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A new year means new beginnings. Will this be the year that you indulge your taste buds, your passion for history and your desire to enjoy the good life? Perhaps one of your resolutions is to spend more time with family and friends. Or maybe you promised yourself a luxurious vacation with a bit of exercise and culture thrown in. All of this is possible with a European barge cruise vacation. There are new barges and new itineraries just waiting for you to make 2012 your very special year. Hotel Barge Cruising – Pampering Personified People have different personalities, different tastes. For those who enjoy being pampered and leaving the reins to someone else, hotel barge cruises are the perfect choice. Elegantly appointed and offering gourmet quality cuisine and impressive wine lists, thesebarges are more like upscale boutique hotels. These all-inclusive cruises offer comfortable cabins with private bathrooms, indoor and outdoor dining areas, a lounge stocked with books and games and plenty of deck space to enjoy the view. Even while indoors there are plenty of windows assuring that you don’t miss a minute of your adventure. Some barges also have exercise rooms, multiple sundecks, swimming pools and hot tubs. Self-Drive Barge Cruising – For the True Explorer Do you envision yourself as a modern day explorer, requiring creature comforts but wanting to be captain of your own ship? Self-drive barge vacations are the perfect solution.Self-drive barges come in various sizes with the largest accommodating up to ten passengers. No license required (except Germany). Afteryour demonstration you’ll be ready to cruise at a leisurely five miles per hour with plenty of options to stop along the way. If you need help, technical support is available around the clock. Barges have cabins with private bathrooms, linens and a well equipped galley. Safety equipment, lifejackets and waterway maps/guides are included. Fuel up, stock up on groceries and begin your barge adventure. In 2012 It’s All About the Theme Do you have a special interest? Make your barge vacation even more memorable. Perhaps you’d like to get in a round or two of golf while exploring France, England, or the birthplace of golf, Scotland. It is possible to pre-arrange tee times at such renowned courses as the Royal Dornoch, Galway Bay or Cap d’Agde. If tennis is your passion, book a cruise that coincides with the French Open or Wimbledon. Get some exercise and enjoy the fresh air on a walking or biking cruise. Wine appreciation cruises and vacations exploring the culinary arts are possible. Family cruisesare also a draw. Choose from chartering a barge for your group or booking space on a pre-arranged specialty cruise. In some cases it is possible to match your group with others that have similar interests. Apres Tout Two new barges will be cruising during the 2012 season. The first is the Apres Tout, a six-passenger deluxe vessel operated by two experienced hotel barge operators. After 20 years in the industry, Rory and Caroline purchased the barge, formerly known as Le Premier, and gave it a complete renovation. The vessel offers three exquisitely appointed king-bedded cabins with private bath, an oversized sundeck with hot tub and a salon with satellite TV. Windows run the length of the barge, assuring you a great view outside or in. Caroline MaCrae is your chef, preparing gourmet meals from locally grown and gathered ingredients. The Apres Tout also offers cycling, cooking and family cruises. Charter the entire barge and your vacation can be tailor made with your interests in mind. Paris is the transfer point to and from your cruise but the actual itinerary is through the beautifulOuche Valley in Burgundy. Some of the places you may see include Dijon, famous for its mustard or the Grand Crus winery in Gevrey Chambertin for a sample or two. It’s possible you will visit an English artist living in Pont d’Ouche whose work recently caught the eye of the Olympic committee. He is creating a special work for the London Olympic Games. The Panache Another new barge for 2012 is the Panache, which once sailed as the Marjorie II. After a complete renovation, the twelve passenger barge offers six spacious Junior Suites. These oversized rooms feature queen beds, which can be split into twins, and bathrooms with twin sinks and extra-large showers featuring massage jets. The classic feel is evident in the use of polished mahogany and brass fittings, especially on the spacious sundeck and in the comfortable lounge. Enjoy a relaxing soak in the spa pool or curl up on a sofa with a good book. Large windows insure you won’t miss any of the scenery passing by even if you choose to stay inside. The Panache offers spring cruises in Holland then moves to France for the summer and fall seasons. The Holland Tulip Cruise highlights one of the world’s most famous tulip parks, the Keukenhof Gardens. Specialty cruises in France include the Bruges to Paris cruise where you may indulge in some authentic cherry beer in Liefmans, Belgium. You may visit Auvers sur L’Osle, home to the impressionist Vincent van Gogh. Or take the Champagne Cruise, beginning and ending in romantic Paris, nicknamed the “City of Lights.” In the latter part of June, the Panache moves to the Alsace regionwhere she will cruise until the end of October. Visit the historic cities such as Strasbourg, Hochfelden and Saverne and find yourself immersed in cultures that have flourished for centuries. About The Barge Connection Making your European barge cruise vacation come true is even easier if you have experienced people guiding the way. The Barge Connection is passionate about cruising the waterways of Europe and has specialized in barging since 1998. By spending time on the various cruises, the staff brings first-hand knowledge to the table. This special insight insures that your hotel barge cruise will truly be your dream vacation.
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