Multigenerational travel has become one of the hottest trends in recent years, and European Waterways has seen a 60% increase in family charters over 2018. To introduce more families to the joys of hotel barge cruising, the company has enhanced its family charters with a wider range of excursion options for 2019, allowing guests to “pick and mix” their daily tours and activities to meet the interest of every generation on board.
The options feature theme parks, water parks and laser tag for children for example, as well as wine tastings, golf and other sports for adults. There are also excursions to wildlife parks, archery lessons, swimming, tours of prehistoric caves, and canoeing that will appeal to the whole family.
“Families are busier than ever before, so finding quality time together is a major driver of multigenerational travel,” noted Derek Banks, managing director of European Waterways. “A hotel barge charter offers flexibility and freedom for family members of all ages. All excursions are preplanned, and the onboard master chef can satisfy every palate, from hearty children’s meals to sophisticated haute cuisine for adults.”
To bring more attention to the increasing flexibility of their family charter itineraries, European Waterways is also offering 20% off for select departures in France during the school vacation period of 2019, as well as an additional €250 off for each child under 18 participating in the charters.
On the eight-passenger L’Art de Vivre, families can visit Guédelon Castle, where a team of master craftsmen are building a castle using only the materials and construction techniques available during the Middle Ages. Children can also play laser tag, enjoy mini-golf or visit a dinosaur park, among other activities. Adults can savor a wine tasting excursion to the cellars of the prestigious Domaine Laroche and tour the 1000 years old Obédiencerie where the monks developed the craft of winemaking in the middle ages. And everyone will enjoy dining at the elegant Château de Vault-de-Lugny’s 5-star restaurant on a secluded estate in the heart of Burgundy.
A family cruise on the six-passenger Nymphea offers excursions to such aristocratic residencies as the Château du Clos Lucé and Gardens, the former home of Leonardo da Vinci. The residence now features some of da Vinci’s famous inventions and provides tips to visitors to help them become inventors themselves. Guests can also explore the Charente River by canoe or kayak, getting close to nature and the unspoiled French countryside. They can enjoy a behind the scenes tour of the Beauval zoological park, one of the top five of its kind in the world, with nearly 10,000 animals.
The eight-passenger Anjodi’s itinerary offers a wide range of family options that include visits to theme parks such as Pirateland, an amusement park in the beach resort of Marseillan Plage that features a waterpark, inflatable games and mini golf. The sports enthusiasts can get a few swings in at the international Centre of Tennis in Agde, or the 9-hole Cap d’Agde golf course near the seafront, both of which are also excellent options for an afternoon of family fun.
Some excursions may require a supplemental fee. For more information on these limited-time offers, visit www.europeanwaterways.com.
SOURCE: European Waterways
