EUROPE NORTHERN FRANCE DESTINATIONS T


here’s something quite satisfying knowing that we’re


the only boat on this part of the river right now. We’re drifting slowly along the River Somme, through a rural and picturesque part of northern France, barely overtaking the locals strolling along the riverbank. I’m on board Natalia for a taster


day with Backwaters Cruising, the new kid on the block of river cruises. Our three-and-a-half- hour journey takes us from Amiens to


Corbie, a distance that would take less than half an hour by car – but taking the road (or river) less travelled is much more appealing. Natalia, Backwaters Cruising’s


first boat, operated its debut season last summer. Aimed at mature travellers, customers don’t stay on board, but rather disembark to stay in local accommodation. Spearheaded by the desire of Backwaters chief executive Lynn Woods to explore the lesser-cruised waterways of France, Natalia was custom-built to do just that. There are more than 6,000 miles of


navigable waterways in France and Belgium, many of which are too narrow for existing river cruise vessels. Natalia’s dimensions were therefore dictated by the width of the rivers and the length of the locks, and couldn’t exceed 38m by 5m. But the boat feels far bigger


in reality. It might be because it’s really a ‘floating lounge’, with no separate rooms except the crew quarters and the bathrooms; because it has huge windows that fill the boat with natural light; or because the number of people onboard is capped at 40, even though it can hold 55. “We fancily call ourselves


Backwaters, but it’s a good name because it’s what we’re doing,” says Woods. “We’re offering people the chance to


see and experience places they can’t get to on the water unless they hire a boat or buy one.”


 WINDING WATERWAYS Standing outside on the back of the boat with the crew, we approach the first of the three locks we’ll tackle today. I must admit it’s a squeeze, but as per its precise dimensions, expertly guided in, we fit. Things move at a slower


pace on the river. With a delicious locally sourced lunch, a glass of wine in hand and the beautiful scenery ahead, it’s hard to imagine being any more relaxed. Sometimes Natalia’s speed is even leisurely enough for guests to walk along the path next to the boat.


9 May 2019travelweekly.co.uk45


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