SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS
The 10-passenger ATHOS is run with 5 crew
members including Julian Farrant, who has been captain for nearly 20 years, a full-time on-board chef, a tour guide and 2 hostesses. The barge is managed by the captain's wife, Dannielle, who was the ATHOS tour guide for many years. The ATHOS Crew has a
well-earned reputation for hosting their guests with charm and competence.
Combined with the scenic and historical Canal du Midi, ATHOS is a perfect
choice for vacationers who enjoy comfortable accommodations with air
conditioning/heating, the sunny Mediterranean climate, and gourmet French
Cuisine and wine amongst good company.
Cruise Highlights:
NARBONNE: Once the capital of the Roman province, it is now a famous market town dominated by the Cathedral of St. Just, the fourth tallest in France. Next to this is the former Archbishop's Palace housing a museum of antiquities. The Mediterranean sea is close by for swimming and, when available, other water sports.
MINERVE: This nearly-deserted village, located on a promontory, surrounded by deeply carved gorges, sustained a long siege by Simon de Montfort in 1210 A.D. The village was ultimately destroyed and 200 Carthare heretics were burned in front of the church. Despite this turmoil, the village was revived and today its inhabitants continue to cultivate their grapes for the production of one of the most popular wines in southern France.
Better than any vacation we've ever been on. The crew described the wines before serving and Travis (the chef) described meal preparation, ingredients and what to expect at each meal. All in all, wine and meals were expected to be and were fantastic!
-- D.K. & D.P., PA, USA
The trip was great. We didn't know what to expect traveling on a barge. We have cruised on larger vessels in the past. From the moment we arrived until we departed, the barge staff made you feel "at home". Thank you. our room was exceptional. The service was phenomenal. The route was great. Experiencing the multitude of "locks" and Julian's expertise for navigating the canal, unsurpassed.
-- J.E & S.A., OH, USA
Watching a group of five individuals from three different continents, five different countries, various different backgrounds, speaking numerous languages, all coming together to make our week barging on the Athos one remarkable experience. Simply amazing!
-- R.S. & O.B., SC. USA
Absolutely outstanding!!! It exceeded my wildest expectations!!! A big part of that had to do with the crew. They went out of their way to make everything special as if we were the only guests they ever had. In fact, we were booked for the last week of the season but the crew was as happy and accommodating to a level of disbelief. They must have been tired by then but I never saw it.
-- M.F., CA, USA
It is going to be hard to surpass this trip but I think I am now hooked on barging. What a way to travel!
-- L.T., CA, USA
I think the trip was wonderful. I especially enjoyed the focus on Languedoc wines and local cheeses. I expected fabulous food and we did have that. I did not expect the historical insight we would get from our morning sightseeing. The crew worked together very well and were willing to answer our MANY questions. They knew most of the answers, and found the ones that
they did not know.
-- M.P., IN, USA
We loved it. We are all boating people and for us these cabins were very luxurious - particularly because they were big compared to other charters we've enjoyed. No surprise, since this is a barge rather than a sailboat. The food was wonderful - to have such a wonderful chef for 8 people was such an unexpected treat. The crew and Danielle were so nice and accomodating and helpful. We loved the trips in the mornings to places like Carcassonne - nice to have a car. We were very glad that we reserved the barge to ourselves. It was nice to have the extra space.
-- L.S., CA, USA
Barging is a unique way of vacationing. The attention to service and detail by the crew eliminates any worries one might have while traveling. Barging offers the opportunity to enjoy an area on its own terms. It exposes you to areas you would otherwise not visit on most vacations and creates the opportunity for interactions with people along the way. The small size of the barge (when compared to a large cruise ship, for example) creates a sense of intimacy to the experience that makes it special.
The meals and wines were first rate--there was excellent variety and the quality of each was excellent. We appreciated that the cheese selections throughout the week showed a progression from the most mild to the more piquant cheeses; we enjoyed the commentary about the courses, cheeses and wines that accompanied each meal as well.
The barge route gave a great sense of the historical marvel that is the Canal du Midi--it is amazing to realize that this canal was built in the 17th C. The route gave us excellent opportunities to experience the lock system that makes the canal possible (I think going "up" the canal was nice to best see the locks and dams). I enjoyed walking into the towns in which we docked for evenings to get a sense of the local culture.
Sunday - Salleles d'Aude
You will be met by the Athos' Captain and Manager at 4pm in Montpellier at a designated location. In the comfort of Athos' private air-conditioned Chrysler minivans, you will be chauffeured to the barge at her mooring. You will be treated to a full-crew welcome aboard, while toasting with Champagne and Mediterannean canapes. Once settled in your cabin, you will be invited to a four-course dinner, prepared by our highly acclaimed on-board Chef.
Monday - Salleles d'Aude to Argeliers
Enjoy your first coffee of the day sitting in a comfortable chair on the upper deck of Athos. While coffee is available at any time from the bar, continental-style breakfast is served, at your leisure, beginning at 8:30am. The proposed morning visit is a drive to the famous medieval double-walled city of Carcassonne. Your knowledgeable on-board guide will offer the historical and guided visit -- making sure that you have time to browse those shops!
While the Captain gets Athos underway for an afternoon's cruise to Argeliers, Chef will serve up another local three-course gourmet meal (perhaps including the famous duck confit stew, Cassoulet). By early evening you have arrived in Argeliers, where Athos' mooring is beside the picturesque Argeliers bridge. There should be time for a brisk stroll into the village before Chef starts serving up her next delight!
