Saturday, May 18, 2013

Luxury Hotel Barge Cruises: Fine Cuisine Afloat

The classic traditions of French and international cuisine are an unforgettable highlight of our hotel barge cruises. Before you wake each morning, a crew member has visited the local patisserie to collect newly baked breads, buttery croissants and a variety of fresh pastries. Together with the aroma of fresh coffee brewing, the day has just begun and you may want to enjoy your breakfast on deck.


Luncheon, often enjoyed on the sun deck, will be a colorful arrangement of salads, pâtes, savoury quiches and of course, a selection of cheeses, all accompanied by an excellent choice of wines from the barge's cellar.


Dinner is the culinary highlight of each day. Served by candlelight, each course is a delicious creation, complemented by fine wines. Your chef will use the freshest ingredients, bought from the wonderful local markets and pick herbs from the small on-board herb garden to produce wonderful regional and national dishes that are full of flavor.


Would you like to see more? Watch our video...



Cruising on a fully crewed, all inclusive hotel barge is a fantastic way to relax and experience the beauty and culture of the country.

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 small groups from 2 to 20 guests depending on the barge. 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. You can always do a bit of activity such as cycling and walking along the towpath as your barge makes its way along the canal. Some barges offer themed cruises such as golfing, guided walks and cycling tours, fishing, wine tasting & appreciation cruises, family vacations, regional festivals such as the Hampton Court & Chelsea flower shows, etc.

Let's get started on planning your next hotel barge cruise.



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


Tuesday, May 14, 2013

French Hotel Barge ROSA: New alternate itinerary offered

We have a new itinerary for the French Hotel Barge ROSA in southwest France that will be especially interesting to you wine lovers!


This new itinerary for Rosa, which features more of the renowned Bordeaux wine region, is on the Canal de Garonne between Castets-en-Dorthe and Boe. This route will be offered twice this summer (once in each direction) and for all departures in October 2014 (next year!). The itinerary includes a visit to Saint Emilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and tastings of premier cru and grand cru wines.



2013 DATES & RATES for new itinerary between Castets-en-Dorthe and Boe:
August 18-24: Open for private charter or cabin cruise week: VALUE SEASON
  • Cabin cruise week: $8100/cabin ($4050/person, double occupancy)
  • Private charter:
    • 6 guests: $28,000
    • 7 guests: $29,000
    • 8 guests: $30,000
August 25-31: Open for private charter or cabin cruise week: REGULAR SEASON
  • Cabin cruise week: $9180/cabin ($4590/person, double occupancy)
  • Private charter:
    • 6 guests: $32,000
    • 7 guests: $33,250
    • 8 guests: $34,500
Rosa still has good availability for their standard Agen to Montauban itinerary. Inquire for dates and special offers.


Rosa's charming accommodation for eight guests features two double and two twin-bedded staterooms, all with private ensuite bathrooms, and a redesigned saloon that gives direct access onto the spacious sundeck. A cruise on Rosa is the ideal way to explore this beautiful, pastoral region of Southwest France.

The Garonne Canal, also known as the Canal des Deux Mers, links the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, passing through the region of l'Occitanie -- a veritable palette of colours and scents created by orchards and vineyards before joining the Canal du Midi. Visit historic fortified bastides, learn about the region's artists and rural culture, and cruise by picturesque old villages and quaint farms. Of course, as this cruise is near Bordeaux wine country, there will be plenty of opportunity to sample a part of France where good food and wine is a way of life.



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

Monday, May 13, 2013

Burgundy Walking Tour Barging Cruise with Barge La Belle Epoque


There are still cabins 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: Two cabins open
    • $9500/cabin ($4750/person, double occupancy)
  • October 20-26, 2013: Four cabins open 
    • 2 Junior Suites: $9780/cabin ($4890/person, double occupancy)
    • 2 Staterooms: $9500/cabin ($4750/person, double occupancy)
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
 

Friday, May 10, 2013

Barging in Scotland Videos with Hotel Barge Scottish Highlander

We have some excellent videos for barging in Scotland aboard the crewed, all-inclusive, luxury hotel barge Scottish Highlander.

Scottish Hotel Barge Scottish Highlander - Calendonian Canal Cruise - Barging in Scotland

Visit this page and take an advanced peak at some of the sights you will see when you cruise with the Scottish Hotel Barge Scottish Highlander:
  • A Brief Tour of the 8-Passenger Hotel Barge Scottish Highlander
  • Cruising Aboard the Hotel Barge Scottish Highlander
  • Fort Augustus - Gateway to Loch Ness
  • A Visit to Cawdor Castle
  • Culloden Moor - Scene of the Last Battle on British Soil
  • The Spectacular Eilean Donan Castle
  • A Tour to the Mystic Battlefields of Glencoe
  • The Magnificently Situated Urquhart Castle, Overlooking Loch Ness
  • A Tour of the Ben Nevis Whisky Distillery

The highlands of Scotland hold the very essence of this awe inspiring country. The luxury hotel barge Scottish Highlander cruises along the Great Glen from Inverness towards Fort William, through lochs, along rivers and the scenic and absorbing Caledonian Canal. Ancient castles leading to the water's edge, heather-clad hillsides and arguably the finest inland cruising scenery in the world.

