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 of France's most authentic and beautiful boutique hotel barges and is the sister ship to the Tango. Once famous as a showcase for Provencal tile and L'Occitane bath products, the barge floats through Languedoc, one of Southern France's most fascinating regions, recently dubbed "the next Provence." Its waterway is the picture-perfect 300-year-old Canal du Midi, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered to be the prettiest canal in France.

Fandango is known for her beautiful décor and fine gourmet cuisine and wine served on board. The vessel is one of the best ways to sample local delicacies of Southern France, both on board and at local restaurants, a unique feature of the cruise program.

A barge cruise on Fandango means relaxed luxury plus a chance for up-close contact to a stimulating local culture. Each day will be a flowing experience of cruising for a few hours and enjoying a daily sightseeing excursion in our air-conditioned mini-van. This can be to visit local sites of historic or cultural interest, shop at open-air markets, and enjoy wine tastings and the olives from the prize winning olive oil mill, l'Oulibo. While the barge cruises at a leisurely pace you can walk alongside, ride a bicycle into the countryside or simply put your feet up on our Provencal tiled decks while the chef prepares your next delicious meal. An English-speaking crew of four pampers you all week long.

Your cruise includes 6 nights accommodations in two twin or king-bedded cabins and one double-bedded cabin with elegant en suite bathrooms; all meals, including one meal at a local restaurant for either lunch or dinner; fine local wines from the Languedoc with meals; open bar; guided-chauffeured daily sightseeing; transfers to and from the barge in the cruising area; and use of barge amenities including bicycles and spa. (Alcoholic beverages not included with on-shore meal.)

The Fandango's chef focuses on the rich culinary tradition of the cruising area, the Languedoc. A Mediterranean climate provides sun-ripened fruits, vegetables, olive oil and herbs, while the robust traditional fare of the Southwest offers foie gras, duck and tender lamb from the Pyrenees. A fantastic choice of fine cheeses and increasingly prominent wines from vineyards once favored by the Romans complete each meal.

The owners, mother and son team Hazel Young and Daniel Sak, both graduates of the French National Cooking School in Beaune, Burgundy, oversee the preparation of your meals when aboard Fandango. They welcome guests with a strong interest in cooking and are happy to share their recipes, techniques and philosophy on fine dining. All of the meals prepared on board Fandango are made with garden market produce bought daily, the best quality meats and poultry from the farms of the Southwest of France, and fresh Mediterranean seafood and fish.

Features

• Size of barge: 100 ft. by 16 ft.
  
• Number of Passengers: 6
• Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 3
• Crew: 4.
  
• Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Yes
  
• Salon: Salon with beautiful Provencial furnishings, antiques, skylight, and comfortable sofas. Galley/dining area with table for 6.
  
• Bar: Open bar
• Deck: Tiled sundeck with hot tub, chairs, dining table and large parasols.
• Spa Tub: Yes
  
• Cabin Features: Two cabins with twin beds or king bed, each about 128 sq. ft., including bath. One smaller double cabin (Matisse) about 50 sq. ft, plus bath. Skylight in Monet & Degas cabins. Baths with colorful Provencal tiles.
  
• 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

Passenger Comments:

We had a wonderful time. The Fandango was very comfortable and I loved the fabrics and interior design. The crew was fantastic. They could not have been nicer or more professional. We all hated to get off the barge as we all thought Sara's meals were better than any we had at the restaurants. This is not a criticism of the restaurants, they were all very good. I own a small cooking school and would be proud to serve any of Sara's recipes to our classes. Thank you again for a wonderful cruise.
-- J.K., IL

It was a lot of fun and certainly met our expectations. High points were having fun with the crew and seeing the scenery.
-- S.L., ME

Had Pierre Paul Riquet only realized that the Canal du Midi that he created 200 years ago would allow us to experience leisure travel befitting King Louis XIV! The Tango and Fandango are the two most exclusive of the twelve premier boutique hotel barges quietly plying the canals of France. Thank you, Capts. Danielle and Thomas, chefs Marcus and Yanika, and the entire crew for providing a gastronomic/cruising experience available only to a privileged few.
-- G.H., Missouri

Loved it! Great scenery, interesting side trips and more food than one could possibly consume!
-- L.D.

*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.

What's Included

- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in cabins with private baths
- transfers from Montpellier, Beziers or Carcassonne to the barge and return
- all meals beginning with dinner on Sunday, through breakfast on Saturday, including one meal at a quality restaurant chosen by the captain (alcoholic beverages not included at the restaurant)
- 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 Montpellier, Beziers or Carcassonne 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