A Taste of La Bella Vita - Italian Barge Cruise Cuisine

Click to enlarge map

We have received after-cruise comments from a couple who were recently aboard LA BELLA VITA the week of 2-8 June 2013, Mantua to Venice (Venice, the Islands of the Venetian Lagoon, the Bianca Canal and the Po Valley).

It is very long so we have picked out their interesting comments about the food & wine associated with their barge trip, along with their week's menu.

Mmmmmmmmmm... The Good Life in Italy!

---

Sunday

On arrival at the boat, we are presented with a glass of Prosecco (what else?), a range of hors d’ouvres, and the chance to meet the crew... Back to the barge for a most exquisite dinner with some fabulous wines. If this is a taste of what is to come, then I will need to buy some bigger clothes when we get home... Ravioli followed by duck, followed by zabagliogne with cheese to finish. Superb (Italian) wines of course! What a great start to our cruise.

Monday

Breakfast was pretty good. I had poached eggs with bacon; Yoghurt and fresh fruit, with a custard filled croissant to finish. Thank goodness we have a lot of walking to do today... Back to the barge for lunch.  First a welcoming Aperol, then into lunch.  Once again the Chef has shown his skills with an Anti Pasta of a most delicious and visually exciting tomato and motzarella cheese creation. A Savignon from northern Italy matched it perfectly. Spaghetti with a Chianti Classico for main course. Cheese and a chocolate fondant to finish.

Tuesday

Lunch today was a smorgasbord, confirming my opinion that the chef is indeed the most important person in the crew. A lovely sparkling pink wine to start - a Rose Brut Spumante. Quite delicious. An excellent selection of dishes and cheeses... Back to the boat for a welcoming drink and a tray of Bruschetta. Another notch out on the belt!

Dinner tonight was food from Sicily. Every night the meal comes from a different part of Italy, and tonight is Sicily’s turn. We started with a delicious risotto ball, then a gnocchi, a turbot main course and last a gelati with of all things licorice...

Wednesday

Breakfast of bacon and eggs, fresh fruit and yoghurt and a cream croissant. No wonder my belt is getting tighter... Back to the barge for another totally delicious lunch. This time the foods were from Liguria. My belt is barely coping by now. White bait with tempura carrots, zucchini flower and carrots. Yum! Next, the best pasta dish I have ever had, followed by cheese and a warm cake that mum said was the best that she had ever had. Superb accompanying wines of course...

Off to a Villa nearby for dinner... Only a short drive to the Villa and an excellent dinner of asparagus lasagne followed by roast chicken - real home grown free range chicken and full of flavour. Dessert was an ice cream creation and totally yum - out goes yet another notch on the belt...

Thursday

Return to the boat for lunch. Another Michelin Star quality meal. The chef really is quite brilliant... Another great dinner and wines. The chef has seen me taking photos of his dishes and has asked me for copies of them to put in his cook book.  

Friday

A nice stroll back to the boat for lunch. Today a buffet. I am sure Andrea (our chef) thinks that he has the full complement of 21 passengers to feed (there were only 6 passengers aboard this week). After lunch we had a look at the galley. As you can see it is pretty small and it’s a wonder that Andrea and Mario (the sous chef) don’t get in each other’s way. In spite of the small sized cooking area, they have produced some excellent meals.

Back to the boat to cool off and get ready for tonight’s Captain’s dinner. A beautiful balmy evening,commencing with cocktails and prawns on the sun deck. Prosecco? Of course! The whole crew came up and shared a lovely time with us. The Captain, chef and our wine steward. Sunset over the canal was the perfect setting for our final (Captain’s) dinner. Chef really excelled himself with our dinner, and the wines which went with the meal were also gorgeous. It was a happy, but sad occasion as we had had such a wonderful time on board.

