Self-drive barge w/ teens - where to go?

Do yourself a favor: Scrounge as much additional time as you can. As you delve into guidebooks (which you need to do), you'll find more and more sights and places that sound intriguing, even if you limit yourselves to the areas around Zurich, Paris and Rome. You'll be very sorry to have only 14 days if you could have managed 17 or 21 (or more).

I have no experience with barge trips, but I believe there are some good options in France. You might consider holding off on Rome until a later trip and seeing a bit of Switzerland, Alsace, Paris, and whatever section of France offers an interesting barge trip. Rome is wonderful, but so are many, many other places in Italy that you wouldn't have time for.

True re Italy. My husband and I have been to a few more places around Italy but my only interest there for this trip was Rome. When I first went there it blew my mind and they have just recently studied it in school. Zurich is mostly a stopping point to pick up my husband who will be there a few days earlier for meetings. Zurich is only on the agenda for that reason --- it means his airfare is paid for by the company. That's a significant savings.

Oh, I see. I thought this was a first trip. In that case you can look for a cheap flight between Rome and Paris, or vice versa.

Several years ago I went on a captained barge cruise through Burgundy. It was lovely. But be forewarned, there are lots and lots of locks. Sometimes one every couple of miles. Be sure and check. Even with an experienced french crew, they were pretty busy. It's not as leisurely as the ads portray. I've been a boater/sailor for 30 years. I would not tackle this kind of a trip with out 4 adults. This is a whole different ballgame.

We have been on 3 barge trips (each 1-week or 10-days) in France with Locaboat - 3 regions, Aquitaine, Burgundy, Canal du Midi. No teenagers or kids on board (youngest was 30, oldest 85), but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this for a family. There are so many opportunities to harness the energy of young people and teach them boating skills and lock operation while moving at a leisurely pace through the countryside. When you stop for overnight (or anywhere along the way), pick up groceries at small shops or farmers markets. The boulangeries are wonderful for pastries and bread and all kinds of treats for picky eaters. The bikes are a good idea. The kids (or adults) can jump off to get to the next lock before the boat arrives. It is a perfect opportunity to see the real France, "France Profonde" and appreciate small town life. Be sure to teach kids a little bit about good manners "a la francais"; i.e. always say bonjour before requesting assistance or even before you apologize for not speaking French. Merci au revoir is the way to take your leave. All of the routes in France are scenic and rich in culture.

I have been on two barge trips (Scotland and Ireland) with http://www.leboat.co.uk/. Are planning one in Italy next year. France later.

For each trip they carefully write out the number of locks you have to negotiate :-)