Barging - Guardian Travel

Barge Cruising
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BARGE TRIP INFORMATION
A typical day begins with...
Starting out.....A typical day begins with breakfast of fresh breads purchased from the local bakery and the itinerary for the day posted by your barge
crew. Barges sail once the locks are open after 8:00 am, so you might just enjoy your breakfast while cruising into moss covered locks or past the local farmers
heading into their fields for the day.
Your many options.....Getting on and off a barge occurs at each lock, so be ready for the moment when the boat and lock are parallel as the boat
either rises or lowers to float the next section of the canal. Should you choose to walk the canal path, locks range in distance from 15-60 minutes so you can take
a brief stroll or lengthy walk, enjoying nature at its quiet best. Many passengers decide to take a bike, provided by barges, to visit the villages along the route. If
relaxation sounds like the best option, lounge on the deck chair enjoying the breezes and scenery as you move past at a mere 5 miles per hour.
Delicious meals and more.....Lunch typically consists of a choice of three salads with a main course such as salmon, quiche or ham.
Lunch and
dinner include local red and white wines, along with a taste of the many cheeses from the region. After lunch, you might wish to join your fellow passengers for
a 3-4 hour daily excursion to see the local sights or an optional hot air balloon trip while your barge waits for your return. With sightseeing completed, you will
arrive back at the barge for a few hours of relaxation before your evening meal. Dinner will consist of a five-course meal with wines, cheeses and dessert. After
dinner, stroll into the nearby village, play games, read or visit before you snuggle up into your cabin for the night. Another perfect day awaits!
Hotel Barges
The larger barges, usually 128 feet in length, and the maximum size that can fit into a French lock. They accommodate between 14 and 24 passengers, are
custom-built, provide very comfortable surroundings and are constantly refurnished. Each barge has a spacious lounge, a dining and bar area, and outside cabins.
All barges are fully air-conditioned, have central heating and are fully equipped with a fleet of bicycles for exploring the villages along the way or cycling along
canal towpaths. Unless otherwise specified, each barge has its own motorcoach for daily sightseeing.
Private Charter Barges
Our privately-owned, charter-only barges accommodate 4-10 passengers and are ideal for families and close friends wishing to share a dream vacation. The daily
sightseeing can be tailored to each group’s particular interests such as golf, food and wine, history, art, etc. All charter barges welcome children. These barges are
the ultimate in canal cruising.
www.canalbarging.com
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FRANCE HOTEL BARGES
Libellule – The Heart of Burgundy Cruise
from $1890 per person
La Litote – The Best of Burgundy Cruise
from $1690 per person
Lorraine – Alsace Lorraine Cruise
from $1890 per person
Anacoluthe – Impressionist River Cruise
from $1890 per person
Esprit de Europe – Heart of Normandy Cruise
from $1990 per person
La Belle Époque – Burgundy Cruise
from $2590 per person
20 passengers Dijon to Lyon
Departs every Saturday from April 2 – November 12
The Libellule takes you through the south of Burgundy on the River Saone allowing fascinating visits to Dijon and the Ducal Palace and Beaune, the capital of the Burgundy wine trade.
Other highlights include Cluny, to visit a Benedictine monastery, Lyon, the second city of
France and the outstanding beauty of the Beaujolais hills. The most sought after wines are
grown in the northern part of the Beaujolais hills.
20 passengers Dijon to Vandennesse
Departs every Saturday April 2 – November 12
The Litote cruise takes you through the central part of Burgundy on the famous canal of the
same name. This region is known for its prestigious wines and fascinating history. Visits to
Dijon and the Palace of the Dukes, the famous Hospice de Beaune, Clos de Vougeot and
Mersault vineyards, the medieval chateau of Chateauneuf with scenic views of the canal and
the 15th century Chateau de Cammarin.
22 passengers Boofzheim to Gondrexange
Departs every Saturday from April 2 – November 12
A journey through Alsace, perhaps the most picturesque province in France, brings an endless
string of discoveries – art and architecture, gourmet food and wine, crystal glass manufacture,
history and heritage. The Vosges Mountains, dotted here and there with turreted castles, and
storybook villages with brilliant displays of petunias and geraniums, make this a most memorable cruise.
50 passengers Pontoise to Sens
Departs every Saturday from April 2 – November 12
The 50 passenger Anacoluthe gives you a chance to see France through the eyes of some of
the most famous Impressionists. Visit Giverny and the house of gardens of Monet where you
will see the inspiration for his masterpiece The Water Lillies. You will visit the enchanting village
where Vincent Van Gogh lived along with many other painters of the Impressionist period before
passing through Paris the City of Lights, to Sens, a delightful city on the banks of the Yonne
River.
