Cruise In France On The Canal du Nivernais In Northern Burgundy Aboard The First Class Hotel-Barge LUCIOLE

SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS

Beautiful and historic, the waterway on which the Luciole travels provides a step back in time. Out of all of the European barge cruise routes, this is surely one of the finest. Each curve in the route presents a new and exciting panorama to be explored. You can enjoy this beautiful, scenic route on the towpath that runs alongside the canal either on foot or with one of the bicycles provided for you on board. Our warm-spirited and expert crew of six, all of whom are British or English-speaking, will combine gastronomy and comfort with thoughtful personal service throughout each day of your cruise. Excursions are made to vineyards, market towns or chateaux in this peaceful region where the hustle and bustle of busy life has no place.

The Luciole is owned by John and Penny Liley. Previously, John was editor of a leading British yachting magazine, and has even written books that include " France-the Quiet Way " , an exploration of the entire canal and river system of France. His early journeys inspired him to select the Nivernais cruising area and establish the present hotel-barge business in 1976 with the Secunda, forerunner to Luciole. Penny is now responsible for the overall running of the business.

Penny first worked on the Luciole as a chef in 1986, and since then has played a major role in creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere. A feeling of calm and attention to detail is apparent as soon as one steps aboard.

Available for whole-boat charter or individual bookings, the Luciole allows its guests to explore in comfort the intimate country waterways of central France. From the air-conditioned salon, big picture windows allow uninterrupted views of passing scenery. Refreshments are freely available at all times from our open bar.

Three double-bed cabins are available and can be converted into twins if necessary. Three additional twin-bed cabins and two single bed cabins are also available, and all of them have their own private, ensuite bathroom with shower. Individually-controlled air-conditioning is installed throughout.

Meals on board the Luciole are treasured times and offer an opportunity to sit, relax and share with friends, old or new, a summer luncheon or candlelit dinner of culinary delights.

The chef is encouraged to be innovative and imaginative, marrying French cuisine with a contemporary twist while using fresh local ingredients to inspire and spoil you. Your day commences with the arrival of freshly baked breads and pastries. Lunch is a feast of salads and savory dishes, followed by a selection of cheese. The four-course evening meal includes wines from he region on each menu. With Chablis on our doorstep, local vineyards are well represented, but wines from the Cote d'Or are also on our list, together with Chateauneuf du Pape and selections from Bordeaux.

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Features

• Size of barge: 114 ft. by 17 ft.
• Number of Passengers: 14
• Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 8
• Crew: 6
• Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Yes
• Salon: The salon/dining area has large picture windows, comfortable seating and dining areas with dining table for 14
• Bar: Open bar
• Deck: Sundeck with chairs, dining table and umbrellas.
• Spa Tub: No
• Cabin Features: Cabins average 107 sq. ft. with bath. Three cabins with twin or double beds, three cabins with twin beds, and two single cabins, all including ensuite bathroom with shower.
• Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: l6-passenger air-conditioned Mercedes van
• Accessibility: Steps to salon and cabins.
• Bicycles: 8 sturdy roadster bicycles. Additional bicycles can be provided upon request.

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Luciole's Deck Plan

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Dining Aboard The Luciole:
SAMPLE MENU

BREAKFAST
Our Continental breakfast offerings include pancakes, Belgian waffles, fresh breads, pastries, cereals, fresh fruits and yogurt.

LUNCH

• Chicken encroute with girolles
• Marinated seafood salad
• Pear and Roquefort salad
• Roasted bell peppers and olive salad
• Mixed bean and lentil salad
• Salmon and red onion tartlets
• Burgundian gougere
• Pasta, sun dried tomato and pesto salad
• Courgette, pine nut and parmesan salad
• Marinated artichoke hearts
• Frisee salad with bacon lardons
• Assorted cheese to include Saint Felicien, Cantal, Bleu d'Auvergne, Chaource, Epoisses, Brie, Roquefort, Saint Agur, Beaufort,Tomme de Chevre

DINNER

• Warm asparagus with a Dijon vinaigrette
• Smoked duck and parmesan shavings
• Grilled Guinea fowl on a bed of wild rice with a tomato and butter sauce, garnished with tomato crisps
• Broccoli florets, butter fried zucchini
• Pan fried foie gras served on a country style bread with caramelized apples
• Pork filet migon with a cognac cream sauce
• Potatoes savoyard gratin
• Honeyed carrot straws, haricot vert
• Passion fruit and orange tarte with Cointreau cream
• Molten chocolate cake with vanilla ice-cream, garnished with strawberries
• white chocolate dipped strawberry ice cream balls and chocolate sauce
• Coffee, chocolates and liqueurs

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Passenger Comments:

Overall the barge cruise was superlative! The barge, crew, food and attention was top notch, a 10 out of 10 rating!
F.M., CA, USA, October 2012

The barge was comfy, the crew energetic and delightful, the food superb and the wines consumed in wild abandon. This is a crew that knows how to do it though how they managed to stay up so late, rise so early and prepare feast after feast in such small quarters still boggles my mind.
M.H., TX, USA, September 2012

The barge and cabin accommodations were beyond my expectation. Meals were excellent, varied, and beautifully presented. The bottles kept appearing on the table until it was clear that everyone was finished...and then the liquors came out!
D.C., FL, USA, September 2012

