All About Hotel Barge Charters

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

RECIPE for Clafoutis from Hotel Barge Rosa

Chef Mike Crowson from the French Hotel Barge Rosa has sent us this recipe for the French dessert clafoutis (pronounced kla-foo-TEE).

Clafoutis, a popular French dessert aboard Hotel Barge Rosa

The most popular lunch dessert & most requested recipe at the beginning of this season has been the classic & humble Clafoutis.

Clafoutis is a sweet batter mix that is baked filled with unstoned cherries. The stones are left in because they give the batter a slight almond flavour during baking.

Clafoutis comes from the Limousin just north of our crousing route & its popularity spread throughout France during 19th century. The name comes from the Occitan word clafotis meaning to fill, as in a batter filled with cherries, which describes the dish perfectly.

These days clafoutis are filled with lots of different fruits such as apricots, apples, pears & nectarines. However, when filled with anything other than cherries it should be called a flaugnarde, a similar dish from the Limousin & Perigord.

CLAFOUTIS RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

Flour, 100 grams

Eggs, 3 + 1 yolk

Milk, 160 ml

Cream, 160 ml

Caster sugar, 90 grams

Lemon zested, 1

Salt, pinch

Butter, melted, 70 grams

Cherries, with or without stones (pits), 600 grams

METHOD

Using a 24-28 cm baking dish or cake tin, either line with baking parchment or in a baking dish brush with butter & coat with sugar as you would a soufflé.

Pre heat the oven to 180 C, 350 F, gas 4

Put the flour, lemon zest & sugar in a mixing bowl. In a jug, mix all the wet ingredients then add this to the flour mixture to create a smooth batter.

Finally, fold the cherries into the batter & pour into the prepared baking dish & bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean, cool just slightly & sprinkle with caster sugar,

Serve with a warm crème anglaise, pouring cream, or crème fraîche.

Thanks, Mike!

French Hotel Barge Rosa at their mooring at the port in Montauban

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

Rosa has two routes for cruising the Gascony/Bordeaux area:

Agen to Montauban (view itinerary): from March 29 through August 22, 2015
Castet-en-Dorthe to Boé (view itinerary): from August 23 through October 31, 2015

See if Rosa has any special offers/discounts available: CLICK HERE

Enjoy yourself this summer with a cruise aboard Rosa!

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

Friday, May 08, 2015

BARGING CHARTERS VACATION CRUISES: 2015 SPECIAL OFFERS and DISCOUNTS

Book Now and Save

Special Offers for 2015 Barging Cruises / Barge Vacations

> > > CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT SPECIAL OFFERS < < <

Want to go cruising on a luxury crewed hotel barge? We have some great special offers for you.

Contact Paradise Connections for both cabin bookings or private charters.

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

Wednesday, May 06, 2015

HOTEL BARGE PANACHE Cruise the Champagne Region of France

NEW 6-night itinerary for the Champagne Region in France aboard the Hotel Barge PANACHE departing June 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2015 and with discounted rates!
.

Two routes: Paris to Condé sur Marne AND between Chalons en Champagne and La Ferté sur Jouarre

To meet demands for their popular fully-crewed, all-inclusive hotel barge cruises through France’s Champagne Region, Panache has added four new departures this June. These special departures are available June 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2015 (click for itinerary). Transfers to and from the vessel from central Paris are included in the price, so passengers have the extra opportunity to linger on their own in the “City of Lights” prior to or after the cruise.

Panache also has a repositioning cruise from Paris to Condé sur la Marne for the week of May 31-June 6, 2015 (click for itinerary).

Highlights of the 6-night Champagne Cruise include:

Cruising the historic River Marne and the Canal Lateral à la Marne
Private tastings at three Champagne houses, including one in Epernay
Visit to the WW1 battlefield of Château Thierry and the cemetery at Belleau Wood
Tour of Reims, featuring the city’s majestic, 800-year-old Gothic cathedral and a tasting at a renowned “fromagier”, or cheese maker
Visit to the hilltop village of Hautvillers, where Dom Perignon discovered the “Méthode Champenoise”, the special way of getting the sparkle into the wine

After touring the Champagne area, Panache moves on to region of Alsace-Lorraine (click for itinerary) and offers barging cruises from July 12 - October 31, 2015 between Strasbourg and Niderviller. Alsace-Lorraine is in Eastern France with a unique mix of French and German cultures.

