Friday, August 2, 2013

Enjoy Top-Shelf Tranquility On The Best Luxury Barge Cruises France Offers

By Cathy Mercer


For both the cruise experts and the first time voyagers, there is nothing quite like floating along a river. Enjoying the luxury barge cruises France offers is an excellent alternative to a traditional cruising experience. Barges are large, yet elegant river hotels. Rather than check in and stay in one place, you check in and find yourself entering into a luxurious historical adventure in a top quality retreat.

The barges are wonders of workmanship, comfort and style all combined inside what is essentially a big river boat. Their wide bodies allow for clever interiors. Suites with private baths are the norm. Dining rooms, libraries and deck top lounging areas are also common. Air conditioning is available for sultry days. Each guest suite is filled with all the amenities one would expect from a top-drawer hotel, with turn down services nightly and beautiful interiors.

While daily meals are offered on board, guests are able to sample the wide variety of local fruits and vegetables. When the chefs shop, sometimes it is possible to go along and watch them select the very best from nearby markets. Wine tasting is always popular too, as excursions are scheduled to try the varied flavors of each region.

Activities are completely optional. Some visitors will enjoy making use of bicycles often carried on board. These are wonderful for short jaunts into the countryside, or for riding up and down the canal side while the barges are passing through river locks. Walking or hiking into nearby towns is always enjoyable. Visiting with friendly, English speaking staff is always fun, too. But, many guests prefer to sit on the deck in comfortable lounge chairs and gaze at the sky and landscapes.

Barge touring companies are very organized. They offer several detailed itineraries on different rivers in France. Tour information will include how to connect from major airports, with tour operators generally greeting guests at designated hotel pick-up points. Once the initial connection is made, travelers are whisked onto an air-conditioned bus to drive to the river embarkation point. Return trips are as easily organized. No detail is overlooked, as the number of travelers on each tour is very limited. With an average of four suites on board, each guest is sure to have the maximum attention required.

It is truly difficult to exaggerate how wonderful the barge menus are. The chefs prepare tempting menus showcasing the freshest fruits, regional vegetables, fish, meats, cheeses and breads of each region. Once you add delicious wines, everything is perfect.

This is a level of luxury in an unexpected place. Booking a five star hotel that floats is unique. Not only are the scenic views more than might be imagined, but these barges are well built, and impeccably maintained inside and out. The river routes are filled with history, local culture and delicious foods, so a cruise of several days will bring plenty of enjoyment and surprises.

Enjoying the luxury barge cruises France offers is a chance to slow the pace of life for a bit. Though filled with optional activities, it can be a tour completely filled with serenity as well. The legendary history of this beautiful country welcomes those who seek to understand the flowing rivers and all they offer.




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