogebrugstraat 11, 8630 Veurne, Belgium;
Email: johannacharters@gmail.com.

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