SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS
The 6-passenger Elisabeth is a 30-meter Dutch Luxemotor barge built in Rotterdam Holland in 1930. The barge is very comfortably appointed as a small private hotel just for you. There are three identical roomy cabins with twin or queen beds and ensuite bathroom plus a salon/dining area with a comfortable sofa, bar and dining table. The large wheelhouse is the perfect place to watch the world go by while chatting with the captain-owners aboard. The sundeck is ideal for lounging, 'al fresco' lunches and sundowners. The bow deck is great for quiet reading or peaceful sunbathing. Restful and relaxed -- the perfect words to describe your canal cruise aboard the Elisabeth. Leisure barge travel on your own crewed chartered canal boat. What better way to be cruising the tranquil and picturesque canals of France?
With a crew of 4, including your hosts Peter and Sheena Jenner, to look after you there is always someone on hand to make drinks, organise bikes or just to tell you the local stories and history. Elisabeth loves to welcome groups of friends or families, even if your children are young. (No minimum or maximum age limit) There is something for everyone on Elisabeth. For family charters, she can be prepared with toddlers in mind. Cots, high chairs, paddling pools, kayaks, bicycles for children - No problem, we have them. Boating for the whole family! ... and the ultimate vacation! Naturally, when we have young guests aboard, our itineraries can be adjusted to suit all members of the party.
Cruise between Tanlay and Veneray les Laumes on the Canal de Bourgogne in the heart of Burgundy, for a fabulous "Chocolate and Wine Cruise". Elisabeth cruises past bucolic farms, patient fishermen, and quaint old villages. Catch up on the daily news from the lockkeepers as we help to work the locks on this beautiful 18th Century canal. If you are feeling energetic you can cycle along the tow path and through the villages. With the benefit of our local knowledge and minivan, each day you will visit some of our favorite places.
One day it might be a medieval village, with cobblestone streets or perhaps the Abbey de Fontenay a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We have also found a delightful renaissance chateau, and provide a private tour of the Grottes D’Arcy sur Cure one of the oldest caves with paintings in the world. We also visit Alesia, site of the last great battle between the Romans and the Gauls, before driving across the valley to visit Flavigny where the film Chocolate was made. Of course, no visit to Burgundy would be complete without sampling the superb wines of this world-famous wine region.
Join the Elisabeth for a week of Wines and Chocolate!
A sample dinner with the Captain
For our last night dinner on board we make the evening rather special.
Fresh foie gras on a tartelette with sautéed red cabbage and onion jam.
Scallops and Langoustine served with filo pastry and a light saffron sauce.
Champagne and melon sorbet.
Rack of lamb, dauphine potatoes, broccoli and carrots with a wine sauce.
Selection of cheeses e.g. camembert, bleu de Causse, St. Maure and a Comte.
A melted chocolate cake (the inside is just a divine melted chocolate with a soft sponge interior) served with a crème Anglais and chocolate sauce and fresh fruits.
Digestives, coffee and chocolates if you can manage them.
An example of our wines:
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Whites . Chablis Vielle vigne . Melon de Bourgogne . Chablis Grand cru . Rouy . Coulanges . Alsace . Sauvignon de St Bris . Sancerre . Chablis Premier Cru . Tokay Pinot Gris Vendange tardive |
Reds . Epineuil (near Tonnerre) . Irancy . Pommard . Pernand Vergelass . Coulanges . Alsace Pinot Noir . Cotes D’Auxerre . Sancerre . Santenay . St Emilion grand cru classe |
The wines listed are only a selection of the types that are served on board. The final selection is chosen by age and by Peter and Sheena tasting for quality. We do serve as many regional wines as we can but also enjoy giving you a taste of France with a tour of all the wine and cheese regions. Our wines vary in age from the 1990’s up to last year. Even the youngest of our wines are chosen for their flavor and quality. |
I have always wanted to take a barge trip in France since the first time I visited France in 1960. On our 9th anniversary I told my husband that I would like to take a nice hotel barge to celebrate our tenth. (We were so old when we got married I feel we will never make it to our 25th so that we needed to do something special for our tenth.) Friends of ours had taken the Elisabeth some years ago and I remembered how much they enjoyed her. So, we decided to look into it -- best decision we ever made.
-- A.F. & L.F., South Africa
We would just like to thank you once again for the stunning few days that we had the privilege to spend with you all on your wonderfully comfortable and well appointed barge, and for the way you made us feel part of the family! You absolutely went out of your way to make sure that the modified itinerary we had requested on short notice suited us and our three boys (despite it being different from your normal schedule!), and yet you made sure that we got to experience almost everything during our slightly condensed trip!! We have had an experience that we will cherish for the rest of our lives!!! From the tranquil canal cruising, the customised menus and wonderful meals (so thoughtfully catering for the boys' tastes, as well!), the adventure visits to the Caves D'Arcy, the river kayaking on the Yonne, the tree climbing, the visit to the amazing Guedelon building site, the relaxed cycling into the surrounding villages and along the beautiful unspoilt French countryside, digging for fossils (and finding them!), taking care of the children while the men were out kayaking, to gracing us with your company at the sumptuous Captain's dinner on Thursday evening, you made sure that we had the adventure of a lifetime!
-- P.G., South Afica
The best one-week vacation, ever. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys history, good food and wines, and exposure to a new mode of travel. Peter and Sheena were outstanding and personable hosts and made everyone feel at home. Peter never gave any indication of being over extended due to the extra trip to Paris and the readjustment of schedules. They are both fluid, flexible, and lots of fun. When can we go again?
