Guest Comments for French Hotel Barge Renaissance

Here are some recent charter comments / client feedback for the French Hotel Barge Renaissance:

Beautiful comfortable boat – really big bedrooms – HUGE baths. Crew was FABULOUS! Chef – amazing.

Better food that you can imagine – really better than most 5 stars in the US! Got the whole menu with wines that I can send to you. Fabulous wines and cheese with every lunch and dinner – gained 7 lbs!

They really do a good job of letting you relax – we were off the barge every day – some days biking or walking 10 KM. Good mix of Chateau, Church , etc. OH – one night Maggie (crew, driver, and Tour Guide) heard music in the church near where we were moored and asked if we could come listen. So up we popped from dinner – went to sit in a gorgeous  13th century church to hear a REAL French horn concert rehearsal! 8 horns – REAL ones with no valves. Perfect in this magnificent small old church in a town of 200 people in the middle of NOWHERE!

They really knocked themselves out for us.  We will definitely do this again – and you can feel extremely confident recommending it.

French Hotel Barge RENAISSANCE - Barging cruises in the Upper Loire/ Western Burgundy

The deluxe French Hotel Barge Renaissance was extensively refit for 2009. Renaissance accommodates up to eight guests in four luxurious suites, each with satellite TV/DVD. This spacious barge has two levels (lower level with guest suites, upper level with generous living and dining areas).  They also sport internet and an on-deck Jacuzzi spa pool.

Renaissance cruises the Upper Loire and Western Burgundy region of France. You will be met in Paris and chauffered to the barge where the Captain's Champagne Welcome awaits your arrival. The Renaissance travels along the Canal de Briare and Canal Latéral à la Loire between the towns of Montargis and Chatillon-sur-Loire. This area is known as the Gâtinais and the "Garden of France". The Canal de Briare is one of the oldest canals in France dating from the 16th century. You will discover quaint villages, beautiful scenery, and partake in interesting side trips.

Book your 2011 cruise aboard Renaissance before October 31, 2010 and receive $2500 off the standard 6 or 8-person charter price.

---

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

 

---

Still time for Fall Foliage Hotel Barge Cruise

Today is the first day of Autumn. Why not view the fall foliage from the comfort of a hotel barge cruise along the scenic waterways of Europe?  Find the time to go barging in France, Belgium, Holland, Ireland, Scotland, or England this fall.

There are some good deals that we mentioned in a previous post for last minute discounts.

It's a favorite time for many travelers to take a trip to experience Mother Nature's vibrant transition to cooler temps in the glorious countryside. What better way to welcome Fall than surrounded by beautiful foliage and sipping a glass of crisp white wine? With the summer tourists gone, you’ll have a lot more peace and quiet as you explore the various sites of interest of your chosen area.

We'd also like to mention L'Impressionniste's 6-week, 4-country, trans-Europe barging cruise that begins on November 7th in Avignon.

---

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 Early Bird Special Discounts for 2011 Barging Cruises

Early-Bird Specials for 2011 Barge Charters (private charters, not cabin cruises). Book before October 31, 2010 to benefit these special discounted charter rates for your barging vacation next season.

Scottish Highlander moored at Urquhart Castle - Barging in Scotland

• Early-Bird Specials for 2011 Barging Season (expires October 31, 2010)

SPECIAL OFFERS HAVE EXPIRED

Imagine the sense of relaxation and enjoyment as your floating hotel carries you from one peaceful mooring to the next with more than enough opportunity to explore little villages, shops, the delightful countryside and much, much more, without the need to pack and repack every day. Paradise Connections represents luxury hotel barges that accommodate private charter groups from 4 to 14 guests (if you're a larger group, we can arrange for a tandem cruise). The attentive crew will pamper you with personalized service to ensure your enjoyment of this unique vacation. The cuisine is superb with carefully selected cheese and wines to accompany your meals aboard. Every day offers interesting local guided excursions, or you may choose to stay "home" with a good book and listen to some tunes... the choice is up to you. With a private charter, the week may be fine tuned to your preferences for tours, activities, meals & wines.  Some barges offer special themed itineraries such as golfing, antiques, family, tennis, cookery, guided walking tours, cycling, etc.  If you have us special request, let us know! A barging vacation is a wonderful way to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, family reunions, a corporate incentive, or one of the best reasons of all... just to have a good time!  Don't you deserve a treat?

