French Wine Tasting Appreciation Barge Cruises - Barging in France

Summer is now upon us and you've discovered you have a bit of free time for yourself. For lovers of fine wine, there is no better time to take a sun-kissed wine appreciation cruise with one of the crewed luxury French canal barges we represent.

Explore the region of Burgundy, the heart of renowned wine growing areas such as Chablis, Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. For example, a wine cruise on board the 12-13 passenger L'Impressionniste on the Burgundy Canal gives passengers the chance to visit Clos de Vougeot - headquarters of the esteemed Chevaliers du Tastevin. Her sistership, La Belle Epoque, takes a different cruise through Burgundy and visits the vineyards of Chablis and Nuits St George, with wine tastings at winemakers such as the Domaine Servan, well-known for its superb Premier and Grand Cru wines.

Or you might choose to discover Languedoc-Roussillon in the south of France through a region famous for its excellent Minervois and Corbières wines. Journey along the 300-year old Canal du Midi and tour the historic Chateau Guery and Chateau de Perdiguier to sample their internationally renowned Corbieres and Chardonnay wines with 8-passenger barge, Anjodi. Or travel aboard the 8-passenger barge Enchanté and indulge in tastings at Saint Chinian, the first village in the region to receive the presitigious A.O.C. mark of approval.

French Hotel Barge Enchanté - Barging cruises in the south of France

There is an additional supplement for the specialized themed wine cruise charters to cover the cost of a professional wine guide, comprehensive wine itinerary and an upgrade of all wines to include Premier and Grand Cru. A wine appreciation cruise can be booked any time by a group chartering a barge.

The French Hotel Barge Amaryllis devotes one or two special weeks in the summer to a Grands Cru Wine Cruise for individual cabin bookings. Taste the 33 Grand Crus of Burgundy. No need to book a private charter. Take a cabin and cruise in the company of other like-minded individuals who enjoy fine wine. Read a previous blog post HERE about Amaryllis.

If you enjoy wine but wish to also explore other aspects of the region, our barges' standard cruise itineraries include wine and wine tastings and the barge crews have extensive knowledge of the wines of their region. Plus, they will tailor your charter to your interests, whether golf, wine, family... Just ask!

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

 

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Bonne fête !

Today is "quatorze juilliet" or La Fête Nationale in France and we would like to wish all of our French friends and francophiles a BIG Bonne Fête !

It's great when the 14th happens to be a Thursday because then one can "faire le pont" or "make the bridge" and have a four-day weekend.

Did anyone put Édith Piaf on their iPod Shuffle that we gave for barging cruises taking place during the month of June and Bastille week? That should get you in the mood :)

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

 

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French Hotel Barge EMMA: Special Offers on Barging Cruises in the Canal du Midi in the South of France for 2011 & 2012

Liz & René, owner-operators of the French Hotel Barge EMMA, have announced a $500 per person discount on all new bookings for July and August 2011, whether for individual cabin cruises or private charter.

What's more, book a 2012 barging cruise before December 31, 2011 and receive a 10% discount!

Plus, we'd like to remind you of Emma's Surf & Turf package: See April 22nd post for Land & Sea Special

The French Hotel Barge Emma cruises on the canal du midi in the south of France. Their standard itinerary for July and August is between Carcassonne and Toulouse. You will find other possible itineraries on our eBrochure that they might be able to work into their schedule with some advance notice.

Liz & Rene are assisted by crew members, Rosie & Annette. Four crew for up to six guests! Emma has both air conditioning and central heating so climate control is not an issue whether you cruise during the height of summer or on cool days of spring or autumn. Emma accommodates up to 6 guests in 3 cabins each with ensuite, private bathrooms. One cabin is a Queen, while the other two can be configured as either as a Queen or two Twins according to your request.

Remember that EMMA can tailor your charter to your interests... wine tastings & vineyard visits, cooking, golf, tennis, walking tours, cycling tours, or just time out to relax and enjoy a side of France that most travellers don't experience.

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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

 

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Burgundy Barging Cruise & Guided Walking Tour, Oct 2011 aboard LA BELLE EPOQUE

There are still cabins available for this highly popular Burgundy barge cruise & guided walking tour aboard the French Hotel Barge LA BELLE EPOQUE.

