Cruise in France on the Burgundy Canal on the Deluxe Hotel-Barge LA BELLE EPOQUE

SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS

The 13-passenger deluxe La Belle Epoque in Northern Burgundy is the sister ship to L'Impressionniste in Southern Burgundy. It has been designed with both elegance and passenger comfort in mind, and offers a sun-deck spa pool, wood paneled saloon and dining room, together with other luxury facilities, all fully air-conditioned. There are two spacious suites and four junior suites, with twin beds or queen bed, plus a single cabin, all with marble en-suite bathrooms. The Captain leads a crew of six, comprising Master Chef, Tour guide, Housekeeper and two Cabin Stewards.

La Belle Epoque cruises on the Burgundy Canal between Pouillenay and Tonnerre. The cruise week includes a wine tasting in Saint Bris, and visits to the Abbey de Fontenay, hilltop village of Flavigny sur Ozerain, Renaissance Chateau d'Ancy le Franc and 16th century Renaissance-style Chateau de Tanlay.

Features

• Size of barge: 126 by 16.6 ft
• Number of Passengers: 13
• Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 7
  
• Crew: 5-6.
  
• Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Yes
• Salon: Two built in sofas, bar, dining area with dining table and picture windows,
  
• Bar: Open bar
  
• Deck: Two sundecks; sunken jacuzzi, steamer chairs, reclining chairs, parasols, and large dining table.
• Spa Tub: Yes
• Cabin Features: Nuits St. George stern suite 165 sq ft with queen bed or twin beds and Meursault bow suite 150 sq. ft. with queen bed, both with ensuite bathrooms with bathtub. Santenay and Vougeot junior suites 130 sq. ft. with twin beds or queen and Chablis and Sancerre junior suites 125 sq. ft. with twin beds, all with ensuite bathrooms with shower. Single cabin with twin bed and bathroom with shower is 90 sq ft.
  
• Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: Air-conditioned 9-seater (including driver) long wheelbase VW Caravelle minibus and 6-seater (not including driver) VW Sharan minibus.
  
• Accessibility: Steps to salon and cabins.
  
• Bicycles: 10 mountain-bicycles, 21-speed
  

La Belle Epoque's Deck Plan

Passenger Comments:

We thought it was fantastic. It was more than hoped for. The barge was great. The crew was great. The food and wine were great. The other folks on the cruise were wonderful. The excursions were fun and informative. Biking along the canal was great. The staterooms were roomy. Meals and wines were top notch! We were treated to a wonderful assortment of gourmet dishes. We sampled every French dish I had hoped we would and then some. The wines were fantastic. I ate more cheese in that week than in the previous 2 years and enjoyed it all. Our chef, Sylvain, was exceptional. The wine hostess was very knowledgeable. The suites exceeded our expectations in every way. The cabin was roomier than our hotel room in Paris. The beds were comfortable. The barge and salon area were beautifully appointed. The dining area was cozy and beautifully set for each meal. We loved the deck area. We ate all of our breakfasts on deck.
-- R.C. NJ, USA

Absolutely super. Just wonderful. The crew was wonderful. Enjoyed gourmet cooking and kidding the chef. They took us on tours daily, and all were very, very good. Scenery was beautiful and had gorgeous weather. Cabins were very good.
-- M.G. WI, USA

High points: food, duck farm visit, St Eugenie. Excellent: food, excursions, service, route. I'll never be the same again. Chef was great!
-- D.R., VA, USA

We thoroughly enjoyed it. Very first class treatment by the staff, very well informed about the region, towns, history, wines, etc.; excellent cuisine; quite interesting cobargers, and quite good side trips.
-- P.J., MA, USA

Barge was well laid out and plenty of space. It made it easier that we had the whole barge for our party as we could really take over. Not having to lift a finger for a week was wonderful. The whole atmosphere was relaxing and enjoyable. The excursions had a good balance between history, current lifestyle, shopping and wine.
-- R.V., Australia

*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.

What's Included
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge, all cabins with private bath
- Transfers from Montbard 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 (hot air ballooning, golf, etc. at additional cost)
- Use of bicycles

What's Not Included
- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Transfers from Paris to Montbard and return
- Suggested 5-7% gratuity for the crew, to be paid in equivalent Euros to the captain

Special Places Travel, LLC "Barges in France (and the rest of Europe) ... for the experience of a lifetime!" ™ For booking information, Phone (toll-free): 1-877-64-BARGE (1-877-642-2743) Outside of the U.S.: 001.443.321.3614 or E-mail: info@specialplacestravel.com

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