Home   >   Cruise News   >   European Waterways World War I Commemorative Cruises

European Waterways World War I Commemorative Cruises

By on December 8, 2014

European Waterways Announces World War One Commemorative Cruises

La Belle Epoque 2Photo courtesy Go Barging

European Waterways announced it will launch four, all-inclusive “World War One Commemorative Cruises” in April 2015. Cruises will be aboard European Waterways’ La Belle Epoque barge.

These special cruises, departing April 5, 12, 19 and 26, take travelers  to some of the most significant sites and memorials in Flanders and the Somme. Among them:

  • The Armistice Clearing, site of the Armistice signing aboard a train on November 11th, 1918. The famous train was also where Hitler insisted that the French capitulate to Germany in 1940.
  • Flanders Fields.
  • The infamous Hindenburg Line, the German army’s last and greatest defense.
  • The Anzac Dawn Service at 5am on April 25 at the Australian National War Memorial.
  • The Thiepval memorial, a heart-rending monument to 75,000 missing soldiers who fell during the Battle of the Somme.

Not All World War One

A World War One cruise is awesome but European Waterways wants you to get a well-rounded experience in France. Highlights include:

  • Wine tasting.
  • Visit the beautiful village of Flavigny sur Ozerain,location of the film ‘Chocolat.’
  • Visit to Noyers-sur-Serein, one of the most beautiful villages in Burgundy
  • If you need to stretch you legs, you can cycle of walk the towpath.
  • An open bar.

The River Barge Experience

If you’ve never been on a hotel barge before you’re in for a real treat. It’s different from river cruising. If you can believe it, hotel barging is even more slower paced than a river cruise. “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.”

How small is “a small number of guests?” Try 12 passengers,

La Belle Epoque

European WaterwaysFloor plan of Le Belle Epoque

 

That’s right. European Waterways’ La Belle Epoque carries just 12 passengers. Talk about intimate. The ship is completely air-conditioned. There’s a gorgeous wood-paneled saloon/dining room even a sun deck with spa/pool.

European WaterwaysSaloon onboard La Belle Epoque (photo courtesy Creative Commons)

In the past, the ship offered some amazing food.  Leek and potato soup. Mushroom and Gruyere quiche. Pan fried duck with fondant potato. Pears soaked in red wine. And more cheese to keep you backed up for a month. I’m assuming the food is just as good as it was a few years ago.

About European Waterways

European WaterwaysJunior Suite (photo courtesy Creative Commons)

European Waterways is Europe’s largest all-inclusive luxury hotel barging company, offering vacations in nine countries and carrying around 2,500 passengers a year.

Founded nearly 40 years ago, they own, operate and market a private fleet of luxury hotel barges with cruises in France, Italy, Scotland, Ireland, England, Germany, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg.

Deals

European Waterways is currently offering 10% off the charter price for the April 12 departure and 10% off per cabin on the April 26 departure.