Saturday, July 27, 2013

French Hotel Barge Saint Louis : Pilgrimage Santiago di Compostela

Today we have another informative guest post from the French Hotel Barge SAINT LOUIS who offers both private charters and cabin cruises in the Aquitaine & Gascony region of southwest France.
UPDATE: August 1, 2013. What a coincidence. Today Amazon.com sent me their "Kindle Specials of the Day" email and it includes a book that ties into this post very well...
Today's price is only $1.99. I'm going to buy it because it looks interesting.


THE PILGRIMAGE IN SOUTHWEST FRANCE
 - By Alasdair Wyllie, Owner-Operator of Barge Saint Louis

During our cruising season we very often moor our hotel barge the Saint Louis in the tiny port of Pommevic, between Moissac and Lamagistere.  There is a full canopy of trees, and during the summer it can be quite pleasant to get some shade in the heat of the day.  Generally, no other boats are moored there, and we have for company the occasional boat passing between the locks, some of the local residents whom we have come to know  -  and a steady trickle of Pilgrims passing along the towpath.

A pilgrim at Pommevic – complete with stave and scallop

For a distance of some fourteen kilometres between Moissac and Pommevic, one of the main pilgrimage routes to Santiago di Compostela passes along the tow path of the canal.  This is Christendom’s third most important place to visit, after Jerusalem and Rome, and it is certainly the most important Christian pilgrimage in the sense of a holy destination reached after a long-distance trek.

In the early years of the 9th century, according to tradition, a hermit monk called Pelayo was led by a star to the burial place of St James the Apostle, and his find was confirmed as being the remains of St. James by Todemito, bishop of the most westerly diocese in the Iberian peninsula.   This part of present-day Spain is the region that James chose to come and spread the Word after the death of Christ, and it was to this coast that his remains were brought in 44 A.D. after he was martyrised by Herod Agrippa.  There is no hard evidence that the remains found by Pelayo were indeed the remains of St James the Apostle, but the evidence was sufficient at the time for the Church and the State to give immediate acceptance of the claim.  Perhaps the absence of hard evidence does not matter – the fact remains that there was established at the place a shrine to St James the Apostle, and very soon a pilgrimage to the shrine developed.

The pilgrimage to the shrine developed within the population of Iberia, and then in the year 947 the first foreign pilgrim arrived – he was the Bishop of Puy, who had travelled over the Pyrenees from France.  Between then and the fifteenth century the pilgrimage was busy, and indeed it was at its busiest in the twelfth century.   Imagine, if you can, the conditions that these pilgrims had to endure at that time, and the risks they took.  Long staves, for protection, were part of every pilgrim’s essential equipment, as was a scallop shell displayed on the body, for identification.  (The scallop shell is the emblem of St James, the “logo” of the pilgrimage, and  the French for scallop is “coquille St Jaques”  -  “St James’ shellfish”)  Many of today’s pilgrims keep the tradition going by carrying a stave and displaying a scallop shell.

A pilgrim statuette in nearby Auvillar

I am often asked where the pilgrimage starts.  The simple answer is that there is no starting point – there are feeder routes across Europe, from Ireland in the west to Austria and Poland in the east.  Hence, the pilgrims represent a multi-cultural and a multi-lingual society.  Although the pilgrimage is clearly of Christian origin, there are many people who are doing it as a classic long-distance walk with no religious connotation.  It is essentially Slow Travel!

As part of the parallel between the pilgrimage and Slow Travel, it is interesting that one of the very first Traveller’s Guide Books was written as a guide to the pilgrimage – the Pilgrim’s Guide “Codex Calextinum was written in the 12th century!

It is interesting to discuss with today’s pilgrims their motives for what they are doing.  I very often hear from people that their motives, their rationale, indeed their whole way of thinking have changed along the way.  There is the classic statement “One’s pilgrimage does not end in Santiago – it begins there”.  Perhaps this is a bit like a luxury cruise on the Saint Louis, in which you have the time and the surroundings to be able to reflect on the world around you.

Two pilgrims pass the barge at Pommevic

Meanwhile, back at Pommevic, the pilgrims can enjoy the fact that they only have 1,200 kilometres left to go!


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.

AVAILABILITY:
  • Saint Louis, current availability for the remainder of the 2013 season:
    • August 16-22, 2013 : Agen - Montauban
    • August 30 - September 5 : Agen - Castets
    • September 20-26 : Montauban - Agen (optioned)
    • September 27 - October 3 : Agen - Montauban
    • October 3-9 : Montauban - Agen
  • Inquire for the 2014 barging season. It is not too early to book, especially if you have special, specific dates such as your 10th wedding anniversary :)


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
 

It's not how far nor how fast, it's the pleasure of the journey that keeps people coming back for more.



