The Lock-Keeper Blog

Champagne Cruises for 2018, a unique way to see the effervescent heart of France

Sample some of France's romantic delights, from the Lovers' Bridges of Annecy to the world's largest reflecting pool in Bordeaux

From Venice to Paris and Amsterdam to Champagne, spend this Valentine’s Day exploring these beautiful destinations from the peace and seclusion of the water.

Cruise along the Canal du Midi and the Rhone, experiencing the beautiful wildlife of the Camargue and the exceptional architecture of Arles.

Our guide to the crème de la crème of France's cheeses. Read on to find the perfect pairing for your wine, or just a moreish snack in it's own right!

Discover the literary nature of France, expatriate Paris, the battlegrounds of WWI and the stunningly romantic villages of Chocolat

Discover the history of the bridge at the Château de Chenonceau, which the Nymphea cruises under on our Loire Valley cruise.

A Sparkling Festival in the North East of France; Live Music, Art Installations, Unique Architecture and World Renowned Champagne in abundance

Our very own Chef Andrea from luxury hotel barge La Bella Vita, shares his recipe for a crispy Venetian squid...

Visiting Italy? Here's a rundown on wine bottle label reading, grape varieties and quirky facts on Italian Wine.

Tired of the crowds? Want a true taste of Venice? Read on to find out how to experience Venice like a local.

Tor those of you, who are celebrating this Thursday, allow us to help you out a little in the kitchen with a delicious Sausage Stuffing recipe, courtesy of our very...

What’s the difference between ‘whisky’ and ‘whiskey’? Read our latest blog post (and join our Whisky Trail Cruise) to find out...

Our 6-night cruises along the Canal du Midi in the South of France, departing on July 13, will give passengers the chance to celebrate Bastille Day, the French National Day,...

What could be more pleasant than cruising through picturesque vineyards? Sampling the fruits of their labour, of course!

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is the highlight of our English flower cruises in May, which use the Thames as a route through the Garden of England.

If you are a single traveller, or perhaps want to cruise with family or friends and would simply like a cabin to yourself, then our new 'No Single Supplement' offer...

Dine aboard one of our luxury hotel barges, and experience the beautiful wines, delicious local cheese and freshly prepared first class meals

European Waterways’ shore excursions along the French Canal Du Midi offer intimate glimpses into rich local heritage and historical wonders

The bicycles aboard all of our vessels offer the chance to explore their surrounding countryside - this Burgundy route is a beauty!

Did you know that Anjodi has a tv star past? Find out more about her appearance on Rick Stein's Food Odyssey.

Are you getting ready to discover the Route des Grands Vins on your Alscace cruise? Here are our wine tasting tips.

Our WW1 Commemorative cruises give you a fascinating opportunity to learn more about the Canal du Nord during the Great War.

A visit to the sprawling Ducal Palace in Mantua is a spectacular stop on our cruise through Italy with hotel barge La Bella Vita.

Burgundy beckons the avid oenophile. Take a look at our out top 7 wine tastings and tours in this region.

September sees the launch to the marketplace of European Waterways’ new 2017 Brochure, featuring a wide choice of exclusive hotel barge cruises on the canals, rivers and lakes of mainland...

Our culinary cruises offer more than just an exquisite menu every day - they offer the chance to learn from the masters!

Whether it’s catching a tennis match at the French Open, betting on the favorite in the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe horse race, or cheering on a driver at Le...

In this post, we'll be answering all your questions about this beautiful country, from its location and capital to its currency, time zones, and culture

Christmas markets are arguably at their most bewitching in the midst of a snowfall so here's the Top 20 European Christmas market to visit for the ultimate White Christmas experience.

Alsace blends French and German charm with world-class wines, fairy-tale towns, festive markets, historic landmarks and scenic canals - best explored aboard a luxury barge like Panache. Find out more...

European Waterways present their round-up of Europe’s most romantic towns and cities for food and drink lovers this Valentine’s Day.

Spending much of his life on the canals of France, British-born Captain Craig Jenner has always had a deep connection with the waterways of Burgundy. Read more about La Belle...

Captain Hadrien does his utmost to ensure all guests have the most memorable experience throughout their stay. From water fights to tour guiding, read about life aboard luxury barge, Renaissance...

From Deckhand and Tour Guide to Captain, Matthew Price knows his way around Europe's waterways. Read on to find out more about L'Art de Vivre's Skipper

Having lived on a boat from 3 months old to living on a remote French island in the Pacific, L'Impressionniste Captain, Mélissa Gilly has a fascinating story! Read more...

Chef Mike Crowson, aka 'The Barge Chef', gives us an insight into the inspiration behind his dishes and thoughts on the next foodie trends...

New Zealand-born Helen, swapped the dramatic coastlines of the South Island for the majestic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands aboard Spirit of Scotland

From France's picturesque Loire Valley, Captain Laurent Charbonnier now leads the way along the historic Canal du Midi aboard our luxury barge cruise, Anjodi. Find out more about Captain Laurent...

