Update to my previous posting. I just received an email from the Dutch owners of the barge that did the Loire Valley tour (which we did twice). They have sold their "Anna Maria IV" barge and upgraded to a newer renovated barge (MPS Zwaantje), offering a new route and bookings through a new company. My husband and I plan to join them on a tour this year or next. Their own website: MPS Zwaantje Or, book through Boat-Bike Tours: Holland Amsterdam - Bruges - Zwaantje - Boat Bike Tours Their previous barge, Anna Maria IV, still does the Loire Valley Tours and can be booked through www.HAT-tours.com. You can also find these tours through other companies' sites, such as biketours.com (mentioned in another post above, which is how they offer 450 tours). But, you’ll save money and have fewer problems if you can book as direct as possible and not through multiple agents getting their commissions.

One of the advantages of these Bike & Barge tours is that they’re ideal for couples with different cycling abilities. One can stay on the barge (while it cruises slowly through the canals) for one or more days to avoid the longer, hillier or wet days while the other rides with the group zig-zagging through the countryside and quaint villages.