Luxury barge cruises will make your next trip to Europe unforgettable. See the sights and sounds of France, Holland, Germany, and England in a brand new way. The slow, relaxed pace will let you experience the towns and cities of Europe more like locals and you’ll see more of the countryside in between than ever before.

European barge cruises offer a romantic, relaxed way of touring the canals and rivers of Europe. Although many Americans may be unfamiliar with this type of travel, barges in Europe are quite luxurious and elegant. They also offer a number of perks over traveling by yourself or in a large tour.

First, European barges offer guests the best accommodations and services, the same that you’d expect to find in five star hotels. You’ll get personalized service and amenities like private baths, air conditioning, computer hook-ups, and a dining bar area. Like regular cruises, your meals and accommodations on board the barge are included in the price.

European barges also give visitors a chance to experience a personal and intimate travel option. Barge cruises tend to have smaller numbers of guests than other tours and most will have fewer than 25 guests. The staff will also be small and will generally include a personal chef who prepares meals for the guests with locally grown food along the tour. Due to the intimate nature of the tour, you’ll make new friends from around the world and learn more about the areas that you are traveling to. Staff members can direct you to local attractions and events.

You can find barge cruises on most of Europe’s large rivers and canals and can travel through a variety of different countries. You’ll stop at cultural and historic sites along the way and many barges have bicycles on board for you to use as well. You’ll leave the barge in the morning for a day of sightseeing and return to a gourmet meal in the evening. You’ll love how relaxing the cruise will be and how much you’ll enjoy having someone else take care of the details.

Luxury barge cruises range in price depending on the size of the barge, amenities, the places you’ll visit, the length of the cruise, and other factors. Often you can find rates that compare with Caribbean cruises, although the airfare will be more expensive from the United States. Most cruises will include staff that speaks English as well.

For your next trip to Europe, consider luxury barge cruises as an alternative way to see different countries. You’ll love watching the countryside drift by and the sights and sounds of the river or canal. Experience a slice of Europe that will leave you wanting to do it all over again.

You’re sure to find plenty of European discount cruises as long as you know how and where to look.

Step One: Pick a Location

Saying you’re going on a European cruise is a very broad statement because Europe is a huge continent. Are you going to the Mediterranean? Western Europe? Northern Europe? Do you have any idea?

If you’re not sure where you want to go, don’t worry. These cruises usually focus on one area of Europe so if you choose a Mediterranean cruise, you won’t be shooting up to Holland. Mediterranean cruises are great for couples that want to relax and have a beach experience outside of the United States or the Caribbean. If you’ve never been to Europe, you may want to choose a European discount cruise that hits the major European cities such as Paris, Barcelona, Rome and Athens.

When you’re contemplating where to spend your seven or 11 days, think about what you’d like to do both on and off the ship. Cruise lines are notorious for offering a wide array of luxury amenities. The ships themselves usually have several pools, lots of restaurants and bars and a spa. Casinos, live entertainment and shopping may also be available. Some European discount cruises will also teach you about the history of the country you’re traveling to and offer you cultural experiences on the ship. Make sure to check out the ship’s amenities before making your reservations.

You should also take a look at the attractions that will be offered at each port. Cruise ships stop at several port cities and allow passengers to get off the boat for a period of time to explore the area. Your European discount cruise line should have a list of ports and the excursions offered at the ports. If you don’t want to go on an excursion, get on-line and see what else you can do while you’re at the port.

Step Two: Learn to Hedge Your Bets

To find a good discount European cruise, you’re going to have to shop around. After you’ve picked the area you’d like to travel to, start comparing ship amenities, port excursions and cruise prices. Do your comparison shopping on the Internet, but also talk to travel agents. They may be able to find deals that aren’t listed on-line.

Another great option for finding European discount cruises is checking for off season cruises. Fall is a good time of year to find bargain rates because it’s not the highest demand season for European discount cruises.

If you don’t want to travel in the fall, but want a bargain rate, prepare to be flexible. Don’t book your cruise until last minute. Instead, subscribe to the daily or weekly travel deal updates that are offered on popular travel sites. When you see an appealing cruise, go ahead and book it. This is a great way to save money on European discount cruises.