Themed Barge Holidays: River Cruises With an Extra Edge

European river cruises by definition make for quite unique holiday experiences. Discovering the continent with all its rich history, culture, scenic views and mouth-watering gastronomy from the water is quite something. The concept of barge holidays is celebrated by a large demographic all over the world, and there are many enthusiasts who repeat the experience time and time again.

The enthusiasm and dedication of this ever growing group has been the driving force behind the development of more specialised and refined types of river cruises, many of which are inspired by the specific interests and passions of these individuals. These themed cruises are often offered by the more established organisations, which have an in-depth knowledge of their clientele and of the regions they operate in.

Here are some examples of themed holidays for European river cruises with a bit of an edge:

Antiques Cruises

Antiques cruises focus on the exploration of antique centres and outlets, ranging from the large and well-known ones to the smaller specialist ones. For holidaymakers enjoy who can losing track of time strolling around markets, skilled artisans' stalls and antiques shops, this option might well be worth considering.

Opera Cruises

Traditionally taking place in Italy, opera cruises focus specifically on this dramatic musical art form. They transport passengers to the places that are most essential to the history and/or present day evolution of opera, for example the Roman Amphitheatre of Arena di Verona, Gran Teatro La Fenice or the Arena Muse Opera museum.

Wine Appreciation Cruises

This is the number one choice of barge lovers who consider fine wine to be one of the greatest things in life. France, with its wide range of excellent and famous vineyards is the most obvious choice for this type of cruise. Programmes tend to include plenty of wine tastings and visits to vineyards, prestigious winemakers and wine cellars.

Golf Cruises

In the sportier category of European river cruises, golf cruises are also amongst the most popular ones. Scotland, Ireland, England and France all have some great golf courses including Royal Dornoch, Galway Bay, Wentworth and Sunningdale, all of which can easily be reached from the water. With some organisations, tee times can be arranged at the golf clubs, so that holidaymakers can alternate their relaxing times on the hotel barge with some games of golf.

Honeymoon Cruises

Especially designed for the lovebirds looking for European river cruises, honeymooners can enjoy exclusive two person charters on a barge with double suites and extras like fine dining on board by candlelight, romantic shore experiences and stops at the most romantic places.

There are many other thematic options among the range of European river cruises so inland waterway-lovers should be able to find the option that suits their tastes best.

Paul Newman is the Marketing and E-Systems Executive for European Waterways, one of the main authorities in the field of thematic European river cruises. We can provide you with a luxury barge cruise that perfectly meets your interests and passions. Cruises are offered in France, Holland, Italy and the UK.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.