SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS
The 6-passenger Fandango is one of France's most 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, early in the 2009 season the barge floats through Languedoc, and the picture-perfect 300-year-old Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later in the season, Fandango cruises the Canal du Bourgogne between Dijon and Escommes. Known for her beautiful décor and fine gourmet cuisine and wine served on board, Fandango is one of the best ways to sample local delicacies, both on board and at local restaurants, a unique feature of the cruise program. The Fandango's chef focuses on the rich culinary tradition of the cruising area, the Languedoc or Burgundy regions. A fantastic choice of fine cheeses and increasingly prominent wines from vineyards once favored by the Romans complete each meal.
A barge cruise on Fandango means relaxed luxury plus a chance for up-close contact with 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. 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.
Owner Hazel Young, a graduate of the French National Cooking School in Beaune, Burgundy, oversees the preparation of your meals when aboard Fandango. Guests with a strong interest in cooking are invited to share recipes, techniques and philosophy on fine dining with the chef. All of the meals prepared on board Fandango are made with garden market produce bought daily, along with the best quality meats and poultry from local farms and fresh Mediterranean seafood and fish when cruising in the South.
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.
To celebrate Fandango's return to Burgundy, France's foremost wine and gastronomique region, we are going to take guests to dine onshore three times during the week, inclusive. This will include a typical "plat du jour" at a lockside bistrot, a "cassecroute" while winetasting on the Route de Grands Crus, and the Michelin star restaurant Abbaye de la Bussiere.
Sunday - Dijon (Suggest Paris to Dijon on the afternoon TGV train)
The Fandango tour guide will be there on the platform of the Dijon train station to escort you to the barge. A Champagne welcome provides the perfect moment to meet the crew and preview the week ahead to be sure to include your preferences. After acquainting yourself with your cabins your evening dinner will be the start of your gourmet journey.
Monday - Cruise to Fleurey-sur-Ouche
Your morning cruise takes the barge out of the town and introduces you to the peaceful green pastoral setting of the river Ouche valley. The famous cream-colored Charolais cows graze in their pastures, wildflowers abound, a wonderful feeling of relaxation takes over as you slowly enter our tranquil week of cruising. After lunch on board, you may want to cycle on the towpath to gather a thirst for a winetasting in the evening at the medieval vineyard chateau of Clos de Vougeot.
Tuesday - Cruise to Gissey-sur-Ouche
This morning is a minivan visit to the colorful "les halles" covered market of Dijon. The chef will take you on the rounds of the market stalls, selecting cheeses and fresh produce, making sure all the specialties you want to try during your week go into the baskets. Following which, after a coffee, the tour guide will accompany you on a historic tour of Dijon, including the Ducal Palace, famous Grey Poupon mustard shop and a little time for any boutique shopping or the Galeries Lafayette. Back to the barge for lunch, and a restful cruise to our evening mooring in Gissey, another quaint and typical village.
Wednesday - Cruise to Pont d'Ouche
You will enjoy the diversity of each lockkeeper's handiwork this morning as we cruise a staircase of locks bordered by well-tended flower beds and vegetable gardens. Walking and biking are on offer, or just reading on deck, letting the scenery glide by. Today, we shall take you to the exquisitely restored Abbaye de la Bussière for a Michelin star lunch. The tranquillity of your afternoon cruise will complete the experience to "savorer le moment."
Thursday - Cruise to the Ecluse Roche aux Fees (or Fairy Rock Lock!)
Into the minivan with the tour guide this morning for an exciting day out to taste wine along the Route des Grands Crus. To accompany the wine, a "cassecroute" lunch of regional specialties, jambon persille, saucisson with sun-dried tomatoes, pates with cornichons, plus a "plateau de fromage extraordinaire," all devoured with crispy baguettes of course. Back to the barge for a late afternoon cruise, watching the sun set over Fairy Rock Lock.
Friday - Cruise to Escommes
You will admire the hilltop castle of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois over a lengthy breakfast while cruising to Vandenesse port. Later on in the morning, this medieval castle will be brought to life during a historical tour with your barge guide. Antique shops and exquisite views await you; walking the cobblestoned streets will work up an appetite for your typical Burgundy "plat du jour" lunch at the bistrot. Siesta and cruise up the last flight of locks to the Escommes lake. An evening drive to the exquisite village of Flavigny (location of the film Chocolat), is a definite must before your last dinner on board.
Saturday - Departure for Dijon
After breakfast the tour guide will transfer you to Dijon train station for the continuation of your journey.
Note: This is a sample itinerary and will be run in reverse on alternate weeks.
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*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.
| FANDANGO 2009 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| ACCOMMODATION | VALUE Apr 19 thru May 2 Jul 5 thru Aug 29 Oct 18 thru Oct 31 |
REGULAR May 3 thru Jul 4 Aug 30 thru Oct 17 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$4,995 |
$4,995 |
| Matisse Cabin (per person, double occ) |
$3,250 |
$3,250 |
| Matisse Single Supplement |
$1,745 |
$1,745 |
| Charter for 4 |
$18,981 |
$19,980 |
| Charter for 5 |
$23,726 |
$24,975 |
| Charter for 6 |
$25,175 |
$26,500 |
What's Included
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in cabins with private baths
- Transfers from Dijon to the barge and return (or Beziers for April/early May cruises)
- All meals beginning with dinner on Sunday, through breakfast on Saturday, including one meal at a quality restaurant chosen by the captain for Canal du Midi cruises and 3 lunches on shore for Burgundy cruises (alcoholic beverages not included at restaurants)
- 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 Dijon (or Beziers for April/early May cruises) and return
- Suggested minimum 5% gratuity for the crew, to be paid to the captain in equivalent euros
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