Life aboard a hotel barge can be pretty luxurious, here are some of our favourite experiences that you won’t get anywhere else!
Top 5 Luxury Experiences aboard a Hotel Barge Cruise
Fine Dining & Champagne at a French Castle
First constructed in 1424 the Château de Ricey-Bas is a former castle situated on the banks of the Laigne river in the commune of Les Riceys (a little-known Champagne producing region); it is the ideal vantage point from which to enjoy the rolling vineyards and take a glimpse into the family life at a rural château. Here our guests are greeted by the Baroness de Taisne and treated to some delicious champagne before a gourmet lunch in the beautiful vaulted 13th century kitchen.
Available Aboard: La Belle Epoque – Classic Burgundy Cruise
Our Mooring at Cliveden Estate
A truly unique place to dine, it is here that we moor for the night, at the foot of the sprawling Cliveden Estate on the banks of the River Thames. Over a delicious gourmet dinner you’ll no doubt discuss the intrigue and scandal of the house that was once residence to Nancy and Waldorf Astor, and has played host to the likes of Gandhi and Winston Churchill, as well as being a key setting in the events that surrounded the infamous Profumo affair.
Available Aboard: Magna Carta – Classic England Cruise
Moët & Chandon Cellars and Tasting
A guided tour and tasting of arguably the best known Champagne house in the world, here we are taken through Moët & Chandon’s vast underground cellars, the largest in the region, which were carved out of the chalk to offer the maturing wine the perfect temperature and humidity. Following the tour is a private tasting of some of Moët’s renowned vintages in an elegant salon, hosted by an experienced cellar master.
Available Aboard: Kir Royale – Classic Champagne Cruise
Cruise beneath the famous Château de Chenonceau
Here’s one for when you really want to feel like royalty, as we are the only hotel barge company that offers this exclusive experience. Take a seat on the gorgeous yacht like deck of Nymphea and we’ll bring you a cocktail as we cruise beneath the arches of the Château de Chenonceau, famous for its uninterrupted succession of women who made it the exquisite monument to art, architecture and history that it is today.
Available Aboard: Nymphea – Classic Loire Valley Cruise
Eat Fresh Oysters on the Mediterranean Coast
Stroll down the sandy shores of the Etang du Thau, the largest lagoon in the Languedoc and take a seat on the decking by the water’s edge. Here you’ll be served the freshest oysters you’ve ever eaten, along with some delightful white wine. Watch the sun set as you feast on the fruits of the sea before returning to your luxury hotel barge for cocktails and a dip in the hot tub beneath the Mediterranean sky. Bliss.
Available Aboard: Anjodi – Classic Canal du Midi Cruise