Friday, March 29, 2013

French Hotel Barge SAVOIR VIVRE 2-for-1 Special

The French Hotel Barge SAVOIR VIVRE wants to fill up the spaces in their calendar. They now have two cabin cruise weeks available at HALF PRICE!

Updated April 1st... No, this is NOT an April Fools or "poisson d'avril"

French Hotel Barge Savoir Vivre - Barging cruises - Cruising the Burgundy Canal, France

- TWO for ONE Special: $3500/CABIN, i.e. $1750/person, double occupancy
  • May 5-11, 2013 :  1 cabin open
  • June 9-15, 2013 :  1 cabin open We just booked two cabins, let's book the last one, too!

Savoir Vivre is an 80-foot long hotel barge cruising the Burgundy canal. The barge is air conditioned (central heating, too), has 4 identical guest cabins which can be configured with a queen or two twin beds (each having ensuite private bathrooms), flat screen TV, internet where available, 8 bicycles, etc...

Savoir Vivre is a bit different to the other barges that we represent as they do not have an onboard chef. Pastries for the continental breakfast are supplied by the local baker. Lunch is catered by professional chefs who meet up with the boat with their prepared meal. Dinners are off the boat in locally selected restaurants (included in charter fee). Read more about this in a previous post: Savoir Vivre... Experience Local Retaurants - Sample a Different Chef Every Night on the Burgundy Barge that has Foodies Buzzing

View Savoir Vivre's online brochure and contact us to book a cabin for you ASAP!


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

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

French Hotel Barge ROI SOLEIL gets a new ride

Guillaume from the French hotel barge ROI SOLEIL who offers barging cruises along the Canal du Midi, sent us a photo of their new minivan... What a sweet looking ride !!!

ROI SOLEIL has upgraded to a Mercedes Benz Viano Ambiente V6 3.0 CDi

In typical Roi Soleil style, this is a top Ambiente version with full leather seats and wood trim, split air conditioning, air suspension, 2 sliding doors, V6 3.0 engine... a very smooth and luxurious ride.
This is the 8-seat version so an extra seat can be added for the nanny or helper. Normally they will have it configured with 7 seats for added space.


French River Yacht / Hotel Barge ROI SOLEIL
Barging Cruises on the French Canals: Provence/Camargue & Canal du Midi Barge Trips

You will find that the river yacht Roi Soleil maintains an excellent quality/price ratio and a very competitive price point in the ultra deluxe segment.

2013 VALUE SEASON: $34,900 - private charter for up to 6 guests
  • March 31 - April 27
  • July 14 - August 24

2013 REGULAR SEASON: $36,900 - private charter for up to 6 guests
  • April 28 - July 13
  • August 25 - October 26


Roi Soleil is available for private, luxury, barge cruises in the South of France and accommodates up to six guests in three double cabins with Queen-sized berths. Roi Soleil is fully air conditioned throughout and has a spa pool, Bose sound system, DVD library, bicycles, even a fireplace!


Every day, during the course of your barge trip, your private chef will cater to your preferences while surprising you with an imaginative cuisine, taking on the best accents of the Mediterranean.


Cooking demonstrations are open to all who wish to learn. The galley was designed for this with an open plan and a bar where you can watch with a glass in hand while the chef happily explains what she is doing.

The wines are carefully selected by the owner with the best sommeliers of the region. They represent the quintessence of Languedoc & Provence as well as the top appellations of the whole of France. You will also find the bar stocked with your favourite drinks.

Roi Soleil still has some openings for the 2013 season. I'm surprised to see that they still have three weeks available in September which is the most popular month for barging trips:
  • September 1-7
  • September 8-14
  • September 15-21
Get them before they're gone... inquire!


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, March 26, 2013

Barge Saint-Louis: Wines of Southwest France, Part 3

Today we have a guest post from Alasdair of the French Hotel Barge SAINT LOUIS, who offers both private charters and cabin cruises in the Aquitaine & Gascony region of southwest France.



