Cruise in France on the canals and rivers of Southern Burgundy and the Upper Loire aboard the Deluxe Hotel-Barge HIRONDELLE

SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS

The 8-passenger Hirondelle has four beautifully appointed staterooms, three with twin beds and one with a double bed, each with their own private bathroom with shower. Each has large windows that open well above the waterline. There is a spacious living room/dining salon, sun deck with lounge chairs and sheltering umbrellas, stereo, games, writing desk and reading material. The Hirondelle provides bicycles for cycling along the towpath and into villages, and has a minibus for excursions to local landmarks.

The Hirondelle cruises some of the most tranquil and beautiful waterways in all of Europe. For 2010 it now cruises primarily in the Upper Loire on the Canal Lateral a la Loire except for cruises in April and October in Southern Burgundy on the Canal de Bourgogne, the Canal du Centre, and the River Saône. The large windows and the sun-deck on the top deck of the boat make it easy for you to enjoy the passing scenery. One day you may decide to bicycle through the countryside to visit Roman ruins, travel in your own air-conditioned mini-bus to an out of the way vineyard, or soar over the countryside in a hot air balloon. Then, at the end of a glorious day, return to your floating "country home" where your crew has been preparing an evening feast ... an elegant five course gourmet dinner graced by fine wines and cheeses unknown outside France. A sense of comradeship seems to prevail as you share the day's adventures with friends ... reliving memories that will carry your conversations for years to come.

In the Upper Loire you can take a short drive to Sancerre, situated on an impressive hilltop, for lunch and a private wine tasting at the fabulous 15th century Château Tracy, one of the most prestigious producers of the famous Pouilly Fume. Visit the famous Gien pottery (faience) factory and the Château of La Bussiere with its imposing setting and medicinal gardens. Or relax as the barge traverses the river Loire via the longest canal bridge in Europe connecting the Canal Lateral a la Loire to the Canal du Briare. In Southern Burgundy you will see the vineyards, Gothic churches and abbeys, Renaissance châteaux and picturesque villages. It is a region of France in which gastronomic delights and the art of living have reigned supreme since Roman times. Excursions are arranged to places with storybook names, whether it be Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy, the quaint town of Dole, the famous museum in Dijon, or the castle in Châteauneuf.

Features

• Size of barge: 128 ft by 16.5 ft
• Number of Passengers: 8
• Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 4
• Crew: 5
• Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Yes
• Salon: Salon with comfortable sofas and chairs, stereo system, book/games library, dining area, skylight, picture windows, guest computer with internet access and BOSE ipod docking station.
• Bar: Open bar
• Deck: Sundeck with dining table and chairs
• Spa Tub: No
• Cabin Features: Two twin-bedded cabins 123 sq ft, one twin-bedded cabin 140 sq ft and one cabin with queen bed 138 sq ft including ensuite bathroom with shower, each with sink in cabin
  
• Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: Air-conditioned Mercedes mini-bus (8-seater plus driver)
• Accessibility: Steps to salon from deck.
• Bicycles: Yes

Hirondelle's Deck Plan

Passenger Comments:

Fabulous. The staff (crew) we had made the trip even more special. Ollie (chef) was a wonderful cook and made some wonderful recipes. Jonathan, our cruise director selected the best wines. Vanessa our hostess picked out so many wonderful cheeses to taste from all the regions. Barge route was pretty and very relaxing. I will definitely be barging again in the future.
-- K.P., CA, USA

The barge trip was phenomenal. What we experienced was so much more than what we expected. The barge was impeccable, clean, well decorated, easy to move around in. The staff were fun, attentive and knowledgable. The food could have come from a 5 star restaurant. The route was perfect for us. We were looking to get away from it all and relax. This is the perfect route for that. The canal was small so we did not have to deal with much boat traffic or town noises. The scenery was beautiful and peaceful. This was a trip of a lifetime.
-- M.D. & J.D., San Diego, CA, USA

I just wanted to tell you how fabulous our trip was on the Hirondelle two weeks ago. I really didn't know what to expect, but I couldn't have imagined it would be so wonderful. I don't have a single complaint - only huge compliments to give about everything. The boat was beautiful and perfectly clean both inside and out every minute of the day; the food was outstanding and was presented just gorgeously; the rooms were very generous in size; the shore excursions were wonderful.

