SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS
The 21-passenger Caprice is a classic Dutch Luxemotor hotel barge returning to service in 2010 to cruise between Dijon and St Leger sur Dheune in Southern Burgundy. Caprice has a cozy salon and bar and dining area with comfortable furnishings, and a two-level forward sundeck at the bow, wreathed in flowers, chairs and parasols, and even including a barbecue for an outdoor lunch one day during the cruise, weather permitting.
On the lower deck are 11 comfortable cabins (two double bed cabins, 8 twin cabins, and one single cabin) with ample storage in closet and beneath beds and each with private bath including shower. The Caprice offers a laptop computer for passenger use, two French cell phones for rent while on board and hot air ballooning where available (fee to be paid on board).
Caprice follows a popular itinerary along the Burgundy Canal, one of the most beloved in France, with an incredible abundance of interesting shore excursions by coach, on foot, by balloon or by bicycle. This incomparable region is world-renowned for its exquisite cuisine and fine wine. The cruise route affords plenty of opportunity for walking or biking along the canal.
Highlights include:
Your heart of Burgundy Cruise offers a true taste of the treasures of Burgundy. This cruise offers an incredible abundance of interesting shore excursions by coach, on foot, by balloon, or by bicycle. This incomparable region is world-renowned for its exquisite cuisine and fine wine
Saturday
Meet at the Dijon railway station on Saturday afternoon at 4:05 P.M.. We will then transfer you to the hotel barge located along the Burgundy Canal east of Dijon. Sip Kir Royale (with champagne) as we welcome you on board and introduce you to the crew. (Meanwhile, your luggage is quietly taken to your cabin.) After everyone is aboard we will continue cruising the canal to our evening mooring in Ouges. Before dinner there will be time to walk the tow path or bicycle to the next lock. Tonight you will enjoy your first gourmet dinner on board.
Sunday
After your buffet breakfast aboard Caprice, our motor coach will whisk you to Dijon for a tour of this capital of Burgundy. Meanwhile Caprice continues down the Canal de Bourgogne. Passengers will return to Caprice for lunch and continue cruising along the canal. There are many opportunities for guests to walk along the towpath or cycle into nearby villages. This evening we will moor in St Jean de Losne, traditionally the center of barging in Burgundy. It is in St Jean de Losne that the Canal de Bourgogne merges with the River Saone. There is ample opportunity to walk through the village before dinner and stroll the quiet streets after dinner. There are hundreds of barges moored here in addition to major barge manufacturers. Live-aboard barge owners are abundant. It is a unique village.
Monday
This morning your guide will take you to visit Clos de Vougeot. Wine was produced here as early as the 12th century, by none other than the local monks. A private wine tasting follows before we return to Caprice. This afternoon we will cruise to Chalon sur Saone. Chalon sur Saone is the second largest city in Burgundy and has been an important trading center since Gallo-Roman times. There will be time to visit the beautiful medieval town center surrounding the Cathedral St Vincent.
Tuesday
Today we enter the Canal du Centre from the Saone through a lock with a 50-foot rise. We will cruise along an attractive winding stretch where a good towpath and fairly frequent locks give ample opportunities to walk or cycle the towpath. This afternoon we will have an excursion to the nearby village of Rully for a private guided tour of the 12th century Chateau. When we return to Caprice it will be moored in the lovely little town of Chagny.
Wednesday
Morning excursion to Beaune. Beaune is the wine capital of Burgundy and home to the magnificent Hotel-Dieu, a charity hospital founded in 1443. This monument boasts the finest Burgundian-Flemish architecture in the world. Afternoon cruise through the meanders of the Canal du Centre to moor in the midst of the famous vineyards of Santenay.
Thursday
Today we navigate to the quiet village of Dennevy. Drive to Couches to visit the chateau of Marguerite of Burgundy, the beautifully preserved vestiges of a vast medieval fortress, followed by a tasting of the wines made here by Emmanuel Cayot, son of the owner. Ample time for walking or cycling today. Later we cruise on to the picturesque village of St Leger-sur-Dheune for a farewell gala dinner.
Friday
After breakfast, transfer to the Dijon railroad station. Arrival at Dijon Railway Station is just before noon.
Note: This is a sample itinerary: it is subject to modification in the case of unforeseen circumstances such as canal closures. The boat cruises in the opposite direction on alternate weeks. We may modify our overnight stops and excursions without prior notice in order to assure a consistently high standard of moorings and visits.
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*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.
| CAPRICE 2012 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| ACCOMMODATION | VALUE Apr 7 thru Apr 27 Jul 21 thru Aug 24 Oct 20 thru Nov 2 |
REGULAR Apr 28 thru Jul 20 Aug 25 thru Oct 19 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$2,990 |
$3,190 |
| Single Occupancy Supplement |
$1,390 |
$1,390 |
| Single in Single Cabin |
$3,190 |
$3,390 |
| Charter for 15 |
$47,810 |
$51,810 |
| Charter for 17 |
$49,810 |
$53,810 |
| Charter for 19 |
$52,810 |
$56,810 |
| Charter for up to 21 |
$56,810 |
$60,810 |
What's Not Included
- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Transfers from Paris to Dijon train station to the barge and return (or to St Leger and Lyon for Marriage of Food and Wine cruises)
- Special services such as hot-air balloon excursions, booked separately with the balloon company, but coordinated by the crew.
- Bar drinks: beer & wine 3 Euros, mixed drinks & champagne 5 Euros, cognac, martini, cosmopolitan, Armagnac & liqueurs 6 Euros, soft drinks & juice 2 Euros -- to be paid in euros to the cruise manager on board at the end of the cruise.
- Suggested gratuity for the crew of 110 Euros per passenger, to be given to the barge manager
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