| Barge travel deals

SAVINGS of up to 20% are available on selected luxury hotel barge departures in France, Italy and Scotland later this year through European Waterways, which says its intimate vessels “tick all the boxes” for post-COVID trips.

With a maximum capacity of just 12 passengers, the hotel barges cruise small waterways at just 1.6km/h, making them the ultimate in slow travel.

Crew members personally chauffeur guests in private air-conditioned transport to all excursions, and the trips feature gourmet meals prepared and served onboard by a gourmet chef.

2022 bookings are at “near record levels,” according to MD Derek Banks, but remaining space is available at strong discounts such as a full boat charter of the 12-pax L’Impressionniste which cruises the Ouche Valley in Southern Burgundy, available at 42,400, a saving of more than 10,000 off the regular price for the vessel – more deals at europeanwaterways.com.