But the biggest compliment of all goes to the Hirondelle staff. All of the above things were so good because of the crew. They were absolutely perfect - professional, fun, kind, interesting, and they all did their jobs perfectly. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a barge cruise on the Hirondelle to anyone. It was just perfect.
-- B.T., GA, USA

We enjoyed every minute and all of you made us so comfortable. Everyone is very cheerful and always smiling. We are so glad we choose the Hirondelle! Come and visit us one day!
-- Dave & Jane B.

Thank you for the most memorable week - you are now part of our extended family - as you have made us feel part of yours. Our sincere thanks to you all.
-- Joan & Graham B.

Sunday - Rogny les Sept Écluses.
Board the barge at Rogny les Sept Écluses on the Canal de Briare.   A champagne reception welcomes you on board and gives you a chance to meet the crew. Take the time to stroll to the 'Sept Ecluses', an impressisve ladder of seven locks, now disused, but an interesting testiment to engineering and ingeunuity.  Enjoy your first dining experience on board.

Monday - Cruise to Ouzouer.  Visit St. Fargeau
Today, the barge traverses the river Loire via the longest canal bridge in Europe, connecting the Canal du Briare to the Canal Latéral à la Loire. Rogny is the site of the oldest canal lock in France, a seven-step staircase lock built in the 16th century.  After lunch visit the beautiful Château de Saint-Fargeau with a history spanning a thousand years. 

Tuesday - Visit the faiencerie in Gien and St Brisson.  Cruise to Chatillon sur Loire.
After breakfast, visit the beautiful town of Gien to visit the faiencerie which produces beautifully decorated pottery. There will be a chance to buy some faience in the factory shop.  We will then enjoy a private tour of the Chateau of St Brisson.  This fascinating chateau perched on a rocky outcrop was very well defended for hundreds of years by medieval catapults and war machines, and you will see a display of them in the grounds.   Return to the barge and enjoy a wonderful lunch while cruising southward to Chatillon sur Loire. Today, the barge traverses the river Loire via the longest canal bridge in Europe, connecting the Canal du Briare to the Canal Latéral à la Loire.
 
Wednesday - Cruise to Ménétréol. Visit Sancerre. 
The boat cruises for a couple of hours; then late morning we disembark to visit the wine-country where the famous wines of Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé are produced.  We visit the charming little town of Chavignol, famous for its goat's cheese and have a tasting in the town.  We then head up to Sancerre, situated on an impressive hilltop, and have lunch in the town. There will be free time to wander in the charming town and take photos of the surrounding vineyards.  If you choose, there is also time to visit a local goats cheese farm.

Thursday - Cruise to Beffes.  Visit La Charité-sur-Loire.
Today the barge continues its cruise from Ménétréol towards Charité-sur-Loire and moors in Beffes. This afternoon, visit La Charité-sur-Loire, an important site of Burgundian Romanesque art and a renowned resting place for pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela. Your guide will take you on a lovely walking tour of the remains of the 10th century church and see the 'House of the dwarf!'  This small town overlooks the loire and we will walk up to the remains of the ruined city walls, built to protect the monks against invasions, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the town and the river.

Friday - Cruise to Plagny. Visit Apremont and Nevers.
Continue cruising today from Beffes to Plagny, crossing over the canal bridge at Le Guétin where the canal crosses the Loire.  Later this morning take a short drive to Apremont, one of the most beautiful villages in France, to visit the private Château and gardens.  This afternoon enjoy a walking tour of Nevers, the capital of the Nivernais, and a chance to buy some of the distinctive blue and gold faience at the market.  Farewell gala dinner on board.

Saturday - Nevers.
After breakfast disembark the barge for your onward travel arrangements.

Note: The day to day itinerary described above is a typical cruise. However, on any one cruise the moorings may change and the places visited may vary depending on the season and guest preferences. 