SPECIAL OFFERS

Dates mentioned for private charters may also be available for cabin cruises, but not necessarily at the discounted cabin rate... Inquire

PARIS to CHAMPAGNE

Cabin cruise: $2500 discount per cabin: May 31 -- Now only $8000/cabin, double occupancy, i.e. $4000/person

CHAMPAGNE

Cabin cruises: $2500 discount per cabin: June 21, 28 -- Now only $8000/cabin, double occupancy, i.e. $4000/person

Private charter: $15,000 off full 12-person rate (this is also a savings if you are a group of 8): June 7, 14 --- Only $42,000 for up to 12 guests

ALSACE LORRAINE

Cabin cruises: $2500 discount per cabin: July 12, August 2 -- Now only $8000/cabin, double occupancy, i.e. $4000/person

Private charter: $15,000 off full 12-person rate (this is also a savings if you are a group of 8): July 26, August 9, 16, 23 (Only $42,000 for up to 12 guests), and August 30 (Regular season so $51,000 for up to 12 guests)

The price for these 6-night cruises includes gourmet meals prepared by an on-board chef and served with fine wines, open bar, and daily escorted excursions. It also includes admission fees and transportation, and local round trip transfers between Paris and Panache (between Strasbourg and the barge for Alsace-Lorraine cruises) by private air-conditioned minibus.

THE HOTEL BARGE PANACHE

The 128-foot Panache is a 12-passenger luxury hotel barge of classic Dutch design, fully air conditioned with spacious public areas and six en-suite cabins, with your choice of twin or double bed configuration. En-suite bathrooms have twin sinks and oversize showers with massage jets.

Panache 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.

Panache has a highly professional crew of six, comprised of Master Chef, Deck Hand, Tour guide, two Housekeepers, and led by a knowledgeable and experienced Captain, who will ensure your cruise is memorable and more. Their knowledge of the region, combined with fascinating chauffeur-driven private excursions and the 12 bikes provided, will allow you to explore the areas you cruise through in as much detail as you desire.

Find more information about Panache (such as amenities, itineraries, photos, videos, etc) in our online brochure: CLICK HERE

Visit France with Panache! Contact us!

Contact Paradise Connections to book PANACHE
View Panache's online brochure

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

Tuesday, May 05, 2015

French Hotel Barge Savoir Vivre: only remaining 5 weeks open for 2015

The luxury crewed French Hotel Barge SAVOIR VIVRE offers both cabin cruises and private barge charters along the Canal de Bourgogne in the Burgundy region of France.

French Hotel Barge Savoir Vivre - Barging Cruise in Burgundy France

ONLY FIVE OPEN WEEKS REMAINING FOR 2015

Savoir Vivre is offering a 20% discount off of private charters. Open weeks are available for private charters and cabin cruses.

PRIVATE CHARTER, Regular Season:

May 17-23, 2015
July 5-11, 2015
July 26-August 1, 2015

up to 6 guests: $22,400 (normally $28,000)

7 guests: $23,200 (normally $29,000)

8 guests: $24,000 (normally $30,000)

PRIVATE CHARTER, Value Season:

October 18-24, 2015
October 25-31, 2015

up to 6 guests: $20,800 (normally $26,000)

7 guests: $21,600 (normally $27,000)

8 guests: $22,400 (normally $28,000)

CABIN CRUISES, Value and Regular Season

Standard rate of $3750/person, double occupancy (i.e. $7500/cabin)

The French Hotel Barge Savoir Vivre has become a very popular barge for cruising the canals of Burgundy as you can tell by their calendar. The 2015 barging season has just started and they only have five open weeks left.

French Hotel Barge Savoir Vivre - Barging in France - Barge Cruises in Burgundy

Savoir Vivre offers both cabin cruises and private charters. They currently have 5 weeks which can be for private charters or individual cabin bookings as all cabins are open.

Hotel Barge Savoir Vivre moored for the night on the Burgundy Canal, France

Savoir Vivre is a bit different to the other hotel barges that we represent as they do not have an onboard chef. Pastries for the continental breakfast are supplied by the local baker. Lunch is catered by professional chefs who meet up with the boat with their prepared meal. Dinners are off the boat in locally selected restaurants (included in charter fee).

Lunch is catered by local professional chefs

Dinners are ashore at interesting local restaurants

Savoir Vivre is 80 feet long, air conditioned (and has central heat, too), 4 identical guest cabins which can be configured with a queen or two twin beds, each having ensuite private bathrooms, flat screen TV, internet where available, 8 bicycles, etc...

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.

Looking forward to your inquiries

Contact Paradise Connections to book SAVOIR VIVRE
View Savoir Vivre's online brochure
Visit our website for more info on our barges and barging: www.BargeCharters.com

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

French Hotel Barge Rendez-Vous: Cruise Southern Burgundy

RENDEZ-VOUS, one of the newest French hotel barges in the fleet, will begin chartering in early summer. They will cruise the Canal de Bourgogne in Burgundy between Fleury-sur-Ouche and Vandenesse en Auxois.

