Cruise In The South Of France On The Canal du Midi Aboard The Deluxe Hotel-Barge FANDANGO

SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS

The 6-passenger Fandango is a classic cargo barge that was built to the specific dimensions of the French locks and low stone bridges of the 1939 era. In the 1980's, the concrete highways took over the transport of goods across waterways and most barges were sold for scrap. Fandango was rescued from this fate by French fragrance company L'Occitane, and became a floating showroom for their Provence-based brand.

Hazel Young, already well known for restoring vintage barges, took on the project with a team of talented craftsmen, and completed the transformation in 18 months. Mahogany and teak furnishings, authentic brass portholes, custom-made skylights, antique fittings and Provençal hand-made tiles created a uniquely glamourous ambiance, soon to be featured in French home decorating magazines and on television.

When L'Occitane outgrew this jewel-like promotional tool, Hazel Young and her son, Daniel Sak decided to bring Fandango back to the canals of France, but this time as a luxurious private charter barge for 4 to 6 passengers that would provide both style and comfort for all passengers.

Starting in 2013 Fandango will be offering a beautiful new Pissarro bow cabin with separate entrance along with its Degas and Monet cabins. Each cabin can be congfigured for either a king or two twin sized beds, and each has its own ensuite bathroom that is decorated with colorful Provençal tiles. Beautiful linens, and premium mattresses make your cabin a restful haven. The sky-lit salon is a cozy and comfortable space to curl up with a book or discuss the day's adventures. The spacious sundeck, replete with cool pool and lounge chairs is also a perfect place to enjoy the sun and passing vistas.

The open galley and bistro atmosphere on Fandango is perfect for those who enjoy a glass of wine while watching the Chef create a sumptuous feast for the evening meal. Your group will savor the regional specialties of the Languedoc, all made with fresh local ingredients and accompanied by fine French wines. Most meals are served al fresco on the terra-cotta tiled deck, with views of Cathar castles, quaint villages, vineyards as far as the eye can see and the peaceful Lauragais countryside. The English speaking crew will do its best to make your trip memorable. Your personal Chef will ensure that you dine in style, with fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, pates, and seasonal fresh fruits, guaranteed to be the finest that the Languedoc region has to offer. Fandango's tour guide escorts your group on daily excursions in an air-conditioned minivan, where you will be immersed in local history, enjoy wine-tastings, shopping, and sight-seeing.

Fandango's owner Hazel Young, is a graduate of the French National Cooking School in Beaune. She was introduced to traditonal French cuisine at a young age during family holidays in Normandy and aboard elegant French ocean liners between New York and England. Raising her family in southern France, Hazel developed an equally strong passion for the casual and colorful cuisine of Provence which are based on delicious olive oils, home-made pastas, and sun-ripened vegetables. The cuisine served aboard Fandango is an eclectic blend of French culinary tradition and regional specialties, always with the emphasis on top-quality ingredients and seasonal flavor combinations. Passengers can take part in designing the menus, choosing recipes from Hazel's own cookbook (A Week on the Water) and drawing inspiration as hazel does, from seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Eating aboard the Fandango is like taking in a dinner-and-a-show. There's always a glass of wine (like bubbly Limoux) available at Fandango's bar, which offers front-row seats at the open-plan kitchen. Guests can watch as every dish is prepared and plated, taking home tips and recipes to recreate the wonderful dishes enjoyed during their cruise.

The Fandango's week long cruises take place on two beautiful stretches of the historic Canal du Midi. In the spring and fall it stays close to the sunnier Mediterranean coast to enable the guests to enjoy more outdoor dining. This cruise takes you from the medieval walled city of Carcassonne into the heart of the Minervois wine region, mooring in the picturesque canal village of Le Somail. In the summer, it cruises in the Lauragais, just west of Carcassonne, for uncrowded peaceful cruising under the shaded avenues of the famous sycamore trees. Colorful vistas of sunflower fields in full bloom, and quiet back-road visits to farmers’ markets, as well as Carcassonne in mid week make this an exceptional cruise. In both areas, an ever-changing scenery of vineyards, spectacular views to the Pyrenees, and pretty villages are on each day’s cruise route. Tranquil moorings are the setting for each evening’s enjoyment. The sample itineraries will give you an idea of each day’s perfect blend of touring and cruising. Any private charter itinerary can be tailored to the group’s special interests in wine, food, history, art, and anything else you may desire.

Features

• Size of barge: 100 ft. by 16 ft.
• Number of Passengers: 4 to 6
• Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 3
• Crew: 4.
• Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Yes
• Salon: Salon with beautiful Provencal furnishings, antiques, skylight, and comfortable sofas. Galley/dining area with table for 6.
• Bar: Open bar
• Deck: Tiled sundeck with spa tub, chairs, dining table and large parasols.
• Spa Tub: Yes
• Cabin Features: Two cabins, each about 128 sq.ft. (Monet & Degas) and a bow cabin (Pisarro) at 161 sq. ft. all with either twin beds or king bed. Each cabin has an ensuite Provencal-tiled bathroom with shower.
• Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: VW minivan seating 9.
• Accessibility: Steps to galley and to salon. No steps to cabins.
• Bicycles: 6 aluminum frame Scott mountain bicycles with gel seats (3 mens, 3 womens).

Fandango's Deck Plan

Dining Aboard The Fandango:
SAMPLE MENU

Passenger Comments:

Sunday - Castelnaudary
Your tour guide will meet you at your chosen rendezvous and accompany you to the barge moored on the "Grand Bassin" with the town of Castelnaudary as a backdrop. This is a magnificent setting for your champagne toast and first dinner on board.

