= Journeys Featuring AKP Projects
Europe | Canal & River Cruising
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A&K has a fleet of beautiful hotel barges at its disposal. If you are looking for a European holiday with a focus on fine food, good wines, beautiful landscapes and an exciting new destination each day without ever leaving home, then canal and river cruising is for you. It is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable ways to discover rural Europe, without crowds and in great comfort. |
Canal & River Cruising
If you are looking for a short European holiday with a focus on fine food, good wines, beautiful landscapes and an exciting new destination each day without ever leaving ’home’, then canal and river cruising is for you. It is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable ways to discover rural Europe in great comfort and without the crowds.
The exclusive vessels we recommend all have charming cabins with private facilities, central heating/air-conditioning and portholes/windows. Passenger numbers start from as few as six. All offer exceptional service with distinctive dining, and include spacious lounges and sundecks, some with Jacuzzi. Cruises are six nights in duration and operate from March to November.
Food & Wine
One of the major highlights of any European sojourn is the regional food. Onboard, your chef is a master whose gastronomic creations our discerning guests often rate higher than those in top restaurants. The vessel's pantry is supplemented with fresh produce bought from lock-keepers’ gardens or local markets.
Before you wake each morning, a crew member has already been ashore to collect fresh breads, croissants and pastries while the coffee brews. Lunch will be a selection of salads, pâtés, quiches and cheeses, with a four or five-course dinner each night. Enjoy regional specialities such as magret de canard and foie gras while in Bordeaux, or ragoût de calamars in Provence. Each course is accompanied by the finest wines handpicked from the cellar.
Daily Excursions
Excursions into nearby villages or the surrounding countryside are either a quick journey in the barge minibus or just a short walk from the mooring. Touring may include the magnificent châteaux of the Loire Valley, wine tasting in Burgundy, an ancient abbey in the south-west or a gothic church in Franche-Comté. All excursions are included but are entirely optional.
Special Interest Cruises
For those who prefer a holiday with a specific focus, itineraries have been designed to cater to unique interests. These may be for golf or garden lovers, opera-goers, wine connoisseurs, antique collectors or families travelling with children. Most are available to wholeboat charters only.
All cruises are 7 days/ 6 nightsEngland | The Middle Thames | Magna Carta
A slow meandering journey past Royal Palaces, quaint riverside towns, villages , a mixture of ‘olde worlde’ England and the natural beauty of Surrey, Berkshire and Oxfordshire. From Henry VIII’s Hampton Court past Windsor Castle to Henley with frequent stops allowing plenty of time to wander and explore while following the old Viking trading route deep into rural countryside.
Cruise itinerary: Hampton Court Palace – Henley on Thames
7 days / 6 nights
Up to 8 guests
France | Burgundy & Franche-Comte | Hirondelle
With large windows and a sun-deck on top, this luxury vessel is the perfect choice for enjoying the passing scenery of Burgundy and Franche-Comté. All inclusive open bar with gourmet cuisine. Visit the quiet provincial town of Dole, the birthplace of Louis Pasteur. Enjoy the famous museum in Dijon, the castles in Châteauneuf and the birthplace of Victor Hugo, Besançon.
Cruise itinerary: Pont Canal du Guétin - Rogny
7 days / 6 nights
Up to 8 guests
France | Burgundy | La Belle-Epoque
Your journey begins in Venarey les Laumes and cruises the Canal de Bourgogne to Tonnerre. Highlights include: Visit the Abbaye de Fontenay, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wine tasting of Chablis wines at Saint Bris de Vineaux in the Bersan cellars. The village of Flavigny sur Ozerain, location of the film 'Chocolat'. Vi Noyers-sur-Serein, one of the most beautiful villages in Burgundy. The 18th century Forges de Buffon and a gastronomic dinner ashore.
Cruise itinerary: Venarey les Laumes to Tonnerre
7 days / 6 nights
Up to 12 guests
France | Burgundy | La Reine Pedauque
A delightful journey through southern Burgundy which boasts some of the world’s finest wines. The glorious Ouche Valley is a highlight with its villages and chateaux and a full day is spent in Beaune visiting the 15th century Hospice Hotel-Dieu, the old hospital, and some local wine tasting. The route travels through some 45 locks and the vessel is suitable for guests with physical limitations.
Cruise itinerary: Dijon – Vandenesse en Auxois
7 days / 6 nights
Up to 8 guests
France | Burgundy | L'Art de Vivre
Burgundy boasts some of the world's finest wines with almost 60,000 acres of sunlit vines and arguably the prettiest canal in France - the Nivernais canal. Medieval villages are surrounded by unspoiled countryside where gastronomic delights are a culture in themselves. Taste the famous escargots, dine on a typical meal of poulet aux romarin en papillotes, or truite à la chablisienne accompanied by a full-bodied Burgundian red wine or lighter Chablis white. Each day brings new pleasures.
Cruise itinerary: Auxerre - Clamecy
7 days / 6 nights
Up to 8 guests
France | Burgundy | L'Impressionniste
You will join the elegant L’Impressionniste moored in Fleurey sur Ouche for your cruise through Burgundy. Visit Clos de Vougeot, home of the Chevaliers du Tastevin.
Sample the renowned Domaine Jafflin at a wine tasting. Visit Beaune, including a tour of Hotel Dieu Hospice and Main Champy. Enjoy a tour of Abbaye de la Bussiere. Lunch ashore at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Tour the 13th century Chateau de Commain.
