Monday, January 23, 2012

French Hotel Barge ROI SOLEIL - Canal du Midi, France (Provence, too!)

The French Hotel Barge Roi Soleil sent us this bit of news this morning, along with some nice photos...
We are pleased to announce that Roi Soleil completed the new EU regulations inspection and was awarded Class 2, further to the previous Rhine Classification, this authorize us to navigate not only canals but also large rivers and estuaries through Europe, this is much higher than required for the Canal du Midi which is in lower class, and follows our practice of being classified over the requirements of the regular route.

Attached are photos of the haul-out, before and after, please note amongst others the new custom bronze propellor, 5 blades 85cm (33.5 inches).
- Guilluame & Tracey
Roi Soleil being hauled out in Sête

Roi Soleil sparkling in the boatyard

Isn't their new prop just gorgeous!

The French hotel barge, or river yacht, Roi Soleil with their crew of four, is available for private charter for up to six guests in three well-appointed staterooms that can be configured with either queen or twin beds. I love the open galley where you can watch the chef prepare gastronomical delights for your pleasure. The fireplace is a nice, cozy touch as well.

Roi Soleil  is fully booked between May 20 and June 30, 2012 but only has one week booked (so far!) during the popular month of September. Their two Value Seasons (lower rates) from April 14-28 and July 8 through August 25, are completely open.

Roi Soleil cruises the canal du midi between Béziers and Carcassonne for most of the barging season, then changes to their Provence route between Béziers and Avignon from September 30 through October 27.


Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book ROI SOLEIL 
View Roi Soleil's online brochure
Visit our website for more info on our barges and barging: www.BargeCharters.com
 

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Free Gift for Our Barge Shannon Princess Guests - Barging in Ireland 2012

Book a 2012 cruise aboard the Irish hotel barge SHANNON PRINCESS by St Patrick's Day (March 17, 2012) with Paradise Connections and we will send you a gift that you can enjoy during your barging cruise.

Tickle me with a shillelagh... you must be joking...

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh!

No, it's true!  Book and confirm your 2012 Shannon Princess barge cruise between now and March 17, 2012 and get a FREE 2GB iPod Shuffle... or two... or three... or four... or more...


You can even have one in green!

We'll send each person in your party (whether a cabin booking of 2, or a private charter booking for 10, for example) a handy gift to enjoy on your barging vacation in Ireland.

Looking for a bit of music to put on your new iPod Shuffle? Check out these mp3 downloads from Amazon: Van Morrison, Thin Lizzy, U2, The Pogues, Sinead O'Connor, The Cranberries, The Corrs, The Chieftains, The Irish Rovers, Irish Folk Players, The Cieli Band  

Here's a bit of culture for you :)
  • Wondering what that phrase above means?
Beannachtaí na Féile Páraic oraibh! : St. Patrick's Day blessing upon you
Click HERE to listen (ban-ock-tee na fay-lah paw-rig ur-iv)
  • Here's another useful saying when you visit Ireland:
Pionta Guinness, le do thoil. A pint of Guiness, please.
Click HERE to listen (pyunta Guinness leh duh hull)

(Thanks to http://www.irish-sayings.com for these sound bytes!)

Visit the Emerald Isle aboard the Irish hotel barge Shannon Princess II and cruise between Athlone and Killaloe along the River Shannon. Shannon Princess accommodates up to 10 guests in 5 cabins which can be configured as either doubles or twins, as you prefer. Individual cabin bookings or private charters available.  Previous blog posts for Shannon Princess.

Irish Hotel Barge Shannon Princess moored in Killaloe, Ireland

What's more? If you book an August 2012 private charter before February 29, 2012 you will receive a 5% discount off standard rates, plus the iPods!

Don't put it off any longer... experience barging in Ireland this year!


Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book SHANNON PRINCESS 
View Shannon Princess's online brochure
Visit our website for more info on our barges and barging: www.BargeCharters.com
 

Monday, January 16, 2012

French Hotel Barge CLAIR DE LUNE : 2012 Rates - Canal du Midi, France

The French Hotel Barge CLAIR DE LUNE has sent us their 2012 rates. Clair de Lune is available for barging charters for up to 6 guests and cruises the canal du midi in the south of France.

 French Hotel Barge Clair de Lune

Clair de Lune's standard excursions can, if you wish, be modified and personalized according to your interests, and visits to domains and wine tastings can be organized around the cruise. Wellness cruises are also offered.

UPDATE: March 1, 2012: Clair de Lune is now offering Half-Board  cruises (same except lunch not included) for 10% off normal rates.


