RECIPE: Merlot & Onion Marmalade, Irish Hotel Barge SHANNON PRINCESS II

Here's a tasty recipe from the Irish Hotel Barge / River Cruiser, SHANNON PRINCESS II.

I agree with Olivia that this would be wonderful with goat cheese.  Oh, how I miss my fromage de chèvre. It is way too expensive here in St Croix, US Virgin Islands.  One of the first things we'll do when we return to St Martin is to buy cheese! Watch out when we get to the "real" France... don't get in our way between us and the Fromagerie :)

I digress... Here's our latest recipe from Shannon Princess

MERLOT & ONION MARMALADE

We use lots of this onboard.

It is super with goats & sheeps cheeses, artichokes, roast peppers, baked aubergines, any game, or as part of a tapas or nibbles platter. Excellent served hot or cold. It can be refrigerated in jars for at least 2 weeks.

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
• 6 medium Red Onions, thinly sliced
• 350 ml Merlot Wine
• 50 ml Red Wine Vinegar
• 70 grams Sugar
• Seasalt & Coarse Black Pepper
• Splash of Grenadine

 Method:

• Melt the onions in the olive oil in a deep pot.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Add  the Merlot, grenadine and vinegar. Bring to a boil.
• Reduce the liquid by about half, now add the sugar and let simmer.
• The marmalade should have a jammy consistency and be a lovely rich purple colour.
• This might take 20-30 minutes.
• Pack into jars, let cool and store in your fridge.

Barging in Ireland. The Irish Hotel Barge SHANNON PRINCESS II, cruises the River Shannon between Athlone and Killaloe. The Shannon Princess accommodates up to 10 guests in 5 cabins all of which have private ensuite bathrooms, and can be configured with either 2 twin beds or a queen. Shannon Princess can be booked by the cabin on a shared cabin cruise week, or for private charter.

Learn more about Shannon Princess... View her online brochure!

NOTE:

• October 3-9, 2010: 25% discount for private charter
• June 26 - July 2, 2011: Summer Solstice Guided Walking Tour Cabin Cruise [Read More]

Shannon Princess offers theme cruises for private charters, such as Bird Watching, Fishing, Walking, Cycling, Golf, and Horse Riding. Contact Paradise Connections for more information.

---

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

 

---

Burgundy Guided Walking Tour - 2 cabins left for Oct 10 2010

The French Hotel Barge LA BELLE EPOQUE has two junior suites still available for their special Guided Walking Tour week of October 10-16, 2010.

La Belle Epoque two scheduled Burgundy walking tours for October 2011, too

There is NO extra charge or supplement for this special Walking Tour cruise whose itinerary is between Pouillenay and Tonnerre in Burgundy France.

This special week has been redesignated as a "value season" week which drops the price a bit, plus La Belle Epoque has a last-minute discount of $1000/cabin, if booked by August 31, 2010.  The price for this all-inclusive 6-night special walking/barging cruise is thus only $7700/cabin (ie $3850/person, double occupancy).

And, if that's not enough, Paradise Connections has a special gift for our clients who book a barge cruise by September 15, 2010. See our previous blog post for details.

(click photos to enlarge)

To learn more, take a look at their walking tour itinerary HERE and consider seeing this very pretty part of France at its finest in October.

Of course, if this week on La Belle Epoque appeals to you and you don't want to participate in the guided walks, that's OK too!

---

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 & barging: www.BargeCharters.com

 

---

Barging & Guided Walking Tour Cruise Ireland Summer 2011

The Irish Hotel Barge SHANNON PRINCESS II invites you aboard in 2011 for their

SUMMER SOLSTICE WALKING CRUISE
June 26 - July 2, 2011

A dedicated Guided Walking Tour barging cruise is scheduled for Sunday, June 26 through Saturday July 2, 2011.  This week is available for individual cabin bookings and on offer at regular 2011 cruise rates (US$4200/person, double occupancy) with no additional supplement for the tour guide.

Embrace the luxury and comfort of barging along with the satisfaction and exhilaration of quality guided walking tours in a unique & beautiful environment that only Ireland’s River Shannon can offer.

