I've just returned from a trip to Italy and now have the bug about doing a canal cruise on a barge. About 10 years ago, my husband and I did this with another couple, but we opted for the "drive it yourself" route and cruised the canals of the Netherlands for 10 days. While we did enjoy it, there were some stressful times and I'm thinking of doing one of those with a crew and meals provided. Anyone done one lately? Any recommendations?
Posted by
Lynden, WA
97 posts
Dianne, I have friends who live here (in Lynden ~ just up on the border) and own a barge in Europe, providing the kind of excursion you have in mind. I believe it's against board rules to share the info here, so I will send it to you via private message. : )
Posted by
VENTURA, California
21 posts
A few years ago my husband and I did a barge trip in Burgundy. We were part of a group of 12 who chartered the 12-passenger barge for its usual 1-week trip through the canals. We did wine tasting, toured a castle, church and got in some wandering time in a town or 2. We were taken on an excursion each day, and we did tailor the offers to our interests. (We skipped the Barge Museum in favor of one more wine tasting.) The barge moves VERY SLOWLY, so you can get off and walk a while or ride the bikes provided and meet at the next lock. The food was marvelous, and we were able to observe the chef preparing it in the tiny kitchen. If you opt for a small barge like this, i recommend you gather your own group of passengers, because as described by the crew, it's tight quarters for a week, and the "diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks" angle can be tough sometimes. There are larger vessels to choose from. We booked through the Barge Connection, an American company.