Wines of Southwest France – Part 3
By Alasdair Wyllie, Owner-Operator of Barge Saint Louis

Alasdair and Barbara
In Part 1 and Part 2, we looked at the history of wine in this unique part of France, with some wine areas dating back to Roman times.  We also looked at some of the wonderful red wines for which this area is so well known, and which were known as “claret” when they were exported to the appreciative buyers in Scotland, England, Holland, etc.

This part of France is not known for its white wines.  That is not to say that quality white wine is not produced in this area – just that in general the production of white wine is a relatively new addition to the area.  The region of Cahors, so well known for its production of deep red wines from the Malbec grape, also produces some stunning whites, for example the Cuvée Cedre Blanc from Chateau du Cedre, which is 100% Viognier.  Many of the white wines that we carry on our luxury hotel barge, the Saint Louis, are in fact produced from just one variety of grape, such as the Chardonnay from Chateau Saint Louis in Fronton, and the Prestige Blanc Sec from Montels and the Tarani from Fronton, both of which are 100% Sauvignon.  However, the practice of producing wine from a blend of grape varieties is still commonplace in southwest France, for example, as is the case with the Jurancon Sec from Domaine Nigri (Gros Mansang, Camaralet and Lauzet) and the popular UBI (Colombard and Ugni Blanc).

I feel that one of the biggest recent revolutions in wine making in France is to be found with some of the excellent rosé wines that are now produced in southwest France.  Around the world, people tend to think of rosés as being not entirely mainstream, and the majority of guests we have on the barge admit that it is twenty or thirty years since they tasted a rosé.  We carry a number of rosés on the boat, and they are witnesses to the fact that many of the wine producers in this area are dynamic and extremely quality-focussed.  Increasingly, panels of expert judges agree with this view.  For example, we carry Inés from Fronton, which twice won gold at the International Congrés at Cannes, and Naudin from San Sardos which won gold at Paris in 2012.  My own favourite however is Foret Royale from Chateau Bellevue la Foret in Fronton, which won Gold at the SW Concours in Toulouse in 2010.

Chateau Bellevue la Foret

There are two alcoholic drinks produced in southwest France which are not wines, but they are produced by the onward processing of wine.  The first is Armagnac.  This is a sort of brandy, but is a very different product from its highly commercial cousin called Cognac.  Armagnac is artisan produced by over 180 small-scale producers in the area around Nérac.  In spite of the producers teaming up into various marketing bodies, they are unable to exercise strong impact on the overseas trade – they are just too diverse and too small scale.  For this reason, only a small proportion of Armagnac is exported.

Whereas Armagnac is little-known around the world, Floc de Gascogne is almost unheard of.  Floc is also produced from the grape, indeed it is produced from Armagnac and unfermented grape juice.  Virtually all producers of Armagnac also produce Floc de Gascogne;  virtually none of it is exported, and in fact most of it is consumed within the area in which it is produced.  I see Floc as being one of the pearls of this region, one of the discoveries to be made by coming into the area and travelling slowly, rooting out the local customs and products.

We could not leave the subject of wine production in southwest France without some discussion on sparkling wine, known as Champagne throughout the world.  The region of Champagne has taken steps to ensure that only sparkling wine from producers based within its borders can be called “Champagne”.