Saturday

Breakfast early - all our packing has been done and it’s time for our last trip down the Canal to our disembarkation, and a farewell to our crew. Our last look at St Mark’s Square, this time from a different viewpoint. A forty minute trip passing some huge cruise liners that are docked near our final stop. Huge queues of passengers from these liners waiting for their trips into Venice. The sight of this made me convinced never to go on one of these boats, especially after the great time we had on our (relatively) tiny vessel - so much more intimate and personal.

---

Sounds wonderful, doesn't it?  Click on the images below to view their week's menu.

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.

Italian Hotel Barge LA BELLA VITA - Barging cruises in Italy

La Bella Vita is a stylish 20-passenger vessel that has been has been newly refitted in 2010 to high standards to offer comfortable, fully air-conditioned accommodation. There are two upper-deck suites and eight cabin staterooms, all en suite, and a bright and spacious dining room/bar area. Louvred doors open to the side decks to give a perfect viewing platform, whilst above is a huge sun deck with comfortable sun loungers.

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.

---

Closure of the Inclined Plane (boat lift) at Saint-Louis-Arzviller, France

It appears that the temporary itineraries for Panache and La Nouvelle Etoile will continue throughout the rest of this season due to the disruption caused by the 4th July incident of the Plan incliné de (Inclined Plane / Boat Lift at) Saint-Louis-Arzviller. The canal de la Marne au Rhin is closed to through traffic at this point. Hopefully, all will be repaired before autumn 2014 when the barges are scheduled to return to Alsace-Lorraine.

Panache was on the canal to the east of Arzviller and is now cruising between Arzviller and Krafft. La Nouvelle Etoile was to the west of the boat lift when this happened and is now cruising between Nancy and Saabrucken. As they say, "go with the flow."

Plan incliné de Saint-Louis-Arzviller un bateau coincé dans les portes de l'écluse

from Le Républicain Lorrain

Here are a couple of articles from Le Républicain Lorrain:

• http://www.republicain-lorrain.fr/moselle/2013/07/06/des-semaines-d-arret-pour-le-plan-incline
• http://www.republicain-lorrain.fr/faits-divers/2013/07/04/situation-d-alerte-au-plan-incline-d-arzviller

---

 
HOTEL BARGE PANACHE

Hotel Barge Panache - Brochure

The 129-foot Panache is a 12-passenger luxury hotel barge of classic Dutch design, fully air conditioned with spacious public areas and six en-suite suites, with your schoice of twin or double bed configuration. Bathrooms have twin sinks and oversize showers with massage jets. She is traditionally furnished in an old ship style with brass and mahogany, creating a comfortable and charming ambience. The salon and dining room have large panoramic windows for viewing the passing countryside, as well as comfortable sofas, books and music, and an always open inclusive bar. The sun deck is spacious and has a heated spa pool; a perfect place to watch the sun set after dinner.

In April and May, Panache will embark on circular "Tulip Cruises" starting and finishing in Haarlem, visiting the spectacular Keukenhof Gardens in full bloom, the world famous Delft pottery and the cheese center of Gouda.  She will then have repositioning cruises from Holland to Paris and Paris to Epernay, where they will move on down to cruise the beautiful Canal de la Marne au Rhin from Nancy to Strasbourg in Alsace-Lorraine with its unique mix of French and German cultures, Baroque and Romanesque architecture, storybook hamlets and wonderful white wines. Their various itineraries can be found in their online brochure.


HOTEL BARGE LA NOUVELLE ETOILE

La Nouvelle Etoile - Brochure

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 bedroom suites, each over 200 square feet, boast internet access and satellite TV and large double sink bathrooms. One of the suites is fully adapted to accommodate passengers with physical challenges and the barge is fitted with a lift/elevator for wheelchairs.

La Nouvelle Etoile also offers Dutch Tulip Cruises in the spring and offers a variety of cruises through France and ends their season in Alsace Lorraine. You can find their various itineraries in their online brochure.

---

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

 

---

Special Offers for Barge Cruises: Updated August 10, 2013

Special Offers for Barge Cruises: Updated August 2013

 SPECIAL OFFERS FOR 2013 & 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.

