By Keith Neil-Owner of Champlain Tours, 802-540-0055
Let’s be honest. When most people think of a European river cruise, they imagine a floating hotel filled with 150 strangers, buffet lines longer than the Danube, and a daily sprint to beat Brenda from Boise to the last seat on the tour bus. Non, merci.
Enter Champlain Tours and their boutique barge cruises through the sun-drenched valleys of France (2026) and Belgium (2027), where the only crowd you’ll battle is the vineyard staff pouring your third glass of local rosé. These small-ship voyages are privately chartered, fully customized, and limited to just a few dozen guests. That’s right — this is your floating château. And unlike those mega-ships, your barge doesn’t need a zip code or a traffic report to dock.
This isn’t a tour — it’s a lifestyle. Picture yourself drifting down the Saône or the Douro, gliding past ancient castles and sleepy stone villages. You’re nibbling on local cheeses hand-selected by someone who looks like they are cheese. Lunch? A five-course riverside feast prepared by an onboard chef who trained at a place where butter is worshipped. Dinner? A candlelit affair paired with wines from vineyards you just pedaled through on your complimentary e-bike. Exercise and Merlot? It’s practically a wellness retreat.
And who’s making all this magic happen behind the scenes? Only the superhero dream team of travel: Keith, Kim, Jennifer, and Trevor — a.k.a. the Fantastic Four of hassle-free luxury. They don’t wear capes (though Keith has been known to sport a stylish scarf in Burgundy), but they do possess the extraordinary powers of teleporting your luggage, curating off-menu gelato stops, and producing last-minute castle access like it’s just part of their daily baguette run.
They’ve eliminated the typical travel stress — no frantic transfers, no “who’s got the tickets,” and certainly no 5 a.m. wake-up calls. With Champlain Tours, you’re not getting there — you’re already there. Fully present. Fully pampered. Possibly slightly tipsy on port wine.
So if you’re craving Old World charm without Old World logistics, come aboard. This is luxury unplugged, reimagined, and made just for you and your circle. Book now — or risk being stuck behind Brenda on that mega-ship. Again. Check out champlaintours.com for the BURGUNDY À FLEUR D’EAU – A Private French Canal Voyage, July 29 – August 9, 2026. Keep an eye out for Art, Heritage, and Flavors on a Cruise along Belgian Canals, featuring HALLE – STREPY-THIEU – MONS – PÉRONNES-LEZ-ANTOING – OUDENAARDE – GHENT in 2027. With only 20 spots, you can afford to wait!
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Photo caption- Submitted by Keith Neil-owner of Champlain Tours, 802-540-0055
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