French Hotel Barge Rendez-vous, barge cruises in Southern Burgundy, France

ACCOMMODATIONS:
Rendez-Vous accommodates up to 6 guests in 3 cabins which can be configured with one Queen/King bed or two Twin beds. Which ever arrangements works best for you.

PRICE:
They have attractive rates and their 2015 calendar is booking up nicely for a new boat. Their all-inclusive price of a crewed private charter is $30,000 for up to 6 guests, for 6 nights.

CURRENT AVAILABILITY (as of April 14, 2015)

OPEN, Sunday Departures:

July 19, 26

August 16, 23, 30

October 11, 18, 25

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS:

Visit the vineyards of the Côte de Nuits
Cycle along the Route des Grands Crus
Explore Dijon's food market, Les Halles, designed by Gustave Eiffel of the Parisian tower fame
Wine tasting in Beaune, wine capital of Cote d'Or
Visit the village of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois and its fairy tale style castle
Taste and learn about cheesemaking at a local farm

Rendezvous is designed for guests who want a high quality cruise but also an experience which reflects their interest in cuisine and wine, fitness, and immersion into the culture and people of France. Even the name of this new barge suggests the coming together of people and places.

Rendezvous will pack a lot of casual living into its space, including an open kitchen, large and canopied deck (complete with spa pool/hot tub), and cozy cabins with every amenity. Décor will be contemporary and comfortable, with high quality furniture, fabrics and accent pieces, all hand-selected.

Sightseeing will include a bicycle ride through the vineyards, a private mustard tasting and tour in Beaune, and a visit to a cheese farm with a wine tasting. Optional golf will be available on several easily reached courses along the route.

Interested in a French Rendez-vous? Contact us!

Contact Paradise Connections to book RENDEZVOUS
View Rendez-vous' online brochure

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

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Barging Cruises Trips Vacations - Special Offers Discounts

Book Now and Save
Special Offers for 2015 Barging Cruises / Barge Vacations

We have some great new special offers on many of our hotel barge cruises. For full details, please see the Current Special Offers page. NOTE: It is not necessary for your group to fill the barge to save on the cost of your cruise.

Featured Special Offers

CHAMPAGNE $15,000 Off 12-pax charter price Selected June 2015 cruises aboard Panache	ALSACE-LORRAINE $15,000 Off 12-pax charter price Selected July & August 2015 cruises aboard Panache	BURGUNDY $15,000 Off 12-pax charter price Selected May, July, & August 2015 cruises aboard La Belle Epoque
* All Special Offers * BURGUNDY $10,000 Off 10-pax charter price Selected May, July, & August 2015 cruises aboard L'Art de Vivre	* All Special Offers * CANAL DU MIDI $2,500 Off Per Cabin Selected April, May, June, July, & August 2015 cruises aboard Anjodi	* All Special Offers * GASCONY / BORDEAUX $2,500 Off Per Cabin Selected May, June, July, & August 2015 cruises aboard Rosa
* All Special Offers * SINGLE TRAVELLER No Single Supplement for single in a cabin Selected June, July, & August 2015 cruises aboard Panache & L'Impressionniste	* All Special Offers * ITALY $2,500 Off Per Cabin Selected May, July, & August 2015 cruises aboard La Bella Vita	* All Special Offers * SCOTLAND $2,500 Off Per Cabin Selected May, June, July, & August 2015 cruises aboard Scottish Highlander
* All Special Offers *	* All Special Offers *	* All Special Offers *

Click HERE to see all of our current special offers

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

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Barge EMMA - Happy St Patrick's Day 2015

We received St Patrick's Day greetings from Liz & Rene, owner-operators of the French Hotel Barge Emma that cruises the canal du midi in the south of France.

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh!

Welcome, come aboard...

"Hello from your Irish Coleen, exiled voluntarily in the sunny South of France. I wish you all a very happy St Patrick's Day. To celebrate this auspicious day apart from the usual downing excessive pints of Guinness, wearing of the green and talking with a funny begorrah accent, we are offering a whopping 20% discount on highlighted weeks left on the 2015 planning. This is our equivalent of the crock of gold at the end of the rainbow! Us Irish are renowned for a little exaggeration but what is not exaggerated is the fabulous holiday we offer to all our guests aboard..."

