My traveling companion, Pat, and I spent 12 days on a barging trip on the Burgundy Canal in France, June 23-July 6, 2006.

On a trip like this, what counts is the beauty of the tree-lined canal and the countryside, the good food, and the pampering. For quality of life, it is hard to beat. It is a little like sitting on the porch reading, except that the view keeps changing.

Picking a route and date was awkward. The barge websites don’t say what dates are available; they ask you...

On a trip to Amsterdam, Netherlands, in July ’05, we took canal boats to some of the city’s many famous museums. Some of these watercraft, in fact, are dubbed “museum boats,” linking the city’s cultural centers.

The Mecca for many is the Rijksmuseum. This voluminous gallery features one of the world’s most renowned collections of Dutch and European paintings and particularly celebrates Rembrandt. As we entered, the Dutch master’s epic “The Night Watch” loomed before us. The collection...

Sagano, on the outskirts of Kyoto, is where many Japanese go to view the fall colors. When my husband, Don, and I, were there in October ’05 it was too early for leaf viewing.

The Tenruyji Temple complex, with its gate, moat and walls, is a favorite sight in this ancient city where time seems to have stood still. We took a rickshaw ride to sightsee, stopping for a “Kodak moment” at the Togetsukyo Bridge.

Another activity was to take the train that follows a scenic route...