Bicycling | River Cruise Advisor

A&K enchances 2010 European canal cruising program

On November 16, 2009, In Abercrombie & Kent, Alouette, Barge, Belgium, Bicycling, Canal Cruises, Enchanté, Europe, France, Live From The River, Netherlands, By Michelle Baran

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.

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The best new amenities on river cruise ships

On October 9, 2009, In AMAWATERWAYS, Avalon Waterways, Bicycling, Europe, Live From The River, Tauck, Uniworld River Cruises, By Michelle Baran

River cruise ships have been amping up everything from the quality of their food (AMAWATERWAYS, for instance, has completely overhauled its fish program to ensure fresh fish is served at lunch and dinner) to the quality of the bedding (who doesn’t have Egyptian cotton anymore?). Here, some of the best new amenities to be on the lookout for on the European river cruise ships.

Bikes

Bikes!

The recent trend of carrying bicycles onboard for passengers to use — so far, AMA and Uniworld River Cruises both have bikes — makes for a perfect compliment to the river cruise experience. I am partial because I enjoy being active on trips, as well as exploring new places in new ways. But there really is something magical about biking through the European countryside, winding along cobblestone streets, passing quaint storefronts, stopping for a picnic in an orchard, all by bike. Much of Europe is very bike-friendly, with bike paths separated often entirely from the main driving roads. Obviously, the weather must cooperate to make biking a viable option, but if it’s sunny out, be sure to give the biking a shot. For some, it might completely enhance the river cruise experience like it did for me.

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