Anchor below castles and explore the Glens, Munroes and Bens of this spectacular land. The legends of the past, the taste of single malt and the mythical inhabitant of Loch Ness all contribute to a special magic only experienced in Scotland's dramatic Highlands.


The hotel barge Scottish Highlander has the atmosphere of a Scottish country house with subtle use of tartan furnishings and landscape paintings. At 117 feet, Scottish Highlander is spacious and has every comfort for year-round cruising. Scottish Highlander accommodates up to eight guests in staterooms that can either be configured for doubles or singles, each with ensuite bathrooms.

Contact us to inquire for open weeks and special offers.



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


Thursday, May 09, 2013

Irish Barge Shannon Princess - Chocolate Truffles and Special Offers

Olivia from the Irish Hotel Barge Shannon Princess wrote this piece on Chocolate Truffles for St Valentine's Day but we feel that it is appropriate for Mother's Day, too.  Well, actually we believe that chocolate truffles are excellent any time... Enjoy!

We have also listed our special offers for Shannon Princess at the bottom of this post...



For me, chocolates and St Valentine’s Day go hand in hand. Chocolate is always delicious as a treat and perhaps the most romantic gift after red roses. As a committed chocoholic, I look for any excuse to cook with and eat chocolate! To make this as guilt free as possible I always share with family and friends.
Ingredients:
  • 1 lb of 70% Dark Chocolate
  • 1 pint of Double Cream
  • 1 big splash of Bailey’s Irish Cream Liqueur
  • 1 teaspoon of Flaked Sea Salt
  • Cocoa powder to decorate.

Method: 
  1. Pour the cream into a heavy bottomed saucepan over a gentle heat until the cream reaches the simmering stage.
  2. Remove from the heat and then pour over the chocolate. Stir gently until you have a smooth silky texture.
  3. Add the Bailey’s Cream Liqueur along with a pinch of sea salt to the mixture. Pour the mixture into a tub and allow to set in fridge for a couple of hours.
  4. Fill a cup with boiling water and heat a melon baller or a spoon by dipped into the boiling water. Use this to shape the truffles.
  5. Coat your truffles in cocoa powder or pistachio nuts immediately after shaping.
  6. Place on a plate and allow to set in the fridge for an hour. Then share for guilt free enjoyment!



Irish Hotel Barge Shannon Princess moored in Killaloe, Ireland

Visit Ireland and enjoy seeing the sights and soaking up the Irish culture with Ruairi & Olivia, owner-operators of the Irish Hotel Barge Shannon Princess, along with their attentive crew. This crewed luxury 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.



Shannon Princess also has some openings for September... Inquire! Visit our website, contact Paradise Connections and let's begin!


Don't put it off any longer... Go barging in Ireland in 2013!


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
 



Saturday, May 04, 2013

Hotel Barge Magna Carta: Hampton Court Flower Show Garden Cruise, July 2013

The English Hotel Barge Magna Carta which cruises the Royal River Thames between London (Hampton Court) and Henley-on-Thames, still has space available for their Hampton Court Flower Show Garden Cruise.

English Hotel Barge Magna Carta moored at Hampton Court - Barging Cruises in England

The six-night Hampton Court Flower Show Garden Cruise on Magna Carta will be departing on July 7, 2013. This cruise along the Royal River Thames will really appeal to the horticulturalists among you because, as well as a visit to the world-famous flower show, there will be tours of Kew Gardens with its glorious glasshouses, Savill Gardens in Windsor Great Park and the magnificent riverside estate and gardens of Cliveden.
There are currently THREE cabins open...
  • Henry VIII Suite
  • Christopher Wren Suite
  • Shakespeare Suite
which would you like?
Hampton Court
Kew Gardens
Savill Garden
Cliveden Estate
Cliveden - Spring Cottage
The luxury, 8-passenger, all-inclusive, crewed English Hotel Barge MAGNA CARTA on the Royal River Thames brings you in touch with the very soul of England. The Magna Carta cruises from Hampton Court to Henley-on-Thames past Royal Palaces, quaint riverside towns and villages.  It is the perfect way to admire olde worlde England and the natural beauty of Surrey, Berkshire and Oxfordshire.



The all-inclusive, crewed, luxury, English Hotel Barge Magna Carta is approximately 120 feet in length and has two decks. The lower deck boasts four full-width luxurious staterooms each averaging 200 square feet with private ensuite bathrooms. The staterooms may be configured as Kings or Twins according to your preference. Magna Carta has exceptionally spacious contemporary en-suite facilities and sophisticated modern amenities, including air conditioning, TV, DVD player, Wi-Fi internet access, and underfloor heating in each of the four full-width suites.The upper deck comprises the main salon and dining areas with large picture windows and stylish furnishings. Outside you have the sundeck with comfortable seating and the spa pool/jacuzzi. There are eight bikes on board to take at your pleasure for rides along the tow paths.

The Magna Carta offers 6-night, all-inclusive private charters, as well as cabin cruises.

Check out our Regional Guide to learn more about the area where Magna Carta cruises.



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


Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Special Offers for 2013 Barge Cruises: Updated May 1st

 SPECIAL OFFERS FOR 2013 - 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: MAY 21, 2013 

CLICK here for August 2013 special offers


French Hotel Barge Panache - Cruising the Alsace-Lorraine Region  - Barging in France


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.

 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