Immersive Travel: What It’s Like to Take a Barge Cruise

Client Events at Departure Lounge

Departure Lounge Founder Keith Waldon is now hosting a YouTube series called the Departure Lounge VIP Travel Report.  Each episode features a conversation between Keith and either a luxury travel industry executive or a Departure Lounge travel advisor, along with two quick accommodation video tours led by Departure Lounge advisors and an ending segment on great current offers available to Departure Lounge clients.  In this report, Keith interviews Matthew Upchurch, CEO of Virtuoso. 
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Cruise Control

Picture yourself on the deck of your own private riverboat, taking in the serenity of the French countryside as you sip from a Grand Cru vintage. Then imagine sharing this incredible journey with – and only with – the friends or family that make travel special.

Barge cruising is perhaps one of the most intimate and luxurious ways to experience a country: to float along its rivers and canals with their behind-the-scenes views, and to do it aboard a luxury hotel barge that accepts anywhere from four to 12 guests. It’s perfect for a private charter. The barges are spacious, inviting and the level of service and culinary skill of the ship’s chef and crew will surprise you.

These shallow bottomed barges – outfitted with generous room sizes (some even boast four-poster beds) - will moor just about anywhere. And with such a small group on board, voyages can be tailor-made to suit you all. You’ll be immersed in the countryside: Perhaps a stop to go horse riding along the many trails of Languedoc? Or dining with vintners in Burgundy after a tour of their exclusive cellars? Maybe sampling vintages from a family-run Champagne vineyard is on your bucket list?

These historic barges once plied European waterways delivering cargo; by the 19th century, the canal network of Europe had links to the English Channel, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea. When water transport declined, some ships were scrapped, but the best were kept and restored or retrofitted into five-star floating hotels.

Drifting peacefully through the Loire Valley, or Provence, or Burgundy, or along the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO heritage site, may be what your group needs to reconnect and celebrate the better things in life.

Winter in One of Canada’s Most Stunning Provinces

There’s a reason why Canada is known for its winters – they are gloriously crisp and icily beautiful. Pack your parka and merino wool layers to rediscover British Columbia, where sharp snow-capped Rocky Mountain peaks will always take your breath away.

Whistler may be famous for its unparalleled resort skiing and backcountry trails, but have you found its ice cave yet? Head into the backcountry – via helicopter, snowmachine, or snowcoach – to step into an otherworldly room of ethereal blue ice. 

And how about a little fine dining in this pristine cave of rock and ice and snow? Headline Mountain Holidays customizes each ice-cap experience. Or do you like your ice used to chill Moet & Chandon instead? Spend après in the spa at Nita Lake Lodge, where its Champagne Nail Bar lets you chill out with a bottle of bubbly during your treatments.

Don your cutest pompom tuque and head to the outdoor hot tub: Soaking while surrounded by snow and ice is an experience like no other. Outdoor mineral hot springs are found throughout the Kootenay Rockies, and Canada’s largest is the famous, steamy Fairmont Hot Springs.

On Vancouver Island, drive up to Tofino, which is well known for its winter storm watching. Lean into the wind on Chesterman Beach and watch out for the spray from crashing and smashing 20-foot swells. Or keep an eye on things from the five-star shelter at the Wickaninnish Inn, uniquely placed with a front-row seat to the weather.

But if you want to escape into a true winter wonderland, book a five-star log cabin in the Chilcotin backcountry, where snow conditions are fantastically reliable from mid-December to mid-March. Snowshoe, Nordic ski, dog sled rides, heli, and cat skiing – guests get to choose their own adventure in the Cariboo mountains.

When do I Need to Book?

If surviving a pandemic has taught us one thing, it’s that we don’t want to wait to see the world. But lots of travelers have had this revelation! Here’s our advice:

2 Years Out: Destinations for time-specific events such as Japan for its spring cherry blossoms or Rio de Janeiro for Carnival. More time is also needed for limited-capacity destinations, such as hiking Machu Picchu in Peru or gorilla tracking in Uganda. 

1 Year Out: In the post-Covid travel landscape, a full year is ideal for safaris and cruises to ensure you get the safari camps and sailing itineraries you love, especially if you plan to travel during the high season or holidays. Booking a year in advance means you’ll also likely get the weeks you want at top heli-ski outfitters.

6-Months Out: Most beach and ski destinations don’t require as much time to lock down the best accommodations. But if your visit includes a must-see museum exhibit or show, book as soon as you can.

We’re There When you Need Us Most

If you’ve used a travel advisor before, then you know all about how we surprise and delight our clients throughout their vacations. There’s that unexpected room upgrade, an impossible reservation at the most incredible restaurant… the list goes on. It’s what we do, and we do it well. Everyday.

But life happens. Hiccups happen. Delays and cancellations happen, and these road bumps can slow down even the most meticulously planned getaway. It sucks, but to be honest, that’s when our deep knowledge, years of experience, and travel industry connections really shine. If unforeseen events mean you need to tweak your itinerary on the fly – and fast - the travel advisor who booked your vacation is going to save your vacation, too. Using a travel advisor means they are there for you 24/7 – before, during, and after your trip.

Preferred Partners Offers

Here are a few of the current promotions available to Departure Lounge clients: