USVI-On-Line

Has anyone here ever taken a barge trip anywhere? We are looking at the idea of such a trip, possibly through wine country in France. We are not interested in the big river cruise ships, preferring something smaller and less formal. Any suggestions?

My in-laws have enjoyed several of those larger river cruises you mentioned. Even though we are not cruise people, that may be on our radar as a pretty cool way to see some of the great cities such as Budapest, Prague, and Vienna.

We have also have not ruled out the smaller barge trip which you prefer as a great way to experience the French countryside. So much of it looks spectacular in those high def helicopter shots during the Tour de France and it sounds like a great mode of "slow travel" in the travel articles I've read over the years. The only things I have bookmarked in that folder are some preliminary links that you've probably seen already such as this overview:
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listin ... rope.shtml
This blog:
http://www.bargeladycruises.blogspot.com/
This site has “Boat Hire” links:
http://www.french-waterways.com/04-reso ... -hire.html
and what looks like one of many travel agency promo sites out there:
http://bargetravelpoints.com/blog/

Good luck in your research/trip planning, and I hope someone here replies with first hand knowledge.

how about a trip in teh Kerala backwaters

Thanks to both of you for your suggestions and resources. I knew I could count on this forum for help.