SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS
The 20-passenger L'Estello, formerly the Marguerite, is cruising in 2010 in Provence under a new owner. It has a spacious salon and bar area with comfortable sofas and arm chairs and separate dining room, all with large picture windows. The salon opens to the sundeck at the bow with a fixed awning and tables and chairs. On the lower deck are 10 comfortable cabins, one with a double bed and nine with twin beds in an L-shape configuration, averaging 72 sq ft, with an ensuite bathroom with shower, sink and toilet.
Cruising in Provence and in the Camargue, L'Estello follows the Rhone River, the Petit Rhone and the Canal du Rhone a Sete from Villeneuve les Avignon to Aigues Mortes. Highlights include a visit to Avignon and Pope's Palace, wine tasting at Chateauneuf du Pape, Le Pont du Gard, Les Baux de Provence, a walking tour of Arles, and walking tour of the walled city of Aigues Mortes. A two week itinerary with in-depth visits to Provence and the Camargue is also offered, adding visits to Gordes and Rousillon, Tarascon, Nimes, Montpellier, the Mediterranean and the fishing village of Sete.
Special biking, wine, shopping and culinary theme cruises and a special Christmas cruise are available upon request. Please contact us for details. L'Estello can also cruise in tandem with the 7-passenger first-class barge L'Etoile for a total of 28 passengers.
Highlights of this cruise: visit to Avignon and Pope's Palace, wine tasting at Chateauneuf du Pape, Le Pont du Gard, Les Baux de Provence, walking tour of Arles, walking tour of the walled city of Aigues Mortes
Sunday - Villeneuve les Avignon - Welcome Aboard!
You'll be met at 4:00pm at the front door of the Avignon TGV Station. (From Paris, take TGV# 6113, departing the Gare de Lyon Train Station at 1:16pm, arrive Avignon TGV at 3:56pm. You can also drop off your rental car at the Avignon TGV Station). Then you'll be chauffeured to the L'Estello, moored at Villeneuve-les-Avignon. After a festive welcome drink there is time to settle into your cabins, relax on deck, or go for a walk in the city of Villeneuve-les-Avignon. Dinner will be served, accompanied by carefully chosen wines from local vineyards.
Monday - Avignon - Cruise to Avignon past Avignon's Famous Bridge!
In the morning, take a short cruise to Avignon for one of the highpoints of the week: A tour of the large Palais de Papes, from which a rival papacy was established in the 14th century. This building, along with the historic center of Avignon, is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There is time to stroll and shop, followed by lunch on board. Our second excursion of the day takes us to nearby Chateauneuf-du-Pape for wine tasting. Then it's back on board for a late afternoon cruise past the famous and unfinished Pont d'Avignon bridge, which almost - but not quite - spans the River Rhone!
Tuesday - Avignon to Vallabrègues - Pont du Gard Roman Aqueduct
This morning, visit Pont du Gard, an incredible aqueduct built to carry water to the important Roman city of Nimes. It was constructed entirely without mortar - using stones weighing many tons! After experiencing this monument, why not add to your knowledge at the on site museum. Then it's back to L'ESTELLO for lunch and in the afternoon cruise to the tranquil mooring of Vallabregues. This typical Provencal village gives you an opportunity to walk, take a bike ride or why not do as the French, play "boules" on the town square, while sipping a Pastis.
Wednesday - Vallabrègues to Arles - Hilltop Village of Les Baux - Take in the gorgeous views!
After breakfast we bring you the hilltop village of Les Baux de Provence, known for its gorgeous views over the Provencal landscape and its artisan's colony. Optional, but strongly recommended, is a visit to the Cathedral of Images, a former stone quarry, now used as a three-dimensional screening room. Or take the time to shop for souvenirs in charming shops which line the cobblestoned streets. Lunch will be ready on the barge. Later this afternoon, we continue our cruise on the Rhone River, and pass a high Rhone lock to moor at Arles, the town where van Gogh fell in love with the lights and colors of this fascinating countryside.
Thursday - Arles to Gallician - Roman Ruins in Arles
After breakfast we propose a walking tour of Arles. Heading to the heart of town we will see les Arènes, a Roman amphitheater built in the first century AD. There will be time for a drink in one of the outdoor cafés on the Place du Forum, where van Gogh painted his famous painting "Café van Gogh." After lunch, we will leave the Rhone River and turn into the Petit Rhone. After passing the lock of Saint Gilles, we will continue our cruise on the Canal du Rhone a Sete. Our mooring for this night is near Gallician. For wine lovers, there is a local wine shop here, where you can taste and buy the regional Costières de Nimes wines.
Friday - Gallician to Aigues-Mortes - 13th-Century Walled Town - Stroll, shop and enjoy a coffee
We start our day cruising through the stunningly beautiful Camargue National Park, home to various wildlife including black bulls and the beautiful white Camargue horses. Then moor at the gates of the amazing 13th century walled town of Aigues-Mortes, an embarkation port for the crusades. There are many historical sites to visit and there will be time to walk along the walls, shop for souvenirs or relax in one of the many outdoor cafés. A farewell dinner awaits you back on board.
Saturday - Aigues-Mortes to Montpellier - Au Revoir
After breakfast, we will say "Au Revoir" and transfer you to the Montpellier Train Station by 10am. (Take TGV# 6208, departing Montpellier at 10:21am, arriving back at the Paris Gare de Lyon Train Station at 1:49pm.) We hope to see you again on L'Estello!
Note: Occasionally an itinerary will be changed due to canal closures or inclement weather. The Captain will substitute an equally interesting route. Change in itinerary will not be accepted as a cause for cancelling your cruise.
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
*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.
| L'ESTELLO 2010 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| ACCOMMODATION | REGULAR Mar 28 thru Nov 13 |
CHRISTMAS CHARTER SPECIAL PROGRAM Dec 22 thru Dec 28 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$2,500 |
NA |
| Single Occupancy Supplement |
$1,600 |
NA |
| Charter for up to 20 |
$46,000 |
$55,000 |
| L'ESTELLO 2011 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| ACCOMMODATION | STANDARD Mar 27 thru Nov 26 |
HOLIDAY CHARTER SPECIAL Dec 18 thru Dec 31 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$2,600 |
NA |
| Single Occupancy Supplement |
$1,700 |
NA |
| Charter for up to 20 |
$48,000 |
$55,000 |
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in a cabin with private bath
- Transfers from Avignon or Montpellier TGV station to the barge and return, depending on cruise direction
- All meals beginning with dinner on Sunday through breakfast on Saturday
- All wines with lunches and dinners
- All escorted side-excursions
- Use of bicycles
What's Not Included
- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Transfers from Paris to Avignon or Montpellier and return
- Entrance fees to attractions as applicable
- Special wines and liquor in restaurants
- Bar drinks - to be paid in euros on board at the end of the cruise
- Suggested 5% gratuity for the crew, to be given to the captain in equivalent euros for distribution to the crew
 |
Special Places Travel, LLC "Barges in France (and the rest of Europe) ... for the experience of a lifetime!" ™
For booking information,
|
