Barge Lady Cruises

These days I am looking forward to some pampering in France, and the L’Art de Vivre’s scenic cruise route along the Canal de Nivernais in Northern Burgundy is calling me for some badly needed R & R! Of course, no barge cruise is complete without gastronomy, and the L’Art de Vivre’s sumptuous seasonal fare will complete my re-immersion into the soul-soothing barge experience. Known for its warm onboard atmosphere and operated by seasoned owners Captain Ruairi, Chef Olivia, and Barge Manager Ross Gibbons, Shannon Princess offers a comprehensive cruise with a delightfully familial ambiance. As a longtime Barge Lady, dreaming about my next barge cruise is one of the job perks, and thoughts of sipping a glass of chilled rose while savoring a slow sunset in the south of France leads me to the Canal du Midi.

Click here to explore the shop at the Faïencerie de Gien England‘s historic castles and colorful gardens are always a treat to explore, and the extraordinary estate of Cliveden, at one time a stately home privately owned by the Astors (!), is no exception. Thanks to the collectible coffee table books, sophisticated sipping accessories, and beautifully detailed wine maps, gift giving to the oenophiles and bon vivants on your list is a snap this holiday season, as the curated collection available through the Chateau’s online shop is, bien sur, “Barge Lady approved”. Click here to explore the shop at The Chateau at the Clos de Vougeot With its legacy of  traditional farming methods aligned to a temperate Mediterranean climate, the south of France is the proud producer of some of the world’s best olives. Click here to explore the shop at the L’Oulibo Collective Located near the Isle of Skye, Castle Eilean Donan is reported to be the most photographed edifice in all of Scotland, and no wonder.

Served in the stylish lounges of Paris owned by enterprising Americans, the recipes for these newfangled New York libations soon evolved to incorporate France’s own spirits and liqueurs, and the art and science of the French cocktail was born. Served by the crew during the nightly cocktail hour onboard, these ambrosial aperitifs are carefully crafted to showcase France’s signature spirits and local liqueurs. However, once the liquid is transferred to special oak barrels and allowed to mature over the slow unfolding of decades in the coolness and darkness of the winemaker’s cellar,  the eau-de-vie takes on a lovely amber color that then evolves to mahogany, reflecting the notes of vanilla, caramel, and coffee for which the finest and smoothest Armagnac is celebrated. The dried fruit, smooth smoke, and toasted wood flavors that tend to present themselves in aged Armagnacs balance between grape sweetness and bracing booziness,” says Barge Lady Cruise Correspondent and culinary critic Nora McGunnicle.

From European Hotel Barges to Adventure Cruises to Ocean Yachting, Discover the World of Small Ship Cruising In a world where social distancing has become our new normal, small ship cruising is an emerging niche perfect for travelers looking to explore domestic and international destinations by boat. The romance of the seas on Windstar’s sailing ships, the privacy and intimacy on Windstar’s yachts Unregimented onboard ambiance fosters total relaxation and the pleasure of getting to know your fellow travelers Service is lauded for being both personalized and professional Independent travelers who do not need a lot of formal onboard activities or like the choice to explore the ports on their own Groups who enjoy organized culinary activities as part of an active vacation The intimacy of a chic yacht combined with the superior service and amenities of small ship cruising Well-traveled and active couples in their 40s and 50s who value experiences over accommodations Independent travelers who want everything taken care of onboard but prefer to explore the ports on their own Travelers who wish to see destinations from the perspective of the water Cruisers who have sailed on the big ships and found them too crowded and impersonal Cruise Length: Explore the deep wilderness in many destinations, while enjoying recreational activities and cultural visits Stop for spontaneous wildlife sightings and natural scenes of beauty Share experiences and get to know your fellow travelers, facilitated by the intimacy of the voyage Meet local personalities who bring the destination to life Travelers who will enjoy an UnCruise Adventure or Expedition Cruise Travelers preferring flexible itineraries to the rigid port to port schedules of the larger cruise lines Those who value experiences over luxury amenities, and prefer to bring home knowledge of a destination rather than souvenirs Nature lovers who want to observe wildlife and experience geographical wonders up close Active travelers who like the opportunity to kayak, hike, and snorkel Cruise Length: 5 days, 7 days, and 14 days