French Hotel Barge ROSA to cruise Southwest France

We are very pleased to be adding the French Hotel Barge ROSA to our collection of barges.

Rosa, a 1907 Dutch Tjalk Clipper Barge, will be re-launched in southwest France in August 2010 after being completely refitted to a high specification.

Rosa cruises the beautiful Canal des Deux Mers (Canal Latéral à la Garonne)

in the Gascony / Bordeaux region of Southwest France

Rosa's new route between Agen and Montauban on the Canal des Deux Mers features the best that Gascony has to offer, including: private Armagnac and foie gras tastings, the motorised inclined water plane of Montauban, private wine tasting in the Cote de Frontonnais, visit to Moissac’s 7th century Abbey and Valence D’Agen’s beautifully preserved 4th century bastide architecture...

You may have already seen Rosa who was featured in the very successful BBC television series, French Odyssey with Celebrity Chef Rick Stein.

Rosa is fully air conditioned and will accommodate up to 8 guests. Her flexible layout will have two double-bedded and two twin-bedded staterooms, with full ensuite private bathrooms. The salon is particularly welcoming and features attractive wood panelling, comfortable seating and a cosy bar. The remodelling will ensure easier access directly onto the good sized sundeck and not via the side decks as previously. Rosa has an enthusiastic new French owner and an experienced crew of 4.

FRENCH HOTEL BARGE ROSA: AVAILABLE BEGINNING AUGUST 2010

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book ROSA
View ROSA's online brochure
Visit our website : www.BargeCharters.com

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French Barge ALEGRIA - Special Cabin Offer - Barging Vacation Cruises

In addition to the post below, where the French Hotel Barge ALEGRIA which cruises the canal du midi in the south of France is offering a 20% discount for 2010 charters if confirmed before February 28, 2010, Olivier also has another proposal.

The Luxury French Hotel Barge ALEGRIA, cruising the canal du midi in the south of France

Here's an interesting Valentine's Day present for you to consider...

For a limited time, ALEGRIA is offering shared cruises by individual cabins. Let's see if I can explain this in a way that makes sense :)

Normally, ALEGRIA does private charters only, BUT if you confirm your charter before February 28, 2010, you may book a cabin with the possibility of having the other cabin booked by another couple (shared charter). Normal rates for an all-inclusive, 2-person, private charter is $22,500 (15,000 euros), and for 4 people it's $24,000 (16,000 euros).

Here comes the good part... ALEGRIA is offering an all-inclusive, 2-person charter for HALF of the normal 4-person rate (thus only $12,000 or 8000 euros for a 2-person cabin, not per person) with the possibility of booking the other cabin to another party. If the the other cabin is booked, you will also receive a 20% discount, either way it is a pretty good deal... $12,000 instead of $22,500 BUT with the possibility of it being ONLY $9600 (6400 euros) for the two of you!

If another couple to share the charter is not found, you will enjoy having ALEGRIA all to yourselves at the unbeatable rate of US$9600.

ALEGRIA commits to cruising with only two passengers for $9600. What a deal!!!

Wouldn't this be a great Valentine's Day gift? It could also be an excellent wedding present for a honeymoon or future vacation.

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book ALEGRIA
View ALEGRIA's online brochure
For more barges, visit our website : www.BargeCharters.com

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Hotel Barging Cruises - Current Special Offers - 1 Feb 2010

Can you believe it's February already! Seems like we were just celebrating the new year :)

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RENAISSANCE - Click for Paris Marathon itinerary Burgundy Special Paris Marathon cruise up to 8 guests Charters and Cabin cruises Paris & Burgundy: 10 nights for the price of 6 on Renaissance's unique Paris Marathon cruise April 7-17, 2010

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ALEGRIA - Click for brochure Canal du Midi up to 4 guests Charters only Confirm your charter before February 28, 2010 and save 20% off standard rates.

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LA NOUVELLE ETOILE - Click for brochure Dutch Tulip Cruise, Belgium-France 2-country cruise France: Burgundy, Alsace-Lorraine, Champagne, Paris, Upper Loire Germany/Luxembourg: Koblenz to Remich up to 8 guests Wheel Chair accessible Charters and Cabin cruises Belgium to Holland 6 night cruise: 25% discount for an 8-passenger charter group departing 4th April 2010. Special lower prices also available for 6 & 7 passenger charter group

We hope you will be able to take advantage of these current special offers.

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book your barging holiday
Visit our website: www.BargeCharters.com

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Dutch Tulip Cruises Hotel Barges SAVOIR FAIRE & LA NOUVELLE ETOILE - Holland Barging Vacations

Leave the winter blues behind and prepare to celebrate Spring with an explosion of color with a Dutch Tulip Cruise aboard the Hotel Barges SAVOIR FAIRE or LA NOUVELLE ETOILE.