UPDATED: August 10, 2013

Please CLICK HERE to see September 2013 specials

English Luxury Hotel Barge Magna Carta
Barging Cruises along the Royal River Thames  - Barging in England

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

 

---

French Hotel Barge Saint Louis : Pilgrimage Santiago di Compostela

Today we have another informative guest post from the French Hotel Barge SAINT LOUIS who offers both private charters and cabin cruises in the Aquitaine & Gascony region of southwest France.

UPDATE: August 1, 2013. What a coincidence. Today Amazon.com sent me their "Kindle Specials of the Day" email and it includes a book that ties into this post very well...

• Paris to the Pyrenees: A Skeptic Pilgrim Walks the Way of Saint James [Kindle Edition] - David Downie (Author).

Today's price is only $1.99. I'm going to buy it because it looks interesting.

---

THE PILGRIMAGE IN SOUTHWEST FRANCE

 - By Alasdair Wyllie, Owner-Operator of Barge Saint Louis

During our cruising season we very often moor our hotel barge the Saint Louis in the tiny port of Pommevic, between Moissac and Lamagistere.  There is a full canopy of trees, and during the summer it can be quite pleasant to get some shade in the heat of the day.  Generally, no other boats are moored there, and we have for company the occasional boat passing between the locks, some of the local residents whom we have come to know  -  and a steady trickle of Pilgrims passing along the towpath.

A pilgrim at Pommevic – complete with stave and scallop

For a distance of some fourteen kilometres between Moissac and Pommevic, one of the main pilgrimage routes to Santiago di Compostela passes along the tow path of the canal.  This is Christendom’s third most important place to visit, after Jerusalem and Rome, and it is certainly the most important Christian pilgrimage in the sense of a holy destination reached after a long-distance trek.

In the early years of the 9th century, according to tradition, a hermit monk called Pelayo was led by a star to the burial place of St James the Apostle, and his find was confirmed as being the remains of St. James by Todemito, bishop of the most westerly diocese in the Iberian peninsula.   This part of present-day Spain is the region that James chose to come and spread the Word after the death of Christ, and it was to this coast that his remains were brought in 44 A.D. after he was martyrised by Herod Agrippa.  There is no hard evidence that the remains found by Pelayo were indeed the remains of St James the Apostle, but the evidence was sufficient at the time for the Church and the State to give immediate acceptance of the claim.  Perhaps the absence of hard evidence does not matter – the fact remains that there was established at the place a shrine to St James the Apostle, and very soon a pilgrimage to the shrine developed.

The pilgrimage to the shrine developed within the population of Iberia, and then in the year 947 the first foreign pilgrim arrived – he was the Bishop of Puy, who had travelled over the Pyrenees from France.  Between then and the fifteenth century the pilgrimage was busy, and indeed it was at its busiest in the twelfth century.   Imagine, if you can, the conditions that these pilgrims had to endure at that time, and the risks they took.  Long staves, for protection, were part of every pilgrim’s essential equipment, as was a scallop shell displayed on the body, for identification.  (The scallop shell is the emblem of St James, the “logo” of the pilgrimage, and  the French for scallop is “coquille St Jaques”  -  “St James’ shellfish”)  Many of today’s pilgrims keep the tradition going by carrying a stave and displaying a scallop shell.

A pilgrim statuette in nearby Auvillar

I am often asked where the pilgrimage starts.  The simple answer is that there is no starting point – there are feeder routes across Europe, from Ireland in the west to Austria and Poland in the east.  Hence, the pilgrims represent a multi-cultural and a multi-lingual society.  Although the pilgrimage is clearly of Christian origin, there are many people who are doing it as a classic long-distance walk with no religious connotation.  It is essentially Slow Travel!

As part of the parallel between the pilgrimage and Slow Travel, it is interesting that one of the very first Traveller’s Guide Books was written as a guide to the pilgrimage – the Pilgrim’s Guide “Codex Calextinum was written in the 12th century!

