Barge cruising is a unique, relaxed, self-contained way to explore Europe. You don't travel: your barge does, carrying an excellent restaurant and comfortable "country house hotel" along for the ride.

The barging holidays offered by Abercrombie & Kent travel Europe's country canals, her busy rivers or a combination of both. Canal trips differ from river itineraries - which is right for you?

For the most part, canal cruises emphasize relaxed, leisurely travel in country regions filled with often-overlooked sightseeing treasures. The actual miles covered on a canal trip are relatively few, with frequent opportunities for waterside activities such as towpath walking or cycling and village rambles.

River cruises cover more distance, more quickly. They too offer a relaxed on-board atmosphere, but here the emphasis shifts toward a more comprehensive itinerary in town and country, with more organized sightseeing tours away from the vessel.

All of the barges A&K features carry no more than 22 passengers per departure, and some as few as 6 or 8.

You will also be able to choose between a "hotel" or "charter" barge departure. "Hotel" cabins are booked separately by individual travellers, just like hotel rooms. If meeting new people and enjoying the camaraderie of travel is part of the fun for you, this may be your most attractive option.

On "charter" departures, all cabins on board are reserved for the exclusive use of the chartering party, which may be a family or a group of friends vacationing together. Barges dedicated to charter use generally have space for 6 or 8 passengers. If your group is larger, we'll find you a larger boat or two barges that can travel in tandem - by special arrangement, any barge A&K features can be chartered.

Specialty departures also cater to your unique interests. Whether you choose to savor the finest vintages in the regions where they are produced, play golf on Scotland's challenging courses, marvel at the springtime tulips of Holland, go antiquing in London or fish Europe's rivers and streams, A&K has a specialty departure for you.

• Walking cruises
• Wine cruises
• Opera and theater cruises
• Henley Royal Regatta cruises
• Art and painting charters
• Antiques cruises
• Fishing charters
• Golf charters
• Cycling charters
• Tennis charters
• Family cruises
• Flower and garden cruises
• Cooking cruises
• Shopping cruises