-- K.W., IL, USA
Sunday - Haarlem
Passengers will be met at 2pm in Amsterdam at the Hotel de l'Europe for individual passengers or at the charter group's hotel. We then go to the ELISABETH moored in Haarlem for a champagne reception. Time to wander in the town before dinner.
Monday - Haarlem to Leiden
Our cruise today is to Leiden where we will moor overnight. After lunch we will go off to visit the Pauw Potteries, one of the two remaining Royal Delftware Potteries. We see how the famous blue and white design is made and watch the hand painting of the Delftware. There will be a chance to shop and have your pottery shipped worldwide. From here we drive into the town centre of Leiden and spend a little time exploring the canal streets and the shops and have a famous hot chocolate and the Dutch pancakes called profetjes.
Tuesday - Leiden to Gouda
This morning we visit the gardens at Keukenhof. These gardens are where the bulb and plant growers exhibit the plants for the pleasure of all, from buyers to the amateur gardener. This is a superb visit which is a treat for everyone. With pathways and exhibition halls to explore, tulips, orchids and rhododendrons, to name but a few flowers, abound. Back to ELISABETH for lunch and our afternoon cruise to Gouda.
Wednesday - Gouda to Oudervater
Before leaving Gouda today we can visit a working windmill and the beautifull St John's Church to see the fabulous stained glass windows that tell much of the history of religion and life in Holland through the centuries. The windows depict floods, tell Bible stories and there are even some depicting the types of work done by the various guilds. We return to ELISABETH for lunch and on to Oudervater for our overnight mooring. and time to explore.
Thursday - Oudervater to Maarsden
This morning is our very early start in order to visit the Aalsmeer flower auctions. This amazing place sets prices for flowers worldwide and is well worth the early start. Here we see flowers and plants ready for auction, which will be in countries worldwide within 24 hours. The bustle and colours make this an incredible visit and we have a good explanation of how the auction clock works, from the bidding to the distribution. Back to ELISABETH for lunch and a cruise to Maarsden along the Vecht canal. There are a lot of traditional Dutch lifting bridges and gardens at the water's edge. Time to explore the town.
Friday - Maarsden to Vreeland
This morning we cruise to Vreeland. After lunch we will go to visit Mrs. Willingan's cheese farm, with a tasting of all the wonderful different Gouda cheeses. Tonight is the special Captain's Farewell dinner.
Saturday - Amsterdam
This morning after breakfast passengers disembark Elisabeth for transport back to the hotel, train station or airport.
Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. It runs in reverse on alternate weeks.
Rev 11/11 sd
The Elisabeth La Chocolat Cruise for Wine lovers and Chocoholics. The theme for our Burgundy itinerary this year is wines and chocolate. From our visits to our tastings and demonstrations we hope to surprise you ... all this with gorgeous cruising, adorable villages, and a romantic chateau!
Saturday
Pick up in Paris at 2pm. Drive to the Elisabeth moored in the delightful chateau village of Tanlay. Settle in after a champagne reception and maybe take a stroll around the village. We start our chocolate week with tonight's dessert.
Sunday
This morning we will cruise to Lezzines and from here we will go to Ancy le Franc chateau. This beautiful renaissance chateau is well furnished and has incredible frescoes and artwork. A truly lovely visit. Then back to the barge for a tasting of the local tonnerroise wines. For those that are interested we can arrange a cooking demonstration today.
Monday
Today's cruise is to Ancy le Franc and here we will depart for a pleasant drive through the villages to Chablis for our wine tasting and a visit to the chocolaterie to hear the history of and taste the chocolate Pillars of Chablis. Back to the barge for more chocolate and perhaps to watch the film "Chocolat" before we visit the village.
Tuesday
Today starts with a leisurely cruise to Ravierres. After lunch we depart Elisabeth to visit the Grottes d'Arcy sur Cure to visit the caves and see some of the oldest cave paintings in the world. Formed 150,000 years ago the Stalagmite and Stalactite formations are fantastic. Cromagnon man painted in these caves 30,000 years ago. Back to Elisabeth for dinner and our next chocolate dessert.
Wednesday
This morning we will cruise to Montbard. The cruising just gets prettier as we go. Our visit this afternoon is to the Abbay de Fontenay, a UNESCO world heritage site. This wonderful abbey is the last complete Cistercian monastery left in France. Tranquility and beauty describe it perfectly. Back at Elisabeth our chef will give a demonstration on the making of tiny chocolate petit fours.
Thursday
Our last cruise takes us to Veneray les Laumes, a climb up and fabulous views over the countryside. We finish our week with a lunch in the village of Flavigny (where the movie "Chocolat" was made) and a walking tour of the village. If we have time we can visit the winery of Flavigny Alesia for a tasting before we drive the short distance to Alesia to see the site of the last great battle between the Romans and the Gaules. The Roman ruins and amphitheatre date back to 345BC. Return to Elisabeth in time for a rest before the Captain's dinner and our last chocolate fest.
Friday
This morning we drive you back to Paris after breakfast. We hope you have enjoyed your cruise aboard the Elisabeth.
Note: On alternate weeks, this cruise is offered in reverse. This itinerary is a suggested itinerary which can be adapted to special requests and needs and may change.
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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.
| ELISABETH 2012 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | |
|---|---|
| ACCOMMODATION | REGULAR Mar 25 thru Nov 2 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$4,500 |
| Single Occupancy Cabin |
$1,000 |
| Charter for 4 |
$18,300 |
| Charter for 5 |
$20,500 |
| Charter for 6 |
$23,800 |
| Honeymoon Charter for 2 |
$12,500 |
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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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