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Paris, Provence or Bordeaux: why choose? Shed winter in style with flight, hotel and cruise inclusive barge specials
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Paris, Provence or Bordeaux: why choose? Shed winter in style with flight, hotel and cruise inclusive barge specials
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Paris, Provence or Bordeaux: why choose? Shed winter in style with flight, hotel and cruise inclusive barge specials
Travelers with diverging passions can be both pastoral and urban in France this spring, thanks to the international river and canal barge expert Continental Waterways, offering two new flight-inclusive packages that first explore the beloved French countryside of Bordeaux or Provence, followed by two nights in Paris. Departing from most major U.S. cities, guests can choose a weeklong cruise beginning March 27 or April 3 aboard the 50-passenger river barge cruise through Provence or a same-length intimate barge vacation beginning April 3, aboard the 24-passenger canal vessel cruising Bordeaux. These easy-to-book eight-night packages start at $2,199 per person and combine a picturesque cruise, followed by a two-night stay in a Paris hotel. Transfers to and from a designated meeting point in Paris to the barge location are also included. The Bordeaux route package is $2,199 per person, plus $175 tax and security. Cruise and hotel only rate is $1699. Package rates including the Provence route cruise cost $2299 per person, plus $175 tax and security and $100 for upper deck supplement. Cruise and hotel only is $1799. Single supplement is $570 for both routes and guests who wish to can extend Paris hotel stays, subject to availability in the hotel and airlines and additional cost. On board chef-prepared gourmet meals including four-course dinners, wine with lunch and dinner, entrance to attractions and daily excursions and on-board accommodations are included for both packages.  Paris hotel accommodations include the Hotel Mercure Paris Bercy, a three-star boutique hotel located in the heart of Eastern Paris overlooking the stunning and trendy Bercy Park and district, which recalls the neighborhood's winemaking history and the old Bercy wine storehouses. SAMPLE ITINERARY: REGION OF BORDEAUX Winery visits, tastings, walking and shopping tours of the region's important wine-producing cities intersperse the cruise aboard 24-passenger vessel, Mirabelle, including the underground limestone cellars of Château Franc Mayne in Saint Emilion and Médoc winery Château Mouton-Rothschild. Barging on the river Garonne, Mirabelle will lead barge travelers to highlights such as the city of Bordeaux; Saint Emilion; an excursion to the 13th century castle Château Roquetaillade; the city of Cadillac; the Garonne valley; and Sauternes' wine region. Informal, oenologist-led seminars, winery tours and daily four-course candlelit dinners with accompanying regional wines assure that both mind and palate become enthused with the region's offerings. Mirabelle accommodations include 12 twin cabins and bicycles are on board. All seven crewmembers speak English and French. SAMPLE ITINERARY: REGION OF PROVENCE Graceful and spacious, the 50-passenger vessel Chardonnay will sail from the village of Andance to Tournon, which overlooks the famous Rhone vineyards of Tain l'Hermitage. Tasting and tours at area cellars and a tour of the château of Tournon is included. Other highlights include a lavender distillery and olive oil press in Nyons, known as the olive oil capital of Provence; the canal of Donzère Mondragon, which incorporates the Bollène lock, the deepest in Europe; a walking tour of the magnificent city of Avignon with its massive stone city walls, impressive Papal Palace and old town; an evening in Arles with tours of its Roman theatre and amphitheatre and the elegant church of St. Trophime; Camargue, designated as a nature reserve as early as 1927 and famous for its small black bulls, wild white horses and pink flamingos; and Aigues-Mortes, originally a fortified seaport built by St Louis (Louis IX) virtually unchanged since the Middle Ages. The 27 cabin vessel has 23 suites with private lounge areas adjoining the bedrooms, comfortable armchairs, outward-facing windows/portholes. The vessel includes a main deck with forward panoramic salon, lounge with piano bar, reception hall with boutique and dining room and a sundeck with two Jacuzzis and fitness equipment. All 15 crew speak English and French. Since the company's inception in 1966, Continental Waterways' itineraries have focused on art, history, architecture, wine and gastronomy. Uncovering local wineries, historical sites and monuments, museums, celebrated cities and picturesque countryside is de rigueur. An international cruise company with 16 luxury-river and canal barges, Continental Waterways pioneered the concept of river and canal barges plying the waterways of Europe. Continental Waterways currently owns and operates the largest fleet in Europe, focused on Belgium, Holland, France and now Paraguay, Vietnam and Cambodia. The flat-bottomed custom-built boats accommodate 20 to 50 passengers in enchanting single, twin and double cabins. All of their hotel-style barges boast rich wood paneling, nautical brass accents, decorative fabrics, central air-conditioning and heating, and private bathrooms with showers, spacious salons, dining areas, bars and sundecks. (Source: Continental Waterways) |