Monday - Cruise to Sauzens
Monday begins with a visit to the farmers' market of Castelnaudary. The chef stocks up with wonderful cheeses and produce while guests may find an authentic "beret" or wine opener. Before lunch, a visit to the pottery NOT to see the terra cotta cassoulet baking dishes being thrown. Castelnaudary is home to this succulent dish of duck confit and white beans which you will feast upon for dinner. An afternoon cruise down the many staircases of locks enables those who want to walk or bike to follow on the towpath.

Tuesday - Cruise to Villeseque
This morning the barge cruises through fields of wheat and sunflowers as we cross the rich agricultural Lauragais plain. We enjoy exceptional views to the Pyrenees on one side and the Black Mountains on the other. Following lunch, an excursion to the reservoir of St. Ferreol, the source of the water supply for the Canal du Midi. We'll also visit the Pierre Paul Ricquet museum and learn about the intricate engineering of the Canal, stopping in Revel's marketplace for a refreshment on the way back to the barge.

Wednesday - Cruise to Carcassonne
After a stunning cruise with long stretches of winding canal framed by centuries-old oak, pines and Mediterranean cypress trees, we enter the port of Carcassonne. You'll tour "La Cité de Carcassonne" the largest Medieval fortress in Europe, and finish the afternoon with a stroll through the shopping district to visit the varied and elegant shops. A nice little evening cruise carries us back to the peaceful countryside for dinner and our mooring for the night.

Thursday - Cruise to Millepetit
Today's excursion is to the Caunes-Minervois Roman Abbey nestled in the hills of the Minervois wine region. We combine the visual delights of this visit with a private vineyard tasting of the rich fruity flavors which make this wine exceptional. Today's cruising highlight is ending the day under a canopy of sycamore trees. The captain lights up the deck at night creating a romantic atmosphere for your alfresco dining. With olive trees alongside and a chateau in the distance, it's quite a fairytale.

Friday - Cruise to Les Aiguilles
This morning we'll take you to Narbonne, once Roman capital of the region, offering a Cathedral and cloisters, pretty architecture, shopping and, best of all, the 100yr. old covered market. This is the chance to enjoy the seafood of the Languedoc Mediterranean coast along with chilled white wine and anything you want grilled with "frites" and salad. A scenic drive back to the barge and your last cruise through a series of staircase locks. The chef and crew will host your farewell dinner.

Saturday
After breakfast your tour guide will accompany you to your nearby train station, rental car, airport or hotel.

Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. It runs in reverse on alternate weeks.

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Fandango 2013 Season Cruise Schedule* Week Route Season Apr 21 Narbonne-Carcassonne Regular Apr 28 Carcassonne-Narbonne Regular May 5 Narbonne-Carcassonne Regular May 12 Carcassonne-Narbonne Regular May 19 Narbonne-Carcassonne Regular May 26 Carcassonne-Narbonne Regular Jun 2 Narbonne-Carcassonne Regular Jun 9 Carcassonne-Narbonne Regular Jun 16 Carcassonne-Castelnaudary Regular Jun 23 Castelnaudary-Carcassonne Regular Jun 30 Carcassonne-Castelnaudary Regular Jul 7 Castelnaudary-Carcassonne Regular Jul 14 Carcassonne-Castelnaudary Regular Jul 21 Castelnaudary-Carcassonne Regular

Cruise Schedule* ... continued Week Route Season Jul 28 Carcassonne-Castelnaudary Regular Aug 4 Castelnaudary-Carcassonne Regular Aug 11 Carcassonne-Castelnaudary Regular Aug 18 Castelnaudary-Carcassonne Regular Aug 25 Carcassonne-Castelnaudary Regular Sep 1 Castelnaudary-Carcassonne Regular Sep 8 Le Somail-Marseillan Regular Sep 15 Marseillan-Le Somail Regular Sep 22 Narbonne-Carcassonne Regular Sep 29 Carcassonne-Narbonne Regular Oct 6 Narbonne-Carcassonne Regular Oct 13 Carcassonne-Narbonne Regular Oct 20 Narbonne-Carcassonne Regular Oct 27 Carcassonne-Narbonne Regular

*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.

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FANDANGO 2013 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS
ACCOMMODATION	REGULAR Apr 21 thru Nov 2	SHORT CRUISE Apr 21 thru Nov 2
Cabin (per person, double occupancy)	$4,950	NA
Single Occupancy Supplement	$1,500	NA
Charter for 4	$21,000	NA
Charter for 5	$24, 750	NA
Charter for 6	$29,700	NA
Four Night Charter for 4	NA	$14,400
Four Night Charter for 5	NA	$18,000
Four Night Charter for 6	NA	$21,600

What's Included
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in cabins with private baths
- Transfers from Narbonne or Carcassonne to the barge and return, depending on the cruise route
- All meals beginning with dinner on Sunday, through breakfast on Saturday, including one lunch at a restaurant chosen by the captain (alcoholic beverages not included on shore)
- All wines on board with lunches and dinners
- Open bar on board
- All escorted side-excursions
- Use of bicycles

What's Not Included
- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Transportation from Paris to Narbonne or Carcassonne and return
- Suggested minimum 5% gratuity for the crew, to be paid to the captain in equivalent euros

Please visit our Special Offers page to see potential discounts for this barge or many others.
	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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Last Update: March 28, 2013

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