Shannon Princess provides the perfect floating vista for your Irish walking adventure.  Walks are guided by professional walking guides, all with backgrounds in archaeology, history, natural science, and, of course, a smattering of local knowledge. Their luxury minibus and driver is in attendance on all walks, allowing walkers the freedom to extend walks or return to the barge at their wish.

Routes will typically vary between 14-20 km, or a 3 to 4-hour period. With undulating routes, many of the walks are areas of special environmental preservation. Enjoy alfresco gourmet lunch and refreshments catered by the barge crew and their support vehicle.

Irish Hotel Barge SHANNON PRINCESS II - Shannon River Cruises in Ireland

The all-inclusive boutique hotel barge SHANNON PRINCESS accommodates up to 10 guests in 5 ensuite staterooms and cruises the lower Shannon River in Ireland between Athlone & Killaloe.

Click Map to Enlarge

Walks include:

• The Tain Trail
• The Pilgrim's Path
• The Slieve Bloom Way
• The East Clare Way
• The Graves of the Leinstermen

Learn more about this cruise. Read our newly updated Guided Walking Tour itinerary for the Shannon Princess II.

Guided Walking Tour cruises are also available for private, full-boat charters throughout the season.

We had a couple aboard Shannon Princess for the June 2010 Guided Walking Tour trip. They emailed us from the boat:

"...having the best time imaginable!  I will write more about the experience when we get home, but I can't imagine ever topping this!"

---

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

 

---

SPECIAL GIFT with New Barging Cruises Bookings

This year is zipping by quickly, but surely it's not Christmas already!?

Confirm your new 2010 or 2011 barge cruise booking between now and September 15, 2010 and get a FREE iPod Shuffle... or two... or three... or four... or more...

We'll send each person in your party (whether a cabin booking of 2, or a private charter booking for 12, for example) a handy gift to enjoy on your barging vacation...

Don't let it's tiny size fool you. With this 2GB player, you can pack up to 500 songs... That should do you for a week!

The latest generation of iPod Shuffle allows you to use playlists so you can use this feature to organize your French language lessons, and French music from A to Z, such as:

Antoine, Charles Aznavour, Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg, Jacques Brel, Patrick Bruel, Maurice Chevalier, Mylène Farmer, Claude François, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Serge Gainsbourg, Johnny Hallyday, Indochine, Kassav, Claudine Longet, Eddy Mitchell, Vanessa Paradis, Édith Piaf, Sheila, Téléphone, Zouzou.

What did you say? You're cruising someplace other than France... perhaps Great Britain? No problem, this offer is for all of our barging regions. We're not francosnobs :) Personally though, I can't see filling up my iPod with bagpipes (though different strokes for different folks!) but there's plenty of good Anglo & celtic folk music about, as well as rock starting with the British Invasion, Punk and whatever you like nowadays... and what about audiobooks!

We hope you'll be able to take advantage of this special offer from us at Paradise Connections.

 Enjoy!
 -

Golf Barging Cruise in England - MAGNA CARTA English Hotel Barge on the River Thames

The English Hotel Barge MAGNA CARTA that cruises the River Thames in England, is offering a golfing week (September 12-18, 2010) on an individual cabin cruise basis, rather than as a themed cruise for a full-boat, private charter. We hope you will be able to take advantage of this special opportunity. ONLY ONE CABIN OPEN for GOLFING CRUISE WEEK: 12-18 September 2010 A couple who booked a cabin aboard MAGNA CARTA for this departure wants to golf twice during the week.  They are interested in the Hampton Court Palace Golf Club as they want to walk from barge with clubs and play, and also perhaps the Sunningdale Golf Club as it is rated in the top 20 in the world. Sunnydale requires men to have a handicap of 18 or better, and women to have a handicap of 24 or better. Take a look at Magna Carta's golfing itinerary for other possibilities. September is a great time for golfing in the UK and it would be nice to have a few more golfers aboard. Instead of the standard additional golf supplement, it will be adhoc, pay-as-you-go situation. If golf is not your cup of tea but you would like to cruise the Royal Thames this particular week, that's fine too, as there are plenty of other activities you can enjoy. Check out our Regional Guide to learn more about the area where Magna Carta cruises.