Monday, July 22, 2013

Special Offers for Barge Cruises: Updated July 22, 2013

Special Offers for Barge Cruises: Updated July 22, 2013

 SPECIAL OFFERS FOR 2013 & 2014 - BOOK YOUR BARGE VACATION NOW

Contact Paradise Connections now, for current availability and pricing. We hope you can take advantage of these special dates for your barging cruise vacation.

UPDATED: JULY 22, 2013


French Luxury Hotel Barge L'Impressionniste
Barging Cruises along the Burgundy Canal  - Barging in France

Click on the Barge's name to view their online brochure. Find prices on their online brochure's RATES page. Contact us if you'd like us to do the calculation for the special offer rate and check current availability.

Click HERE for August Update


 Irish Hotel Barge Shannon Princess - Guided Bike Touring Cycling Cruises
Barging in Ireland - Cruising the River Shannon


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


Barge La Belle Epoque: Burgundy Walking Tour Barging Cruise

There is ONLY ONE cabin available for this highly popular barge cruise & guided walking tour aboard the French Hotel Barge LA BELLE EPOQUE in Burgundy, France.

Barging & Walking in Burgundy, France - A wonderful combination

2013 DATES and AVAILABILITY:
  • September 20 - October 5: Not available, completely booked
  • October 13-19, 2013: Not available, completely booked
    • $9500/cabin ($4750/person, double occupancy)
  • October 20-26, 2013: Five cabins booked, ONE cabin open 
    • 1 Stateroom: normally $9500/cabin ($4750/person, double occupancy)
    • Book before August 30, 2013 and SAVE $1000 on a cabin (only $8500/cabin)
With autumn colors transforming the countryside, this is the perfect time of year to explore Burgundy with its rolling landscape, quaint villages and ruined castles.

You can view the full itinerary for the Guided Walking Tour cruise on La Belle Epoque's brochure.


The difference with this theme cruise is that it is available for individuals or couples to book a cabin and join others on board. No need to charter the whole barge and no extra supplements to pay for the services of the professional walking guide.

If you are part of a couple and not as keen about walking as your "better half", pas de problème... There are other activities available if you wish, or you can just chill out on La Belle Epoque and watch the countryside glide by while listening to tunes on your iPod or reading a book in the jacuzzi!

The French Hotel Barge La Belle Epoque - Barging in France

La Belle Epoque has been designed with both elegance and passenger comfort in mind. This all-inclusive deluxe barge is 128 feet long, has two interior deck levels (fully air conditioned & heated), a crew of 5, and accommodates up to 13 guests in 7 cabins, each with private, ensuite bathrooms. The salon & dining room has beautiful wood panelling, with an always-open inclusive bar. The sundeck has steamer chairs, recliners, parasols, a large dining table, and a Jacuzzi spa pool. They have 12 touring bikes, plus a tandem! These, together with other luxury facilities, create a vessel perfect for a relaxing, luxurious cruise.

Burgundy is among the most popular hotel barging areas in Europe. It is renowned for its vineyards, Gothic churches, Renaissance châteaux and picturesque villages. This is a region of France in which gastronomic delights and the art of living have reigned supreme since Roman times.

Sounds good? Contact Paradise Connections and let's get started. As you can see, this is a very popular cruise and it books up quickly. Don't miss this opportunity!

Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book LA BELLE EPOQUE 
View La Belle Epoque's online brochure
Visit our website for more info on our barges and barging: www.BargeCharters.com
 

BARGE CHARTER VACATION CRUISES: 2014 SPECIAL OFFERS and DISCOUNTS

 SPECIAL OFFERS FOR 2014 - BOOK YOUR BARGE VACATION NOW

Now that spring is here we hope you have been rejuvenated and are ready to make your 2014 vacation plans with your "better half", friends and family.

We have some new specials offered this month that include summer weeks. Scroll down this page to find special discounts for Private Charters, Individual Cabin Bookings, Singles, Special Events, and the 2015 Barging Season.

The 2014 season is filling up fast. If you haven't booked your barge trip for this coming season, don't wait too long as availability for some weeks are very limited. Contact Paradise Connections now, for current availability and pricing.

We hope you can take advantage of these special dates for your barging cruise vacation.

UPDATED: April 2, 2014

The French Hotel Barge La Renaissance cruises the Upper Loire & Western Burgundy regions of France between Montargis and Chatillon-sur-Loire
- Canal de Briare & Canal Latéral à la Loire -



Click on the various barge's name below to view their online brochure. Find prices on their online brochure's RATES page. Contact us if you'd like us to do the calculation for the special offer rate and verify current availability.

A note about private charter discounts...