SPECIAL OFFER: 20% off standard rates for the following weeks in 2015:

May 9-15: One cabin open
May 16-22: Three cabins open. Available for private charter or cabin cruise
May 23-29: One cabin open
June 20-26: Two cabins open
June 27 - July 3: Three cabins open. Available for private charter or cabin cruise
July 4-10: Two cabins open

We hope that this special offer will be an incentive to those who are still on the fence considering a barging cruise this year.

EMMA

The French Hotel Barge EMMA is owned and operated by Liz and René Jacquot and are assisted by two additional crew members. They cruise along the Canal du Midi in the south of France between Beziers & Carcassonne and Carcassonne & Toulouse.

EMMA is fully air conditioned and also has central heating, if needed. There are three guest cabins; one has a queen bed, while the other two can be configured as either queens or twins. Beautiful handmade Irish quilts from Oonagh Morisson add that extra touch of luxury.

Emma is available for private charters and individual cabin bookings for shared charter weeks. They also offer 5-night charters if that works better for your vacation plans and budget.

Here's a bit of Irish culture for you :)

Wondering what that phrase at the top of this post means?

Beannachtaí na Féile Páraic oraibh! : St. Patrick's Day blessing upon you. Click HERE to listen (ban-ock-tee na fay-lah paw-rig ur-iv)

Here's another useful saying when you visit Ireland:

Pionta Guinness, le do thoil. A pint of Guiness, please. Click HERE to listen (pyunta Guinness leh duh hull)

(Thanks to http://www.irish-sayings.com for these sound bytes!)

Erin go Bragh !

Enjoy a bit of the Irish on your French barging cruise with the Hotel Barge Emma

Contact Paradise Connections to book EMMA
View Emma's online brochure

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

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

IRISH HOTEL BARGE SHANNON PRINCESS: St Patrick's Day is coming!

Here's some news from Ruairi and Olivia of the Irish Hotel Barge Shannon Princess.

After a stormy winter at last spring has arrived. And with spring here – St. Patrick’s Day is only around the corner.

St Patrick’s Day on 17th March is the biggest day in Ireland’s cultural calendar and a national holiday with a host of events throughout Ireland in celebration of our national festival. This year the holiday falls on a Tuesday making it a long weekend of celebrations! For us, it is a day to celebrate with family and friends. Time to take a few minutes away from the dry dock and dust off our rusty musical skills !

St. Patrick’s Day is also a huge sports day, with many of our biggest sporting festivals happening over the long weekend

Among them are National Hunt Horse Racing, Point to Points, the Six Nations Rugby Internationals – Ireland takes on France on Saturday 15 March, and All Ireland Inter Club Gaelic Football and Hurling Club Finals.

Every Parish will have pastoral church services, followed by a parade.

And also A Fleadh Ceoil – a competition of traditional music and dancing (think River Dance performed by determined 8-year old girls!), larger towns will also have street theatre and exhibitions.

We will have family, sport and traditional food as the focal points of our day. We like to have family & friends visit for an evening meal.

– Ruairi and Olivia

Irish Hotel Barge Shannon Princess - Barging cruises in Ireland

Irish Hotel Barge Shannon Princess

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. CLICK HERE to learn more about the layout and amenities of the barge Shannon Princess.

Owner-Operated, Ruairi & Olivia

On board, Ruairi is Barge skipper and enthusiastic tour guide with an unsurpassed knowledge of the river and its loughs. Olivia is master chef and serves up exquisite cuisine throughout the day that never fails to elicit gasps of delight from guests. Together they lead a professional crew providing excellent and friendly service.

Current 2015 availability as of March 20th

April 12-18: 10 cabins open, private charter or cabin cruise
April 19-25: 10 cabins open, private charter or cabin cruise
May 17-23: 1 cabin open, 4 booked - 20% OFF if booked before April 7
June 21-27: 1 cabin open, 4 booked
June 28-July 4: 10 cabins open, private charter or cabin cruise
July 5-11: 10 cabins open, private charter or cabin cruise
July 12-18: 1 cabin open, 4 booked
July 19-25: 10 cabins open, private charter or cabin cruise
August 16-22: 3 cabins open, 2 booked
August 23-29: 3 cabins open, 2 booked
September 13-19: 1 cabin open, 4 booked
Sept 27-October 3: 10 cabins open, private charter or cabin cruise

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

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

Sunday, March 01, 2015

BARGING CHARTERS VACATION CRUISES: 2015 SPECIAL OFFERS and DISCOUNTS

Book Now and Save

Special Offers for 2015 Barging Cruises / Barge Vacations

(UPDATED: March 1, 2015 - expired)

> > > CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT SPECIAL OFFERS < < <

Want to go cruising on a luxury crewed hotel barge? We have some great special offers for you.

Contact Paradise Connections for both cabin bookings or private charters.

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