5 Great Things To Do On a Luxury Barge Holiday

Taking a luxury barge holiday is an unforgettable experience, with the beauty of the countryside, the many wonderful cultural and historical sites to visit, and the laid-back atmosphere of life on the canals. Barge holidays can be as relaxed or as action-packed as you like, with a diverse range of activities and outings that can be made from your floating home. Here are five of the best…

Luxury hotel barge, L'Impressionniste cruising past chateuneuf in Burgundy, France
Luxury hotel barge, L'Impressionniste

Discover Local History

No matter what country your luxury barge holiday takes you to, there is bound to be plenty of fascinating heritage sites along the route. From Celtic and Roman days and beyond, there is no end of interesting sights to see – even the canals themselves are full of historic interest, many in France, for example,  having been constructed in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The historic Canal du Midi

Enjoy the Cuisine

One of the real perks of a luxury barge cruise is the excellent food. No matter where you’ll be visiting, there will be sumptuous local specialties to try, and travelling via river or canal means that you are never too far away from some of the finest agricultural producers in the country. From canal-side meals of freshly caught fish to daytrips into country market towns, a barge holiday a foodie’s paradise.

Chef demonstration - barge holiday in France
Chef Mike from Finesse

Get Active

The main mode of transport on a canal holiday may be boat, but getting off and stretching your legs is easy! Whilst on board, you can get active with the help of our walking guides, cycling maps, horse riding excursions and more – ideal for those who want to change the pace up a bit. As canals pass through some prime golfing spots, a day playing golf can also be arranged – as can a number of other enjoyable outdoor activities.

Biking aboard Panache - barge cruise europe

Watch the Wildlife

The scenic routes that travellers follow on a luxury barge holiday are more than just a backdrop: they are part of the surrounding ecosystem, and as such are a real delight for nature lovers. Rivers and canals are important habitats for local birdlife, as well as a range of other wildlife that thrives in or around water. Those travelling with children can encourage their little ones to see how many different animals they can spot on the journey.

Flamingoes can be spotted in Spring on the Camargue
Flamingoes on the Camargue, France

Paint a Picture

While digital cameras offer an easy way to make sure that you have plenty of mementos from your luxury barge holiday, a drawing or painting can be even more special, and artistic travellers will be treated to a cornucopia of fantastic scenes to paint. A peaceful afternoon spent by the water, or in one of the historic towns along the route, with easel and brush is sure to prove a memorable experience, and the resulting work makes the perfect souvenir from the trip.

watercolour painting of Notre Dame Paris
Watercolour painting of Notre Dame, Paris

Luxury Hotel Barge Cruising

For help in planning your Luxury Barge Cruise, contact a member of our cruise team, order a brochure or visit our Special Offers to further inspire your wanderlust…

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