Cruise in the South of France on the Rhone River and Canal du Rhone a Sete, or on the canals and rivers of Southern Burgundy on the First Class Hotel-Barge L'ETOILE

SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS

The 6-passenger L'Etoile (or 7 passengers if the seventh passenger is a child) was built in Holland as a canal barge in 1889, and spent most of her commercial life transporting cargo on the Rhine. Now, this classic Dutch barge has been converted to a passenger barge with today's standards of hotel barge comfort. The cozy barge atmosphere makes you feel immediately at home. L'Etoile has two cabins with king-size beds and one cabin with a double bed. An optional small cabin is available with bunk beds for children. All cabins are light and airy, each with opening skylight and portholes. All cabins have a private ensuite bathroom.

The large lounge and dining area has plenty of natural light and is decorated in contemporary French style. The marble fireplace gives ambiance to the cooler spring and autumn cruises. On deck there is comfortable seating and a plunge pool for cooling off. The barge is fully air-conditioned. For the use of our guests, there are bicycles, a razor-scooter, fishing rods, boules, TV, video, a home entertainment system (CD's, etc.), and e-mail facilities.

Features

• Size of barge: 111.6 ft by 16 ft
• Number of Passengers: 6/7
• Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 4
• Crew: 3
• Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Yes
• Salon: Fireplace, 8 opening windows. Comfortable sofa and 3-4 armchairs; large dining table, 4 with seating for 6/8 persons. Plasma 42 inch TV, DVD player.
  
• Bar: Open bar
  
• Deck: Sundeck with awning. Table with seating for 8.
• Spa Tub: Plunge pool
• Cabin Features: La Chambre Rouge 116 sq ft. with a king size bed and skylight. La Chambre Bleu 92 sq ft. with king size bed and skylight. La Chambre Jaune 88 sq ft, with a double bed. Additional Cabin 56 sq ft. with two bunkbeds that are overlapping, with sink, and toilet/shower in the cabin.
  
• Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: Mercedes Vito Air-conditioned Minivan, seating eight
  
• Accessibility: Steps from deck to salon. No steps from salon to cabins.
  
• Bicycles: 7 touring bikes for adults, one child bike for age of 4/5, one child bike for age of 8/9, one razor/scooter.
• Half board charter: Available (5 dinners not included)
  

Etoile's Deck Plan

Passenger Comments

Many vacations start with an identified goal on a familiar path. Select experiences are not recalled as vacations but as memories that are as warm and comforting in February as they are cooling and soothing in the middle of July. We always hoped that the celebration of the occasion of our twenty-fifth Wedding Anniversary would be such a time. Going to Germany to drive Porsches was an easy goal to achieve. Planning was straight-forward the path quite clear.

What a most pleasant eye opening experience it turned out to be for us! My wife and I were charmed from the first greeting at the train station through the inevitable parting. Cobie and Mathias the professional hostess and host, captain and mate made every moment on board a gracious experience of genuine hospitality. The barge was a floating palace! Anthony and Cleopatra may have had glitzier accoutrements but we had ample accommodations, exquisite food and impressive wines! The quality of the vessel and the accommodations available made the barge a cozy, floating chalet. The L'ETOILE provided a car with an intellectually informative local expert (who was also an excellent driver) for our motoring pleasure. We decided to enjoy a half-day of barging and a half-day of touring the inspiring countryside. Exploring the vineyards and learning about the architecture and people that has seeded so much of our present day culture was an enriching experience. The vineyards and wine makers were happy to spend time with their old friends that had brought two wine enthusiasts to visit, taste and enjoy the nectar of the gods in the place of its origin. We still rave about the wines served to us. Mathias selected the finest burgundy wines and splendid aperitifs, which complemented our every mood. Our palates tasted some of the most delectable wines of the Bourgogne region.

Many times a meal is adequate but this is not true on L'ETOILE. Each feast was an exceptional extravaganza of flavors and delights. My wife and I have looked into each others eyes at sometime each day since our return and smile saying; "L'ETOILE was a wonderful way to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary! Like a fine wine our most pleasurable experience was linked to quality savored not a price paid.
-- P.J.

We want to thank you for a spectacular week on board L'ETOILE. You both were wonderful hosts and the photograph's I took on the day excursions are among my favourites. Those little trips to your 'Special Spots', personally made my week in Burgundy the most precious. Thank you so much for being so generous in so many ways. We hope we have a chance to return in the future!
-- J.H., CA, USA

*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.

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