Cycling, Sampling, and Splashing Awaits Onboard European Barge Cruises
Cycling, sampling, and splashing awaits you onboard European barge cruises!
From quirky extras such as rowboats and grand pianos to experiences such as napkin folding lessons and private musical performances, the amenities offered on a barge cruise are wonderfully unique and endlessly entertaining.
“On a barge cruise, our guests are never busy but never bored,” says Barge Lady Ellen. “With so many fabulous facilities and fun equipment included in the cruise fare, there is always something to do, taste, and enjoy.”
While the leisurely pace of a barge cruise is celebrated for being one of the most relaxing and restorative all-inclusive vacations, those specifically interested in active, indulgent, or culinary experiences will be delighted by the amenities that are available on barges at all levels of luxury.
Here are three of the most requested amenities, extras, and experiences Barge Lady guests can select on their European barge vacation:
Thanks to the emergence of health-driven travel, barges regularly carrying professional-grade bicycles, and the easy access afforded pedaling passengers to trails and towpaths, it’s WHEELY a blast to bike and barge!
When it comes to booking the perfect barge for your group, selecting a cruise region with the best bicycling opportunities based on party composition, energy levels, and physical abilities is an important factor. Happily, cycling enthusiasts who love to leisurely explore the European countryside on two wheels will thrill to the excellent cycling routes found within certain canal cruising regions, such as Northern Burgundy, Southern Burgundy, and Gascony.
“As for me, I find pure enjoyment in bike riding and what a better place than along the canal towpath through the French countryside?” reports Barge Lady Cruise Correspondent Sapna Dalal. “To say my soul felt happy would be an understatement.”
For even more information about going freewheeling in France, click here.
COOK SOMETHING UP WITH YOUR PRIVATE CHEF
Foodies and Francophiles love to get things cooking in open kitchens with their private Chef! Functioning as the heart and soul of the barge’s interior, gastronomes and gourmands are welcome to join Chef in the state-of-the-art galley to see and sample that day’s delicious fare.
From tips on technique to seasonal recipe creation to professional plating, culinarians of all levels regularly rave about their memorable moments in the kitchen with Chef! “Sylvain from La Vie en Rose is an amazing and creative Chef. He even got us to try escargots!” reports Carol J. “It was also nice having the open kitchen where we could watch him cook. He invited us to observe and ask questions.
Chef Sylvain also did a culinary demonstration for us as he made the evening meal of delicious salt encrusted salmon. He also had us each have a go at making fancy garnishes!”
Watch Chef Toby from the Roi Soleil make lobster tortellini in the barge’s open kitchen here.
SOAKING IT ALL UP IN THE HOT TUB 
Flute of chilled Champagne in hand, unobstructed views of greenery and scenery, and wiling away the hours with stress-melting relaxation — now this is life in a hot tub on a barge cruise! Perhaps the most indulgent of onboard amenities, hot tubs are available on barges at all levels of luxury and at all numbers of barge capacity.
On a barge cruise, soaking it all up in a hot tub can easily be an all-day affair. Sip and savor a freshly brewed cup of coffee during a morning sailing. In the afternoon, splash around in sunshine as you socialize with friends and family. Settle in the spa pool during sunset with a cocktail, or slip in with a nightcap as you stargaze under the night skies. The choice, as always, is yours!
“Onboard, we wind down after a busy day ashore by taking advantage of the hot tub,” says longtime Honorary Barge Lady Kerri McConnel. “Nothing speaks luxury more than kicking back in the spa pool with some champagne or a cocktail.”
Splash around in the 5-star, 8 guest Renaissance‘s hot tub with Kerri by clicking here.