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Hirondelle 2010 Season Cruise Schedule* Week Route Season Apr 4 Dijon-St Leger Regular Apr 11 St Leger-Digoin Regular Apr 18 Digoin-Guetin Regular Apr 25 Guetin-Rogny Regular May 2 Rogny-Guetin Regular May 9 Guetin-Rogny Regular May 16 Rogny-Guetin Regular May 23 Guetin-Rogny Regular May 30 Rogny-Guetin Regular Jun 6 Guetin-Rogny Regular Jun 13 Rogny-Guetin Regular Jun 20 Guetin-Rogny Regular Jun 27 Rogny-Guetin Regular Jul 4 Guetin-Rogny Regular Jul 11 Rogny-Guetin Regular

Cruise Schedule* ... continued Week Route Season Jul 18 Guetin-Rogny Regular Jul 25 Rogny-Guetin Regular Aug 1 Guetin-Rogny Regular Aug 8 Rogny-Guetin Regular Aug 15 Guetin-Rogny Regular Aug 22 Rogny-Guetin Regular Aug 29 Guetin-Rogny Regular Sep 5 Rogny-Guetin Regular Sep 12 Guetin-Rogny Regular Sep 19 Rogny-Guetin Regular Sep 26 Guetin-Digoin Regular Oct 3 Digoin-St Leger Regular Oct 10 St Leger-Dijon Regular Oct 17 Dijon-Lyon Regular Oct 24 Lyon-St. Jean Regular

Hirondelle 2011 Season Cruise Schedule* Week Route Season Apr 3 St Leger-Digoin Standard Apr 10 Digoin-Guetin Standard Apr 17 Guetin-Rogny Standard Apr 24 Rogny-Guetin Standard May 1 Guetin-Rogny Standard May 8 Rogny-Guetin Standard May 15 Guetin-Rogny Standard May 22 Rogny-Guetin Standard May 29 Guetin-Rogny Standard Jun 5 Rogny-Guetin Standard Jun 12 Guetin-Rogny Standard Jun 19 Rogny-Guetin Standard Jun 26 Guetin-Rogny Standard Jul 3 Rogny-Guetin Standard Jul 10 Guetin-Rogny Standard

Cruise Schedule* ... continued Week Route Season Jul 17 Rogny-Guetin Standard Jul 24 Guetin-Rogny Standard Jul 31 Rogny-Guetin Standard Aug 7 Guetin-Rogny Standard Aug 14 Rogny-Guetin Standard Aug 21 Guetin-Rogny Standard Aug 28 Rogny-Guetin Standard Sep 4 Guetin-Rogny Standard Sep 11 Rogny-Guetin Standard Sep 18 Guetin-Rogny Standard Sep 25 Rogny-Guetin Standard Oct 2 Guetin-Rogny Standard Oct 9 Rogny-Guetin Standard Oct 16 Guetin-Digoin Standard Oct 23 Digoin-St Leger Standard

*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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HIRONDELLE 2010 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS
ACCOMMODATION	REGULAR Apr 4 thru Oct 30
Cabin (per person, double occupancy)	$4,900
Single Occupancy Supplement	$1,225
Charter for 6	$34,400
Charter for 7	$36,800
Charter for 8	$39,200
Optional Train Ticket (per person round trip)	$300

HIRONDELLE 2011 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS
ACCOMMODATION	STANDARD Apr 3 thru Oct 29
Cabin (per person, double occupancy)	$5,000
Single Occupancy Supplement	$2,500
Charter for 6	$35,100
Charter for 7	$37,550
Charter for 8	$40,000

What's Included

- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in a cabin with private bath
- Transfers from Nevers, Le Creusot or Dijon to the barge and return, depending on cruise direction,  for charters or those with train transfers.
- 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
- Transportation from Paris to Nevers, Le Creusot or Dijon or return, depending on cruise direction (available at extra cost)
- Transfers and from the barge mooring for individual passengers without train transfers
- 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

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Last Update: August 6, 2010

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