Itinerary 1: Beziers
to Carcassonne
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Day 1:
Guests are meet by the Captain, Earl.
Between 4 and 5 PM at the arrange
meeting point. Warm welcome on board
with aperitifs, and cruise slowly
through the vineyards near Colombiers,
to whet your appetites for dinner and
the days to come.
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Day 2:
Morning visit to the Oppidum
d'Ensérune, a site inhabited by
man since 800BC. We then pass through
one of the oldest tunnels on the French
canals at Malpas and on
to Capestang. A small town dominated by
a huge church and a good place to
stretch the legs. From here we cruise on
towards Argeliers. Dinner tonight is
taken ashore at a delightful Chateau. |
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Day 3:
The bustling markets or the historic sites of
Narbonne
are on offer for today's excursion, in the afternoon we
cruise to Le Somail and on to Ventenac.Le Somail was a
staging post for the 18th century passenger boats, the
village is pretty and one must visit the antique bookshop.
Ventenac offers wine tasting at the quayside chateau. There
is the chance for a game of Boule, and should you desire
Earl would be thrilled at the chance to show his Australian
flair with the BBQ.
Day 4:
The Abbey de Fontfroide is a
beautiful tranquil setting and with its
garden of 3000 rosebushes a wonderful place to visit. We
cruise to Homps,
another forgotten town, steeped in history, and with a fine winery to
visit.
We may cruise on to La Redorte, for a sensational dinner
aboard.
Day 5:
Visit to the Cathar
fort and hill top village of Minerve, a
stunning location with a museum that tells of its history.
We cruise just beyond Puicheric this afternoon, a great
place to sit under the trees and relax. Tonight you dine
ashore, at a beautiful Chateau, offering surroundings that
will take you back to the days of old. A chance to view the
Cité de Carcassonne by night to fire your
imaginations of fairy tale castles.
Day 6:
Tour of the Cité de Carcassonne,
to take in the fascinating medieval city, a wonderful
journey into history. In the afternoon we cruise through
Trebes to a quiet location for the farewell dinner aboard.
Day 7:
Leisurely breakfast, and transfer
between 10 and 11am to nominated drop of point.
This is a very much a guide-line, and we can do as
much or as little as you would like, it is your holiday and
our pleasure to tailor the cruise to your needs.
Itinerary 2:
Carcassonne to Castelnaudary
Day 1:
Guests are meet by the Captain, Earl.
Cité de Carcassonne Between 4 and 5 PM at the
arrange meeting point. Warm welcome on board with aperitifs
in Trebes, and cruise slowly through the ‘heights’ of
Carcassonne, to whet your appetites for dinner and the days
to come.
Day 2:
Tour of the
Cité de Carcassonne,
to take in the fascinating medieval city, a wonderful
journey into history. In the afternoon we cruise to
Villesquelande a pretty and relaxing cruise to a quiet
location for the dinner aboard.
Day 3:
We cruise to
Bram,
a village built on a circular pattern, with a gory Cathar
history. In the afternoon we visit the
Sieur d’Arques winery in Limoux,
with a guided tour of the winery, information on wines from
their wine school and not forgetting tasting including the
Cremants and Blanquettes of Limoux. Lunch is taken ashore at
a working Chateau over looking the vines.
Day 4:
We cruise in the morning through a series of locks, stopping
under the trees near St Martin Lalande.
Mirepoix Afternoon visit to the
Cathar Château de Saissac,
the remains of a beautiful castle in a stunning location,
perched in the hills of the Montagne Noire. On the way back
to Colibri we can visit the Verrerie du Canal with its
exhibition of stained and blown glass.
Day 5:
In the morning we cruise the Castelnaudary, with its grand
central basin.
Castelnaudary
is the home of the dish
Cassoulet. In the afternoon we can visit the medieval
market town of
Mirepoix
with half-timbered houses and a beautiful square. Dinner may
be taken ashore in a hill top village restaurant of great
gastronomic flare.
Day 6: Cruise on to Naurouze
located on the highest stretch of the Canal du Midi, a 190
metres above sea level. This is the watershed between the
Mediterranean and the Atlantic. We visit the obelisque to
Pierre Paul Riquet, the builder of the canal set in a
beautiful park. Farewell dinner aboard.
Day 7:
Leisurely breakfast, and transfer between 10 and 11am to
nominated drop of point.
Rates 2008:
Departures:
Note: All
prices are in Euro
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Colibri
affords you all the comfort of a small
luxury hotel, with the bonus of privacy
and daily changing views. Due to being a
privately operated canal barge, aboard
Colibri the cruise and excursions are
flexible to your tastes and the seasons.
This is your holiday and it is our
privilege to tailor the cruise to your
ideals, so that your dreams and
aspirations of a French canal cruise are
realised.
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Cruises commence on
a Sunday,
however variations
are possible. |
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Full Board: 12,500
Euros
The cruise aboard Colibri comprises of accommodation
for four people, including breakfast, lunch and
four-course dinner. Selected wines will be served with
the meals, with an open bar and other beverages
available for your pleasure. For added variety and a
feel for France, two of the meals will be at carefully
selected local restaurants.
Half Board: 11,500
Euros
The cruise aboard Colibri comprises of accommodation
for four people, including breakfast, and lunch, with a
four-course dinner served on the first evening. Selected
wines will be served with the meals, with an open bar
and other beverages available for your pleasure. The
remaining evening meals are to be taken ashore at the
client's expense. We will help in the choice of
restaurants and should it be possible within the
cruising schedule, lunch could be taken ashore instead.
Features:
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Barge dimensions:
Colibri is 26.5 meters in length and 5 meters in width.
Despite her generous size Colibri takes only four
guests, thus affording space and maximum comfort to all
parties. The interior is air conditioned to ensure your
well-being.
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Accomodation:
Sleeping accommodation is in two staterooms with
generous en-suite bathrooms. The beds are European
king-size, or you may choose two twin beds to afford
flexibility to guest's arrangements. The cabins are
furnished with French oak furniture with ample hanging
space and draws to unpack into and feel at home. The
bathrooms have hairdryers and bathrobes.
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Facilities:
The dining area and salon are light and spacious, the
perfect place to relax and feel at home, read a book, or
chat over dinner and a glass of wine. There is a music
system and collection of music, a small library of books
and games.
Guidebooks for the area are available for you to browse
and help us to customise the cruise to your wishes.
On deck there is the canopied wheelhouse, where you may
be shaded and chat with the Captain and be involved in
all aspects of cruising the canals.
The large shaded deck space allows for comfortable al
fresco dining, and the chance to relax and find
yourselves in awe of the scenery as we pass ancient
villages and vineyards. There are lounge chairs for
those who wish to take some sun whilst cooled by the
gentle breeze as we cruise along
Four bicycles are at your disposal for riding the
towpaths or exploring the villages and surrounding
areas. Plus our chauffeured air-conditioned minibus to
take you on excursions so that you can take in the sites
in the area surrounding the canal.
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