SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS
The 4-passenger luxury hotel barge Colibri is one of the prettiest and most comfortable barges on the canals of France. Consider her your own private hotel with ever changing views. Come on board and let us look after your needs and make you feel pampered.
Cruise the French canals aboard the luxury hotel barge Colibri. She is one of the prettiest and comfortable barges cruising the canals of Europe today. Consider her your own private hotel with ever changing views. Come on board and let us look after your needs and make you feel pampered.
This year Colibri will be cruising the Canal du Midi, in the South of France. Our cruise route takes in the Cite de Carcassonne, a world heritage site, and numerous other wonderous voyages into history. Exploring rural France from the decks of a luxury barge with excursions designed around your wishes, is sure to be a holiday of a lifetime.
Colibri is a classic Dutch Luxemotor canal barge, built in Friesland Holland in 1931, and lovingly converted from her cargo carrying days. Colibri has been completely refitted in 2004 and a upon the splendid foundations we have added a touch of luxury and an air of relaxed elegance.
Come be enveloped in the romance of France and her waterways.
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS: Owners Earl and Fiona worked for many years in the luxury yachting industry, cruising the Mediterranean, Caribbean, from Australia to Alaska and have now chosen to make the canals of France their cruising ground. Having married in France and fallen in love with the country, life style, foods and wines, they say they can think of no better place to cruise.
With a background in catering and luxury service including chief stewardess / head of household on yachts up to 75 metres, Fiona delights guests with a gastronomic tour of our region and the Mediterranean.
Earl, who is Australian, has cruised widely with many ocean passages as an officer on vessels up to 75 meters. Earl is delighted to take command of his own vessel. With the knowledge and experience gained from super yacht chartering and his love of people, Earl is fulfilling his dreams in welcoming and entertaining guests aboard his own boat. His enthusiasm for life will come across as soon as you are met.
Earl and Fiona offer their service to make your holiday a magnificent experience that you will remember for a lifetime. They feel, after spending a great deal of their lives working on luxury super yachts, that everyone deserves to be pampered!
Colibri is 87 feet in length and 17 feet in width. Despite her generous size Colibri takes only four guests, thus affording space and maximum comfort to all parties. The interior is air conditioned to ensure your well-being.
Sleeping accommodation is in two staterooms with generous en-suite bathrooms. The beds are European king-size, or you may choose two twin beds to afford flexibility to guest’s arrangements. The cabins are furnished with French oak furniture with ample hanging space and draws to unpack into and feel at home. The bathrooms have hairdryers and bathrobes.
The dining area and salon are light and spacious, the perfect place to relax and feel at home, read a book, or chat over dinner and a glass of wine. There is a music system and collection of music, a small library of books, games and DVD's available to you. Guidebooks for the area are available for you to browse and help us to customise the cruise to your wishes.
On deck there is the canopied wheelhouse, where you may be shaded and chat with the Captain and be involved in all aspects of cruising the canals.
The large deck space allows for comfortable shaded al fresco dining, and the chance to relax and find yourselves in awe of the scenery as we pass ancient villages and vineyards.
The large shaded deck space allows for comfortable al fresco dining, and the chance to relax and find yourselves in awe of the scenery as we pass ancient villages and vineyards.
There are lounge chairs for those who wish to take some sun whilst cooled by the gentle breeze as we cruise along.
Four bicycles are at your disposal for riding the towpaths or exploring the villages and surrounding areas. Plus our chauffeured air-conditioned minibus to take you on excursions so that you can take in the sites in the area surrounding the canal.
Sunday
Guests are met by the Captain, Earl, between 4 and 5pm at the arranged meeting point. Warm welcome on board with aperitifs, and cruise slowly through the vineyards stopping near Colombiers, to whet your appetites for dinner and the days to come.
Monday
Morning visit to the Enserune Oppidum, a site inhabited since 800 BC. We then pass through one of the oldest tunnels on the French canals at Malpas and on to Capestang, a small town dominated by a huge church and a good place to stretch your legs. A short journey will bring us to a restaurant for this evening's gastronomic feast.
Tuesday
The bustling markets or the historic sites of Narbonne are offered for today's excursion. In the afternoon we cruise to Le Somail, a small and delightful village for a stroll, and on to Ventenac. Here we visit their chateau for wine tasting, There is the chance for a game of boule. Should you desire, Earl would be thrilled at the chance to show his Australian flair with the BBQ.
Wednesday
The Abbey de Fontfroide is a beautiful tranquil setting and, with its garden of 3,000 rosebushes, a wonderful place to visit. We cruise to Homps, another forgotten town, steeped in history, and with a fine winery to visit. We may cruise on to La Redorte, for a sensational dinner aboard.
Thursday
Visit to the Cathar fort and hill top village of Minerve, a stunning location with a museum that tells of its history. We cruise just beyond Puicheric this afternoon, a great place to sit under the trees and relax. Tonight you dine ashore, at a beautiful chateau, offering surroundings that will take you back to the days of old. A chance to view the Cite of Carcassonne by night to fire your imagination with fairy tale castles.
Friday
Tour of the Cite of Carcassonne, to take in the fascinating medieval city, a wonderful journey into history. In the afternoon we cruise through Trebes to a quiet location for the Captain's farewell dinner aboard.
Saturday
Leisurely breakfast, and transfer between 10 and 11am to the agreed drop off point.
Note: This is a very much a guideline, and we can do as much or as little as you would like, it is your holiday and our pleasure to tailor the cruise to your needs. Cruise may run in reverse on alternative weeks.
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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.
| COLIBRI 2008 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | |
|---|---|
| ACCOMMODATION | REGULAR Apr 6 thru Nov 1 |
| Charter for up to 4 |
$17,250 |
| Half Board Charter for up to 4 |
$16,750 |
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in a cabin with private bath
- Transfers from Carcassonne, Beziers or Narbonne to the barge and return, as agreed with the barge owner
- All meals beginning with dinner on Sunday through breakfast on Saturday for full board, including 2 meals in restaurants on shore.
- For Half Board, breakfast, lunch and one dinner are included
- All wines with lunches and dinners
- Open bar
- All escorted side-excursions (golf, etc at extra cost)
- Use of bicycles
What's Not Included
- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Transfers from Paris to the barge pickup point and return
- Suggested minimum 5% gratuity for the crew, to be given to the captain in equivalent Euros
- For Half Board, five dinners are not included
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Special Places Travel, LLC "Barges in France (and the rest of Europe) ... for the experience of a lifetime!" ™
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