Biking and river cruising the hot new vacation combo
Tomorrow, Norwegian Cruise Line returns to New Orleans introducing Norwegian Breakaway to the Big Easy with five to 11-day cruises to the Caribbean.
At 1,068 feet and 145,655 gross register tons, the recently renovated Norwegian Breakaway is the largest cruise ship to homeport in New Orleans, as well as the youngest in port this season.
The namesake ship of the Breakaway class offers guests flexibility with no assigned dining and entertainment times, 25 dining options, 22 bars and lounges, a comprehensive water park featuring the fastest waterslide at sea.
Following renovation in May, Norwegian Breakaway debuted refreshed staterooms and public areas and introduced a new bar and lounge concept to the fleet with Syd Norman’s Pour House.
— Contributed
Bike-and-boat holidays are becoming more and more popular with couples, families and groups of friends looking for an active and unique European experience.
Active boat-based holidays in Europe allow travellers to cover more ground and see more of Europe than they would otherwise be able to.
Cycling through incredible landscapes and sights, the barge or sail boat provides comfortable accommodation, friendly and knowledgeable staff and excellent food.
Imagine unpacking just once but cycling somewhere different each day through small villages and historical cities experiencing stunning, everchanging views. Add waking up to a different sunrise every morning, and it’s easy to see why this style of travel is so popular. Waterways of Europe The waterways of Europe have played an integral part in the continent’s history. Used for setting up boundaries, drawing communities together, finding sustenance and nourishment and even conquering lands, these waters have been travelled since the time of the Roman Empire. The Rhine was one of the most important transport routes and the Danube was once the northernmost border of the Roman Empire.
Today, you can still see remnants of these civilizations on the riverbanks. The ability to experience countries on both land and water creates a more profound experience. Explore When the boat docks, hop onto your bike and explore the castles of the Loire Valley or Burgundy’s vineyards in France. Experience the start of Holland’s tulip festival, or cycle from Amsterdam to Bruges. Explore four countries cycling along the Danube and experience the cities of Belgrade, Vienna and Budapest or cycle through Croatian island chains and UNESCO’s World Heritage listed sites.
Your holiday can be guided, self guided or both. While all options have an onboard guide to provide local knowledge, the choice of whether you want to cycle in a group with a guide or navigate yourself and cycle at your own pace.
Bike and boat holidays are perfect for all levels of cyclists.
Choose how active you want your holiday to be by deciding between a conventional or electric bicycle (e-bike).
E-bikes give riders the confidence to ‘jump on board’, with the touch of a button it provides that extra boost needed for obstacles like hills and headwind. Those who don’t want to cycle everyday can spend time on the boat while it sails to the next port. Join today UTracks offers more than 50 bike and boat holidays across Europe.
Due to the increasing popularity of this style of travel and the limited number of cabins, these active holidays sell out quickly.