Some of the barges have a fixed amount off of their full-barge rate. Quite often this special rate will be less expensive than their normal 6 or 8-person rate, for a 10-pax barge for example.
Please note that you can be a smaller group than the maximum number of passengers that the barge can accommodate.
Let's take Anjodi, for example. Anjodi's 8-person, value season rate is normally $34,000. Take off $6000 and their special rate for these 3 weeks in April is now $28,000. Their normal 6-person rate is $31,600 and now it has dropped to $28,000. You are still saving a chunk of money ($3600, more than 10%) even though you are a group of 6 rather than 8.

PRIVATE CHARTERS

REGION BARGE DISCOUNT DATES 2014 DEPOSIT BY
Burgundy La Belle Epoque $10,000 off
12-pax rate
Apr 13, 27 Apr 27
Burgundy L'Art de Vivre $6000 off
8-pax rate
Apr 20, 27
May 4, 11, 18
May 16
Burgundy L'Art de Vivre $3000 off
8-pax rate
July 20
Aug 3, 10
May 16
Paris Savoir Faire $10,000 off
12-pax rate
May 25
June 1
May 16
Canal du Midi Clair de Lune $5000 off
6-pax rate
Apr 20
May 4
May 4
Canal du Midi Clair de Lune $2500 off
6-pax rate
All July & August May 16
Canal du Midi Anjodi $3000 off
8-pax rate
Aug 3, 10 May 16
Canal du Midi Enchante $6000 off
8-pax rate
Apr 27
May 4
May 4
Canal du Midi Enchante $3000 off
8-pax rate
July 13, 20
Aug 24
May 16
Canal du Midi Emma 10% May 3, 31
June 28
July 5
July 5
Gascony Rosa $6000 off
8-pax rate
May 11, 18 May 16
Gascony Rosa $3000 off
8-pax rate
July 27,
Aug 3, 10
May 16
Holland Panache $10,000 off
12-pax rate
Apr 20 Apr 20
Alsace-Lorraine Panache $5000 off
12-pax rate
July 27
Aug 3, 10, 24
May 16
Italy La Bella Vita $10,000 off
20-pax rate
Apr 13, 20, 27
May 11,18
May 16
Italy La Bella Vita $5000 off
20-pax rate
All July & Aug May 16
England, Thames Magna Carta $6000 off
8-pax rate
May 4, 11 May 16
Scotland, Highlands Scottish Highlander $6000 off
8-pax rate
Apr 20 Apr 20
Ireland Shannon Princess $4000 off
10-pax rate
May 11 May 11


CABIN CRUISES

REGION BARGE DISCOUNT DATES 2014 DEPOSIT BY
Burgundy La Belle Epoque -$2000/cabin Apr 20
May 11, 18
May 16
Burgundy L'Impressionniste -$2000/cabin Apr 27 May 16
Burgundy L'Impressionniste -$1000/cabin All July & August May 16
Burgundy Art de Vivre -$2000/cabin Apr 13 Apr 13
Burgundy Art de Vivre -$1000/cabin May 18, 25 Mar 28
Canal du Midi Clair de Lune -$2000/cabin May 18 May 16
Canal du Midi Anjodi -$2000/cabin Apr 20, 27 Apr 27
Canal du Midi Anjodi -$1000/cabin July 13, 20
Aug 17, 24
May 16
Canal du Midi Enchante -$2000/cabin May 11,18
June 1
May 16
Canal du Midi Enchante -$1000/cabin Apr 27, May 4
Aug 3, 31
May 16
Canal du Midi Emma 10% May 3, 24, 31
July 5, 12
July 12
Gascony Rosa -$2000/cabin May 4, 25
June 15, 22
May 16
Gascony Rosa -$1000/cabin July 6, 13, 20 May 16
Gascony/ Bordeaux Rosa -$1000/cabin Aug 17, 24 May 16
Holland Panache -$1000/cabin Apr 20 Apr 20
Alsace-Lorraine Panache -$1000/cabin July 6, 20
Aug 31
May 16
Italy La Bella Vita -$2000/cabin May 4, 18
June 15
May 16
Italy La Bella Vita -$1000/cabin July 13, Aug 31 May 16
England, Thames Magna Carta -$2000/cabin Apr 20, 27
May 25
June 1, 8, 15
May 16
Ireland Shannon Princess -$1000/cabin June 1, 15 May 16


SPECIAL OFFER FOR SINGLE TRAVELLERS 
NO single supplement for select cabin cruise weeks: Save $1800-$2000. (This offer cannot be used in conjunction with other special offers).

MORE SPECIAL OFFERS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
  • SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER (Scotland): Golf Cruise Cabin Week, July 6-12, 2014: 2 cabins booked, 2 cabins open. Click here for details
  • SAVOIR FAIRE (Champagne): Save up to 30%. Family special offer for August 2014: $39,000 for up to 12 guests, 2 of which are children 16-years old or younger.
  • LA BELLE EPOQUE (Burgundy): Guided Walking Tours, no additional supplement :
    • October 5-11, 2014 (booked) and 
    • October 12-18, 2014 (5 cabins booked, ONE open) - Book soon!

