Thursday, January 30, 2014

Hotel Barge SAVOIR FAIRE: Family special August 2014

The Hotel Barge SAVOIR FAIRE has a family special for August 2014 charters.

EXPIRED


Visit our website for more info on our barges and barging: www.BargeCharters.com
 

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Barging Cruise Italy May 2014 Cabin Discount - La Bella Vita

La Bella Vita, a 20-passenger, 10-cabin vessel which cruises Italy's Po Valley, Bianca Canal and Venice Lagoon, has a special offer on the ONE remaining cabin for their May 4-10 cabin cruise.


Barging in Italy - La Bella Vita - Barge Cruising Venice Lagoon, Bianca Canal, and Po Valley

La Bella Vita is a stylish 20-passenger vessel offering comfortable, fully air-conditioned accommodations. She has two upper-deck junior suites and eight lower-deck staterooms, all with en-suite facilities; and a bright, spacious dining room/bar area. Louvred doors open to the side decks to give a perfect viewing platform. Above, there is a huge sun deck with comfortable loungers to relax on with a drink and a good book, or just watch the world go by.

MAY 2014 CABIN WEEK: May 4-10, 2014
  • Only ONE cabin open
  • US$1000 discount off cabin price
  • Special Rate for CABIN: $6980 for 2 guests (not each person)

The variety of charming waterways between Venice and Mantua (Mantova) promises a unique and magical cruising experience. The itinerary includes fascinating excursions that offer a real insight into the many cultures -- Roman, Etruscan, Istrian, Byzantine and, of course, Renaissance -- that have influenced the arts, architecture and history of the region over many centuries. Enjoy the diverse landscapes and nature en route, from picturesque lagoon islands with their colourful houses, to wild beach dunes and pine woods with an abundance of birdlife; from the charming Venetian port of Chioggia via the River Po and Bianca Canal to the captivating lakeside setting of the Renaissance city, Mantua.


Delicious regional cuisine, fine Italian wines and the services of an attentive crew will make this an unforgettable cruise.

Read our previous post "A Taste of La Bella Vita" and discover the culinary delights that will be served on  your Italian cruise. CLICK HERE.

OTHER SPECIAL OFFERS for 2014: Prices in US Dollars
Private charters: Group can be less than 20 guests
  • Apr 6, 13 20 & 27: $10,000 off full 20-passenger charter price
  • All July & August departures: $5000 off full 20-passenger charter price

Cabin bookings: Price per cabin with 2 guests (not per person)
  • May 4: $1000 discount per cabin (1 cabin open, 9 booked)
  • May 18: $2000 discount per cabin (8 cabins open, 2 booked)
  • All July & August departures: $1000 discount per cabin
La Bella Vita is available for both private charters and individual cabin bookings. Contact Paradise Connections for more information.



Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book LA BELLA VITA 
View La Bella Vita's online brochure
Visit our website for more info on our barges and barging: www.BargeCharters.com
 

It's not how far nor how fast, it's the pleasure of the journey that keeps people coming back for more.



Monday, January 27, 2014

French Hotel Barge Nymphea: Loire Barging Cruises

We are pleased to announce that the French Hotel Barge Nymphea will be resuming barging cruises on the River Cher in the Loire Valley France for 2014.

French Hotel Barge Nymphea - Cruising the Loire Valley - Barging in France

Last year Nymphea had to suspend operations due to the need for emergency repairs to be carried out on lock weirs/barrages on the River Cher... but she's BACK!

It is possible to book Nymphea by the cabin and share the barge with other like-minded passengers or you may choose to have a private charter for up to 6 people. For private charters you have the option of the standard Loire cruise or several themed itineraries: cycling/bike tour, golf, family, romantic getaway for two/honeymoon cruise.

French Hotel Barge Nymphea River Cher Loire Valley barging cruises
The Valley of the Kings is as rich in history and legend as it is in beauty, and over the centuries little has changed. The River Loire and its main tributary the River Cher have transported passengers and cargo for more than 2000 years.

The proximity of such a wealth of gorgeous Renaissance architecture makes a cruise along this waterway a unique travel experience.

There is much to discover in the Loire Valley, from the fabulous châteaux to the centuries-old villages dotted along the river. Wind your way through the narrow streets perhaps discovering hidden shops with hand-painted pottery or stumble across an open market. Visit a winemaker and taste their range of Touraine wines or meet a cheese producer and learn why his goat cheese is the most famous in France.