The English Hotel Barge MAGNA CARTA

Magna Carta also has many interesting theme cruises: art, antiques, family, Chelsea flower show, Hampton Court Palace flower show, golf, tennis, walking tour, World War II, West End theatre, Christmas, New Years... or ask if you have any other special interest...

Click Map to Enlarge

MAGNA CARTA, cruising the Royal River Thames from London to Henley-on-Thames, England. A stately journey past royal palaces, quaint riverside towns, villages, a mixture of olde worlde England and the natural beauty of Surrey, Berkshire and Oxfordshire. From Henry VIII’s Hampton Court past Windsor Castle to Henley with frequent stops allowing plenty of time to wander and explore whilst Magna Carta follows this old Viking trading route deep into rural countryside. Gentle exploration are the keywords, with good cycling and walking opportunities as the elegant and spacious air-conditioned 8-passenger Magna Carta meanders her way inland.

---

Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book MAGNA CARTA 
View Magna Carta's online brochure
Visit our website for more info on our barges & barging: www.BargeCharters.com

 

---

2011 Guided Walking Tour Barging Cruises Burgundy France : LA BELLE EPOQUE

Two Walking Tour Cruises have been scheduled for French Hotel Barge La Belle Epoque's 2011 barging season.

These are guided walking tours for cabin-cruise bookings and there is not an additional supplement for these special themed weeks.

Join French Hotel Barge La Belle Epoque for their Guided Walking Tour Barging Cruise in Burgundy France

La Belle Epoque cruises the Canal de Bourgogne in Burgundy France where there are many scenic pathways to explore. These relaxed walking cruises are now so popular with both walkers and the less energetic, that two departures will be offered during the 2011 season:

• October 16-22, 2011
• October 23-29, 2011

We still have TWO cabins available for THIS year's Walking Cruise : October 10-16, 2010

Take a look at the walking itinerary and consider seeing this very pretty part of France at its finest in October.

And if a walking cruise isn't exactly what you are looking for, La Belle Epoque has plenty more theme cruises to choose from.

---

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

 

---

Barging Cruises: Early Bird Specials for 2011 Book Now

BOOK NOW AND SAVE !!!

Special offer on Hotel Barges, now even better... Charter  Hotel Barge Cruise for the 2011 season by August 31, 2010 and receive a (expired) discount off the US Dollar price!

• Early Bird Special for 2011 season for private charter full barge bookings (deposit by August 31, 2010):

THIS OFFER HAS EXPIRED

These barging vacations are all-inclusive, which means:

• 6 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. All lunch and evening meals aboard are a gastronomic adventure using local produce.
• 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.
• Return transfers to and from local meeting/drop off point.

Contact Paradise Connections, your barging specialists, to take advantage of these special offers for:

Barging in France, Barging in Scotland, Barging in Ireland, Barging in England, Barging in Italy, Barging in Germany, Themed Cruises such as Guided Walking Tour Cruises, Spring Dutch Tulip Cruises, Wine Appreciation,  Golfing, and more!

---

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

 

---

Hotel Barges Cruises: Barging discounts 2010 & 2011 seasons

Here are some special offers on hotel barges for remainder of the 2010 season... Plus early bird specials for 2011 barging cruises.
UPDATED: AUGUST 8, 2010

Cruising along a canal is a cool summer vacation. Have a barging trip by booking an individual cabin and meet new friends on your cruise or take a private charter and have the whole barge for your group. Some barges offer special themes such as cycling, golfing, wine tasting, guided walks, etc, even though it might not be mentioned as a special itinerary... Just ask!

Book your barging cruise with Paradise Connections NOW! The remaining spaces for 2010 are filling up fast...

These special offers have expired.  

Please see September's Special Offers

These barging vacations are all-inclusive, which means:

• 6 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. All lunch and evening meals aboard are a gastronomic adventure using local produce.
• 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.
• Return transfers to and from local meeting/drop off point.

Contact Paradise Connections, your barging specialists, to take advantage of these special offers for:

Barging in France, Barging in Scotland, Barging in Ireland, Barging in England, Barging in Italy, Barging in Germany, Themed Cruises such as Guided Walking Tour Cruises, Spring Dutch Tulip Cruises, Wine Appreciation,  Golfing, and more!

---

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

 

---