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Welcome to our exclusive collection of hotel barge cruises. For over 30 years, we have specialised in creating luxury hotel barge holidays on some of the most beautiful waterways in Europe.
Luxury Hotel Barge Cruises
A truly unique experience
The Hotel Barging Experience
Far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life, hotel barge voyages allow you to travel in luxury without the strains of packing and unpacking, whilst enjoying a balanced blend of daily excursions and fascinating cruising.
Over 40 Year Experience
Established in 1974 and operating hotel barge cruises since the early 1980s, European Waterways has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with our clients.
Biggest & Largest Barging Company in Europe
Still in the same private ownership of the Directors who run the company, guests can be assured of consistently high standards of personal service plus financial security
Superb Fleet of 18 Hotel Barges
Hotel barges are available for up to 20 passengers with cabin sizes varying from cozy and compact to ultra-deluxe
Cruises in 8 Countries across Europe
We offer the widest choice of destinations hotel barging companies. Cruising areas range from the Midi in Southern France to the Scottish Highlands
Client Reviews & Recommendations
Many of our guests cruise with us over and over again and also recommend us to their friends – which is the best endorsement that a travel company can hope for.
Exceptional Service & Expert Staff
Many of our guests cruise with us over and over again and also recommend us to their friends – which is the best endorsement that a travel company can hope for.
The welcome we received and everything on board was perfect
Pauline Taplin, Hampshire, UK
This is a treasure that most people don’t know about
Denise Thorson , New Jersey, USA
Everbody should do this at least once in their life
Charles Baertl, Texas USA
For a very special occasion this is the place to be
John Thorson, New Jersey, USA
The Hotel Barging Experience
Our hotel barge cruises gently introduce you to some of Europe’s finest scenery, fascinating history and local culture. Every European Waterways six-night barge cruise includes all gourmet meals, regional wines, an open bar, local transfers and the use of barge facilities such as bicycles to explore the towpaths, a sundeck to laze on, or a spa pool to relax in. We also offer daily escorted excursions “off the beaten track” to wineries, castles, markets or to see craftsmen at work.
Multi Generational Cruises
With capacity for between 6 and 20 passengers, a private hotel barge charter is perfect for a multi generational getaway
A Home Away from Home
All hotel barges in the fleet benefit from an annual refurbishment and this may vary from redecoration and refurnishing of the...
Enriching Excursions
Every hotel barge cruise includes daily excursions to some fascinating local places of interest - châteaux, Cathar hilltop...
Insider Experiences
These experiences form the heart of a European Waterways cruise; spontaneous, unique adventures that just couldn't be had anywhere else
Hotel Barging Experience
Far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life, hotel barge voyages allow you to travel in luxury without the strains of...
Outstanding Service
Crews are mainly British or French and they all speak English, so there is no need to worry about a language barrier when they are...
A Gastronomic Experience
The classic traditions of French and International cuisine are an unforgettable highlight of your cruise. The onboard chefs are...
Themed Charter Cruises
We can arrange a wide selection of themed charter cruises which will appeal to all types of interest groups, large or small...
Family & Friends Cruises
Families or groups of friends can charter any of the hotel barges. You will have the whole vessel to yourselves and she becomes a...
Barging & Biking
We know that many of our passengers enjoy taking some exercise during their hotel barge cruise, so each vessel carries...
Shopping & Markets
Even if you are not normally a lover of shopping, the vast array of fascinating shops and markets you can discover on one of our...
Wine & Whisky Tours
Many of our cruises are through some of the best wine- growing regions of France, such as Burgundy, Bordeaux...
Where We Cruise in Europe
Discover the fascinating world of hotel barging, through the vineyards of Burgundy, on the shaded Canal du Midi in Southern France, the historic Po Valley in Italy, or the River Shannon in rustic Ireland. Cruise on the Royal River Thames, through the stunningly rugged landscapes of Scotland, picturesque Alsace & Lorraine, or the colourful tulip fields of Holland.
More Destinations
There are so many delightful waterways to be discovered – canals like the Briare, Nivernais, Burgundy and Canal du Midi in France, the Caledonian Canal in Scotland and the Bianco Canal in Italy; majestic rivers such as the Cher, Moselle, Shannon and Thames; and the more open waters of Loch Ness, the Etang de Thau and the Venetian Lagoon.
Our Exclusive Collection of Hotel Barges
Some vessels in our fleet are owned by us, others by experienced hotel barge operators who maintain similar standards and have been vetted by us. On board all of them you will glide serenely along waterways that pass through magnificent countryside; be taken on fascinating local excursions; indulge in delicious meals, fine wines and comfortable accommodation – whilst all the time being pampered by your attentive crew.
La Belle Epoque
La Belle Epoque is a deluxe, 12 passenger hotel barge that cruises the picturesque Burgundy Canal in Northern Burgundy
Finesse
Finesse is an ultra deluxe, 8 passenger hotel barge that cruises the River Saône and Canal du Centre in Southern Burgundy
Kir Royale
Kir Royale is a ultra deluxe, 8 passenger hotel barge that cruises the renowned Champagne region of France
L’Art de Vivre
L’Art de Vivre is a first class, 8 passenger hotel barge that cruises the charming Canal du Nivernais and River Yonne in Burgundy
Themed Barge Holidays
We can arrange a wide selection of themed charter cruises which will appeal to all types of interest groups, large or small, including golf, walking and wine appreciation themed cruises.
Garden Cruises
Our dedicated garden cruises include visits to some of the best gardens, estates and parklands in Europe
Christmas Markets
We offer a Christmas Markets cruise aboard hotel barge Panache in Alsace, with a special itinerary filled with twinkling lights, brass bands, and the sweet aromas of mulled wine and gingerbread from quaint little chalet-like stalls
Whisky Cruises
We offer a Whisky cruise aboard hotel barge Scottish Highlander along the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness, with a special itinerary that allows...
Walking Cruises
The beauty of hotel barging and walking is that two of the most relaxing holidays possible are merged to give you the best of both worlds
Video Feed
We uploaded our first video in 2010 and since then we have added over 100 hotel barging videos and received over 1,000,000 views on YouTube. We hope you enjoyed watching our videos…
Video of the Week
Despite the growing popularity of cruising, especially on large river vessels, hotel barging is still a little known niche concept.
Cruises in Italy
Our cruises around Italy will let you discover that country’s hidden beauty!
Cruises in Alsace & Lorraine
In the Summer and Autumn, hotel barge Panache cruises the beautiful waterways of Alsace
The Lock-Keeper Blog
The Lock-Keeper has gone viral! Every few weeks we will be blogging about the Hotel barging experience; From the history of our hotel barges to some of the off the beaten track excursions we visit. Intrigued? Then read on…
A Luxury Barge Cruise in Burgundy by Johanna Castro: Part Two
Travel Blogger, Jo Castro, is back with part two of her luxury barge cruise in Burgundy as a guest aboard hotel barge Finesse... Read More
A Luxury Barge Cruise in Burgundy by Johanna Castro: Part One
Travel Blogger, Jo Castro, cruised the Canal du Centre and the River Saône aboard hotel barge Finesse. Read part one of her journey here... Read More
Spotlight on Renaissance: A French Time Capsule in the Heart of Western Burgundy
In 2008, European Waterways unveiled the Ultra Deluxe Renaissance, paying homage to the region's rich tapestry of cultural and architectural brilliance from the Renaissance era... Read More
In the Press
There have been many interesting and entertaining articles written by journalists and travel writers from across the globe about their journeys on our luxury hotel barge cruises.