Barge Cruise: Provence - Midi II

The sun of Provence and the wilderness of Camargue

Cruise the rivers and canals of southern France in style. Discover Provence along the Canal du Rhône à Sète or tour Languedoc on the Canal du Midi aboard a classy 6-passenger barge-hotel (7 days - 6 nights).

Your chef will cater to your preferences while surprising you with imaginative cuisine, using the best accents of the Mediterranean. Cooking demonstrations are open to all who wish to learn the tricks. The river boat's galley was designed with an open plan and a bar, so you can watch with a glass in hand and the chef will be happy to explain.

Choose between one-week cruise routes in these two very enticing regions (Provence and Canal du Midi) . The exact schedule of visits and excursions and the final itinerary will be tailored to your personal needs and interests. You can even specify a special wine-oriented cruise or a family vacation, with special activities for the children.

THE PROVENCE BARGE CRUISE

Discover 2,000 years of art, heritage and culture, plus some of the finest wines in the world, on the sunny banks of the Rhone River. Cruise deep into unspoiled landscape and observe centuries of tradition in the flat lands of the Camargue, the Rhone River delta on the shores of the Mediterranean. Spot flocks of pink flamingos and herds of wild horses in the distance and marvel at unusual fauna and colorful flora while slowly gliding down the tranquil waters of the Rhone-Sete Canal. Have an "apéritif" on the deck of the barge while watching the sun set over the lagoon and let Provence gently warm your heart... one sip at a time.

Departure Dates	Pick-up Sun, 4 pm	Drop-off Sat, 10 am
May 2 and 16	Beziers	Avignon
May 9 and 23	Avignon	Beziers
Oct 3 and 17	Beziers	Avignon
Oct 10 and 24	Avignon	Beziers

Highlights and Suggested Places of Interest

In Avignon, a medieval town and a vibrant city today, you can tour the Palais des Papes, the largest Gothic palace in Europe, where 7 popes lived during the 14th century. You can also visit the famous bridge spanning half-way across the Rhone River, described in the nursery rhyme "Sur le Pont d'Avignon."

The Pont du Gard (the aqueduct over the River Gard) is a World Heritage Site. It is a marvel of Roman architecture and engineering built 2,000 years ago to bring water to the city of Nimes.

Arles offers the Roman Arena (still used today), the remains of a Roman temple, the Basilica of St. Trophime and the Museum of Provençal Life. It is also the place where Vincent Van Gogh painted some 300 canvases during his agitated year in this city (1888). You can even have a drink in the Van Gogh Café, where art meets reality.

In St. Remy, you can tour the hospital where Van Gogh spent some time and lavishly painted the surrounding countryside. There are also well-preserved remains of a Roman settlement.

Les Baux de Provence is a hilltop medieval village with stunning views over the surrounding countryside

The "Petite Camargue" outside Aigues-Mortes is a joy for bird watchers with its pink flamingos, African rollers and bee eaters (among others) that frequent the surrounding estuaries.

Camargue, the expansive Rhone River delta, was originally a huge swampy area, but is now a picturesque national park and an ideal refuge for wild life. You can visit a "manade," a typical French ranch, where the "gardians" (the Camargue version of Wild West cowboys) show us how they tend their herds of black bulls while riding their superb white horses.

Aigues Mortes: Before the Gypsy Kings sang their ballads in the local cafes, this medieval walled city was already famous as the port where St. Louis set sail for the crusades in the 13th century. It is also known for the salt formations created from evaporated water in the many marshes surrounding the area.

The Maguelone Cathedral is a fortified 6th-century church building located outside Montpellier on a peninsula between the tranquil Canal du Rhône à Sète and the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean.

L'Etang de Thau is a 12-mile by 5-mile inland salt-water lake adjacent to the Mediterranean. It is the second largest lake in France and Europe's largest mussel and oyster park.

Near Marseillan you can visit the Noillly Prat Vermouth distillery and tasting room.

THE CANAL DU MIDI BARGE CRUISE

As you cruise along the magnificent Canal du Midi, you'll step back into the time of Louis XIV - the "Sun King" - who commissioned this prodigious engineering feat to link the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. This historic canal (a World Heritage site) is nestled between rows of giant plane trees and flanked by an endless patchwork of vineyards and sunflower fields, as far as the eye can see. The slow voyage through the surrounding Languedoc region unravels a rich history going from prehistoric times through the Roman occupation and on to the turbulent Middle Ages. Along this sleepy waterway, the river boat cruises under low 16th-century stone bridges, past rustic farm houses and through peaceful southern French villages. This historical and pastoral setting makes for a unique cruising experience, as well as total relaxation and tranquility.