Transfers included.
38 passengers Paris to Honfleur
Departs every Saturday from April 2 – November 12
The Esprit dʼEurope travels down the legendary River Seine from Paris, City of Light and beautiful capital of France, to the charming seaport of Honfleur. The cruise takes you to medieval
towns and through delightful countryside on Europeʼs most romantic river. Visit the regionʼs most
famous artistic sights and explore buildings representing a variety of architectural periods.
Transfers included.
12 passengers Auxerre to Clamecy
Departs every Sunday from April 3 – November 13
Burgundy boasts some of the worldʼs finest wines and arguably the prettiest canal in France.
The Nivernais Canal randomly meanders along the path of the picturesque River Yonne. This
delightful exchange brings you to the finest cruising in France. Medieval villages are surrounded by unspoiled countryside where gastronomic delights are a culture in themselves.
Transfers included from Paris / Open bar.
www.canalbarging.com
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FRANCE HOTEL BARGES
LʼArt de Vivre – Burgundy Cruise
from $2290 per person
LʼImpressionniste – South of France
from $2590 per person
8 passengers Clamecy to Baye
Departs every Sunday from April 3 – November 13
The upper Nivernais remains an undiscovered region well off the beaten track on the edge
of the Morvan hills. The sleepy hamlets, white grazing Charolais cattle and forest are typical
of the scenery the Art de Vivre cruises. The cruise takes you through the Valley of Sardy, a
canal section with smaller locks, where time seems to have stood still for over two hundred
years.
Transfers included from Paris/Open bar.
12 passengers Avignon to Agde
Departs every Sunday from April 3 – November 13
Experience the charm of winding through the Rhone River, the Canal du Rhone a Sete and
the Midi Canal, passing picturesque fishing villages and the Alpilles foothills. Witness the
color and light that inspired Impressionniste painters like Vincent Van Gogh and Cezanne.
The excursions on this cruise capture the imagination and are a rewarding introduction to this
regionʼs finest treasures.
Transfers included from Avignon or Mont-pellier/Open bar.
Anjodi South of France - Canal du Midi Cruise from $2390 per person
8 Passengers Beziers to Trebes
Departs every Sunday from April 3 – November 13
The 300-year-old Canal du Midi skirts the sun-bathed shores of the Mediterranean before
meandering inland through ancient villages and Roman fortifications toward the famed wine
region of Bordeaux. The pace of life is relaxed and lulls you into unwinding as you cruise
the sun-drenched Canal du Midi. The cuisine in the area is a delicious combination of both
Provencal and traditional flavors. Fresh seafood and regional specialties with the little
known but excellent Corbieres and Minervois wines produce an unforgettable repertoire of
meals.
Transfer included from Bezier/Open bar.
Nymphea – Loire Valley Cruise
6 Passengers Tours to Nitray
from $2390 per person
Departs every Sunday From May 15 to October 23
The spectacular Loire Valley and its main tributary, the River Cher, have carried cargo and
passengers for over 2000 years. The Valley of the Kings is a timeless region of spectacular
beauty and grace. The Nymphea is the only hotel barge to navigate the heart of the Loire
Valley.
Transfer included from Tours/Open bar.
Luciole - Burgundy Cruise
14 passengers-Nivernais & Burgundy Canals
Departs every Wednesday from April 11 - October 19
from $2250 per person
The Luciole has two cruise routes-Upper Burgundy and the Yonne River Valley. This is an excellent, well-run, comfortable barge. Visit the Chablis wine region, the Chateau at Tanlay, historic
Avallon and the hilltop town of Vezelay.
Transfers included from Paris/Open Bar.
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FRANCE CHARTER BARGES
Ideal for 2-5 couples, allowing more flexibility for special interests.
Clair de Lune – South of France Canal du Midi Cruise
from $22,400
6 passenger Charter
Departs every Saturday from April 2nd - October 29th
The Midi region has been for more than 2000 years the biggest wine producing area in France.
Wine growers have been replacing local grape varieties with Merlot, Chardonnay and the lesser
known Viognier. Enjoy glimpses of the snow capped Canigou in the Pyrenees or the tranquil
beauty of the 12th century Abbey of Fontfroide. Visit Narbonne the first Roman town of Gaul, or
the Amphoralis Museum, a pottery where in Roman times 3000 amphoraʼs were produced daily in
order to ship wines as far as England and Egypt.
Special price 4 passengers available.
Transfers included from Bezier / Open bar.
