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Some of the slowest boats in Europe offer the best views. Luxuriously appointed barges and riverboats ply the waterways and canals, and many of them carry bicycles on board for guests to ride alongside. Imagine pedaling past fields of tulips in the Netherlands. Or breezing through vineyards in France. Or cycling down country lanes in England. You can see the sights up close by day, and then roll into your floating hotel at night. Here's a sampling from ProfessionalTravelGuide.com.
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Esprit
French Country Waterways
The Esprit moves at a languid pace along the waterways between Dijon and St. Leger-sur-Dheune, France. Her owner, French Country Waterways, takes guests biking on paths through medieval towns like Beaune, and on hot-air balloon rides at dawn. At the appointed time, everyone meets up at one of the canal's numbered locks. |
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Actief
Abercrombie & Kent
A&K has handled travel in western Europe for 40 years and markets cruises on 33 barges. The Actief cruises between Windsor and Oxford on tranquil voyages past charming villages, grand estates and historic university towns. A bicycle and pedestrian path parallels the Thames. Stops include Windsor Castle and Eton College. |
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Savoir Faire
Go Barging
Go Barging markets a fleet of barges in the Low Countries. Many passengers aboard the Savoir Faire are European, British and North Americans who come for the bulb season in the Netherlands. The tulip-time excursions call at Amsterdam, Gouda, Haarlem and Deft, with an emphasis on the flower markets and blossoming fields. |
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Diana
Gota Canal Steamship Co.
The riverboat Diana sails Sweden's Gota Canal between Stockholm and Gothenburg. She stops at historic towns and fortresses, at museums and churches, and in forests teeming with wildlife. Her guests—mostly Scandinavian, German and North American travelers—enjoy guided and independent bike excursions. |
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L'Impressionniste
Go Barging
L'Impressionniste provides a relaxing cruise through southern France. The journey begins at the walled city of Avignon and proceeds through Arles, with its Roman theater. It continues through the Camargue, a national park known for wild horses, black bulls and pink flamingoes. If cruisers charter the barge, they can request a theme—such as bicycling. |
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Mozart
Peter Deilmann EuropAmerica Cruises
Themed sailings are also an option at Peter Deilmann EuropAmerica Cruises, which has conducted river cruises for 25 years. A packaged rate includes escorted cycling tours, bicycle rental and service, a driver, refreshments and transfers. The Mozart sails the Danube through Austria's Wachau wine region and the Viennese forest. |
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Cezanne
Peter Deilmann EuropAmerica Cruises
A second riverboat from Peter Deilmann EuropAmerica Cruises, the Cezanne travels the Seine round-trip from Paris or between Rouen and Paris. Stops along the way include Les Andelys, Le Havre, and Vernon to visit Monet's home at Giverny. This route is especially appealing to North Americans, and groups often book the boat. |
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Wilhelm Tham
Gota Canal Steamship Co.
Starting in Stockholm, the Wilhelm Tham sails to Sodertalje, the largest of many "lock staircases" on a trip between two seas that travels along one river, three canals, eight lakes and 66 locks. Passengers take time ashore to cycle through forests that are home to golden eagles, herons, nightingales and elk. |
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Napoleon
Abercrombie & Kent
The barge Napoleon travels along the Rhone between Tain l'Hermitage and Arles in Provence. Stops include Avignon, Viviers and Les Baux-de-Provence. The journey includes vineyard tours and wine tastings—Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a highlight—Roman ruins and aqueducts, chateaux, fortresses and a deserted clifftop village. |
Lydia Cavanaugh
Editor
ProfessionalTravelGuide.com
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