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Barges In France: Esprit
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Cruise in France on the Canal de Bourgogne and Canal du Centre in Southern Burgundy on the Deluxe Hotel-Barge ESPRIT

SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS

The 18-passenger Esprit cruises in Burgundy near the heart of the famed Côte d'Or wine growing region on the Canal de Bourgogne and the Canal du Centre.

Departing weekly on Sunday afternoons from April through mid-October, the Esprit's itinerary includes:

  • Walking tours of Dijon, the historic capital of Burgundy
  • An excursion to the beautiful wine town of Beaune
  • Wine tasting in Santenay, and
  • Dinner ashore at the Michelin-star restaurant Lameloise in Chagny, with a "menu gourmand" featuring refined Burgundian specialties.

Esprit offers her guests full comfort on two decks. On the main deck, the tastefully appointed lounge and separate dining room are paneled in mellow English oak, with large windows to capture every scenic view. The cabin deck contains two charming double-bedded staterooms and seven staterooms with twin beds, with private bathrooms, dressing tables, and abundant storage. an elegant salon, separate dining room and a spacious sundeck with canopy, lounge chairs and tables for viewing the passing countryside. There are nine staterooms --two with double beds and seven with twin beds, each with a private bathroom. The large sundeck is partially canopied for those who prefer shelter from the sun.


Features

  • Size of barge: 128 feet
  • Number of Passengers: 18
  • Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 9
  • Crew: Crew: 7
  • Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Yes
  • Salon: Large salon with comfortable seating and separate dining room. Large picture windows.
  • Bar: Open bar
  • Deck: Sundeck with canopy, deck chairs and tables
  • Spa Tub: No
  • Cabin Features: Nine staterooms (about 100 sq ft), seven with twin beds and two with double bed
  • Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: Air conditioned motor coach
  • Accessibility: Steps to cabins
  • Bicycles: Yes
  • Dinner ashore: One dinner ashore at a Michelin star restaurant included


Esprit's Deck Plan
Esprit's Deck Plan



Passenger Comments:

Fabulous! Anne and each member of her team rate the highest marks for their professionalism, style and kindness. Exceeded expectations. We particularly enjoyed the great selection of music, deck chairs and tables, and bicycles. High points: 1) The wonderful and friendly manner of the crew 2) The incredible food and meals 3) The wine.
-- N.D., GA.

FANTASTIC, WONDERFUL, DELIGHTFUL. As I said to Anna, the cruise director, I ran out of superlatives when writing about the trip in my journal. The meals were certainly the high points. The crew's explanation of the food and wine and the three cheeses will always be remembered. They talked about their items with knowledge and humour. All of the excursions were interesting. I was especially happy with how congenial the group was. We were lucky. There was one evening when we were in the lounge. a few were playing bridge, Barb was working on a suduko, I was doing a crossword puzzle, someone was reading and Greg was chatting with Adam the bar tender, the music on the sound system was delightful and it was like visiting friends in a country house. Very comfortable.
-- P.P., Canada

The service was excellent - without exception the crew was extremely friendly and attentive without being obtrusive. The meals and wine were better than a 3 star Michelin rated restaurant! The chef knows his stuff. I thought I was going on a barge trip through France and it turned out to be an experience in five star French cuisine and wine with scenery flowing by! -- M.M., CA, USA

Very special! Everything about it was wonderful. The food was a definite highlight. Our chef was a very talented young man and we delighted in every delicious morsel we ate. The wine and cheese was fabulous also. In addition, the staff was excellent. Anna, whom we spent considerable time with on tours, was a delight: highly knowledgeable, engaging and witty. We couldn't have enjoyed it more. It was a perfect combination of relaxation and excursions. Loved the bicycles!
-- M.L., CA, USA

SAMPLE ITINERARY*
Burgundy: Canal de Bourgogne, Saone River, Canal du Centre:
St Leger-sur-Dheune to Dijon

Sunday
The Esprit's guide will meet you at the hotel and escort the transfer from Paris via the high-speed train, the TGV, to Le Creusot. Esprit's coach will take you from the station to the barge's mooring in St. Leger-sur-Dheune. Champagne Reception and Welcome Dinner on board.

