Cycling enthusiasts,
Combine your passion for cycling with one of the most pampered ways to travel -- on a floating hotel on the canals and waterways of France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Germany, or Italy.
Here's a rundown on cycling and barging opportunities for cyclists seeking an active cruise on the canals and waterways of France (and Holland and Belgium on two barges). All prices are in US dollars:
Hotel Barges to Select for "On Your Own" Barge-Cycling:
A flexible and lower cost option for more casual cycling, or bike and barge cruises, is to go barging on any of the hotel barges in France, Scotland, Ireland, England, Holland, Germany, or Italy, and create your own customized cycle tour, with bicycles provided on board, and a friendly, knowledgeable crew to point you in the right direction and advise you on meeting points. Here is a large range of barges to choose from (better yet, give us a call or email, and we'll help you make the best choice!)
Select any barge from any of the following, for your own custom cycle tour:
Formal cycling itineraries usually average 30-45 miles of cycling a day, and are based on charter-only. However, it is not necessary to book a formal barge-cycle tour to have a great week cycling while your hotel floats all along your tour route with you. There is a more flexible approach, and that is to book an individual cabin on a barge in France, Belgium, Holland, England, Scotland, Ireland, or Germany, where the barge provides the bicycle, great gourmet cuisine, knowledgeable excursion guides, and a wonderful place to unpack for the week -- and you can set your own pace to cycle as little or as much as you like in the countryside, villages, towns, and among vineyards and chateaux. All of the canal barges have bicycles which passengers can use to bike along the canal towpath or into nearby towns on their own. When you don't feel like cycling, the crew takes you touring in the barge's minivan.
Barges in France and other countries in Europe all cruise for seven days and six nights. The price includes transportation from the barge pick up point and return, and all meals with wines and open bar, use of bicycles, and escorted side excursions. The only other things not included are the cost of air to France or other cruise destination and a suggested 5% gratuity for the crew.
Click on any barge or itinerary below for a sample "bike and barge" cycling itinerary:
 L'Art de Vivre |
 Caroline |
 Nymphea |
 Phenicien |
Sample Cycling Itinerary aboard L'Art de Vivre
Burgundy, Canal du Nivernais: Vincelles to Villiers sur Yonne
Sample Cycling Itinerary aboard Caroline
Canal du Midi: Beziers to Carcassonne
Sample Cycling Itinerary aboard Nymphea
Loire Valley: Cher River,
Moulin de Nitray to Nitray
Sample Cycling Itinerary aboard Phenicien
Provence: Aigues-Mortes to Avignon
NOTE - The itineraries above provide a representative sampling of cycling itineraries. All itineraries are subject to change depending on local conditions, discretion of the captain, and the preferences of participants.
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Special Places Travel, LLC "Barge Cycle Tours in France (and the rest of Europe) ... for the experience of a lifetime!" ™ Active barge cycling cruises combine cycle tours with the pampered experience of a week cruising the canals and waterways on a hotel barge in France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Italy or Germany, at a wide range of prices, for individuals, and for charters.
For booking information,
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The contents of this web page Copyright 2010 Special Places Travel, LLC; Edgewater, MD, USA. Web design by Special Places Travel, LLC.
The most comprehensive source of information for bike tours, bike touring in combination with a hotel barge is http://www.bargecycle.com with live consultation 7 days a week.
Last updated: November18, 2010
