Offers 10% off the charter price for the April 12 departure and 10% off per cabin on the April 26 departure
(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED STATES - December 5th, 2014 - European Waterways announced that its four, all-inclusive “World War One Commemorative Cruises” in April 2015 aboard its hotel barge La Belle Époque are proving to be among travelers’ favorite in the new season. The cruise route passes through sites of various battlefields in Northern France that featured prominently in World War One. European Waterways is also currently offering 10% off the charter price for the April 12 departure and 10% off per cabin on the April 26 departure.
“We have been receiving very positive responses to these cruises,” said Derek Banks, managing director of European Waterways, “and we wanted people to know that there is still time to secure bookings on any of our four departures. It’s a unique opportunity to connect with the memories of one of the most important conflicts that shaped the politics and culture of the 20th century.”
These special cruises, departing April 5, 12, 19 and 26, take travelers along the Canal du Nord, between Lille and Compiègne, and on the Canal de la Somme between Villers-Bretonneux and Compiègne. Both waterways were at the center of battles during the conflict. The cruises will feature excursions to some of the most significant sites and memorials in Flanders and the Somme. Among them:
• The Menin Gate in Ypres for the very moving Last Post ceremony, a daily tribute and local tradition to honor the fallen and remember their courage and sacrifice
• Vimy Ridge, site of the Canadian National Memorial, Canada's largest overseas memorial
• The Thiepval memorial, a heart-rending monument to 75,000 missing soldiers who fell during the Battle of the Somme
• The forest clearing at Compiègne where the Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918
• The Anzac Dawn Service at 5am on April 25 at the Australian National War Memorial
“Northern France, in particular, was the front line for many of the most gruelling battles and had a special significance in this historic war. Each cruise will have a carefully planned itinerary led by a knowledgeable tour guide, ensuring the accuracy of the information,” noted Banks. “The excursions will also have some flexibility built in to allow, where possible, guests of different nationalities to visit sites of particular meaning to their own countries.”
Cruises will also pass through the Picardy countryside, with highlights that include the historic city of Lille and navigating the 3-mile-long Ruyaulcourt Tunnel. Each 6-night cruise includes all gourmet meals prepared by the onboard chef, fine wines, an open bar, daily escorted excursions, admissions and local transfers.
For more information, pricing, cruise schedules, and brochures, visit www.gobarging.com or call toll free 1-877-879-8808. Follow European Waterways on Facebook and Twitter. You can also view their YouTube channel, http://bit.ly/19kQhbm.
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 company, offering vacations in nine countries and carrying around 2,500 passengers a year. Founded nearly 40 years ago, they own, operate and market a private fleet of luxury hotel barges with 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. They are 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. See our Special Offers at http://www.gobarging.com/special-offers.php#offers.
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