Hotel Barge SAVOIR FAIRE - Cabin Bookings Available

The Hotel Barge SAVOIR FAIRE currently has a few weeks open for individual cabin bookings where you share the barge with other guests.

The Hotel Barge SAVOIR FAIRE - Barging Cruises in Holland & France

Weeks open for cabin bookings, 2011:

• May 29 - June 4: Paris to Auxerre - 3 cabins open ($1000 off/cabin, expires April 1, 2011)
• June 5-11: Auxerre to Ancy-le-Franc - 1 cabin open
• Sept 4-10: Ancy-le-Franc to Auxerre - 3 cabins open
• Oct 2-8: Ancy-le-Franc to Auxerre - 4 cabins open

September is a VERY popular month for barging, so that week of Sept 4-10 will certainly not last long!

SAVOIR FAIRE has one week open in Holland for private charter for May 8-14 (Haarlem-Haarlem) which is a wonderful time for a Dutch Tulip Cruise (see previous post, see itinerary). There is currently (expires April 1, 2011) a special offer for a 25% discount off normal 10 & 12 guest charter rates for that week... INQUIRE!

The Hotel Barge Savoir Faire is fully air conditioned (central heat, too!) and accommodates 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.

If you are interested in other weeks, just let us know and we will check current availability for you. SAVOIR FAIRE cruises in France (see itineraries) between May 29 and Oct 15.  They then reposition back to Holland with October 16-22, Paris to Ghent, and October 23-29 from Ghent to Haarlem.

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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

 

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French Barge PROSPERITE now open for 4th July week

The luxury crewed French hotel barge PROSPERITE has had a cancellation and is now available for the week of July 4th (July 3-9, 2011).

French Hotel Barge PROSPÉRITÉ - Barging vacations in 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 — 150 vineyards, cellars and wine traders in the region are open for sampling and more than 32 fine restaurants bear Michelin stars, including four 3-star establishments.

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. Prospérité is fully air conditioned and also has central heating when necessary, hot tub on the sundeck, bicycles, air conditioned minivan for excursions...

RATES: Regular season, 2011 - April 24 through October 15:

• 6 guests: $47,400
• 7 guests: $48,650
• 8 guests: $49,900

Wouldn't this be a fabulous week for a family charter?

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

 

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RECIPE: Wild Garlic & Nettle Soup - Shannon Princess, Ireland

I find this recipe very intriguing.  When we lived along the various canals of France, I often found myself a bit too up-close and personal with nettles (ortie, in French).

This recipe is from the Irish Hotel Barge Shannon Princess.

WILD GARLIC & NETTLE SOUP

Ingredients:

• 1 large bunch of nettles
• 1 large bunch of Wild garlic
• 2 medium potatoes, diced
• 2 medium onions, roughly chopped
• 1 stick celery, sliced into small pieces
• 2 cups (1 pint) stock
• 1 cups (½ pint) milk or creamy milk for extra richness.
• Small knob of butter
• Salt and pepper

 Garnish:

• Cream or Natural yogurt
• Wild garlic flowers

Method:

• Wash the nettles & wild garlic in cold water and drain. Pat dry with a clean towel.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium temperature and add the onions, nettles, celery and potato. Stir to coat mixture with butter and ’sweat’ them in the saucepan for about 5 minutes.
• Now add the Wild garlic - just one minute before the rest of the ingredients are done. The nettles should be just wilted.
• Pour the stock and the milk into the saucepan, bring to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer for about 15-20 minutes.
• Pour into a blender and zap. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 
• Serve garnished with cream or natural yogurt, and heads of wild garlic, accompanied by crusty sodabread.

Irish Hotel Barge Shannon Princess II - Barging in Ireland

Barge Cruises along the Shannon River, Ireland

Visit Ireland and enjoy seeing the sights and soaking up the Irish culture with Ruairi & Olivia, owner-operators of the Barge Shannon Princess, along with their attentive crew. The barge accommodates up to 10 guests in 5 cabins which can be configured as either doubles or twins, as you prefer. Shannon Princess is available for private charters and individual cabin booking for shared charter weeks.

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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

 

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French Hotel Barge SAVOIR VIVRE: Special offer - Dine at l'Abbaye de la Bussière

We just received this special offer from the French Hotel Barge SAVOIR VIVRE, who cruises the southern region of Burgundy, France.

l'Abbaye de la Bussière

A very special offer:

To demonstrate our commitment to offering new levels of experience and value we are offering dinner in the renowned, Michelin Star-awarded l'Abbaye de la Bussière for our next THREE bookings only. The restaurant needs no introduction, it is arguably the finest in Burgundy and features regularly as a highlight on the itineraries of the finest Ultra-Deluxe barge hotels. The setting is magnificent and the head chef, Emmanuel Hébrard, is a genius. What more can we say!

This is an indulgent and exciting restaurant which significantly enhances our already unique experience. We are delighted to offer it free for our next three full boat charters only.

We hope it will be one (or three!) of our clients who will be rewarded with this opportunity to dine at this wonderful restaurant on their Savoir Vivre charter this season.  Book NOW!

See our previous post earlier today for more information about the French Hotel Barge Savoir Vivre.

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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

 

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French Hotel Barge SAVOIR VIVRE: Barging Cruises in Burgundy France

We have updated our online brochure for French Hotel Barge SAVOIR VIVRE.