It is interesting to discuss with today’s pilgrims their motives for what they are doing.  I very often hear from people that their motives, their rationale, indeed their whole way of thinking have changed along the way.  There is the classic statement “One’s pilgrimage does not end in Santiago – it begins there”.  Perhaps this is a bit like a luxury cruise on the Saint Louis, in which you have the time and the surroundings to be able to reflect on the world around you.

Two pilgrims pass the barge at Pommevic

Meanwhile, back at Pommevic, the pilgrims can enjoy the fact that they only have 1,200 kilometres left to go!

---

Thanks, Alasdair!

French Hotel Barge Saint Louis - Barging cruises charters in southwest France

The French hotel barge Saint Louis cruises the beautiful calm waterways of Southwest France, including the historic lands of Aquitaine and Gascony. She does so in "casual luxury", providing the perfect accommodation for up to six guests in three stateroom suites (configured as twins or doubles, as desired). To cruise aboard Saint Louis is to experience peace and tranquillity as one passes through the lush countryside, pretty villages and memorable towns. It also means enjoying delicious French cuisine, prepared with fresh local produce, and savouring local wines and aperitifs. Your hosts, Alasdair and Barbara, together with their friendly and expert crew, will ensure that your holiday or vacation is the ultimate in relaxed pleasure.

AVAILABILITY:

• Saint Louis, current availability for the remainder of the 2013 season:
• August 16-22, 2013 : Agen - Montauban
• August 30 - September 5 : Agen - Castets
• September 20-26 : Montauban - Agen (optioned)
• September 27 - October 3 : Agen - Montauban
• October 3-9 : Montauban - Agen
• Inquire for the 2014 barging season. It is not too early to book, especially if you have special, specific dates such as your 10th wedding anniversary :)

---

Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book SAINT LOUIS 
View Saint Louis' 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.

---

Special Offers for Barge Cruises: Updated July 22, 2013

Special Offers for Barge Cruises: Updated July 22, 2013

 SPECIAL OFFERS FOR 2013 & 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.

UPDATED: JULY 22, 2013

French Luxury Hotel Barge L'Impressionniste
Barging Cruises along the Burgundy Canal  - 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.

Click HERE for August Update

 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

 

---

Barge La Belle Epoque: Burgundy Walking Tour Barging Cruise

There is ONLY ONE cabin 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: Not available, completely booked
• $9500/cabin ($4750/person, double occupancy)
• October 20-26, 2013: Five cabins booked, ONE cabin open 
• 1 Stateroom: normally $9500/cabin ($4750/person, double occupancy)
• Book before August 30, 2013 and SAVE $1000 on a cabin (only $8500/cabin)

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

 

---

BARGE CHARTER VACATION CRUISES: 2014 SPECIAL OFFERS and DISCOUNTS

 SPECIAL OFFERS FOR 2014 - BOOK YOUR BARGE VACATION NOW

Now that spring is here we hope you have been rejuvenated and are ready to make your 2014 vacation plans with your "better half", friends and family.

We have some new specials offered this month that include summer weeks. Scroll down this page to find special discounts for Private Charters, Individual Cabin Bookings, Singles, Special Events, and the 2015 Barging Season.

The 2014 season is filling up fast. If you haven't booked your barge trip for this coming season, don't wait too long as availability for some weeks are very limited. 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: April 2, 2014

The French Hotel Barge La Renaissance cruises the Upper Loire & Western Burgundy regions of France between Montargis and Chatillon-sur-Loire

- Canal de Briare & Canal Latéral à la Loire -

---

Click on the various barge's name below 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 verify current availability.

A note about private charter discounts...

Some of the barges 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.

