Barge Holiday
A barge holiday is a holiday unlike any other. You will certainly remember it for years to come and once you get a taste of barge cruises in France you may never want to holiday any other way again. However, if you’ve never been on a barge holiday before then you may be wondering what to take. Because barge cruises are so different from other types of holidays, you may need a few helpful pointers about what you need to take and what you can leave behind. Remember, you will have limited room on a barge holiday, so you won’t have the space to pack massive amounts, but there are some essentials you won’t want to be without.
The Essentials:
One of the biggest things to remember about a barge holiday is that space in your cabin will be at a premium so pack light. It is a good idea to use a soft bag to pack your belongings rather than a hard case as this can be folded and easily stored once you have unpacked.
You will need rubber soled, flat shoes such as trainers or boating shoes for your barge holiday. The deck is likely to become slippery, and the rubber soles will give you excellent grip on the boards. Stilettos are a big no-no as they pose a risk to yourself as well as potentially damaging the boards on the deck.
As the sun will reflect off the water, then sun cream is a must have for any barge holiday, but especially a barge cruise in France. It is also advisable to bring a good sun hat and sunglasses too. The last thing you want is to have your holiday marred by sunburn or worse, sun stroke.
It is also a good idea to pack clothes that you can layer. While you will be expecting plenty of sunshine on any barge cruise in France, you cannot guarantee it won’t rain at all. You also have to consider the wind on a moving barge so bring clothes you can easily take off and put on to keep comfortable.
Insects and midges are attracted to water, and so you may be bothered more by flying pests than you are used to on other holidays. Bring along some insect repellent, even if you usually don’t attract bugs. With there being more of them on the water it’s likely you will get a few bites if you don’t have any repellent with you.
As the cabin floors on the barge may be below water level, it is a good idea to bring some warm socks of slippers to wear in your cabin. There’s nothing worse than cold floors on bare feet first thing in the morning.
Don’t Forget To Pack These!
You must take a camera or video camera, or both, on your barge holiday. With a range of different towns and views every day you will want to be able to capture each magical moment. Don’t forget your batteries or charger and adapter too.
If you’re a wildlife fan then why not pack some binoculars to get you even closer to the action. A barge holiday is an ideal time for nature spotting and with such a variety to see every day; your binoculars are sure to be one the most popular things you bring.
A relaxing barge cruise is also a perfect time to read that book you have promised yourself. Without the distraction of city life, you will have plenty of time to relax in the sun and delve into the fictional world of your choice.
Remember all these essentials, and you’re sure to have a wonderful trip that you’ll want to relive over and over again!