For the 2014 season, British-owned, luxury hotel barge operator European Waterways is featuring two additional hotel barges in its just-released new brochure, the stylish 8-passenger Absoluut 2 and the 6-passenger Clair de Lune.  Absoluut 2 - available for exclusive charter only - will be cruising through the picturesque Ouche Valley in Southern Burgundy; and Clair de Lune will travel along the historic Canal du Midi.

And what else is new? A Bordeaux region itinerary aboard the popular 8-passenger hotel barge Rosa, which along with Anjodi, featured in the hugely successful BBC TV series, Rick Stein's "French Odyssey".

The new 60-page, 2014 Brochure - and accompanying price insert - has been launched this week to the consumer marketplace, together with a DVD featuring a selection of quality, short videos, that help convey the ambience of the "hotel barging experience". For access to the European Waterways' videos, go to https://www.youtube.com/user/EuropeanWaterways.

For 40 years now, European Waterways has been providing high quality cruises on its 'floating boutique hotels' along the inland waterways of France and other European countries to a discerning clientele wishing to enjoy wonderful scenery, stimulating history, local culture and of course, fine cuisine and wines.

Every 6-night cruise includes all meals, selected domaine and ch'teau wines, an open bar, daily escorted excursions, local transfers and the use of all onboard facilities such as bicycles and spa pools. The fully-crewed luxury vessels accommodate between 6 and 20 passengers. Guests may choose to charter a whole hotel barge with family and friends, perhaps enjoying a specific theme, such as golf, walking, biking, or wine appreciation, or join a small group of like-minded travellers on an individual cabin basis.

Says Derek Banks, European Waterways' Managing Director: "It is exciting for us in 2014 to be adding to our portfolio of holidays a choice of two new vessels in the appealing destinations of Southern Burgundy and the Canal du Midi.

"We take great pride in either welcoming aboard past guests, or first time cruisers, who can enjoy a voyage of discovery along one of Europe's most picturesque, inland waterways, enjoying congenial company and first-class service. A cruise with European Waterways introduces our guests to a special world of enchantment and relaxation, together with new experiences, whether in France, Italy or Holland, or closer to home in England, Ireland or Scotland."

2014 prices for a 6-night cruise, based on double occupancy, lead in at £2,290 per person aboard La Bella Vita in the River Po Valley, or at £14,000 for a whole-boat charter aboard the 6- passenger Nymphea in the Loire Valley.

About European Waterways

The hotel barging experience is different from large vessel river cruising. It offers a slower paced, "gentle voyage of discovery" along the more intimate canals and waterways of Europe. European Waterways is Europe's largest all-inclusive luxury hotel barging group, offering cruises in nine countries and carrying over 2,000 passengers a year. Founded nearly 40 years ago, they own and operate a fleet of luxury hotel barges and market cruises in France, Italy, Scotland, Ireland, England, Germany, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg. Pioneers in hotel barging, they were the first company to operate a hotel barge on the Canal du Nivernais in Burgundy, and the "chateau region" of the Loire Valley. It is also the only cruise company offering hotel barge cruises in Scotland and in the Venetian lagoon and River Po valley.

Follow European Waterways on Facebook and Twitter and view their YouTube channel.

Full details: www.gobarging.com:                 
Tel: +44(0) 1753 598555       

For press information:

To receive the 2014 European Waterways' brochure in pdf, or print format; images,

or to discuss press facilities, please contact:

Jill Faulds, JF Associates, + 44 (0) 1795 536446; jill@jfapr.co.uk

Or:  Chris Gant, European Waterways, + 44 (0) 1753 598555; chris@gobarging.com