Both of these Dutch Hotel Barges offer Dutch Tulip Cruises in April and May. This is an excellent time to visit Holland.

Some highlights of this all-inclusive, 7-day/6-night barging trip:

• Tour the famous Keukenhof Gardens with the largest display of flowers in the world.
• Visit a working windmill, clog maker and cheese maker
• Explore the Aalsmeer flower auction and the mecca of Dutch cheese, the town of Gouda
• Visit the Delft pottery works to see the world famous porcelain being hand made and painted
• Visit the picturesque town of Haarlem and tour the museum of the famous Dutch painter, Franz Hals.

CURRENT AVAILABILITY (as of 30 January 2010):

SAVOIR FAIRE - up to 12 guests / 6 cabins

• RATE = $3800/person, double occupancy ($7600/cabin)

• March 28 - 6 cabins open
• April 4 - 6 cabins open
• April 11 - booked
• April 18 - 2 cabins open
• April 25 - 4 cabins open

LA NOUVELLE ETOILE - up to 8 guests / 4 cabins

• RATE = $6,900/person, double occupancy ($13,800/cabin)

• April 18 - 4 cabins open
• April 25 - 3 cabins open

Here's a YouTube video of the Keukenhof Gardens that we hope you will enjoy...

Spring will be here before you know it, so contact Paradise Connections to book your all-inclusive, crewed, barging vacation soon!

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters for more information
View LA NOUVELLE ETOILE's online brochure
View SAVOIR FAIRE's online brochure
Visit our website : www.BargeCharters.com

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French Hotel Barge ALEGRIA Canal du Midi, France

Olivier, owner-operator of the luxury Hotel Barge ALEGRIA, who charters canal du midi cruises in the south of France, sent us a photo today of a guest enjoying the barge's pool on a warm summer evening.

I'm sure that you would love to put yourself in that photo right now... especially those of you in the wintry climes :)

Confirm your 2010 barge charter for Alegria before February 28 2010 and receive 20% off their standard rate.

So, thaw out your fingers and send us an email to book your barging vacation, while there's still some openings!

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book ALEGRIA
View ALEGRIA's online brochure
Visit our website : www.BargeCharters.com

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Large Group Hotel Barge Charters - French Canals, Dutch Tulip Cruise, etc

Would you like to charter a hotel barge but you have a large group... say a dozen people?  More? No problem!

Here are a few barges that can accommodate 12 or more guests:

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LA BELLE EPOQUE - Click for brochure Burgundy up to 13 guests Charters and Cabin cruises

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L'IMPRESSIONNISTE - Click for brochure Burgundy up to 13 guests Charters and Cabin cruises

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LUCIOLE - Click for brochure Burgundy up to 14 guests Charters and Cabin cruises The French Hotel Barge LUCIOLE only has 6 weeks available for full-boat, private charters for the 2010 season.

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NAPOLEON - Click for brochure Central & Southern Regions of France (Rhone - Saône - Provence) up to 12 guests Charters and Cabin cruises

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SAVOIR FAIRE - Click for brochure France (3 routes), Belgium, and Holland (Tulip Cruise), and 3-country Amsterdam-Paris Cruise (Spring & Autumn) up to 12 guests Charters and Cabin cruises

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Or, there is the possibility of booking a "tandem" charter where you have more than one barge. Size doesn't matter. You can book two 6-person barges for up to 12 people (can be less), or perhaps two 8s and a 10 person barge.  Mix and match... It's up to you (and availability, of course)...

And, for single COUPLES, we have many barges that offer individual cabins for shared cruises.  Inquire!

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book your barging vacation
Visit our website : www.BargeCharters.com

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French Hotel Barge EMMA - 2010 Season

We received New Years Wishes from our friends Liz and René, owner-operators of the French Hotel Barge EMMA who charter barge cruises in the south of France (canal du midi, Provence & Camargue).

They have recently returned from Ireland where they spent the holidays visiting family and friends. Next month (February already!), they will be hauling EMMA out in Sete for yearly maintenance and boatwork to keep her in tip-top condition for the coming season.

For the 2010 season, they will be including a new route... Carcassonne - Toulouse. We have added this route to EMMA's itinerary page of their online brochure, plus we have modified the Aigues-Mortes - Bezier route to include an excursion to visit the suspension bridge at Millau, which Liz says is truly spectacular. This bridge is reported to be the tallest suspension bridge in the world.

Remember that EMMA can tailor your charter to your interests... wine tastings & vineyard visits, cooking, golf, tennis, walking tours, cycling tours, or just time out to relax and enjoy a side of France that most travellers don't experience.

EMMA's calendar is already more than half full. They are a popular (and justifiably so) hotel barge and are filling up quickly... so BOOK SOON! Still available for Bastille Day (July 14).

Chris (French) and his wife Anita (Australian) will be returning as EMMA's crew for their 4th season!