 Barging in France - Cruising the River Cher in the Loire Valley aboard the Barge Nymphea

Nymphea has three comfortable cabins, two twin staterooms and one twin or double stateroom, all with air conditioning and en-suite facilities. Six bikes are always available for you to enjoy rides along towpaths and trails. Her crew of Captain and Chef/Housekeeper are most knowledgeable about the history in this beautiful area and are excellent hosts for your luxury cruise

Looking forward to your inquries


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



Go Barging in France

Friday, January 24, 2014

French Hotel Barge Prosperite : Cabin Week May 2014

The luxury crewed French Hotel Barge PROSPERITE, which offers barging cruises along the Canal de Bourgogne in the Burgundy region of France, has a cabin week open in May of their almost full 2014 calendar

We hope you can take advantage of this rare opportunity to cruise aboard this fine barge. There are also a few value season weeks and three standard weeks available for private charters.

INDIVIDUAL CABIN WEEK
Currently available for 2014 individual cabin bookings:
Updated January 29th:
  • May 11-17: 3 cabins open 2 cabins open, 2 booked
Rate: $6900/person, double occupancy 

VALUE SEASON, OPEN WEEKS FOR PRIVATE CHARTERS
Save up to $10,000
French Hotel Barge Prospérité still has 3 value season weeks open in the spring:
  • Departures beginning: March 31, April 6, April 13
and 2 value season weeks open in the autumn:
  • Departures beginning: October 19, October 26
Rate: $45,900 for up to 8 guests, value season

STANDARD SEASON, OPEN WEEKS FOR PRIVATE CHARTERS
As of today, 24 January 2014, Prospérité only has three standard weeks open
  • Departures beginning: April 20, April 27, and August 10, 2014
Standard rates:
  • 6 guests: $53,900
  • 7 guests: $54,900
  • 8 guests: $55,900


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

 

Looking forward to your inquries


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



Go Barging in France

Thursday, January 16, 2014

January 2014 Barging Special Offers UPDATED

Today, we updated our previous post about special offers for 2014 barge charter vacation cruises that you can see HERE.

Many barges that were recently offering a 10% discount on private charters in April are now offering a fixed discount off the full-boat rate. This usually works to your advantage even if you do not have the boat chartered to full capacity... Let us explain what we mean...

A portion of the special offers table

Take the barge l'Art de Vivre, for example. For private charters beginning the week of either April 20 or April 27, 2014, they are offering a $6000 discount off their 8-passenger (full boat) value season rate of $32,000. This makes a special price of $26,000 for up to 8 guests. If you are a group of 6 you will still be saving $3800 off the normal 6-person value season rate of $29,800 which is still more than a 10% discount!

French Hotel Barge l'Art de Vivre - Barging cruises along the canals of Burgundy, France

So, take a look at the current Special & Discount post.  If something strikes your fancy, pop us a line.


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



Monday, January 06, 2014

Barge LA NOUVELLE ETOILE: Cabin open due to cancellation

The Hotel Barge LA NOUVELLE ETOILE has had a cancellation for their two-country cruise, Amsterdam to Bruges, May 11-18, 2014.

La Nouvelle Etoile is a very popular barge and they book up well in advance. This unfortunate cancellation provides a great opportunity for you to experience this wonderful barge as they cruise from Amsterdam to Bruges.  Currently there are 3 cabins on hold with ONE cabin open.

 Luxury Hotel Barge La Nouvelle Etoile - Barging cruises in Holland, Belgium, France, Germany

Experience quaint Dutch windmills, world-famous flowers, small European towns, historic cities, art history, Delft pottery, and a distillery, all in one week. CLICK HERE to view their Amsterdam, Holland to Bruges, Belgium two-country cruise itinerary.

La Nouvelle Etoile is a luxurious barge with very spacious accommodation for up to 8 passengers, offering a wonderful blend of traditional elegance and sophisticated, state of the art facilities. The four bedroom suites, each over 200 square feet, boast internet access and satellite TV and large bathrooms with double sinks. The barge is fully air conditioned and has an elegant, teak-lined dining area and saloon, with an attractive bar and piano, and features warm and inviting furnishings. On deck there is a spacious sun deck with comfortable loungers and hot tub. Other facilities include internet access, exercise room and 8 bikes.

La Nouvelle Etoile is designed to be fully accessible to wheelchair users and the less physically able. The doors are wide enough for wheelchair users to move easily from room to room and there is a lift between decks. One of the cabins is specially equipped specifically for wheelchair users. All tours are suitable for wheelchair users and the air conditioned minibus has a lift and special straps to secure a wheelchair in place.

