My all- time favorite travel writer is Art Buchwald who, in the 1960s was the special correspondent for the Paris edition of the New York Herald Tribune. It’s a pleasure to share this humorous insight presented in such whimsical yet subtle observation of how many of our fellow citizens view the world away from the confines of their everyday lives.

BON VOYAGE
As one who has made a close study of tourism, I believe I have isolated a type of tourist that is becoming more and more prevalent. I recently met an American couple who had been touring Europe for a month and were on the home stretch in Paris. In line with my theory, their reactions were predictable. “Jane,” the man said, “didn’t like Rome, but I still thought it was better than Venice.” Jane said: “That’s because Harry didn’t have the experiences I had. I still maintain I’d rather spend four days in Venice than two in Rome.” “It was that bad huh?” Harry said: “Well it wasn’t as bad as Zurich. Jane agreed: We both hated Zurich. It was almost as bad as Copenhagen.” “You didn’t like Copenhagen?” I asked. “Does anyone like Copenhagen?” Harry wanted to know. “We were almost as disappointed in it as we were in London.” “Which,” said Jane, “turned out to be dreadful.” “The funny thing,” said Harry, “ I hated London, but I thought Jane liked it, so I said I liked it.” “And,” said Jane, “I thought Harry like it so I didn’t tell him I hated it. If we had known , we would have left right away.” “But where would you have gone?” I asked. “Not to Monte Carlo, that’s for sure,” Harry said. “I don’t see what Princess Grace sees in that place,” Jane said. “Well what about Paris?” I foolishly asked. “The worst,” said Jane. “The people are so unfriendly and the prices are high, and I don’t see what there is that’s so special about Paris.” “There’s no doubt it,” Harry said. “Europe’s overrated.” I left them on the Champs Elysées. Harry was explaining to Jane why he didn’t like the Arc de Triomphe, and Jane was telling Harry why she didn’t like the Place de la Concorde. You couldn’t find two happier people.

Gerard Morgan-Grenville, author of Barging into Burgundy. Here’s an example of my friend’s fascinating and often hilarious adventures and misadventures through the canals and rivers of Burgundy on his own barge, the 100 foot Virginia Anne.

“A little farther on I was distressed to see several adolescents throwing a dog into the canal. Each time the poor creature climbed out they threw him back in and it was nearly exhausted. I ordered them to stop and threatened dire consequences if I saw them repeat the performance. Greatly surprised they desisted, and the bedraggled dog collapsed exhausted on the bank. I fed it several biscuits and, after shaking itself repeatedly, it lumbered off, evidently none the worse for wear. Shortly afterwards it reappeared on its own and proceeded to jump into the canal!”

Gerard was an English country gentleman who lived in a castle in Wales. He was the great grandson of the last Duke of Buckingham, and a well-known environmental pioneer. Other wonderful books by Gerard to laugh yourself through include Barging into France, Barging into Southern France, Holiday Cruising in France, and believe it or not, Cruising the Sahara.

Canal du Nivernais in Burgundy, France

In the Fall of 1988 Mary Lou and I along with our friends Don and Julie Dahlgren decided to spend one week cruising on the Canal du Nivernais in Burgundy, France on a self-drive boat. 
http://www.ruelmain.co.uk/French Maps/Canal du Nivernais.htm

Although neither Don nor I had much experience in the maritime world, let alone navigating through a narrow canal system with 15 to 20 tiny and sometimes crowded locks, we were assured by the owners that is was so easy "that even a cave man could do it", even an American cave man apparently.  The speed limit on the canal was 3.7 mph. Well, that was good enough for us, so after a quick trip to the Super Marche for provisions including a case of the ever popular Aligote, we set off due east with Don at the helm, shouting “ahoy!” and “avast!”, to join one of the loveliest canals in the whole of France.  


Getting through the locks, with our craft (now re-named L’Escargot,) was always a group effort with each of us helping the lock keeper with the necessary pulling of ropes and cranking of wheels. Bikes were used along the tow paths to take us up to the nearest village and the local boulangerie for our morning croissants.  


As the quiet countryside floats by there is simply nothing quite like a snail-paced tour through the heart of France. There are numerous websites out there for planning a self-drive barge trip through France. It is one of the most unique and beautiful travel experiences out there. Enjoy the video!