barge cruising

Ocean cruising is not for everyone. While many vacationers love the excitement and non-stop entertainment provided on a large luxury cruise ship, others are bored silly at the prospect of spending a week at sea.

Have you ever considered barge cruising? One of my favorite vacations ever was spent on a small barge, L'Impressioniste, navigating some of the picturesque canals of Provence. There were just 12 passengers on the barge, and we became close friends by the end of the trip. The food was incredible, prepared by the ship's personal chef, each meal more wonderful than the last. Vintage wines were included in the cost of the trip, as were all beverages on board. While the cabins were not large, they were comfortable and well furnished with marble baths. And, best of all, we weren't stuck in the middle of the sea. We were free to walk or bicycle on the paths next to the canal.

We didn't dock in large ports, each with their identical duty-free shops. We stayed in small French towns and villages, and guided tours were included in our fare -- no expensive add-ons here. I loved my week on a barge. If you prefer small, intimate experiences without the crowds, and the chance to visit quaint, out-of-the-way country villages, consider cruising on a barge next year.

barge cruising (search here on Google)


copyright (c) 2007 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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