Cruise itinerary: Fleurey Sur Ouche to Escommes
7 days / 6 nights
Up to 12 guests
France | Burgundy | Savoir Faire
Your cruise begins in Auxerre, undoubtedly one of the prettiest riverside towns in France. Cruise highlights include: Wine tasting in the world famous town of Chablis. St Florentin and its 15th century church and Priory terrace. The Abby of Pontigny, one of the great Cistercian monasteries of France. Explore Tonnerre and La Fosse Dionne, the second deepest natural spring in France. The Palace of Ancy-le-Franc, housing the biggest collection of Renaissance murals in France.
Cruise itinerary: Auxerre to Tanlay-le-Franc
7 days / 6 nights
Up to 12 guests
France | Canal du Midi | Anjodi
Cruise the World Heritage listed Canal du Midi through locks, aqueducts and bridges past avenues of plane trees, vineyards and villages. Tour the magnificent medieval city of Carcassonne, the 12th century fortress of Minerve, Lezignan’s colourful market and Béziers cathedral. Private wine tastings are also a highlight.
Cruise itinerary: Marseillan to Le Somail
7 days / 6 nights
Up to 8 guests
France | Canal du Midi | Athos
A graceful journey through the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France including a champagne welcome. Visit the medieval walled city of Carcassonne, enjoy an olive oil tasting and exploring local market towns. Wine tasting at Domaine de Guery and a sample of vermouth at the Noilly Prat distillery. Cross the 18th century Orb canal bridge and see part of the Via Domitia, Roman road.
Cruise itinerary: Salleles d'Aude – Marseillan
7 days / 6 nights
Up to 10 guests
France | Canal du Midi/Provence | Enchante
Enchanté is a luxurious new barge that started cruising in 2009. Highlights include Carcassonne, the most complete medieval fortified city in existence. Cruise though the beautiful reed covered marshes of the Camargue, home of wild horses, black bull and pink flamingos. Explore the 12th century hill-top fort of Minerve. Private tasting of Corbières wine at Domaine de Guery. See the Pyrenees mountains across the vineyards and discover Cathar history. Experience Narbonne's colourful indoor market. Visit Béziers and 600 B.C. L'Oppium D'Enserune
Cruise itinerary: Puichéric to Sallèles d’Aude
7 days / 6 nights
Up to 8 guests
France | Loire Valley | Nymphea
Classic Dutch design with shallow draft, ideal for navigating the beautiful and sandy reaches of the river Cher in the Loire Valley. All-inclusive open bar and gourmet cuisine with a cruise past the famed Château de Chenonceau, a visit to Troglodyte cave dwelling and to see the silkworm nursery, private wine tastings at Montrichard and Civray and visits to colourful street markets. Optional hot air ballooning.
Cruise itinerary: Moulin de Nitray to Montrichard
7 days / 6 nights
Up to 6 guests
France | Provence | Napoleon
Luxury hotel river cruiser travelling on the Rhone between Arles and Tain l’Hermitage/Tournon. Highlights include Avignon and the Pope's Palace, wine tasting at the famous Chateauneuf du Pape, the Roman amphitheatre of Arles and some of the famous Cote du Rhone vineyards and wineries.
Cruise itinerary: Arles - Tain l'Hermitage
7 days / 6 nights
Up to 12 guests
France | Upper Loire & West Burgundy | Renaissance
Sporting a newly refurbished interior and exterior, Renaissance will delight the most discerning passenger. Accommodating up to eight passengers in ultimate luxury, the beautifully appointed vessel has a comfortable lounge, a cosy bar stocked with your favourites and bookshelves contain a Bose CD system, the latest books and up-to-date periodicals and magazines. She has 4 suites, which can be configured as twins or doubles. Each has a 60 square ft private bathroom. Renaissance has a sundeck with Jacuzzi and bicycles for guest use. The well established cruise route will include Montbouy, Rogny les-Sept-Ecluses, Ouzouer-Trezee, Briare, and Chatillon-sur-Loire.
Cruise itinerary: Montargis - Chatillon-sur-Loire
7 days / 6 nights
Up to 8 guests
Holland | Tulip Cruise | Savoir Faire
Savoir Faire spends most of the year cruising in the Burgundy regions of France, however in March and April she journeys through Holland for the tulip season. At this special time of year cruise from Amsterdam through the western provinces, past Zaanse Schans windmill village to the picturesque walled town of Haarlem. Highlights include the beautiful town of Gouda, the Keukenkof Gardens with the largest display of flowers in the world, and the colourful flower market at Aalsmeer.
Cruise itinerary: Haarlem – Haarlem
7 days / 6 nights
Up to 12 guests
Ireland | The River Shannon | Shannon Princess II
See Ireland at its finest. Rolling green fields, lakes and rivers, ancient Celtic monasteries and an abundance of wildlife. The legends and fables of Ireland are found everywhere and are well understood by the warm and hospitable locals.
Cruise itinerary: Athlone - Killaloe
7 days / 6 nights
Up to 10 guests
Scotland | The Great Glen | Scottish Highlander
Travel the length of the Great Glen through mountains from Inverness to Fort William over lochs, past castles and along the scenic Caledonian Canal. All-inclusive open bar and gourmet cuisine. Visit Cawdor Castle, home of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, explore Culloden Moor, site of the famous clash in 1746 and drink tea at Glengarry Castle Hotel. Take a break from the water with an overnight mooring alongside 13th century Urquhart Castle and learn about the treachery between the Campbell and MacDonald clans.
Cruise itinerary: Inverness - Fort William
7 days / 6 nights
Up to 8 guests
