There’s nothing like travelling with the person you love. Whether you’re visiting something new together, taking a trip inspired by a shared interest or getting away to spend some quality time alone together, a holiday with a partner is always special.
A cruise on a river boat is a wonderful way to enjoy a trip filled with romance, no matter where you’re visiting. In this article, expert barge holiday provider Locaboat shares valuable insight and advice in a guide to romantic river boat trips in Europe, helping you decide where to travel and what you should add to your trip itinerary.
Why Choose a River Boat Holiday?
When you first think of a romantic holiday, lavish hotels or exclusive holiday resorts likely spring to mind. But a trip on a river boat is a wonderful alternative option that is perfect for couples who want to get away from it all and try something new together, enjoying the relaxing pace of travelling by barge.
On a river boat holiday, the journey is all part of the experience. Enjoy travelling at a sedate pace through a wide range of stunning landscapes and appreciate the freedom that comes with being able to moor your boat where you choose and stop to explore wherever you like along the way.
Learning how to steer and manage a canal boat can also be an exciting new experience that is great for couples looking for adventure on a romantic break. Or you can choose a provider that offers crewed boats and indulge in a more luxurious experience having everything from your food to your itinerary taken care of.
Locations
Europe is a prime destination for boat trips, with plenty of rivers, canals and waterways to choose from. Here are some of our favourite romantic destinations for this kind of holiday.
Burgundy
France is the best place in Europe for a river boat holiday thanks to its extensive collection of canals that connect almost every region in the country. Burgundy is a highlight when it comes to river cruises and is one of the most romantic places you can enjoy a holiday on the water.
The Canal de Bourgogne, Canal du Nivernais or Canal latéral à la Loire are all great options for a trip to this part of France as they all offer exquisite pastoral scenery alongside the canals and plenty of pretty little towns and villages to explore en route. Burgundy is also a region that is known for its wine and food, so this is definitely the destination to choose if you want to indulge in a gastronomic experience or try a wine tasting session or two.
Bruges
Belgium is another European country that is brimming with waterways, and the city of Bruges is a wonderful destination connected by these canals that is a great place to visit as part of a river cruise. Many people often refer to it as the ‘Venice of the North’ because of the network of waterways around the city, which you can either explore from your boat or simply admire by walking alongside them.
Bruges is also a great place to visit on a romantic holiday, as the city is steeped in history which gives it a peaceful and timeless atmosphere. There’s an old story that if you walk over Minnewater Bridge with your partner you’ll be in love forever, so be sure to add this to your itinerary if you visit!
Venice
Venice is an Italian city famous for its canals, and whilst you can’t actually navigate most of these in a barge, it’s still an outstanding location to visit by boat and one of the best European destinations for a romantic holiday. The magical narrow streets of the city are perfect for exploring with your partner, with plenty of little cafes, bars and piazzas to discover, and of course, you can enjoy a classic trip for two in a gondola on the canals.
Once you’ve spent time in the city, you can take your boat out into the Venice Lagoon and explore some of the nearby destinations like the island of Burano and Murano, the town of Treviso and the long, thin Lido di Venezia.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is another European city that is famous for its canals and makes a great start or finish point for a boating holiday exploring some of the nearby waterways in the Netherlands. This cultural city has plenty going for it in terms of tourist attractions and dining experiences that are ideal for couples, and when you’ve had your fill of the busy streets you can set sail out into the countryside and relax as fields, forests and windmills pass you by.
The Lot Valley
As an alternative to the numerous excellent canals in France, a cruise down the River Lot in the Lot Valley is another great place for a European boat holiday. Located in the region of Occaitaine in the south of the country, which makes it a wonderful choice for a summer trip, this is a beautiful area with plenty of gorgeous, unspoilt scenery alongside the river and many lovely towns and villages that you can visit as part of your journey.
Paris
Paris is one of the most romantic cities in the world and certainly comes in the top three best destinations for a trip with someone you love. A river cruise along the Seine is a wonderful option for couples that want to see this famous city from a new perspective, indulging in outstanding food, drink and sightseeing every day as well as experiencing Paris from the water.
Budapest
The River Danube is an incredible place for a boat holiday, and Budapest is one of the jewels along the route. Choose from a wide range of vessels as you sail down this famous river and then stop off in the incredible capital of Hungary and enjoy a romantic holiday that focuses on appreciating the culture that is found on the shore of the Danube, from castles and churches to the Fisherman’s Bastion and the Széchenyi Baths.