Tuesday - Argeliers to Capestang
This morning's suggested visit is a tasting at the Oulibo - the local olive oil pressoir. After tasting those organic and wholesome olives (accompanied by a small glass of rose!!), a short drive up the Gorge de la Cesse and into the hilltop village of Minerve is in order. Your tour guide will regale you with the harrowing tale of the Cathar siege launched at Minerve during the 13th century. A long lunch and an afternoon of relaxation await your return to the Athos.
We arrive early evening in the charming village of Capestang. Athos will be moored with a clear view of the floodlit St. Etienne Cathedral. The village is a five-minute walk. Dinner will be waiting on your return!
Wednesday - Capestang to Fonserannes
After breakfast, take a moment for a stroll into the village square. The morning market is on, and there is time to explore the stalls of the local cheese merchant and butcher. Julian will get Athos underway in time to stop for a pre-lunch wine tasting at one of the few remaining traditional-method 19th century wineries, Domaine de Guery. As you ramble back on-board post-tasting, the table is laid on deck and another impressive feast awaits.
The cruise route today promises spectacular views of the Pyrenees across the sunny, clear plain. When you arrive at the top of the Fonserannes (tonight's scenic mooring), your tour guide suggests a visit to the old market town of Pezenas. It is a 25-minute drive just past Beziers. Pezenas was the first seat of the Languedoc court. The architecture is particular to the town because of the 'Hotels Particuliers' or mansions belonging to the noble families who followed the Court. It is filled with artisans' shops, including painters, hat makers, and costume designers. Your tour guide makes sure that there is time to browse, as well as time for learning about the history. When you return to the boat, you can smell Chef's dinner creations tempting yet again!
Thursday - Fonserannes to Vias
Why not take a side-trip to the weekly morning market in Narbonne? Even for non-shoppers, Narbonne offers much entertainment on a Thursday morning! Explore an excavated portion of the original Roman road, the Via Domitia, or, browse through the well-compiled Roman Museum, or, discover the beauty of St. Juste Cathedral, or, simply take a moment to blend into the scene, while you just sit and relax in one of the many cafes.
As Chef and the hostess begin serving up today's luxury meal, Captain Julian and his deck hand are busy getting Athos underway. This 17th century feat of engineering, the 'Neuf Ecluses' (or staircase locks), is sure to impress! Athos' crew expertly tie her up in each lock, and wait for the gates to close safely behind her before the water levels empty out and allow her to pass one lock into the next. But it's not over yet! Coming up next is the 18th century Canal Bridge, which will carry the Athos over the Orb River.
The evening's mooring will be just outside the small village of Vias. The paved towpath and the many locks leading to this mooring make it an ideal afternoon for walking or cycling alongside the barge.
Friday - Villeneuve les Beziers to Marseillan
From the shaded and scenic mooring of Portiragnes, we get underway earlier than usual, cruising through the area known as the 'Petit Camargue'. Bird watchers will be delighted by the Pink Flamingos, African Rollers, and Bee Eaters that frequent the surrounding estuaries.
After crossing through the exceptional 'round lock' at Agde, you find that a spectacular (and appropriate) seafood lunch awaits you, as you enter the open-waters of the 'Etang de Thau'. The 'etang' hosts Europe's largest mussel and oyster park. As the Athos comes to moor in the port at Marseillan, you will notice the enclosure that makes up the Noillly Prat Vermouth distillery. End a perfect day with a fascinating tour of the distillery -- and, of course, a taste of Noilly Prat vermouth!
Chef's efforts are sure to make this evening worth remembering! Captain Julian will join your party for your final dinner on-board this evening. During the evening, he will also invite the crew to make a farewell toast with you.
Saturday - Marseillan
The minivans will now depart to the appointed destination in Montpellier.
Note: Itinerary is subject to change.
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
*Note: Cruise directions and sample itineraries may be in reverse and are subject to change and may depend on bookings and local navigation conditions. Alternate excursions of equal appeal are substituted when needed. For charter cruises special itineraries can be arranged.
| ATHOS 2010 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACCOMMODATION | VALUE Mar 28 thru Apr 24 Jul 4 thru Aug 28 Oct 17 thru Nov 6 |
STANDARD Apr 25 thru Jul 3 Aug 29 thru Oct 16 |
||
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$3,690 |
$4,350 |
||
| Single Occupancy Supplement |
$950 |
$950 |
||
| Charter for 6 |
$28,900 |
$34,390 |
||
| Charter for 8 |
$32,840 |
$38,500 |
||
| Charter for 10 |
$35,220 |
$42,390 |
||
| ATHOS 2011 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| ACCOMMODATION | VALUE Mar 27 thru Apr 23 Jul 3 thru Aug 27 Oct 16 thru Nov 5 |
REGULAR Apr 24 thru Jul 2 Aug 28 thru Oct 15 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$3,650 |
$4,350 |
| Single Occupancy Supplement |
$1,200 |
$1,400 |
| Charter for 6 |
$29,500 |
$34,500 |
| Charter for 8 |
$33,000 |
$38,500 |
| Charter for 10 |
$36,000 |
$42,400 |
What's Included
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge, in a cabin with private bath
- transfers from Montpellier to the barge and return
- all meals beginning with dinner on Sunday, through breakfast on Saturday
- all wines with lunches and dinners
- open bar
- all escorted side-excursions
- use of bicycles
For Bed and Breakfast Cruise Option:
- two crew
- pick-up and drop off in Montpellier
- Daily breakfast with all other meals taken off the barge, use of galley prohibited
- use of bicycles
- optional $500 charter supplement fee for added guided excursions
What's Not Included
- suggested gratuity for the crew (barge suggests 200 Euros per person) to be given to the captain at the end of the cruise.
- overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- transportation from Paris to Montpellier and return
 |
Special Places Travel, LLC "Barges in France (and the rest of Europe) ... for the experience of a lifetime!" ™
For booking information,
|