PRIVATE CHARTERS

REGION	BARGE	DISCOUNT	DATES 2014	DEPOSIT BY
Burgundy	La Belle Epoque	$10,000 off 12-pax rate	Apr 13, 27	Apr 27
Burgundy	L'Art de Vivre	$6000 off 8-pax rate	Apr 20, 27 May 4, 11, 18	May 16
Burgundy	L'Art de Vivre	$3000 off 8-pax rate	July 20 Aug 3, 10	May 16
Paris	Savoir Faire	$10,000 off 12-pax rate	May 25 June 1	May 16
Canal du Midi	Clair de Lune	$5000 off 6-pax rate	Apr 20 May 4	May 4
Canal du Midi	Clair de Lune	$2500 off 6-pax rate	All July & August	May 16
Canal du Midi	Anjodi	$3000 off 8-pax rate	Aug 3, 10	May 16
Canal du Midi	Enchante	$6000 off 8-pax rate	Apr 27 May 4	May 4
Canal du Midi	Enchante	$3000 off 8-pax rate	July 13, 20 Aug 24	May 16
Canal du Midi	Emma	10%	May 3, 31 June 28 July 5	July 5
Gascony	Rosa	$6000 off 8-pax rate	May 11, 18	May 16
Gascony	Rosa	$3000 off 8-pax rate	July 27, Aug 3, 10	May 16
Holland	Panache	$10,000 off 12-pax rate	Apr 20	Apr 20
Alsace-Lorraine	Panache	$5000 off 12-pax rate	July 27 Aug 3, 10, 24	May 16
Italy	La Bella Vita	$10,000 off 20-pax rate	Apr 13, 20, 27 May 11,18	May 16
Italy	La Bella Vita	$5000 off 20-pax rate	All July & Aug	May 16
England, Thames	Magna Carta	$6000 off 8-pax rate	May 4, 11	May 16
Scotland, Highlands	Scottish Highlander	$6000 off 8-pax rate	Apr 20	Apr 20
Ireland	Shannon Princess	$4000 off 10-pax rate	May 11	May 11

CABIN CRUISES

REGION	BARGE	DISCOUNT	DATES 2014	DEPOSIT BY
Burgundy	La Belle Epoque	-$2000/cabin	Apr 20 May 11, 18	May 16
Burgundy	L'Impressionniste	-$2000/cabin	Apr 27	May 16
Burgundy	L'Impressionniste	-$1000/cabin	All July & August	May 16
Burgundy	Art de Vivre	-$2000/cabin	Apr 13	Apr 13
Burgundy	Art de Vivre	-$1000/cabin	May 18, 25	Mar 28
Canal du Midi	Clair de Lune	-$2000/cabin	May 18	May 16
Canal du Midi	Anjodi	-$2000/cabin	Apr 20, 27	Apr 27
Canal du Midi	Anjodi	-$1000/cabin	July 13, 20 Aug 17, 24	May 16
Canal du Midi	Enchante	-$2000/cabin	May 11,18 June 1	May 16
Canal du Midi	Enchante	-$1000/cabin	Apr 27, May 4 Aug 3, 31	May 16
Canal du Midi	Emma	10%	May 3, 24, 31 July 5, 12	July 12
Gascony	Rosa	-$2000/cabin	May 4, 25 June 15, 22	May 16
Gascony	Rosa	-$1000/cabin	July 6, 13, 20	May 16
Gascony/ Bordeaux	Rosa	-$1000/cabin	Aug 17, 24	May 16
Holland	Panache	-$1000/cabin	Apr 20	Apr 20
Alsace-Lorraine	Panache	-$1000/cabin	July 6, 20 Aug 31	May 16
Italy	La Bella Vita	-$2000/cabin	May 4, 18 June 15	May 16
Italy	La Bella Vita	-$1000/cabin	July 13, Aug 31	May 16
England, Thames	Magna Carta	-$2000/cabin	Apr 20, 27 May 25 June 1, 8, 15	May 16
Ireland	Shannon Princess	-$1000/cabin	June 1, 15	May 16

SPECIAL OFFER FOR SINGLE TRAVELLERS 

NO single supplement for select cabin cruise weeks: Save $1800-$2000. (This offer cannot be used in conjunction with other special offers).

