Luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent is enhancing its European canal cruising program for 2010 with a new barge as well as several new food and wine-themed sailings.

Barging or canal cruising is the more intimate alternative to river cruising. Depending on the barge, they can accommodate anywhere between four and 18 passengers, and the number of crew vary according to the size of the barge. The barges, charming sailing vessels with cabins and cozy common spaces, are intended to travel along the calmer canals of Europe, namely in France, Belgium, Holland, Ireland and the U.K.

With a newly added eight-passenger barge, Enchanté, A&K has 23 barge ships on offer for 2010. The Enchante was refurbished in 2009 and will sail the Canal du Midi in the South of France next year. It has Internet connection and a guest computer on board, as well as air conditioning. An on-board chef will prepare gourmet meals in a demonstration kitchen, and meals can be served al fresco on the deck. For larger groups of up to 16, Enchanté can be chartered in tandem with the eight-passenger barge Anjodi. Six-night canal cruises start at $5,890, per person, cruise only. Private charters start at $45,000 for up to eight guests.

Additionally, A&K has introduced several new themed canal cruises for 2010.

A new culinary cruise is being introduced on the four-passenger Alouette (pictured below), which also sales on the Canal de Midi. The itinerary includes cooking lessons as well as accompanying the chef to local markets. Six-night charters start at $25,000.

A Wines of Burgundy (Grand Cru) cruise is being offered on the eight-passenger Amaryllis barge, part of the Orient-Express collection of cruises. The wine cruise includes tastings of 33 Grand Crus of Burgundy, including Bonne Mares, Montrachet and Romanée Conti during France’s “Semaine des Grands Crus.” The cruise takes place July 18 to 24, and starts at $9,800 per person.

Additionally, a chocolate and wine cruise is being offered on the six-passenger Elisabeth, which sails the Canal du Nivernais in Burgundy. Included in the cruise are wine tastings and dessert-making demonstrations. Six nights start at $4,300 per person.

Lastly, a bike and barge charter is being offered on the 18-passenger Le Phenicien. The summertime itinerary along the Canal du Nivernais includes a different bike ride each day, ranging from 19-mile to 32-mile rides, with the assistance of a cycling specialist. The Bike & Barge itinerary is only available by charter. Six-night charters start at $54,460.

For additional information visit Abercrombie & Kent.

First, some information on Enchanté, which was completely rebuilt in Amsterdam and is currently winding her way south to her eventual home in the south of France. Enchanté is the latest addition to join European Waterways’ 17-barge fleet of luxury hotels, and she will begin cruising on the Canal du Midi at the end of August.

She provides luxurious accommodation for up to 8 guests in 4 equal double suites of about 200 square feet each, with well-appointed bathrooms featuring showers and luxurious bath products. The barge is tastefully furnished in exotic hardwoods. She has a large, spacious saloon where and a demonstration galley for guests to view the chef.

The ship provides guests with internet connections and a guest computer, television with DVD player and air conditioning throughout. There is also a spacious sun deck, with al fresco dining, gorgeous hot tub and luxurious sun loungers. Enchanté will alternate between two cruise itineraries that will highlight the most delightful parts of the Languedoc, Camargue and Midi regions of Southern France.

Enchanté’s crew of four is comprised of a master chef, tour guide and stewardess, led by a knowledgeable and experienced captain.

Eight guests, four crew! Obviously, we are not talking about a major cruise ship here. No, river barging, where you can walk or cycle along the side of the river and keep pace with your barge, is a far more intimate travel experience, providing up-close access to the smaller communities of Europe. Consider that over the course of a year, European Waterways carries about 2,000 guests, which is about the weekly capacity of a typical ocean cruise ship.

River barging is a calm, peaceful and luxurious experience, not a rock-and-roll presentation with another new thrill around every corner. The barge moves slowly down the river, slips into a new town, allowing guests to poke around before moving on. The menus are sublime, and passengers frequently spend the day looking forward to the evening meal.

The cruise fare includes all meals, wines, open bar, excursions, admittance fees and transfers. Of course, couples can book a cruise on a barge, but groups may choose to charter the small vessels for a week or more.

Let us know if you’d like more information about river barging. It is a special experience.