2012 RATES
CLASSIC CRUISE

# Guests| Season| 6 nights| 5 nights| 4 nights| 3 nights
* 2 guests| Value| $17,370 | $15,576 | $13,200 | $10,890

| Regular| $19,740| $17,700| $15,000| $12,375
* 4 guests| Value| $19,140| $16,720| $14,432| $12,056

| Regular| $21,750| $19,000| $16,400| $13,700
* 6 guests| Value| $22,000| $19,800| $16,720| $13,200

| Regular| $25,000| $22,500| $19,000| $15,000

Value Season: March 31-May 18 / July 7-Aug 31 / Oct 26-Nov 9, 2012
Regular Season: May 19-July 6 / September 1-October 5, 2012


2012 RATES
WELLNESS CRUISE

# Guests| Season| 6 nights| 5 nights| 4 nights| 3 nights
* 2 guests| Value| $18,000 | $15,750 | $13,050 | $10,350

| Regular| $20,000| $17,500| $14,500| $11,500
* 4 guests| Value| $20,700| $18,450| $15,750| $13,050

| Regular| $23,000| $20,500| $17,500| $14,500

Value Season: March 31-May 18 / July 7-Aug 31 / Oct 26-Nov 9, 2012
Regular Season: May 19-July 6 / September 1-October 5, 2012


Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book CLAIR DE LUNE 
View Clair de Lune's online brochure
Visit our website for more info on our barges and barging: www.BargeCharters.com
 

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Hotel Barge SAVOIR FAIRE: Family Barging Cruise Special Offer - Burgundy, France - Summer 2012

FAMILY COMES FIRST ABOARD THE SAVOIR FAIRE

Everyone loves a discount... Chris announces his Summer 2012 special offer for family charters:

Hotel Barge Savoir Faire - Barging in France
Cruise the French canals of Burgundy

For many years now, the Captain and crew of the Savoir Faire have enjoyed a steady increase in family charters aboard this splendid vessel and exceptional reviews. Savoir Faire is a spacious barge with many public areas large enough for the whole family to get together, or you can easily find a quiet spot to get away by yourself to relax, read, or just enjoy the peace and beauty of the countryside as we gently glide past historical villages and delightful views.

Savoir Faire's family cruises are designed with your family in mind. In addition to their marvellous itinerary, they have a multitude of offerings for children of all ages. Each day has been created to ensure that there's never a dull moment. This is one vacation that your children and grandchildren will remember forever.

For 2012, Savoir Faire is offering a spectacular opportunity to enjoy the very best of family barging.

2012 SUMMER FAMILY CHARTER DATES:
  • July 15-21
  • July 22-28
  • August 5-11
  • August 12-18
  • August 19-25 
Of course, these weeks are open to non-family cruises as well at standard rates.

Savoir Faire will be cruising in the Burgundy region between St Florentin and Ancy-le-Franc. View the itinerary page in Savoir Faire's brochure.

FAMILY CHARTER SPECIAL RATE:
  • $35,000 for up to 12 guests (Normally $50,600 or $54,000, depending on season)
  • Two guests must be under 12 years old to qualify for this special offer
In addition to regularly-scheduled sightseeing, walking and biking on the towpaths and relaxing on board this spacious barge, the Savoir Faire offers a multitude of additional activities for families, such as:

- SAVOIR FAIRE'S SIZZLING PIZZA SESSION
What fun! Learn how to make that perfect dough, choose your own toppings, into the oven and presto! - a pizza all of your own for lunch.
- COOKIE COMPETITION
Learn how to cook the best cookies ever. Create a new recipe with the chef and wow all your friends and family with your very own invention.
- POPCORN & MOVIE NIGHT
Snuggle up in front of a great movie with a big bowl of popcorn. Our lounge is perfect for this. A big screen, cozy chairs. A real snug family evening in.
- ZIP-LINING & PICNIC
A marvellous experience high above. Explore the treetops and let the monkey out. This is something all your friends will want to know about. Relax afterwards with one of Sophie's Summer Picnics - a basket full of surprises!
(Please note that there is an additional charge for zip-lining)
- BBQ NIGHT
If the weather's bright, let's do it right. Give the chef a hand to prepare your favorite BBQ meal. Let's dine alfresco, enjoy the fresh air and watch the sunset.
- PIRATE TREASURE HUNT
A pirate afternoon making pirate hats, colour in or draw pirate ships, bake pirate-themed biscuits, followed by our Treasure Hunt for children and adults alike.  Search out the clues on your map and discover the hidden treasure.
- FAMILY QUIZ NIGHT
Form your team and answer questions on general knowledge, music, sports, etc. A prize awarded to the winning team.
- GLASS PAINTING
Ruth is a qualified signwriter and her hobby is glass painting. She loves to teach people to paint designs on wine glasses. What a great souvenir from your vacation. Water-based glass paints are very safe for children to use and, if baked in the oven, are permanent. T-shirt painting could also be an option for children.
- NAPKIN FOLDING
Interested in making that next meal with your friends a little different? Take a napkin and our stewardesses will show you how to fold them into simple, yet impressive, designs.
- PETANQUE & PASTIS (or fruit juice) with the crew
Learn how to master this marvellous game, so beloved by the French and a mystery to others :)
- COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS
Your chef demonstrates how to make a regional speciality with your help and answers any questions. The finished dish is then eaten as part of lunch or dinner.

