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European Waterways Adds New Barge Cruise
European Waterways Adds New Barge Cruise in the Burgundy Region
Here’s some good news for barge cruising lovers. European Waterways, Europe’s largest luxury hotel barge cruising company, has announced a new cruise route for the 12-passenger Savoir Faire hotel barge for the 2015 season. The vessel will provide weekly departures through the renowned Sancerre wine region of Burgundy, between Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses and Marseilles-les-Aubigny on the Canal de Briare and the Canal Lateral à la Loire, from May 31 through August 22.
Available for a limited period this summer, the new cruise route will offer a total of 12 departures.
One of the real highlights of the cruise will be the crossing of Gustav Eiffel’s amazing 2,172-foot long aqueduct over the River Loire, the ‘Pont Canal de Briare’, a remarkable feat of engineering completed in 1896. Another highlight will be the town of Rogny-les-Septs-Ecluses, named after its 350-year-old “staircase” of seven former canal locks, now considered a national monument.
Guests will also enjoy a visit to the floral park at Apremont-sur-Allier, a beautiful garden set within this picturesque riverside village, as well as a tour of the 1,000-year-old moated Château de Saint-Fargeau. Other excursions include a visit to Chârité-sur-Loire, a medieval city that has been classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site and continues to attract pilgrims from all over the world. There will also be a visit to the town of Gien, famous for its glazed ceramic pottery.
Savoir Faire History
Savoir Faire has a fascinating history. Originally born as a Belgian barge in 1932, she transported grain through Europe and later carried Allied troops during World War II. Decades later, and after extensive renovations, the barge found new life as a “floating luxury hotel”. Today, Savoir Faire offers some of European Waterways’ most popular cruises. This season, she will be the only 12-passenger hotel barge cruising the new route through the Sancerre region, famous for its dry white wines of the same name.
“Savoir Faire’s exciting new itinerary introduces our guests to some of Burgundy’s most iconic and culturally significant attractions,” noted Derek Banks, European Waterways’ managing director. “Our guests enjoy high levels of comfort, thanks to six finely appointed staterooms and two spacious sun decks, which offer superb views of the countryside. Guests will also enjoy personalized excursions, cycling along the towpath, and a private wine tasting at a renowned winemaker in Sancerre that will allow them to fully experience the culture, history, gastronomy, and ‘lore of the land.’”
Cabins on the Savoir Faire during these special cruises are from $4,975 to $5,250 per person, based on double occupancy, for a 6-night all-inclusive cruise. Full barge charters are also available from $48,300.
For more information, pricing, cruise schedules, and brochures, visit European Waterways. Follow European Waterways on Facebook and Twitter. Good luck navigating the website. It’s a bit confusing and not intuitive. European Waterways would benefit an overhaul of the site.