Monday
Morning cruise on the Canal du Centre. Afternoon tour of the 12th century Castle of Rochepot. Return to Esprit moored in Chagny. Dinner ashore at the two-star Michelin restaurant, Lameloise.

Tuesday
After a morning cruise, drive to the wine village of Rully for a private cellar tour and wine tasting. Return to Esprit moored in Chalon-sur-Saone.

Wednesday
Morning cruise on the winding Saone River. Afternoon drive to Beaune, the medieval wine capital of Burgundy. Visit the 15th century Hospice and the historic quarter. Overnight mooring in river town of Seurre.

Thursday
Mornign visit to the 12th century abbey, the Clos de Vougeot. Cruise on the Burgundy Canal to Aiserey, followed by a tour of the family-owned, 18th century Chateau de Longecourt.

Friday
Cruise to the final mooring in the port of Dijon. Afternoon walking tour, including time to browse in the fine specialty shops. Return to Esprit for the Captain's Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday
After breakfast, depart Esprit for the escorted transfer to Paris via the TGV, arriving at the hotel in the early afternoon.

Note: Alternate cruise weeks will be in the reverse direction. Actual itineraries can vary, depending on the preferences of guests and the captain's discretion. Water levels, waterway traffic, and maintenance of canals and locks all have a direct effect on canal and river cruising. For this reason, all routes are subject to change. Rev 3/08 mdk



Esprit
2008 Season Cruise Schedule*
Week Route Season
Mar 30 Dijon-St Leger Early/Late
Apr 6 St Leger-Dijon Early/Late
Apr 13 Dijon-St Leger Early/Late
Apr 20 St Leger-Dijon Early/Late
Apr 27 Dijon-St Leger Early/Late
May 4 St Leger-Dijon Value
May 11 Dijon-St Leger Value
May 18 St Leger-Dijon High
May 25 Dijon-St Leger High
Jun 1 St Leger-Dijon High
Jun 8 Dijon-St Leger High
Jun 15 St Leger-Dijon High
Jun 22 Dijon-St Leger High
Jun 29 St Leger-Dijon High
Jul 6 Dijon-St Leger High
Jul 13 St Leger-Dijon Value
Cruise Schedule* ... continued
Week Route Season
Jul 20 Dijon-St Leger Value
Jul 27 St Leger-Dijon Value
Aug 3 Dijon-St Leger Value
Aug 10 St Leger-Dijon Value
Aug 17 Dijon-St Leger Value
Aug 24 St Leger-Dijon High
Aug 31 Dijon-St Leger High
Sep 7 St Leger-Dijon Prime
Sep 14 Dijon-St Leger Prime
Sep 21 St Leger-Dijon Prime
Sep 28 Dijon-St Leger Prime
Oct 5 St Leger-Dijon Prime
Oct 12 Dijon-St Leger Prime
Oct 19 St Leger-Dijon Early/Late
Oct 26 Dijon-St Leger Early/Late


*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.


ESPRIT
2008 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS
ACCOMMODATION EARLY/LATE
Mar 30 thru May 3
Oct 19 thru Nov 1
VALUE
May 4 thru May 17
Jul 13 thru Aug 23
HIGH
May 18 thru Jul 12
Aug 24 thru Sep 6
PRIME
Sep 7 thru Oct 18
Cabin (per person, double occupancy)
$4,295
$4,795
$5,295
$5,295
Single Occupancy Supplement
$1,195
$1,195
$1,195
$1,195
Charter for up to 18
$73,710
$80,910
$88,110
$95,310


What's Included
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in a stateroom with private bath
- Transfers from Paris to the barge and return
- All meals starting with dinner on Sunday and ending with breakfast on Saturday
- Wines with lunches and dinners
- Open bar
- All side tours and excursions (golf, hot air balloon flights, etc at extra cost)
- Use of bicycles
- Dinner ashore at a Michelin star restaurant

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

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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The cruise itinerary on this web page is Copyright © 2006, 2007, 2008 by French Country Waterways. All images are Copyright © 2007, 2008 by Special Places Travel, LLC., Edgewater, Maryland, USA. All rights reserved. Web design by Special Places Travel, LLC., Edgewater, Maryland, USA. The contents of this web page may not be reproduced without permission.
Last Update: March 29, 2008