Abercrombie & Kent is continuing to grow and expand its luxury river barge business with a new barge in southwest France launching next year, as well as double- and triple-digit sales increases in Scotland and Ireland.

The new barge is the six-passenger Saint Louis (pictured), which will cruise along the Canal Latéral a la Garonne in southwestern France, a new region for A&K.

The barge will sail through the Aquitaine and Midi-Pyrenées areas of France, known for its fortified medieval villages, castles, abbeys and historic towns. Guests will float through a sunflower-dotted landscape and experience the region’s foie gras, wine and Armagnac brandy.

The Saint Louis is 98 feet long and 16.5 feet wide. It has three queen/twin cabins, each 127 square feet and with its own en suite bathrooms. The vessel has a full herb garden on board and serves only homemade foods. A crew of four travels with the guests.

The seven-day cruise starts in Toulouse, from where passengers will be transferred to the Saint Louis, docked in Lacourt-Saint-Pierre. It travels through Montech, Montauban, Moissac, Valence d’Agen, Agen, Buzet-sur-Baise, Damazan and ends in Castets-en-Dorthe.

There will be 26 departures in 2011, priced from $4,189 per person.

A&K offers 27 canal and river cruises through Burgundy, the Loire Valley, Alsace-Lorraine, the south of France, Champagne, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, England, Scotland and Ireland.

Scotland, Ireland boom

While A&K continues to grow its France river barge offering, it is also seeing increased interest in Scotland and Ireland.

The company has seen a 120% increase in barging in Scotland and a 50% increase in Ireland in year-to-date 2010 sales compared to this time last year. “One reason for this may be due to repeat clients who have cruised in France and now want to see other areas. Once they discover the benefits of barging, its all-inclusive nature, great value and varied activities, we find many clients continue to search out new routes or countries for river cruising,” A&K said in a statement.

In Ireland, A&K has the 10-passenger Shannon Princess II, which sails along the River Shannon and Lough Derg from Athlone to Killaloe.

In Scotland, the tour operator offers the eight-passenger Scottish Highlander along the Caledonian Canal from Dochgarroch to Fort William.

Luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent is enhancing its European canal cruising program for 2010 with a new barge as well as several new food and wine-themed sailings.

Barging or canal cruising is the more intimate alternative to river cruising. Depending on the barge, they can accommodate anywhere between four and 18 passengers, and the number of crew vary according to the size of the barge. The barges, charming sailing vessels with cabins and cozy common spaces, are intended to travel along the calmer canals of Europe, namely in France, Belgium, Holland, Ireland and the U.K.

With a newly added eight-passenger barge, Enchanté, A&K has 23 barge ships on offer for 2010. The Enchante was refurbished in 2009 and will sail the Canal du Midi in the South of France next year. It has Internet connection and a guest computer on board, as well as air conditioning. An on-board chef will prepare gourmet meals in a demonstration kitchen, and meals can be served al fresco on the deck. For larger groups of up to 16, Enchanté can be chartered in tandem with the eight-passenger barge Anjodi. Six-night canal cruises start at $5,890, per person, cruise only. Private charters start at $45,000 for up to eight guests.

Additionally, A&K has introduced several new themed canal cruises for 2010.

A new culinary cruise is being introduced on the four-passenger Alouette (pictured below), which also sales on the Canal de Midi. The itinerary includes cooking lessons as well as accompanying the chef to local markets. Six-night charters start at $25,000.

A Wines of Burgundy (Grand Cru) cruise is being offered on the eight-passenger Amaryllis barge, part of the Orient-Express collection of cruises. The wine cruise includes tastings of 33 Grand Crus of Burgundy, including Bonne Mares, Montrachet and Romanée Conti during France’s “Semaine des Grands Crus.” The cruise takes place July 18 to 24, and starts at $9,800 per person.

Additionally, a chocolate and wine cruise is being offered on the six-passenger Elisabeth, which sails the Canal du Nivernais in Burgundy. Included in the cruise are wine tastings and dessert-making demonstrations. Six nights start at $4,300 per person.

Lastly, a bike and barge charter is being offered on the 18-passenger Le Phenicien. The summertime itinerary along the Canal du Nivernais includes a different bike ride each day, ranging from 19-mile to 32-mile rides, with the assistance of a cycling specialist. The Bike & Barge itinerary is only available by charter. Six-night charters start at $54,460.

For additional information visit Abercrombie & Kent.

Converted from a Dutch grain carrier to a new luxury hotel barge, the recent introduction of European Waterways’ Enchanté gives us an opportunity to talk about the unique pleasures of river barging.

First, some information on Enchanté, which was completely rebuilt in Amsterdam and is currently winding her way south to her eventual home in the south of France. Enchanté is the latest addition to join European Waterways’ 17-barge fleet of luxury hotels, and she will begin cruising on the Canal du Midi at the end of August.

She provides luxurious accommodation for up to 8 guests in 4 equal double suites of about 200 square feet each, with well-appointed bathrooms featuring showers and luxurious bath products. The barge is tastefully furnished in exotic hardwoods. She has a large, spacious saloon where and a demonstration galley for guests to view the chef.

The ship provides guests with internet connections and a guest computer, television with DVD player and air conditioning throughout. There is also a spacious sun deck, with al fresco dining, gorgeous hot tub and luxurious sun loungers. Enchanté will alternate between two cruise itineraries that will highlight the most delightful parts of the Languedoc, Camargue and Midi regions of Southern France.

Enchanté’s crew of four is comprised of a master chef, tour guide and stewardess, led by a knowledgeable and experienced captain.

Eight guests, four crew! Obviously, we are not talking about a major cruise ship here. No, river barging, where you can walk or cycle along the side of the river and keep pace with your barge, is a far more intimate travel experience, providing up-close access to the smaller communities of Europe. Consider that over the course of a year, European Waterways carries about 2,000 guests, which is about the weekly capacity of a typical ocean cruise ship.

River barging is a calm, peaceful and luxurious experience, not a rock-and-roll presentation with another new thrill around every corner. The barge moves slowly down the river, slips into a new town, allowing guests to poke around before moving on. The menus are sublime, and passengers frequently spend the day looking forward to the evening meal.

The cruise fare includes all meals, wines, open bar, excursions, admittance fees and transfers. Of course, couples can book a cruise on a barge, but groups may choose to charter the small vessels for a week or more.

Let us know if you’d like more information about river barging. It is a special experience.