A luxury hotel barge is a great alternative to sold-out hotel rooms during Wimbledon and The Olympics.

Major events like Wimbledon and the Olympics often sell out local hotel rooms for years in advance. For last-minute travelers lucky enough to get tickets or vacationers who simply want to visit Europe during these times, booking a cabin or even a whole boat charter with canal cruise operators such as European Waterways, Europe’s largest luxury hotel barge cruising company, may be just the ticket.

“Whether it’s Wimbledon in London or the Notre Dame vs. the U.S Naval Academy football game in Ireland, there is still time for a lucky few to get a “front-row cabin” on one of our luxury hotel barges. We offer cruises all over Europe, so we’re sure to have a barge nearby,” says European Waterways’ managing director, Derek Banks.

Travelers Can Book Cabins on European Waterways Vessels Cruising Rivers and Canals Near Major Sporting Events, Shows, and Festivals in Europe

High Net-Worth Cruising

Tennis fans from around the world will gather in London at the 2012 Wimbledon Tennis Championships, the oldest tennis tournament in the world, set to take place from June 25th to July 8th at the All England Club. European Waterways’ Magna Carta, with cruises that start and end in London, could serve as the ideal alternative for fans seeking last-minute accommodations. It could also be an advantage to those who want to explore some of the U.K.’s best attractions on the River Thames before or after the tournament, without being “anchored” to a single location. On a Magna Carta cruise, passengers are treated like kings and queens as they meander down the River Thames, making stops at the Tudor Hampton Court, Oxford’s grandest college, and Windsor Castle. European Waterways is offering 25% off the whole charter in June and a generous $2,000 off per cabin for the July 1st cruise, as well as the July 15th cruise for those taking extended holidays.

Living the High Life in High Season

In Dublin, the sold-out Notre Dame vs. Navy football game in September has left travelers scrambling to find hotel rooms. Meanwhile, in Scotland, hotel rates are at their highest every year during highly popular local events like the Inverness Highland Games in July and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in August. In lieu of booking a hotel, suggests Derek, guests can “book a boat” and enjoy a relaxing vacation away from the madness – or in the middle of it! – in the weeks before, during or after these exciting events.

“We have the Shannon Princess II in Ireland and the Scottish Highlander in Scotland, so if you can’t get a room, why not get a boat?” says Banks. “It is an option that many travelers may not even know about and is a great alternative to booking a pricey hotel on land. Our barges provide the ideal all-inclusive 6-night vacation. You will experience private wine tastings, gourmet meals, excursions to picturesque towns and villages, and many sightseeing opportunities –all while taking in the beautiful scenery of Europe’s canals and rivers. Not to mention, you will unpack your bags only once while we take care of all the travel planning for you.”

High Ol’ Time in the Highlands

Cabins on European Waterways’ Scottish Highlander could serve as alternate accommodations for those attending one of the many cultural events in Scotland this summer. Among them, the Inverness Games, a traditional Scottish track and field competition with participants in kilts doing such things as “tossing the caber” (a massive wooden pole), will be taking place on July 21st in the Scottish Highlands.

The Scottish Highlander, cruising nearby, will allow visitors to enhance their immersion in the local culture by taking in the beautiful Scottish highlands before the game, moving down the Caledonian Canal and through the famous Loch Ness. Highlights include great wildlife and folklore, visits to the Cawdor and Eilean Donan Castles, and a tour of the Ben Nevis Whiskey Distillery. Special rates of $2,000 off per cabin are available for select cruises in June and July, including July 15th.

Meanwhile, from August 3rd – 25th in Scotland, the 2012 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo extravaganza at Edinburgh’s iconic ancient castle will feature a 90-minute spectacular show of 1,000 performers. Complete with fireworks, drummers, and dancers, the tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee is set to draw a large audience. A special rate of $1,000 per cabin is available for the August 19th cruise, and 25% off the whole boat charter price for the August 26th cruise on the Scottish Highlander.

Touching Down and Cruising Away

American Football fans are pouring into Dublin this summer for the sold-out Emerald Isle Classic, where Notre Dame will face off against U.S Naval Academy. Set to take place on September 1, it is expected that more Americans will attend this event than the summer Olympics. For those looking to score some quality sightseeing during their visit, a cruise on Shannon Princess II will put them in the game. Shannon Princess II is the only luxury hotel barge cruising through Ireland and the experience is truly a game-changer. Guests will travel down the inner lakes and canals of the beautiful Irish countryside, visiting castles and ancient ruins, and enjoying a full day excursion at the culture university city of Galway. European Waterways is offering 25% off the whole-boat charter price for August 26th.

European Waterways’ luxury barge cruises are all-inclusive and are equipped with an attentive crew, including a master chef, a full bar, and bikes for guests to use on excursions. For more information, visit https://www.gobarging.com/.

About European Waterways

European Waterways is Europe’s largest all-inclusive luxury hotel barging company, offering vacations in nine countries and carrying 2,000 passengers a year.

Founded nearly 40 years ago, the company designs, builds, owns and operates a private fleet of luxury 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. 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 the small number of guests to become more fully immersed in the culture, history and gastronomy of the region.

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