With spring just around the corner, European Waterways is offering last-minute opportunities for travelers to experience “the joys of luxury hotel barge cruising” with 20% off specials on a number of departures in Europe on both charters and cabins for 2023. They include charters for the April 9 and April 30 departures of Finesse in Burgundy and the April 2 and April 9 departures of Enchanté on the Canal du Midi. Cabin specials are available for the March 26 departure of Panache in Holland and the May 14 departure of La Bella Vita in Italy.
With 20% off, savings on eligible departures can be significant. They are as much as $13,500 off the $67,500 charter price for the eight-passenger Finesse, which can be booked for $54,000 for the April 30 departure. Charter of the April 2 departure is even less, at just $46,800, a saving of $11,700 off the $58,500 price. Cabins for the March 26 departure of the 12-passenger Panache are available for $4,040 per person, a saving of $1,278, based on double occupancy and a starting price of $6,390. The specials are valid when booked by February 13, 2023 and cannot be combined with other offers.
“People are definitely ready to travel again after years of pandemic-related restrictions,” said Derek Banks, European Waterways’ managing director. “With ‘relaxed luxury’ experiences among the biggest trends this year, it’s clear to see why European Waterways is more frequently found on travelers’ ‘bucket lists’. We offer luxury accommodations, daily gourmet meals prepared onboard by a master chef, fine wine, as well as private and often exclusive excursions as part of our all-inclusive cruises.”
Cruising in Style
The end of March signals the start of Holland’s famed tulip season. The region’s colorful tulip fields are coming to life, populating the land as far as the eyes can see. The temperature is also ideal for bicycling and walking along the canals’ level towpaths. European Waterways’ hotel barge Panache, whose March 26 departure is eligible for the 20% off special, features large, panoramic windows that provide superb views of the landscape as it welcomes spring. Itinerary highlights include a visit to the famous Keukenhof Gardens – “the garden of Europe” – which features 32 hectares of flowers. Guests will also visit the Zaanse Schans museum and conservation area to learn about the history of windmills, as well as the traditions of clog making and cheese production.
The ultra-deluxe Finesse, whose April 9 and April 30 departures can be chartered at 20% off, is among the newest members of European Waterways’ expanding fleet. It carries guests in utmost comfort, with luxury accommodations and panoramic windows that perfectly frame the rural splendor of Southern Burgundy’s vineyards and picture-perfect villages. A demonstration galley lets guests observe the experienced master chef at work. Among the highlights are a private tasting and exclusive gastronomic lunch in the unique barrel shaped cellars of Maison Champy, Burgundy’s oldest wine maker, as well as a private tour and tasting at Domaine Chanzy.
Enchanting Experiences
The eight-passenger Enchanté is a spacious double-decker hotel barge with a bright, art deco design and open-plan demonstration kitchen that allows guests to watch their daily gastronomic creations being produced. Its Canal du Midi cruise features private winery tours and tastings. Guests also visit the fascinating 100-year-old Halles de Narbonne market that reflects France’s rich and diverse food culture. Other excursions include a visit to the medieval city of Carcassonne and to Lagrasse’s 8th century abbey.
With the 20% off special, charters of the April 2 or April 9, 2023 departures of Enchanté are $41,600 . This is a saving of $10,400 off the $52,000 price. In addition to the classic cruise, charters can be tailored to multi-generation guests, or feature themes such as golf or wine appreciation.
European Waterways’ La Bella Vita hotel barge cruises between Venice and the Renaissance city of Mantua across the lagoon and along the Canal Bianco. In between, guests are treated to unique experiences that include a private dinner hosted by the owner of the 17th-century Villa Ca’Zen; a tour of the historic town of Chioggia; a private visit to the wine cellars of Villa Widmann-Borletti; and a visit to Mantua’s Ducal Palace and gardens. They will also cruise through the UNESCO designated Po Delta Biosphere Reserve, renowned for its 360 species of birds that include the purple heron, flamingos, and snipe.
With the 20% off special, cabins for the May 14, 2023 departures start at $4,040 per person, based on double occupancy. This is a saving of $1,010 off the $5,050 price.
“Through these specials, we want to give travelers a last-minute opportunity to experience the magnificent European countryside at its most colorful, when the landscape starts to bloom for spring and the temperature is ideal for sightseeing,” said Banks
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