Read on to discover the enigmatic, knowledgeable Captains that are at the core of your Hotel Barging Experience

Meet Tasmanian-born master chef, Dave Lawrence - chef of luxury hotel barge, Anjodi who cruises the stunning Canal du Midi

Stéphane Mazières worked alongside chefs from global Michelin-starred restaurants. Now working aboard hotel barge Rosa, read more about his career...

Born and raised near Germany's Harz Mountains, Captain Florian talks about his favourite canal and river routes, and life away from the water...

Born and bred in England's North Yorkshire, Captain Mick Forster now leads the way aboard luxury hotel barge, Scottish Highlander. Read about Mick's journey on the Caledonian Canal here...

Classically-trained French chef, Sylvain, has been the master chef aboard Enchanté for ten seasons. Read about life as a barge chef on the tranqil Canal du Midi...

Cuisine plays a huge role in our cruises, so here's an introduction to our master chefs, serving an array of world-class delights on board every barge...

Looking for an indulgent cultural experience? Look no further than our spectacular Opera Cruises from Venice to Mantua.

This diverse region of art, history, magnificent architecture and great natural beauty is an ideal honeymoon location

This summer, we're celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. Could there possibly be a better way to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 year reign than to visit England and cruise the...

The second Saturday of June marks the official celebration of Queen Elizabeth II birthday. It is an ideal occasion on which to bake that most quintessentially English cake, the...

Just in time for Thanksgiving, Chef Dennis from AskChefDennis.Com share his delicious recipe for an indulgent chocolate bourbon pecan pie

This Italian chocolate cake is easy to make and just as easily devoured! Originating from Capri, torta caprese is known for its cocoa and almond flavour.

This festive season, why not sample this delicious French cocktail - aptly named after the country's glamorous capital...

Courtesy of our HR & Accounts Manager Isabelle, we have a delightful French Festive Dessert Recipe for you, to have survived for three generations it must be good!

This beautiful baked camembert with a Port and Red Currant Sauce recipe is a clear champion when it comes to dinner parties.

A quick & easy, salty, sweet Italian treat! Delicious stuff as always, from our go to Italian Chef Andrea

Back with another fabulous Thanksgiving treat, Chef Dennis from AskChefDennis.Com shares his Pumpkin Praline Cheesecake Recipe

An innovative Venetian treat of grilled octopus, roasted pumpkin and artichoke.

Merry Mince Pies - A classic Christmas stalwart with a delicious modern twist!

This particular recipe has been created by Andrea Chin, the talented Italian chef who prepares wonderful regional Italian cuisine on board La Bella Vita.

This time of year is when many vegetables are harvested at their best having benefitted from the summer warmth. A great seasonal dish is Ratatouille Nicoise, a popular dish with...

A great choice for show-stopping canapés or a wonderful homemade gift for your loved ones, these gorgeous Gruyère de Comté and poppy seed lollipops are sure to be a festive...

A wonderfully delectable dessert from the very capable hands on Chef Andrea - and a family recipe to boot!

Here’s a recipe for a delicious dessert – Tipsy Laird – a Scottish version of the classic sherry trifle which is often served on special occasions like Christmas or New...

If there is one dish that is immediately identified as being Scottish, it is haggis. Contrary to an old yarn, haggis is not a wild animal indigenous to Scotland.

Feast your eyes on this chocolate Guinness cake recipe recommended by the master chef aboard hotel barge Shannon Princess.

This soup is perfect for Autumn, served piping hot! When you combine several pounds of fresh tomatoes, fresh basil and a fair amount of garlic you know it’s got to...

Christmas is fast approaching, so here is a different recipe for turkey stuffing from one of our barge chefs using some fine ingredients from various regions of France.

Is a barge holiday in France on your bucket list? Let us inspire you to book sooner rather than later with our ultimate guide to the French barge holiday.

We offer you our rundown of spectacular French River Cruises, from ballooning across the Burgundy Vineyards to the Royal French castles of the Loire Valley.

We live and breathe the regions we cruise though! And because of this, we like to ensure our itineraries reflect the very best of the region! Here's a low-down of...

Renaissance Celebrations in the Loire, Wildlife in the South of France & Gastronomic Heaven in Champagne!

Private Tastings, Tours and Unique Dining Experiences Reveal the History and Traditions of France’s Renowned Wine Growing Regions

Our Maintenance Team have been hard at work in Ravières - European Waterways' dedicated Operations base in Burgundy. Find out what's new for 2021...

Looking for holiday inspiration? Look no further than our 2020 Luxury Hotel Barging brochure, available now!

With the 2019 season just around the corner - take a look at our most recent upgrades to the fleet and our ongoing collaboration with designer Marion Falchi

Guided Tours, Art, Architecture and the Roaring Twenties are in full swing this year at the legendary home of Downton Abbey

Our New Brochure is here! New look, new excursions & more photography than ever before, order yours now!

Why not combine a trip to watch the 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris with one of our charter golf cruises in France?

Private tours with the aristocracy, once in a lifetime nature cruises and boutique champagne tastings make 2018 a great time to go barging