Canal Cruising in a Hotel Barge

I recently attended the Cruise Show in London and was surprised by the variety of cruising options available. One of my favourite options is canal cruising on a hotel barge.

I had a chance to try out canal cruising on the Anjodi with European Waterways along the Canal du Midi in France. The Anjodi was luxuriously converted from a Dutch canal barge. It was also exclusive as there were only four cabins on board.

On board there was a chef who prepared each of the meals for us using ingredients available from the villages we passed along the canal.

Canal Cruising
The Canal Barge, Anjodi on the Canal du Midi, France

The pace is gentle as the speed limit on the canal is 4 miles per hour. This means we could take one of the bikes supplied and pedal along the canal path and rejoin our boat further along the canal.

Being a canal there were locks to negotiate. Here’s where you can help out if you wish although many are automated. The series of locks outside Beziers is a spectacular feat of engineering featuring a series of seven locks linked together.

As with any cruise there are opportunities to take excursions into the surrounding countryside. A private visit to a chateau, little visited towns and perched villages were all on the itinerary.

I could write at great length about my experience of canal cruising, and maybe I will in future posts. However, you can get a feel for canal cruising by watching the video I made of our trip for European Waterways. Hopefully it will give you an insight into canal cruising. It is certainly something I will be doing again.

Have you experience canal cruising on a hotel barge? What kind of cruising do you like best? Share with our readers in the comments below.

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Travel Unpacked is all about travel; from luxury to adventure travel and all related topics. There are reviews of accommodation, eateries, airlines,  ferries, books and much more. You will find stories, lists, hints and tips as well as experiences you might want replicate on your travels. It’s about travel as you want it