---

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

 

---

Last Minute Madness - Barging in Ireland Oct 2010

The Irish Hotel Barge Shannon Princess II is offering a special last minute discount for their October 10 2010 cruise along the Shannon River.

Irish Hotel Barge Shannon Princess II - Barging in Ireland - Shannon River Cruises

There are only three cabins left and they are being offered at a discount of 35% off their normal rate.

• [SPECIAL OFFER HAS EXPIRED]

That's just [EXPIRED] per cabin for an all-inclusive 6-night cruise.  Enjoy fine food, the beautiful countryside, and interesting tours. The friendly crew aboard Shannon Princess will take good care of you.  Relax and delight in the culture and history of Ireland.

Learn more about this region on our website => IRELAND

Be sure to read the Itinerary page on our online brochure for Shannon Princess.

---

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

 

---

Last Day for iPod Shuffle

It's September 15th already and this means it is the last day of our iPod Shuffle special gift offer.

This was quite popular with our clients and we are glad that so many of you were able to take advantage of our Thank You gift for arranging your barge booking between August 9 and September 15, 2010.

This was our best barging season ever. We booked twice as many barges as last year and there is still the rest of September and October to go, with some good last-minute deals as well... Help boost our statistics and enjoy a barging cruise at the same time :)

We are quite happy today.  Hurricane Igor is passing to the northeast of us and is currently over 600 miles away from where we are anchored (St Croix, US Virgin Islands).

Took this photo while having coffee on the foredeck this morning. Pretty Day!

Heck, mention the expired special gift offer and maybe we'll throw in an iPod Shuffle as a "Thank-Goodness-Igor-Passed-Us-By Gift" ...you never know :)

All the best!

BARGING CRUISES: Last Minute Discounts for 2010 season

IT'S NOT TOO LATE for a barge cruise... Experience the colorful change of season and the fall harvest.

Mmmmm... the autumn countryside...

   along with fine food, fabulous wine, interesting tours

 It is Beautiful... Relaxing...
              and Absolutely wonderful...

Book by September 15, 2010 and Paradise Connections will send you a Thank You gift.
See previous post for details

• Last minute special offers for September 2010

[SPECIAL OFFER HAS EXPIRED]

• Last minute special offers for October 2010

[SPECIAL 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 Holland & Belgium, 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

 

---

Last Minute Discount: Golf Barging Cruise in England - MAGNA CARTA English Hotel Barge on the River Thames

LAST MINUTE DISCOUNT - SAVE $2000/CABIN

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

 

---

French Barge LA BELLE EPOQUE - Walking Tour October 2010

*** TWO CABINS STILL AVAILABLE ***

The French Hotel Barge LA BELLE EPOQUE has two junior suites (one twin, and one which can be configured as twins or double) 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 lowers the price a bit.  The cost for this all-inclusive 6-night special walking/barging cruise is thus only $8700/cabin (ie. $4350/person, double occupancy).

And, if that's not enough, Paradise Connections has a special Thank You 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

 

---

French Barge EMMA - 2 Cabins Open - Special Offer

*** TWO CABINS STILL OPEN ***

The French Hotel Barge EMMA is offering a [EXPIRED] discount for the week of October 2-8, 2010. The route for this week is the canal du midi in the south of France, Beziers to Carcassonne.

AND

Paradise Connections has a special Thank You gift for our clients who book Emma by September 15, 2010... See here for details.

French Hotel Barge EMMA - Barging in France: Canal du Midi

Recent guests dubbed the crew of EMMA "The Dream Team for warmth and hospitality".

Meet the crew: EMMA's "Dream Team"

EMMA is fully air conditioned and also has central heating, if needed. There are three guest cabins; one has a double bed, while the other two can be configured as either doubles or twins. Beautiful handmade Irish quilts from Oonagh Morisson add that extra touch of luxury. Each guest cabin has its own private, ensuite bathroom with sink, toilet and a normal sized shower with sliding doors.  And, of course, EMMA has bicycles and a minivan to chauffeur you to various excursions.

Learn more about Barge Emma by reading her online brochure, then contact Paradise Connections to book your barging trip!

---

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

 

---