• PANACHE (Holland): July 6, 20 and Aug 31, 2014
• L'IMPRESSIONNISTE (Burgundy): All July and August 2014

MORE 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): Save up to 30%. 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 (5 cabins booked, ONE open) - Book soon!

SPECIAL OFFER FOR 2015 BARGING SEASON

• Book your 2015 barge cruise BEFORE April 15, 2014 and pay 2014 prices (offer valid for most barges, inquire)

---

Conditions:

• Our normal Terms & Conditions apply.  While many barges require only a minimum of 2 passengers to guarantee a cabin cruise, some barges require a minimum of 4 passengers.
• 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 special offers carry a 2.5% 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 Emma - Barging in France - Cruising in Languedoc-Roussillon
 Canal du Midi --- Étang de Thau --- Canal du Rhône à Sète

Contact Paradise Connections for both cabin bookings or private charters. We are here to assist you :)

Looking forward to your inquiries

---

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

 

---

Enjoy Bastille Day this Weekend

This morning we received our weekly newsletter from Carcassonne and it had a bit about their celebrations for the Fête Nationale on quatorze juillet (14 July, Bastille Day).

For those of you who will not be in attendance this year, here is a video from 14 July 2012. It is very good footage but nothing like being there in person with the beautiful colors, the sounds of the rockets taking off, the percussion of the soundwaves striking your body, the oohs and ahs of the crowd... Good stuff. The French can really put on a show :)

This video is from the producers of firework spectacles, Ruggieri.

Looks like a pretty interesting program...

Feu d'artifice et embrasement de la Cité Médiévale

Dimanche 14 Juillet à 22h30 - aux alentours des berges de l'Aude

«Féériques émotions, la Cité dans tous ses états» est le nouveau spectacle de plus de 25mn que la ville de Carcassonne vous propose. Chaque acte du feu sera la métaphore d'une émotion. La mise en scène sera une sorte de pièce de théâtre en plein air ou chaque artifice jouera un rôle précis à travers sa sonorité, ses formes, ses couleurs, son cadencement, son ampleur et sa puissance.

«Féériques émotions, la Cité dans tous ses états » est une épopée colorée et cadencée autour de nos émotions de base.

7 grandes parties : 1 prologue aux couleurs de la république et 6 actes sur le thème des émotions.

Prologue : date du 14 juillet et tradition oblige les artificiers réaliseront un grand tableau républicain bleu blanc et rouge avant d'entamer la scénographie sur le thème des émotions. Ensuite, le spectacle s'orchestrera en tableaux structurés autour de 6 grands actes progressifs :
1. La peur, l'angoisse (fear, anxiety)

2. L'amour, le désir (love, desire)

3. La colère, la fureur (anger, fury)

4. La tristesse, la mélancolie (sadness, melancholy)

5. Le rire, la joie (laughter, joy)

6. La surprise, l'émerveillement (surprise, wonder)

We will be on our boat in Saint Croix (at least it has a French name!) and we will be raising a glass or two of pastis over the weekend while listening to Radio Nostalgie on our TuneIn Radio android app.

Hey, there's always next year... Contact Paradise Connections to book your next barging vacation!

Bonne fête

---

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

 

---

FIVE Reasons To Go Barging This Summer

Take the time and enjoy a Hotel Barge Cruise along one of the many European waterways this summer. We represent barges in Ireland, Scotland, England, Holland, Germany, Italy and, of course, France (Burgundy, Gascony, Canal du Midi, Loire, Alsace-Lorraine, Champagne...)

FIVE REASONS TO GO BARGING THIS SUMMER:

• Sunny and warm. Enjoy the long days of summer whether on a cabin cruise for two or a private charter with family or friends. 
• Kids are out of school so it is an excellent time to have a family vacation and experience the various regions and cultures of Europe, whether France, Ireland, England, Scotland, or Italy. Excellent graduation gift, too!
• The summer season is filled with festivals, concerts, markets, and plenty of other activities.
• Many of our barges have lower rates and special offers this summer. Inquire!
• The best reason of all... you DESERVE it :)

---

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

 

---