La Nouvelle Etoile begins their season with Dutch Tulip Cruises in the spring, then offers a variety of cruises through France, concluding their season with a Germany-Luxembourg itinerary. You can find their various itineraries in our online brochure for La Nouvelle Etoile.



Contact Paradise Connections to book LA NOUVELLE ETOILE 
View La Nouvelle Etoile's online brochure
Visit our website for more info on our barges and barging: www.BargeCharters.com
 

Sunday, January 05, 2014

Barge Scottish Highlander: Two Golfing Cabin Cruise Weeks (Now only one)

GOLFERS, REJOICE !!! Have you ever longed to go golfing in Scotland?  Here's a great opportunity for you...

Scottish Hotel Barge Scottish Highlander - Calendonian Canal Cruise - Barging in Scotland
Private Charters or By The Cabin

The 6th July and 7th September 2014 departures are golf cruises available for those wishing to book a cabin and join other golfers on board.  Other tours are available if you have a non-golfing partner.

Sedately cruise through the Great Glen between Muirtown and Banavie, navigating beautiful lochs and the scenic Caledonian Canal. Ancient castles perched on the waters edge, heather-clad hillsides and some of the finest inland cruising in the world. The legends of the past, the taste of single malt, and the (perhaps) mythical inhabitant of Loch Ness, all contribute to a special magic only experienced in Scotland's dramatic Highlands... not to mention fabulous golfing.

Availability for these two special golf cabin cruises: (Update: Now ONE week open)
July 6-12, 2014: 2 cabins booked, 2 cabins open:
  • Macpherson Stateroom: $4450/person, dbl occupancy
  • Cameron Suite (bow): $5150/person, dbl occupancy
September 7-13, 2014: Unavailable - Compeletely Booked - That didn't take long!
Golfing supplement: $800/golfer. Only those golfing pay the supplement. Not all persons on a golf charter must play golf. Golf cruises include 4 pre booked tee times and transfers to and from the clubs.

Sample Golfing Itineary: CLICK HERE



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

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.


Don't wait too long, the 2014 season is booking up quickly.



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

Saturday, January 04, 2014

BARGE CHARTER VACATION CRUISES: 2014 SPECIAL OFFERS

 SPECIAL OFFERS FOR 2014 - 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.

The 2014 season is booking up fast. We are surprised and quite happy that next year looks so good. If you haven't booked your barge trip for next year, don't wait too long as availability for some weeks are very limited. By the way, Nymphea will be chartering in the Loire next season as their canal has re-opened. 

UPDATED: JANUARY 30, 2014
and... we have added a few specials for July & August 2014


French Hotel Barge Renaissance
Barging Cruises in the Upper Loire & Western Burgundy  - Barging in France

Click on the Barge's name to view their online brochure. Find prices on their online brochure's RATES page. Contact us if you'd like us to do the calculation for the special offer rate and check current availability.

PRIVATE CHARTERS

Some of the barges now have a fixed amount off of their full-barge rate. Quite often this special rate will be less expensive than their normal 6 or 8-person rate, for a 10-pax barge for example. Please note that you can be a smaller group than the maximum number of passengers that the barge can accommodate.

Let's take Anjodi, for example. Anjodi's 8-person, value season rate is normally $34,000. Take off $6000 and their special rate for these 3 weeks in April is now $28,000. Their normal 6-person rate is $31,600 and now it has dropped to $28,000. You are still saving a chunk of money ($3600, more than 10%) even though you are a group of 6 rather than 8.

REGION BARGE DISCOUNT DATES 2014 DEPOSIT BY
Burgundy La Belle Epoque $10,000 off
12-pax rate
Apr 6,13,27 Feb 14
Burgundy L'Art de Vivre $6000 off
8-pax rate
Apr 20, 27 Feb 14
Burgundy L'Art de Vivre $3000 off
8-pax rate
All July & Aug Mar 28
Canal du Midi Clair de Lune $5000 off
6-pax rate
Apr 6, 20 Feb 14
Canal du Midi Anjodi $6000 off
8-pax rate
Apr 13 Feb 14
Canal du Midi Anjodi $3000 off
8-pax rate
All July & Aug Mar 28
Canal du Midi Enchante $6000 of
8-pax rate
Apr 6, 27
May 4
Feb 14
Canal du Midi Emma 10% May 3, 10, 31
June 6, 28
July 5
July 11
Canal du Midi Roi Soleil 10% April & May Feb 28
Canal du Midi Alegria 10% April & May March 31
Gascony Rosa $6000 off
8-pax rate
Apr 20, 27 Feb 14
Gascony Rosa $3000 off
8-pax rate
All July & Aug Mar 28
Holland Panache $10,000 off
12-pax rate
Apr 20 Feb 14
Italy La Bella Vita $10,000 off
20-pax rate
Apr 6,13,20,27 Feb 14
Italy La Bella Vita $5000 off
20-pax rate
All July & Aug Feb 14
England, Thames Magna Carta $6000 off
8-pax rate
Apr 6, 13 Feb 14
Ireland Shannon Princess $4000 off
10-pax rate
Apr 20, 27 Feb 14


