European Waterways is offering special savings on barge cruises in the South of France. To qualify, cruises must be booked by February 25.
- The 8-passenger Anjodi cruises the 300-year-old Canal du Midi (canal of the two seas), a World Heritage site and the most popular barging route in Europe. Among the excursions offered on the Anjodi is a tour of Carcassone, the most complete medieval walled city in existence and a UNESCO World Heritage site; and a visit to Pezenas, a village associated with French playwright Moliere. During the cruise, European Waterways’ guests also visit the 12th century hill-top fort in the village of Minerve, considered “one of the most beautiful villages in France,” and enjoy private wine tastings of Corbières and Minervois wines at the distinguished Châteaux Guery and Perdiquier. The Anjodi currently has a special offer of $3000 off the whole charter price for six to eight passengers for cruises in March and April 2011. Vessel must be booked by February 25 to qualify. Other conditions may apply.
- Enchanté follows a similar route as Anjodi, with excursions to Carcassone and Minerve, as well as to Lagrasse with its 8th century abbey. Passengers will also explore Narbonne’s colorful indoor market. Here, they will find fresh produce that includes vegetables, fruits, spices, as well as large barrels of olives, mounds of shellfish, oysters, and other seafood, plump figs, honey, and a wide variety of nuts. Other highlights include a visit to a traditional ‘Oulibo’ or olive press to sample the famous Lucques olive oil and a private wine tasting in Saint Chinian, the first village in the region to receive the enviable French A.O.C. rating, one of the world’s oldest and strictest systems for designation of wines and quality control. Enchanté is offering $1,000 off per cabin, based on double occupancy for its April 10 and April 17 departures, as well as a substantial $5,000 off the whole boat charter price for six to eight passengers for its April 24 departure. Travelers must book by February 25 to take advantage of these special offers. Other conditions may apply.
- Rosa cruises the Canal Lateral a la Garonne, the continuation of the Canal du Midi that meanders through Gascony towards Bordeaux. Highlights of the cruise include visits to the historic towns of Montauban & Auvillar. Mountaban is the second oldest of the bastides – towns built during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries – in Southern France. Auvillar is famous for its art galleries and wine. During the cruise, passengers will also experience the crossing of a 1000 foot aqueduct and enjoy tastings at producers of two of the area’s best known products – Armagnac and foie gras. Rosa offers $3,000 off its whole boat charter price for six to eight passengers for all April and May 2011 departures, as well as $1,000 off per cabin, based on double occupancy, for its May 15 and June 12 departures. Guests must book by February 25 to qualify. Other conditions may apply.
Leave a Reply