European Waterways Offers Excellent Values on Popular Luxury Hotel Barge Cruises This Summer

Online, June 21, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Summer is a "special" time of year when you can experience the warmer weather in one of the best possible ways: by soaking up the sun whilst lying on the deck of a luxury hotel barge being pampered by the crew as it gently drifts through some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe. To celebrate the occasion, European Waterways, Europe's largest luxury hotel barge cruising company, is offering special summer rates on select cruises throughout France, Scotland, Ireland, Italy and England.

"Summer is the perfect season for relaxing and having fun," said Derek Banks, managing director of European Waterways. "While traveling on our hotel barges, passengers can enjoy the picturesque scenery, see historic sites, visit local vineyards and quaint villages, and enjoy fine regional wines and gourmet meals prepared by the chef onboard. Our seasonal specials make this an ideal time to enjoy the unique experience of a hotel barge cruise vacation."

Cruise the Canal du Midi on the Clair de Lune
The Clair de Lune, a 6-passenger deluxe hotel barge, cruises on France's 330-year-old Canal du Midi during the six-day voyage, with views of vineyards and the Pyrenees Mountains. Passengers have the opportunity to visit sites such as Montolieu - also known as the "Village of Books" - and the medieval fortified city of Carcassonne. Other activities include private wine tastings at the Domaine Massamier La Mignarde and the Chateau Villemagne.

Clair de Lune is ideal for a family or friends charter. Now is an excellent time to book, with European Waterways offering 20% off the charter price for Clair de Lune's July 14 departure date and 10 % off the charter price for select dates from July 28 to October 20. In addition, there is a special of $2,000 off per cabin for the July 7 departure.

"Clair de Lune is a sophisticated, modern-style gem whose design is perfect for admiring the beauty of the Canal du Midi in Southern France in the summer, especially with its relaxing sundeck and spa pool," said Banks.

Live the Good Life Aboard L'Art de Vivre
L'Art de Vivre is an 8-passenger barge that embodies the Burgundian spirit of the "good life." Equipped with amenities such as a sun deck, spa pool, and air conditioning, it travels through the wine and history-rich Burgundy region of France through the beautiful Yonne valley.

Passengers will enjoy a private wine tasting in Chablis, home of one of the most famous white wines in the world, a tour of Auxerre, a medieval town with a magnificent cathedral, and a visit to the elegant Chateau de Bazoches. For summer cruises aboard the L'Art de Vivre, European Waterways is offering 20% off the charter price on the July 14 departure, 10% off for the July 28 departure, and $1,000 off per cabin for select departures in August. For more information on L'Art de Vivre, visit: http://www.gobarging.com/l-art-de-vivre-barge.

Rolling on the River with Rosa
On the 8-passenger luxury hotel barge Rosa, passengers are treated to a wide variety of sites and excursions as they travel through Gascony, a region renowned for its food and home to foie gras and Armagnac brandy. Depending on the particular cruise, Rosa will also travel through the legendary wine region of Bordeaux. Summer specials include 10% off the charter price for select dates in August, September and October, $ 2,000 off per cabin on select dates in July, and $1,000 off per cabin on select dates in July and September.

The Gascony cruise from Agen to Montauban includes a private wine tasting at Domaine Lapeyrade, which specializes in producing vintage Armagnac, and a tour of the remarkable man-made Water Plane, a canal lift at Montech. Highlights from the Gascony and Bordeaux cruise include a visit to Saint Emilion, a medieval town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and to the castle in Nerac, where King Henry IV and Queen Margot once lived. More information on the Rosa is available at http://www.gobarging.com/rosa-barge.

"Along with great scenery, comfortable accommodations, fine wines, good food, and attentive service, European Waterways cruises offer plenty of activities - or none at all! The choice is yours. We have the recipe for an excellent summer vacation," said Banks.

All cabin specials are based on double occupancy. Additional rules and restrictions may apply and booking is on a first come, first serve basis. For more information and additional specials, visit www. gobarging.com/special-offers.php#offers

About European Waterways
The hotel barging experience is different from large vessel river cruising. It offers a slower paced, "gentle voyage of discovery" along the more intimate canals and waterways of Europe, allowing a small number of guests to become more fully immersed in the culture, history and gastronomy of the region. European Waterways is Europe's largest all-inclusive luxury hotel barging operator, offering vacations in nine countries and carrying over 2,000 passengers a year. Founded nearly 40 years ago, they own, operate and market a private fleet of luxury barges with cruises in France, Italy, Scotland, Ireland, England, Germany, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg. Pioneers in hotel barging, they were the first company to operate a hotel barge on the Upper Nivernais in Burgundy, and the "real" Loire Valley. They are also the only cruise company offering barge cruises in Scotland and in the Venetian lagoon and River Po valley. Please visit www.gobarging.com or call Toll Free 1 877 879 8808 for more information, pricing, cruise schedules, brochures. Follow European Waterways on Facebook and Twitter and view their YouTube channel, http://bit.ly/19kQhbm.