We know that EMMA will take good care of you :)

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book EMMA
View EMMA's online brochure
Visit our website : www.BargeCharters.com

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News from French Hotel Barge ENCHANTE - Canal du Midi in the South of France

We recently received an email (with photos!) from Roger & Louisa Gronow, owner-operators of the new French Hotel Barge Enchante...

Enchante was completed for the end of the 2009 season and completed seven consecutive weeks of cruising on the Canal du Midi in the south of France.  We are pleased to report the barge was very well received and they got wonderful comments from their guests, private charters and cabin bookings alike.

We'd like to share a bit of what Roger and Louisa had to say about Enchante...

"Enchante was drawn up by French architect Techni-carene and built in Belgium. As we wished to break away from the traditional inside fit out of wood and brass we asked the architect and interior designer for a contemporary look with a hint of Art Deco, clean lines with curves. We’ve kept the inside decor simple and uncluttered to give an over-all effect of lightness which is unusual on a midi boat.

"The toned down walls set off the hardwood framed windows which line the upper level and complement the oak floor. The fabrics of the corner sofa and armchairs in the salon are all Alcantara as are the curtains and dining chair covers. The glass dining table was designed and made especially for us to complete the modern look of the granite benches in our open galley. We would like to put particular emphasis on the involvement of cuisine as part of the holiday as we think the boat would appeal to food lovers with its demonstration galley. This has been a big success with many of our guests specifically mentioning how much they have enjoyed watching the chef at work before and during meals.

"Our aim with the boat was to get the biggest cabins on the Canal du Midi which we have achieved thanks to the design on two levels: we have 4 large en-suite cabins decorated in a white and linen theme with percale bed sheets, the furniture is made of mahogany and the carpet is very deep and comfortable. The bathroom flooring is solid teak, the tiles are Italian stone and the showers are very spacious.

"When the double front doors are open the salon becomes part of the outside deck which is complete with all-fresco dining possibility and an 8 person Jacuzzi. The walls of the salon are lined with picture windows enabling beautiful views at all times which means that if the weather is too hot or wet our guests don’t miss out on any of the cruising as it is very comfortable and spacious inside as well as temperature controlled  thanks to reversible air-conditioning.

"We chose the South of France routes for various reasons: one of the main attractions has to be the Mediterranean climate, we feel good weather is a big part of any holiday. The beauty of the canal and its changing faces over different sections means the cruising is just as entertaining as the excursions."

We hope you will consider Enchante for a barging vacation on the Canal du Midi or Provence. They are open for private, full-boat charters or individual cabin bookings on a shared cruise from March 7th through November 13, 2010.

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book ENCHANTE
View ENCHANTE's online brochure
Visit our website : www.BargeCharters.com

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Barge ATHOS : Cabin cruises & Tennis too! 2010

The French Hotel Barge ATHOS cruises the canal du midi in the south of France, between Salleles d'Aude and Marseillan.  They have 5 guest cabins, each with private ensuite bathrooms, and can accommodate up to 10 guests.

For the week of July 25th 2010, they have a couple aboard who are really keen to find a Tennis Doubles Partners. Interested?  Click here for their TENNIS itinerary.

Athos has opened six weeks in their 2010 season for individual cabin bookings:

• April 11-17 : 4 cabins open (Value season)
  
• May 23-29 : 2 cabins open (Regular season)
  
• June 20-26 : 4 cabins open (Regular season)
  
• July 25-31 : 2 cabins open (Value season) - Tennis, too!
  
• Aug 15-21 : 2 cabins open (Value season)
  
• Sept 5-11 : 1 cabin open (Regular season)
  

RATES:

• Regular season: $4,350/person, double occupancy
• Value season: $3,690/person, double occupancy

Tennis anyone?

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book ATHOS
View ATHOS's online brochure
Visit our website : www.BargeCharters.com

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French Barge FANDANGO offers watercolors workshop

The French Hotel Barge FANDANGO is offering watercolor workshops with artist Denis Carriere.

For the weeks of June 13-19, 2010 and June 20-26, Fandango will be cruising the Burgundy Canal and offering Watercolor Workshops with Provence & Languedoc landscape artist Denis Carriere, who wishes to capture life in the flower-bedecked villages, markets and pastural settings of Burgundy.

All levels of experience are welcome.  Engish-speaking Denis will share quick and simple techniques with beginners, or help advanced artists polish their skills. Denis has 35 years of experience and has sold his works worldwide.  Join him for an unforgettable artistic journey aboard FANDANGO.

These all-inclusive, six-day cruises, plus daily workshops with Denis, are offered at $5,495 per person for single occupancy in the Matisse cabin, or double occupancy in the Degas and Monet cabins.

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book FANDANGO
View FANDANGO's online brochure
Visit our website : www.BargeCharters.com

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