CABIN CRUISES

REGION BARGE DISCOUNT DATES 2014 DEPOSIT BY
Burgundy La Belle Epoque -$2000/cabin

-$1000/cabin
Mar 30
Apr 6, 20
Apr 13, 27
Feb 14
Burgundy Art de Vivre -$1000/cabin Apr 13
Jul 13, Aug 7
Feb 14
Mar 28
Canal du Midi Clair de Lune -$2000/cabin Apr 13 Feb 14
Canal du Midi Anjodi -$2000/cabin
-$1000/cabin
Apr 6, 20, 27
Apr 13
Jul 13, Aug 24
Feb 14

Mar 28
Canal du Midi Emma 10% May 3, 10, 24, 31
June 6, 28
July 5, 12
Feb 28
Gascony Rosa -$1000/cabin May 4
Jul 6, 13, 20
Aug 24
Feb 14
Mar 28
Holland Panache -$2000/cabin
-$1000/cabin
Apr 20, 27
Apr 6
Feb 14
Italy La Bella Vita -$2000/cabin
-$1000/cabin
May 18
May 4
All July & Aug
Feb 14

Mar 28
England, Thames Magna Carta -$1000/cabin Apr 20, 27 Feb 14
Scottish Highlands Scottish Highlander -$1000/cabin Apr 27,May 4 Feb 14
Ireland Shannon Princess -$1000/cabin Apr 13 Feb 14


SPECIAL OFFER FOR EARLY SEASON, SINGLE TRAVELLERS 
NO single supplement for select Spring 2014 cabin cruise weeks: Save $1800-$2000. (This offer cannot be used in conjunction with other special offers).

OTHER SPECIAL OFFERS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
  • SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER (Scotland): Golf Cruise Cabin Week, July 6-12, 2014: 2 cabins booked, 2 cabins open. Click here for details
  • SAVOIR FAIRE (Champagne): Family special offer for August 2014: $39,000 for up to 12 guests, 2 of which are children 16-years old or younger.
  • LA BELLE EPOQUE (Burgundy): Guided Walking Tours, no additional supplement :
    • October 5-11, 2014 (booked) and 
    • October 12-18, 2014 (2 cabins booked, 4 open) - Book early!
  • Book your 2015 barge cruise now and pay 2014 prices (offer good for a limited time only on most barges, inquire)

Conditions:
  • Our normal Terms & Conditions apply.  Some cruises may require a minimum of 4 passengers booked to guarantee the cruise.
  • Cabin discounts only apply to double occupancy. 50% of the discount applies to single occupancy.
  • These special offers are subject to availability, apply to new bookings only and cannot be used in conjunction with other offers.
  • Credit card payments on all offers carry a 2% surcharge.

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.


 French Hotel Barge Prosperité - Barging in France - Cruising in Burgundy

Prosperité is a good example of how quickly barges are filling up already for 2014. UPDATE: They now have only one summer week open (August 10-16). They are open for spring from March 30 through May 3 with the first 3 weeks as value season (save up to $10,000) and they have two remaining weeks in October, which have value season rates. If you are are couple, take advantage of their cabin cruise week of May 11-17 (4 cabins open).

We hope you had a chance to discuss your 2014 vacation plans with your friends and family over the holidays. Now is the time to contact us for either cabin bookings or private charter. We are here to assist you :)



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


Wednesday, January 01, 2014

Happy New Year : 2014

HAPPY NEW YEAR

BONNE ANNEE

Wishing you and yours a wonderful new year.... healthy, prosperous, safe and FUN!


Thanks to all of you for your support over the years. We enjoy assisting with your barging vacations.


If you haven't booked yet for 2014, please contact us soon. We always get slammed with requests after the holidays so let's get started now while you still have a good selection of luxury, crewed, hotel barges available for your vacation.

All the best!



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