SPECIAL OFFER FOR 2015 BARGING SEASON
  • Book your 2015 barge cruise BEFORE April 15, 2014 and pay 2014 prices (offer valid for most barges, inquire)



Conditions:
  • Our normal Terms & Conditions apply.  While many barges require only a minimum of 2 passengers to guarantee a cabin cruise, some barges require a minimum of 4 passengers.
  • Cabin discounts only apply to double occupancy. 50% of the discount applies to single occupancy.
  • These special offers are subject to availability, apply to new bookings only and cannot be used in conjunction with other offers.
  • Credit card payments on all special offers carry a 2.5% surcharge.

Our Cruises are All-Inclusive:
  • 6 Nights accommodation on board in an air-conditioned, en-suite cabin.
  • The services of an experienced Captain / Host, Chef, Hostess(es), Driver/Tour Guide.
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner aboard.  A local meal 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 minibus and 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.
  • Return transfers to and from the local meeting/drop off point
Special offers, terms & conditions subject to change.

 French Hotel Barge Emma - Barging in France - Cruising in Languedoc-Roussillon
 Canal du Midi --- Étang de Thau --- Canal du Rhône à Sète


Contact Paradise Connections for both cabin bookings or private charters. We are here to assist you :)

Looking forward to your inquiries



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


Friday, July 12, 2013

Enjoy Bastille Day this Weekend

This morning we received our weekly newsletter from Carcassonne and it had a bit about their celebrations for the Fête Nationale on quatorze juillet (14 July, Bastille Day).

For those of you who will not be in attendance this year, here is a video from 14 July 2012. It is very good footage but nothing like being there in person with the beautiful colors, the sounds of the rockets taking off, the percussion of the soundwaves striking your body, the oohs and ahs of the crowd... Good stuff. The French can really put on a show :)

This video is from the producers of firework spectacles, Ruggieri.

Looks like a pretty interesting program...

Feu d'artifice et embrasement de la Cité Médiévale
Dimanche 14 Juillet à 22h30 - aux alentours des berges de l'Aude

«Féériques émotions, la Cité dans tous ses états» est le nouveau spectacle de plus de 25mn que la ville de Carcassonne vous propose. Chaque acte du feu sera la métaphore d'une émotion. La mise en scène sera une sorte de pièce de théâtre en plein air ou chaque artifice jouera un rôle précis à travers sa sonorité, ses formes, ses couleurs, son cadencement, son ampleur et sa puissance.

«Féériques émotions, la Cité dans tous ses états » est une épopée colorée et cadencée autour de nos émotions de base.

7 grandes parties : 1 prologue aux couleurs de la république et 6 actes sur le thème des émotions.

Prologue : date du 14 juillet et tradition oblige les artificiers réaliseront un grand tableau républicain bleu blanc et rouge avant d'entamer la scénographie sur le thème des émotions. Ensuite, le spectacle s'orchestrera en tableaux structurés autour de 6 grands actes progressifs :
1. La peur, l'angoisse (fear, anxiety)

2. L'amour, le désir (love, desire)

3. La colère, la fureur (anger, fury)

4. La tristesse, la mélancolie (sadness, melancholy)

5. Le rire, la joie (laughter, joy)

6. La surprise, l'émerveillement (surprise, wonder)

We will be on our boat in Saint Croix (at least it has a French name!) and we will be raising a glass or two of pastis over the weekend while listening to Radio Nostalgie on our TuneIn Radio android app.

Hey, there's always next year... Contact Paradise Connections to book your next barging vacation!

Bonne fête



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


Thursday, July 04, 2013

FIVE Reasons To Go Barging This Summer

Take the time and enjoy a Hotel Barge Cruise along one of the many European waterways this summer. We represent barges in Ireland, Scotland, England, Holland, Germany, Italy and, of course, France (Burgundy, Gascony, Canal du Midi, Loire, Alsace-Lorraine, Champagne...)



FIVE REASONS TO GO BARGING THIS SUMMER:
  • Sunny and warm. Enjoy the long days of summer whether on a cabin cruise for two or a private charter with family or friends. 
  • Kids are out of school so it is an excellent time to have a family vacation and experience the various regions and cultures of Europe, whether France, Ireland, England, Scotland, or Italy. Excellent graduation gift, too!
  • The summer season is filled with festivals, concerts, markets, and plenty of other activities.
  • Many of our barges have lower rates and special offers this summer. Inquire!
  • The best reason of all... you DESERVE it :)




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