Belmond operates two brands, Afloat in France and the Road to Mandalay. The former operates five boats on France's Rhone river and the Canal du Midi. The latter offers spectacular Myanmar cruises.

Afloat in France barges also make a virtue of the local cuisine, stopping at tiny village markets to pick up local ingredients. In fact, when you charter one of the barges you can discuss the kind of cuisine you would like to try with the onboard chef. Passengers also have options to test their own culinary skills onboard. Wine-tasting is also high on the agenda -- the barges pass through some of the finest wine regions in the world, including Burgundy and Languedoc. 

The Road to Mandalay operates in Myanmar, luxurious en-suite cabins more akin to a five-star hotel than a boat. The ship also has an Observation Deck with swimming pool, and gourmet dining, with a mixture of Western and Eastern dishes. It also has a gym and a small spa, offering various treatments.