EUROPEAN WATERWAYS OPENS NEW FRENCH BASE OF OPERATION IN BURGUNDY; AND COMPLETES 2014 WINTER REBURBISHMENT PROGRAMME

With an investment of more than £250,000 and a grant from the regional government, European Waterways has announced the opening of a new base of operation in the village of Ravieres, alongside the Burgundy Canal. This canal-side facility will allow the luxury hotel barge operator to carry out winter refurbishment programmes, upgrades and on-going maintenance of its French-based luxury barges, ensuring that the highest standards are maintained across the fleet.

"We are committed to keeping our vessels in tip-top shape, constantly working on upgrades and improvements in order to ensure the best possible experience for our guests," said Derek Banks, managing director, European Waterways. "This modern new facility, together with our team of highly-skilled engineers and craftsmen, will provide us with more control over the entire renovation and maintenance process, ultimately enhancing our product and ensuring that every vessel is as comfortable, stylish, and structurally sound as possible."

This winter, European Waterways has carried out an array of upgrades right across its luxury hotel barge fleet. Brand new air-conditioning systems have been installed on Renaissance (Burgundy and Upper Loire cruises) and Panache (Alsace-Lorraine and Holland); Anjodi on the Canal du Midi and L'Art de Vivre in Burgundy have new on-deck spa pools; with new carpets in cabins for La Belle Epoque, L'Impressioniste and L'Art de Vivre.

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

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

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

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, allowing a small number of guests to become more fully immersed in the culture, history and gastronomy of the region. European Waterways is Europe's largest all-inclusive luxury hotel barging group, offering vacations in nine countries and carrying over 2,000 passengers a year. Founded 40 years ago, they own and operate a fleet of luxury 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 Upper Nivernais in Burgundy, and the "real" Loire Valley. It is also the only cruise company offering barge cruises in Scotland and in the Venetian lagoon and River Po valley. Please visit www.gobarging.com for more information. 

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