Departure Dates	Pick-up Sun, 4 pm	Drop-off Sat, 10 am
Apr 4 - 25	Beziers, Carcassonne, or Montpellier
May 30 - Sep 26

Highlights and Suggested Places of Interest

Béziers: The River Orb canal-bridge where the upper level of an aqueduct carries the canal over the rough waters of the river below.

The locks of Fonséranes (the "stair-step locks"): Seven locks all in immediate succession.

The tunnel of Malpas, a man-made tunnel that allows the canal to go under a massive rock formation.

The Oppidum d'Enserune: This hilltop settlement, which dates back to pre-Christian times, overlooks the magnificent Etang de Montady, with a 360-degree view of the surrounding countryside and the plain below. The museum houses many artifacts, and the remains of the dwellings give an insight into this early civilization.

Olonzac with its open-air street market that offers a wide variety of foods, fresh produce and other local goods: Provençal fabrics, books, music, hardware, clothing, etc.

Oulibo, an olive oil factory where you can sample different types of olives and oils and other byproducts such as soaps, hand creams and beautiful bowls and implements made from olive wood.

Pézenas, a delightful village known for its association with the French playwright Molière, who is said to have written many plays while staying there.

Minerve, a picturesque village perched on top of a cliff surrounded by a deep canyon. This is the place where 150 Cathar "heretics" were burned at the stake during the Albigensian Crusade at the beginning of the 13th century.

Le Somail, a quaint hamlet with a humpback stone bridge, famous for its used and rare bookshop and other artisan boutiques.

Capestang: The smallest bridge in France.

L'Abbaye de Fontfroide, a beautifully restored medieval Cistercian complex in a remote and tranquil setting with a wonderful rose garden.

Narbonne, founded in 118 BC by the Romans. Highlights: the towering 13th-century Gothic cathedral and the 100-year-old covered market, with its wonderful selection of fresh seafood, fruit, vegetables, cheeses and many other delicacies. Enjoy an espresso in the central square, which features the chariot-rutted paving stones of the Roman road, Via Domitia. You can visit the impressive archaeological museum or the fine arts museum, or you can shop and browse the boutiques along the quaint pedestrian streets.

Carcassonne: A fortified medieval city and a World Heritage site. You will be impressed by the size of this formidable fortress city with its thick crenellated walls anchored by some 50 massive towers. You can also admire the Romanesque and Gothic Cathedral St. Nazaire with its gorgeous 13th-century rose stained-glass window as you stroll along the the winding cobbled streets lined with quaint boutiques.

Included

• Accommodations with private bath or shower and all meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 7
• Innovative gourmet cuisine, with cooking demonstrations
• Wine with lunch and dinner and selected alcoholic beverages consumed aboard the barge
• Sightseeing tours and entrance fees as specified
• Round trip transfers from specified meeting points

Not Included

• Transportation to and from beginning and end meeting points
• Health and travel insurance
• Barge crew gratuities (suggested 5% of cruise price)
• Superior vintage wines, champagne (except welcome cocktail on first day) and fine liqueurs
• Personal expenses
• Optional activities when available
• Other items not specifically listed under "Included" above

Barge Features

• 5-star comfort and style of a luxury motor yacht
• 3 spacious, bright and airy staterooms (each about 160 sq ft) with opening skylights, queen-size beds and private bathrooms
• Bilingual French/Anglo-Saxon crew of 4 (chef, guide, hostess and skipper)
  
• Length: 98 feet; width: 16.5 feet
• Fully air conditioned throughout
• Spa pool, Bose sound system, TV, DVD library, fireplace
  
• Air-conditioned vehicle for excursions

2010 Cruise Departures

Every Sunday subject to availability (except winter)

Route	Cruise Departure Dates
Canal du Midi	Apr 4 - 25 May 30 - Sep 26
Provence	May 2 - 23 Oct 3 - 24

This barge is for private cruise charters only. Various themes can be arranged to fit the specific interests of each group.

  

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