Fabulous vacation. This trip exceeded my expectations. The staff was wonderful and everyone made sure that all of our needs were met. The food and wine was delicious. The daily side trips were wonderful. It wasn't long enough, I could have cruised for another week. Life is too short to miss out on this cruise, I highly recommend it. SPT was very easy to work with; staff answered all of my questions. I have no complaints, just compliments and high regard for their great service.
J & M C., CO, USA, July 2012

If planned in heaven, our cruise couldn't have been better. The crew service was beyond great, in the kitchen, on the tours ... everywhere. We were in awe at each meal. Excursions were just the right length. Neil injected fun into the history, too bad that our teachers didn't do the same! Please tell the wonderful crew that they set the tone for this successful trip.
J.M., Canada April 2011

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Luciole 2013 Season Cruise Schedule* Week Route Season Apr 21 Auxerre-Clamecy Value Apr 28 Clamecy-Auxerre Value May 5 Auxerre-Clamecy Value May 12 Clamecy-Auxerre Value May 19 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular May 26 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular Jun 2 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular Jun 9 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular Jun 16 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular Jun 23 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular Jun 30 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular Jul 7 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular Jul 14 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular Jul 21 Clamecy-Auxerre Value

Cruise Schedule* ... continued Week Route Season Jul 28 Auxerre-Clamecy Value Aug 4 Clamecy-Auxerre Value Aug 11 Auxerre-Clamecy Value Aug 18 Clamecy-Auxerre Value Aug 25 Auxerre-Clamecy Value Sep 1 Clamecy-Auxerre High Sep 8 Auxerre-Clamecy High Sep 15 Clamecy-Auxerre High Sep 22 Auxerre-Clamecy High Sep 29 Clamecy-Auxerre High Oct 6 Auxerre-Clamecy High Oct 13 Clamecy-Auxerre Value Oct 20 Auxerre-Clamecy Value Oct 27 Clamecy-Auxerre Value

Luciole 2014 Season Cruise Schedule* Week Route Season Apr 20 Auxerre-Clamecy Value Apr 27 Clamecy-Auxerre Value May 4 Auxerre-Clamecy Value May 11 Clamecy-Auxerre Value May 18 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular May 25 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular Jun 1 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular Jun 8 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular Jun 15 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular Jun 22 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular Jun 29 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular Jul 6 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular Jul 13 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular Jul 20 Clamecy-Auxerre Value

Cruise Schedule* ... continued Week Route Season Jul 27 Auxerre-Clamecy Value Aug 3 Clamecy-Auxerre Value Aug 10 Auxerre-Clamecy Value Aug 17 Clamecy-Auxerre Value Aug 24 Auxerre-Clamecy Value Aug 31 Clamecy-Auxerre High Sep 7 Auxerre-Clamecy High Sep 14 Clamecy-Auxerre High Sep 21 Auxerre-Clamecy High Sep 28 Clamecy-Auxerre High Oct 5 Auxerre-Clamecy High Oct 12 Clamecy-Auxerre High Oct 19 Auxerre-Clamecy Value Oct 26 Clamecy-Auxerre Value

The Luciole's route through Burgundy, from Auxerre to Clamecy on the Canal du Nivernais For a more detailed look at the cruise route, view our map of the Canal du Nivernais.

*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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LUCIOLE 2013 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS
ACCOMMODATION	VALUE Apr 21 thru May 18 Jul 21 thru Aug 31 Oct 13 thru Nov 2	REGULAR May 19 thru Jul 20	HIGH Sep 1 thru Oct 12
Cabin (per person, double occupancy)	$3,950	$4,250	$4,250
Single in Single Cabin	$3,950	$4,250	$4,250
Charter for up to 10	$40,000	NA	NA
Charter for up to 14	$42,000	$52,000	$55,000
Activity Charter for up to 14	$44,000	$54,000	$57,000

LUCIOLE 2014 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS
ACCOMMODATION	VALUE [2013 RATES] Apr 20 thru May 17 Jul 20 thru Aug 30 Oct 19 thru Nov 1	REGULAR [2013 RATES] May 18 thru Jul 19	HIGH [2013 RATES] Aug 31 thru Oct 18
Cabin (per person, double occupancy)	$3,950	$4,250	$4,250
Single in Single Cabin	$3,950	$4,250	$4,250
Charter for up to 10	$40,000	NA	NA
Charter for up to 14	$42,000	$52,000	$55,000
Activity Charter for up to 14	$44,000	$54,000	$57,000

*2013 rates will be honored for 2014 bookings placed before the announcement of 2014 prices (expected in late Spring 2013).

What's Included for 2013 & 2014 Cruises
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in a cabin with private bath
- transfers from Paris to the barge and return
- all meals beginning with dinner on Sunday through breakfast on Saturday
- all wines with lunches and dinners
- open bar
- all escorted side-excursions (hot air ballooning, golf, etc. at additional cost)
- use of bicycles

What's Not Included for 2013 & 2014 Cruises
- overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- suggested minimum 5% gratuity for the crew, to be given 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: May 16, 2013

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