The story of the origin of sparkling wine is a story that is full of mystique and intrigue.  One claim is that a Benedictine monk living in the Champagne region of France, Dom Pierre Périgon, was responsible for the discovery and development of sparkling wine around the year 1682.  That may not be entirely accurate.  For a long time Gaillac had a tradition of producing sparkling wine, and it is believed that the methods of production were observed by a group of monks who were on a pilgrimage through Gaillac, and who took their secrets back to their monastery – in Champagne!    It would seem that were it not for some historical steps that occurred entirely by chance, weddings around the world would today be celebrated by opening a bottle of Gaillac from southwest France, rather than a bottle of Champagne!  In any case, the Dom Pierre Périgon story is discredited by a paper published twenty years earlier in 1662 by Englishman Christopher Merret, from Winchcombe in Gloucestershire.  In this paper Merret describes and explains the phenomenon of sparkling wine production, which was being carried out in England by the bottling and secondary fermentation of white wine imported from France in casks.  It is significant that in the early days of the industry the producers were reliant on bottles manufactured in England since the French bottle industry could not make bottles that were strong enough to reliably withstand the pressures involved.  The logical result of the “industrial espionage” not actually happening back in the seventeenth century, would have been that the wine of southwest France would have developed a global cachet and a fame,  instead of how it is today in which it is a part of France where wine producers are not really known about by wine buffs overseas.  Personally, I prefer it as it is – it is so exciting introducing to guests on the boat some of the hidden secrets of this area!


Thanks, Alasdair!

French Hotel Barge Saint Louis - Barging cruises charters in southwest France

The French hotel barge Saint Louis cruises the beautiful calm waterways of Southwest France, including the historic lands of Aquitaine and Gascony. She does so in "casual luxury", providing the perfect accommodation for up to six guests in three stateroom suites (configured as twins or doubles, as desired). To cruise aboard Saint Louis is to experience peace and tranquillity as one passes through the lush countryside, pretty villages and memorable towns. It also means enjoying delicious French cuisine, prepared with fresh local produce, and savouring local wines and aperitifs. Your hosts, Alasdair and Barbara, together with their friendly and expert crew, will ensure that your holiday or vacation is the ultimate in relaxed pleasure.

Perhaps you can partake in the Au Fil de l'Eau spectacle that occurs annually around the first two weeks of August. See Alasdair's previous post about this event.
 


Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book SAINT LOUIS 
View Saint Louis' online brochure
Visit our website for more info on our barges and barging: www.BargeCharters.com
 



Monday, March 25, 2013

French Hotel Barge PROSPERITE : Remaining 2013 weeks

The luxury crewed French hotel barge PROSPERITE offers barging cruises along the Canal de Bourgogne in the Burgundy region of France.


French Hotel Barge PROSPÉRITÉ - Barging vacation cruises in Burgundy, France

The French Hotel Barge Prospérité cruises the Canal de Bourgogne (Burgundy Canal) of France. Enjoy the unparalleled history and beauty of the Burgundy region via barge travel in France.


Prospérité accommodates up to 8 guests in 4 suites, which can be configured as doubles or twins, with sitting area and desk, each having their own private ensuite bathroom. The barge is fully air conditioned and also has central heating when necessary, hot tub on the sundeck, bicycles, air conditioned minivan for excursions...

 

Looking forward to your inquries


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

Friday, March 22, 2013

Hotel Barge SAVOIR FAIRE : Cruise Champagne - France

The Hotel Barge SAVOIR FAIRE still has three weeks available in September 2013 for their Champagne itinerary between Paris and Epernay.

Hotel Barge Savoir Faire - Barging cruises in France, Holland & Belgium


OPEN WEEKS IN SEPTEMBER 2013 (as of March 22)
  • September 1-7: Paris to Epernay
  • September 22-28: Epernay to Paris
  • September 29 - October 5: Paris to Epernay

Chris, owner-operator of Savoir Faire, says:
This is my favourite route of all and one that receives rave reviews, year after year, from our guests that cruise with us.

We cruise during the harvesting of the grapes. The area is vibrant and fascinating. The landscape breathtakingly beautiful. Our visits include such sites as Moet & Chandon, Reims Cathedral, small exclusive Champagne houses, Meaux (famous for its Brie cheese) and of course Paris, where we offer an exclusive "once in a lifetime" night cruise through the most romantic city in the world.

Join us in 2013, aboard the SAVOIR FAIRE, for this delightful journey into a land of yesteryear.
September is the most popular month for barging cruises so don't wait too long to book this fantastic trip on Savoir Faire.