Barging & Walking in Burgundy, France - A wonderful combination

The original two Burgundy walking tour barging cruises were so popular that they added a third week which is scheduled for October 9-15, 2011. 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.

There are currently only couple of cabins left so don't ponder too long!

This charter week was priced as a "regular season" but La Belle Epoque is offering the same special cabin cruise for the same special "value season" rate as the other 2 walking tour weeks, plus there is no additional supplement for this guided tour.

RATES: October 9-15,  and October 23-29, 2011

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

• Now, $1000/cabin discount off the above rates!

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!

The French Hotel Barge La Belle Epoque - Barging in France

This all-inclusive deluxe barge is 128 feet long, has two levels, a crew of 5, and accommodates up to 13 guests in 7 cabins, each with private, ensuite bathrooms. La Belle Epoque has been designed with both elegance and passenger comfort in mind with their air conditioning & central heating, and evidenced by the wood panelled saloon and dining room, The two sundecks have steamer chairs, recliners, parasols, a large dining table, plus a Jacuzzi spa pool.

Burgundy is among the most popular hotel barging area 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!

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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

French Hotel Barge SAINT LOUIS - Cabin weeks: Only 2 open

The French Hotel Barge Saint Louis has only two cabin weeks available.

French Hotel Barge Saint Louis - Barging cruises in southwest France

Explore the French regions of Aquitaine and Gascony along the Canal de Garonne

• Departure July 30, 2011: one cabin available -  this includes going to the simply outstanding son-et-lumiere spectacle “Au Fil de l’Eau” 
• Departure August 20, 2011: two cabins available.

Au Fil de l’Eau

This amazing son-et-lumiere presentation takes place at Valence (near Agen) on a number of dates during the summer, making it available for two separate cruising weeks – July 30th and August 6th. It is a unique depiction of the history and people of this village, in the context of the canal. All the actors – 450 of them – are local amateurs and the event includes songs, music, fireworks and episodes from Valence’s past. Not to be missed !!

Saint Louis cruises the beautiful 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.

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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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French Hotel Barge SAVOIR VIVRE - Availability 2011

The French Hotel Barge SAVOIR VIVRE is almost completely booked for the 2011 season, but you're in luck if your "free" time coincides with theirs...

French Hotel Barge SAVOIR VIVIRE - Barging Cruises in Southern Burgundy, France

SAVOIR VIVRE has 2 of 4 cabins available for their cabin cruise (shared charter) week of July 31 to August 6, 2011. The cabin price for this special week is only $6000 ($3000/person).

Other weeks open in 2011 for private charter:

• July 24-30
• August 28 - September 3
• October 23-29

Remember their family discount special offer... CLICK HERE

The French Hotel Barge Savoir Vivre offers an all-inclusive crewed barging vacation cruise for up to 8 guests, 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.


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 PROSPERITE: Only 2 weeks left in 2011

The French Hotel Barge PROSPERITE has only TWO weeks open and available for charter this season.

French Hotel Barge PROSPÉRITÉ - Barging cruises along the canals of Southern 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 — 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...

CURRENT 2011 AVAILABILITY: 

• July 17-23
• July 31-August 6

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 barge for a charter along the French canals?

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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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Hotel Barges: Current special offers Barging Cruises (JULY 2011)

CURRENT SPECIAL OFFERS FOR 2011 HOTEL BARGES - BARGING VACATIONS & CRUISES

SEE AUGUST 2011 SPECIAL OFFERS

French Hotel Barge NYMPHEA

Barging cruises in the Loire Valley

Reduced rates for last-minute bookings and to fill in the gaps in their calendars.  At these prices, the barges are booking up quickly, so don't wait too long... Contact Paradise Connections now, for current availability and pricing.

There are also some early bird specials for the 2012 barging season.

French Hotel Barge La Belle Epoque - Barging in France - Canal de Bourgogne

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These barging vacations are fully crewed and all-inclusive:

• Six 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. 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.

French Hotel Barge L'Impressionniste - Barging in France - Canal de Bourgogne

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

 

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