Elisabeth – Burgundy Cruise
from $17,325
6 passenger Charter
Departs every Saturday from March 19 - October 29
Whether its on deck relaxing with a cocktail or a cup of tea or seeing the sights in the comfortable
minivan, your cruise on the Burgundy Canal and Canal du Nivernais aboard the Elisabeth will
provide both stimulation and relaxation. Your cruise takes you past vine-covered hillsides, patient
fisherman and medieval towns. Enjoy winding along one of Franceʼs most beautiful canals, wine
tasting in picturesque villages, Champagne on deck, and biking along the towpath.
Special price 4 passengers available.
Transfers included from Auxerre/Open bar.
La Tortue – South of France Canal du Midi Cruise from $16,500
6 passenger Charter
Departs every Saturday from April 9 - October 22
Gliding along the canal, La Tortue will take you through some of the most beautiful countryside in
France. Each bend in the canal captures a different scene from an Impressionist painting: a garden bursting with oleander, bougainville and citrus trees; a lock-keeperʼs cottage; a family fishing
on the canal bank; an aqueduct, whilst you cruise between Beziers and Carcassonne.
Transfers included from Bezier / Open bar.
Meanderer – Upper Loire Cruise
from $19,950
6 passenger Charter
Departs every Sunday from April 24 - October 16
From the Champagne welcome that greets you the Meandererʼs aim is total relaxation and pampering. As
you float through the ever-changing French countryside, retracing the route of merchants and royalty, you
decide how you would like to spend each day. Of course your option will always be wine tasting at a local
vineyard, visit a historical chateau, picnic by a lake or spend a morning in town shopping or people watching,
you may just want to watch the world pass from the sun deck or in the spa, this cruise is all about you.
Special price 4 passengers available.
Transfers included from Paris/Open bar.
Joie de Vivre – Burgundy Cruise (all seasons)
from $35,000
10 passenger Charter
Departs every Sunday from April 3 - November 13
A celebration of culinary delights is one of the many luxuries you will find on board the Joie de Vivre. You
will experience the pleasure of trying about 50 varieties of cheeses and over 25 different wines during the
cruise. Experience the French way of life and its joys by visiting local places of interest such as elegant
chateaus, vineyards, ancient villages, churches, museums and markets. Of course there is plenty of time
to walk along the canal or bike into a local vilage.
Special price 6-8 passengers available.
www.canalbarging.com
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Transfers included from Paris/Open bar.
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EUROPE HOTEL BARGES
ENGLAND
Actief
11 passengers Windsor Castle to Oxford
from $2890 per person
Departs every Sunday from April 10th – October 30
Winding through the exquisite scenery of the undulating Chiltern Hills the riverʼs beauty
is quite unique. With islands, backwaters, and millstreams, woodlands make way for
water meadows and quaint villages with perfectly manicured gardens. Cruising between
Shillingford and Windsor, youʼll see the best of Englandʼs heritage.
Transfers included from London / Open bar.
SCOTLAND
Scottish Highlander
from $1990 per person
8 passengers Caledonian Canal
Departs every Sunday from April 3 – November 13
Cruise along the Great Glen from Inverness to Fort William, through lochs, along rivers and
the scenic and absorbing Caledonian Canal. The legends of the past, the taste of single malt
and the mythical inhabitant of Loch Ness all contribute to a special magic only experienced
in Scotlandʼs dramatic Highlands.
Transfers included from Edinburgh/ Open bar.
IRELAND
Shannon Princess II
from $3500 per person
10 passengers Lower River Shannon
departs every Sunday from April 24 - Oct 2
The Shannon represents Ireland at its finest. Rolling green fields, lakes and rivers, ancient
Celtic monasteries and an abundance of wildlife. The legends and fables of Ireland are found
everywhere and are well understood by the warm and hospitable Irish people. These extraordinery people somehow always finds the time to chat and discuss the day. The Shannon cruise
brings you in touch with the very soul of Ireland.
Transfers included from Dublin/ Open bar.
ITALY La Dolce Vita
from $10,700
6 passenger Charter
Departs every Sunday from April 3 - Nov 13
La Dolce Vita, originally a Dutch vessel which has gradually made her way through the canals
of France and around Italy and up the Adriatic to the calm waters of the Venetian Lagoon. This
unique cruise not only visits Veniceʼs well known and lesser known attractions but also encompasses the outer islands of Torcello, Burano and Murano, as well as cruising the unknown and
beautiful, canalized Brenta River.
Transfers included from Venice/ Open bar.
www.canalbarging.com
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1-800-927-3876