Occasions
Romantic holidays are a wonderful way to spend time with your partner no matter when you travel, but a river boat cruise in particular is a lovely way to celebrate a special occasion.
Engagements
A proposal is one of the most romantic gestures you’ll ever make, so what better time to make it than whilst on a river boat holiday for two? Surrounded by nature in the peace and privacy of your own vessel, we can help to arrange everything you need for the ultimate romantic getaway that begins a new chapter of your relationship.
Alternatively, why not celebrate a recent engagement with a romantic river boat holiday so you can enjoy some quality alone time together and mark the occasion with a trip away.
Honeymoons
A holiday on a river boat is a fantastic idea for a honeymoon that allows you to relax and enjoy slow-paced travel with your new spouse after the excitement of your wedding. The ease of having your accommodation and transport rolled into one means that you can spend more time simply enjoying each other’s company and also enjoy the freedom of a flexible itinerary.
River boat honeymoons can also be a great option for couples that enjoy active holidays, as you have the option to walk or cycle along nearby towpaths or head out on walks during the day before returning to your vessel at night. Or, if all you fancy is kicking back and watching the world go by, you can simply enjoy cruising along a wide range of different rivers and canals across Europe.
Anniversaries
A holiday is a wonderful way to celebrate an anniversary, no matter how many years you and your partner are celebrating. Staying on a river boat gives you the kind of peace and privacy you wouldn’t find in any hotel, with the additional romantic factor of being out in nature for the majority of your holiday.
If you want to make the occasion even more special, you can also arrange visits to restaurants, spas, live entertainment events or significant attractions along the route.
Holiday Trips
A river cruise is an incredibly romantic experience that is perfect for Valentine's Day, spending your time on a cosy but luxurious boat with your partner and making the most of the relaxing pace of your journey and the beautiful natural surroundings. Or you can celebrate Christmas and New Year with a unique trip along a river or canal and appreciate the tranquillity of your surroundings from the warmth of your vessel and the amenities it provides.
Experiences
There’s plenty to do on a romantic river boat trip alongside sitting and enjoying the scenery that passes you by. The joy of this type of holiday, especially when you’re manning the boat yourself, is that you can choose to moor up and explore anywhere you wish, as well as adding various romantic activities and experiences to your itinerary.
Here are some examples of how you can make your holiday even more special.
Fine Dining
From inviting a private chef onto your boat for the evening to arranging visits to outstanding restaurants, fine dining is a brilliant addition to a romantic river cruise. Whatever kind of cuisine you and your partner enjoy the most, you have plenty of options for arranging an experience that lets you indulge in exceptional flavours and share a special meal together.
Sightseeing
No matter your destination, there’s always the opportunity for sightseeing when you’re enjoying a river boat cruise.
Perhaps you and your partner are history fans, or you enjoy visiting art galleries and museums when you travel. Perhaps you have an eye for architecture or want to visit significant sites and monuments that tie into the story of the canal or river you’re cruising along.
No matter what’s on your bucket list, arranging sightseeing excursions as part of your trip is a great way to make your itinerary more exciting and get the chance to see more than just the scenery alongside the canal.
Relaxation
If your idea of a romantic holiday involves lots of rest and relaxation, you might not think a river boat cruise is the best option for you. However, there are plenty of ways to bring relaxation into your trip, allowing you and your partner to unwind together and enjoy a range of experiences.
Depending on where you’re cruising, you can arrange to moor your boat near luxurious spas and hotels and spend the day indulging in the treatments on offer there before returning to your floating holiday home. You may also have the option of arranging spa treatments to take place on your vessel, depending on its size and your provider, meaning that you can destress and enjoy time together in the comfort and privacy of the water.
Romantic Activities
Finally, the best way to make a river boat trip more romantic is to organise romantic activities as part of your itinerary. Different couples will enjoy different experiences, but we recommend things like private picnics, live music performances, dance classes, garden visits and wine tasting which will all make your trip away together that little bit more special.
A trip on a river boat is a travel experience that is suitable for everyone, no matter your age, interests or preferences when it comes to planning a holiday. With options of canals and rivers all over Europe, each with their own unique charm and range of attractions, why not consider hopping on board for your next trip with a partner and seeing what this wonderful form of slow travel has to offer you?
This article was provided by Locaboat Holidays specialists in boating holidays in France and across Europe.