French Hotel Barge Savoir Vivre - Barging in France

Barge Cruises in Southern Burgundy, France

The French Hotel Barge Savoir Vivre offers an all-inclusive crewed barging vacation cruise but with a bit of a difference... They do not have a dedicated on-board chef as crew member. Savoir Vivre has catered lunches aboard prepared by two local chefs, both of which have cooked on top barges in Burgundy. These buffets will be laid out easily and elegantly in Savoir Vivre's "Open Kitchen". All dinners are on shore at local, selected restaurants.

L'Auberge Gourmand - Velars-sur-Ouche, France

You can view further information about this and their 2011 Restaurant Guide on Savoir Vivre's CUISINE page.

Savoir Vivre is a new (completed first full season in 2010), purpose-built hotel barge. Savoir Vivre is 80-feet long, has air conditioning and central heating, and accommodates up to 8 guests in 4 identical cabins which can either be configured as 2 twin beds or 1 queen (your choice).

Entering a lock

Savoir Vivre is accepting cabin bookings this season, as well as private charters.

Please note that September is a VERY popular month and is already booking up across the various barges' calendars, but Savoir Vivre currently has September 4-10 open for a private charter, and September 18-24 open for a cabin booking.

They currently have designated cabin weeks for:

• July 31-August 6, 2011: 1 cabin available
• September 18-24, 2011: 2 cabins available

RATES, 6 nights:

• Individual Cabin Bookings, Shared Charter:
• $3000/person, double occupancy
• $5000/person, single occupancy
• Private Charter:
• 6 guests:$22,000
• 7 guests: $23,000
• 8 guests: $24,000

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.

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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

 

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French Hotel Barge ST LOUIS: Special Offer MAY 7th

The French Hotel Barge SAINT LOUIS has a special 15% discount for their May 7-13, 2011 cruise.

French Hotel Barge SAINT LOUIS - Barging in France

Barge Vacations along the Canal de Garonne, Southwest France

SPECIAL RATE:

• May 7-13, 2011
• Agen to Castets (see itinerary)
• Maximum of up to 4 guests: $17,982 (normally $21,156)

Saint Louis cruises the beautiful calm waterways of Southwest France, including the historic lands of Aquitaine and Gascony along the Canal de Garonne. Saint Louis accommodates up to 6 guests in 3 spacious staterooms which can be configured with either queen or twin beds.

Please note that July 30 to August 5th has opened up for a cabin cruise week.  There are currently two of the three guest cabins available. This week coincides with the outstanding spectacle called Au Fil de l’Eau  (see www.aufildeleau.org for more information about this festival).
 

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

 

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Guided Walking Tours & Barging Cruise - LA BELLE EPOQUE

The French Hotel Barge LA BELLE EPOQUE is offering two Guided Walking Tour & Barging Cruises in Burgundy France this season.

Come to Burgundy next Autumn and enjoy La Belle Epoque's

special Walking Tour with like-minded individuals

DATES & AVAILABILITY:

We have two departures in 2011 for this special Guided Walking Tour:

• October 16-22 (4 jr suites available, as of March 13, 2011)
• October 23-29 (Sorry, fully booked)

Besides the fact that there is no special supplement for this guided tour, both weeks are designated as "VALUE" priced weeks, so you save again!

RATES:

• Junior Suite: $4550/person, double occupancy
• Suite: $4750/person, double occupancy

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 on board 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!

This all-inclusive deluxe barge is 128 feet long, has two levels, a crew of 5 or 6, and accommodates up to 13 guests in 7 cabins, each with private, ensuite bathrooms. La Belle Epoque is fully air conditioned and has central heating. They have two sundecks with steamer chairs, recliners, parasols, a large dining table, plus a Jacuzzi spa pool.

Sounds good? Contact Paradise Connections and let's get started. This is a very popular cruise and it books up quickly. As you can see, the second week is fully booked, and there are already 2 cabins booked for the October 16th departure.

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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

 

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Hotel Barge SAVOIR FAIRE: Family Barging Cruise Special Offer

FAMILY COMES FIRST ABOARD THE SAVOIR FAIRE

And indeed this is a first ever...

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. With far more public areas than many other barges, you need never feel crowded. Find a quiet corner, relax and enjoy the peace and beauty of the countryside as we gently glide past historical villages and delightful views.

Our family cruises are designed with your family in mind. We have, in addition to our marvellous itinerary, 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 2011 we are offering a spectacular opportunity to enjoy the very best of family barging.

2011 SUMMER FAMILY CHARTER DATES:

• June 26 - July 2
• July 3-9
• July 10-16
• July 17-23
• July 24-30

FAMILY CHARTER SPECIAL RATE:

This offer has expired. See 2012.

Some of the activities we have planned for you:

- SOPHIE'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 and we'll officially name it on our Blog. Let us film you making it and we'll post it for all your friends to see.

- 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.

- TREE CLIMBING & 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 tree climbing)

- 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.

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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

 

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Ireland Guided Walking Tour & Barging Cruise, Summer 2011

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

SUMMER SOLSTICE WALKING CRUISE
June 26 - July 2, 2011

There are still a few cabins available for the dedicated Guided Walking Tour barging cruise 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!"

Experience barging in Ireland this year.

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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

 

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