Imagine a relaxing cruise along the rivers, canals and backwaters of France. Now imagine the same peaceful and slow experience but without the “chug, chug, chug” of the traditional diesel engine.
In June 2018, Backwaters Tours introduced a new electric-hybrid boat, the ‘Natalia’, on to the rivers and canals near Auxerre, Sens and Fontainebleau.
The boat forms the focal point of a ‘cruise-tour’ option, with couples, solo travellers or groups booking on one of Backwaters Tours own tours, or on a tour operated by other leading tour operators (including Titan Travel and Saga). Accommodation is in a well-appointed hotel that acts as a base for the duration of the tour. Each morning the coach takes the group to join the boat in a different location. A morning’s cruise includes lunch brought in from a local boulangerie or other local supplier. In the afternoon the group travels by coach to visit a local chateau or historic town. The relaxing ‘slow’ pace of the holiday means the hotel and boat are never more than 45 minutes away from each other.
For more information, and to find out about forthcoming tours, including a trip along the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris, go to www.backwaters.tours
At the start of August, Stuart Render experienced a few days on board ‘Natalia’ in the company of a delightful group from Titan Travel. Here are some of the photos from the cruise.