The Hotel Barge Savoir Faire is fully air conditioned and heated. with accommodations for up to 12 guests in 6 well-appointed staterooms. Each stateroom can be configured with two twin beds or with one queen bed, and has ensuite private bathrooms. Each guest stateroom has a DVD player with an LCD screen and 2 sets of wireless headphones. The salon, dining area, and bar are finished in mahogany, teak and brass, decorated with antiques and paintings collected over the years.



Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book SAVOIR FAIRE 
View Savoir Faire's online brochure
Visit our website for more info on our barges and barging: www.BargeCharters.com
 

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

French Hotel Barge Anjodi : New route for summer 2012 along the canal du midi

The French hotel barge ANJODI has a new summer 2012 route along the canal du midi in the south of France.

French Hotel Barge ANJODI - Barging cruises in the south of France - Canal du Midi

Anjodi will cruise their normal route between Marseillan - Le Somail beginning March 25 through July 7, then have a one-time only cruise week from Le Somail to Bram for repositioning to their new summer route of travelling between Homps and Castelnaudary (July 15 through August 18). Thereafter, they will recommence the Marseillan - Le Somail barge trip and then, beginning October 28, Anjodi has an itinerary of Marseillan - Beaucaire for the remaining two weeks of their season.

Click on map to enlarge

Anjodi is a classic Dutch barge that was rebuilt for charter to specifically navigate the canal du midi. The barge is 100-feet long with a crew of 4, has both air conditioning and central heating, and accommodate up to 8 guests in 4 cabins with private, ensuite bathrooms. Anjodi has a spacious sun deck with teak furnishings and a jacuzzi/spa tub.

Anjodi is available for private, full-boat charters and also for cabin cruises where you share the barge with others.

For private charters, we have special themed itineraries for Anjodi:
Most all barges have bicycles available for their guests to ride along the canals or visit local villages and nearby towns, but Anjodi also offers "Biking Plus". For people who want to be a little more adventurous and perhaps work off that delicious on-deck lunch, this option (no extra charge) enables you to explore further afield along interesting routes that have been carefully researched. Clearly marked maps and a backpack are provided so that you can explore the local countryside for an hour or two before rejoining your barge a little further along the canal. Anjodi carries 8 touring bikes, plus a tandem!


Go Barging in 2012!


Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book ANJODI 
View Anjodi's online brochure
Visit our website for more info on our barges and barging: www.BargeCharters.com
 

Friday, January 06, 2012

Hotel Barge Cruising Vacations - Special Offers for 2012

2012 HOTEL BARGES 
SPECIAL OFFERS & DISCOUNTS on BARGING VACATIONS & CRUISES


We have a few barges offering early bird special offers and discounts for the 2012 barging vacations.  Contact Paradise Connections now, for current availability and pricing.

French Hotel Barge La Belle Epoque - Barging in France - Canal de Bourgogne


Contact us if you'd like to ask for current special offers and check availability.

Expired: Please see February 2012 Special Offers



Conditions
Our normal Terms & Conditions apply.  Some cruises may require a minimum of 4 passengers booked to guarantee the cruise.
These special offers are subject to availability, apply to new bookings only and cannot be used in conjunction with other offers.



MORE SPECIAL OFFERS / SPECIAL EVENTS:


French Hotel Barge EMMA - Barging cruises on the canal du midi, France

These barging vacations are fully crewed and all-inclusive:
  • Six nights' accommodation on board in an air-conditioned, en-suite cabin.
  • The services of an experienced Captain / Host, Chef, Housekeeper(s), Driver/Tour Guide.
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner aboard. A local lunch ashore, once per week on most barges.
  • An excellent selection of fine regional and international wines and spirits, plus an all day open bar, tea and coffee.
  • Daily excursions by chauffeured minivan and inclusive entry fees to castles, vineyards, markets and other local places of interest.
  • Use of barge facilities such as bicycles, boules, barge library and on certain vessels, a spa pool.

French Hotel Barge L'Impressionniste - Barging in France - Canal de Bourgogne



Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book your barging holiday
For more information on our barges and barging, visit our website : www.BargeCharters.com