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.


Enjoy fabulous food and fun aboard the all-inclusive, luxury, crewed hotel barge Savoir Faire



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
 

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

French Hotel Barge SAVOIR VIVRE: 30% discount

The French Hotel Barge SAVOIR VIVRE, which offers barging cruises in Burgundy France, has some fantastic special offers to fill in their 2013 calendar.  We hope that you will be able to take advantage of James' March Madness :)


French Hotel Barge Savoir Vivre - Barging cruises - Cruising the Burgundy Canal, France

THREE FOUR SPECIAL OFFERS
  • 30% OFF all remaining spring cruises (private charters)
Dates available:
  • March 31-April 6
  • April 7-13
  • April 14-20
  • April 21-27
Discounted prices are:
  • $16,800 for up to 6 guests
  • $17,500 for 7 guests
  • $18,200 for 8 guests
  • FAMILY SPECIAL
Special rate of $22,000 for up to 8 guests for any charter providing there are at least two passengers 16-years old or younger aboard. Inquire for available dates.
  • 10% DISCOUNT (individual cabin cruise weeks AND private charters)
10% off all cruises for the remainder of 2013 season for private charters AND individual cabin cruise weeks. There are currently FOUR individual cabin weeks available. This special offer cannot be combined with those mentioned above, of course :)
CABIN WEEKS:  Special price: $3150/person ($6300/cabin for two guests)
  • May 5-11: 1 cabin open  (see below)
  • June 9-15 : 3 cabins open (see below)
  • July 21-27 : 1 cabin open
  • August 25-31 : 1 cabin open
CHARTER WEEKS: 10% off normal rates
  • June 2-8
  • June 16-22
  • June 23-29
  • June 30-July 6
  • July 7-13
  • July 14-20
  • August 18-24
  • October 27-November 2

NEW SPECIAL, 29 March 2013:

  • TWO for ONE Special: $3500/CABIN, i.e. $1750/person, double occupancy
    • May 5-11, 2013 : 2 cabins open 1 cabin open, updated April 8, 2013
    • June 9-15, 2013 : 3 cabins open 1 cabin open, updated April 8, 2013
Inquire for availability for private charters.
French Hotel Barge Savoir Vivre entering a lock on the French canals


SAVOIR VIVRE: Ability to live life well and with intelligent enjoyment, meeting every situation with poise, good manners, and elegance. Etymology: French, to know (how) to live.
Savoir Vivre is a bit different to the other hotel barges that we represent as they do not have an onboard chef. Pastries for the continental breakfast are supplied by the local baker. Lunch is catered by professional chefs who meet up with the boat with their prepared meal. Dinners are off the boat in locally selected restaurants (included in charter fee).

Lunch is catered by local professional chefs

Savoir Vivre is 80 feet long, air conditioned (and has central heat, too), 4 identical guest cabins which can be configured with a queen or two twin beds, each having ensuite private bathrooms, flat screen TV, internet where available, 8 bicycles, etc...
  • View other blog posts about Savoir Vivre: CLICK HERE
  • View our online brochure for Savoir Vivre: CLICK HERE
Savoir Vivre is available for cabin cruises and private charter... Looking forward to your inquiries!


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


Monday, March 18, 2013

French Hotel Barge CLAIR DE LUNE: New Video

We have a new video for the French Hotel Barge CLAIR DE LUNE that we'd like to share with you.


Hotel Barge Clair de Lune Video - French barging cruises on the Canal du Midi, France

Clair de Lune, a 6-passenger all-inclusive crewed hotel barge, cruises the Canal du Midi between the charming village of Le Somail and the fortified city of Carcassonne, discovering some of the most beautiful scenery in the south of France along the way. During our voyage along the tree-lined Canal du Midi we visit historical sites such as the spectacular Cathar town of Minerve, the elegant city of Narbonne and enjoy wine tastings at renowned local domaines.

See our recent post on Clair de Lune: CLICK HERE



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