SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS
The 18-passenger "Le Phénicien," combines the best of the Provence region -- cruising the Rhône River between Avignon and Aigues-Mortes -- with tranquil cruising on the Rhône-Sete canal amidst the marvelous natural beauty of the Camargue region. Le Phénicien's unique route allows it to meander through the Provence and the Languedoc-Roussillon regions, with thousands of years of culture, world-renowned wines, gastronomic food, glorious weather, and in surroundings of unspoiled nature.
Le Phenicien blends the spaciousness of a larger river cruiser with the intimacy of a well-designed and decorated canal barge. All cabins were renovated in 2009: There are now three cabins with twin beds and six cabins with a queen bed, all with ensuite bathroom with shower. The 1000-foot salon offers plenty of comfortable seating along with a dining area, all with large picture windows. While cruising, you can have a drink at the bar or take a comfortable seat at the lounges and relax with friends, play chess, read a book, listen to music, do nothing else but enjoy the sight through the large windows.
Your meals will be specially prepared by our Chef from selected local ingredients. Breakfast and Lunch usually consist of a buffet while dinner is a more traditional gourmet meal served at table. You will discover a wide variety of local traditional specialties accompanied by great local wines, Champagne and other sparkling wines. We think that even connoisseurs will be surprised.
Between 2 to 6 hours a day are dedicated to cruising. One or two excursions a day are organized especially for you. Of course you will also visit some monuments famous worldwide, but we usually try to organize the visits of these sites out of the rush hours or out of the high season. Bicycle riding is very pleasant and easy in the region; you may want to ride a bike in the evening and discover by yourself the surroundings of our port of call.
Bike and Barge Program for 2010
Le Phenicien offers a special bike and barge program on selected cruise weeks, at no additional charge, for a minimum of six participating passengers. The program includes all meals, wines with lunches and dinners and open bar. Custom bicycles and helmets are provided as well as route maps and suggested itineraries. The daily average bike ride is about 35 km but serious bikers may opt for up to an 80 km route daily. The routes are mostly flat or reasonably hilly and are ideal for bikers with experience with similar rides.
Dîner - Dinner
Petits légumes farcis de Provence, réduction de balsamique
Stuffed baby vegetables from Provence, balsamic dressing
Cannelloni d’agneau de 7 heures et aubergines, jus aux arômes de romarin et miel d’acacias
Lamb and eggplant cannelloni, honey and rosemary sauce
Camembert pané, salade à l’huile vierge
Breaded Camembert over salad with olive oil dressing
Fondant au chocolat noir, crème a l’orgeat, coulis passion
Molton chocolate cake, almond chantilly cream and passionfruit sauce
Vin Blanc/White wine : Mas Sainte Berthe AOC ‘les Baux’ - 2004
Vin Rouge/Red wine : Domaine Beaurenard AOC ‘Chateauneuf-du-Pape’ - 2002
Midi – Lunch buffet
Salade exotique, acras de morue, lotte marinée au lait de coco et citron vert
Avocat farcis au crabe et crevette
Mixed salad, cod fritter, monkfish marinated with coconut milk and lime
Avocado filled with crab and shrimp
Magret de canard rôti, jus court, semoule de blé, raisins marinés aux saveurs d’orient
Sliced roast duck with semolina and oriental raisin sauce
Pont l’évèque ‘AOC’ and Munster cheese ‘AOC’
Cake à la châtaigne, nougat glace aux mandarines
Chestnut cake and burnt almond ice cream with mandarin oranges
Vin Blanc/White wine : Château Mourgues du Grés ‘les galets dorés ‘AOC’ Costières de Nîmes - 2005
Vin Rouge/Red wine : Domaine des 3 Pierres ‘AOC’ Costières de Nîmes - 2003
It was tres manifique! The barge itself was very nice, the food fantastic, the staff friendly and helpful and the daily off-barge trips were terrific. The ranch visit to the Carmarge and the trip to the Pont du Gard were both just wonderful.As for the meals and wines- Oh, my! Both were fantastic! I found out that French rose is a wonderful wine and nothing like the pink stuff here in the States. The lunches and dinners were dining experiences and great fun. The excursions were just enough, but not too much; interesting; informative; and a few were off the beaten path (the chocolate factory, the winery, the Carmarge ranch) and not full of other tourists.
--T.H., VA, USA
The service was fantastic. There was no need un-met. Everyone should go on this trip at least once in their lifetime. It was beautiful.
-- J.K.
The food was unbelievable! The presentations were works of art. The staff knocked themselves out to accommodate the 2 special diets we had in our party. The wine was wonderful, wonderful!
High points would have to include: The relaxing time spent on the barge with my family. The wonderful food. The upbeat, pleasant and helpful staff. The trips into town for shopping and sightseeing. The Belgian passengers we shared the barge with. We really thought the size of the barge was perfect. We have all been on large cruises and this was so much more enjoyable. There was nothing we didn't enjoy. There is nothing I can think of that would improve the trip.
Wanted to report VERY HIGH MARKS for Le Phenicien. It was truly wonderful and the French hosts were what really made it great. The cabin was pretty small but again the crew was fantastic and really made everything terrific. The food was very French and we LOVED it!
--W.L., Nevada
The barge was beautifully appointed! It was very clean and obviously well maintained. The glorious Provence colors found throughout were delightful.
--P.W., California
Our trip was wonderful, the accommodations, the service, the food and the sight seeing. I cannot compliment the staff enough. Thank you for all the hard work you did in setting up the trip.
-- E.K., USA
We were thrilled with the trip. The Phenicien is a lovely facility, the crew was superb and the food and wine were of high quality. The outings were fun and informative. The other passengers were interesting and enjoyable. In all, an excellent experience!
--K.M., NJ, USA
Sunday
Transfer from a defined pick up point to Le Phenicien which is moored close to the Avignon ramparts. There is time for a little nap or a visit of the city. Our first dinner on board gives an indication of the high standard of cuisine that will be served during the cruise and the accompanying wines have been specially chosen from top-notch local vineyards.
Monday
History and wines are our centers of interest today. We first take a guided tour to learn about the religious and artistic importance of the city's prestigious past with a visit to the Palace of the Popes. Then a lunch cruise takes us closer to one of the best cellars of Chateauneuf-du-Pape where we have a guided visit followed by a wine tasting. This evening we sail to Villeneuve les Avignon where we will stay overnight. The wines tasted in the morning are back on the table at dinner!
Tuesday
This morning the gigantic Roman aqueduct 'Le Pont du Gard' with its recently made-up site and modern museum are awaiting you. After this intriguing guided visit we return to the barge and sail down to Vallabregues - a quiet and charming little port where it is good to rest, take a bike ride, or play petanque under the plane trees.
Wednesday
Spots of legend are many in the surroundings and after breakfast we will visit the charming medieval village of Les Baux de Provence and take some time to shop! Back onboard the barge we pass through the huge 36 foot high lock of Beaucaire and sail down to Arles, the open-air Museum of Provence.
Thursday
Our guided visit in Arles this morning will delve deeply into antiquity and, at the same time, unravel the joys and despair of Van Gogh who painted 300 canvasses during his year here in 1888. The most impressive navigation is today as we head for for the Camargue! We cruise the Rhone river, the Petit Rhone, and the canal to reach the quiet and typical village of Gallician.
Friday
For our last day of excursion, what would you say about a nice trip to visit the wild Camargue? There we reach a 'manade', a typical ranch, where the 'gardiens a cheval', the local authentic cowboys, show us how they tend the herds of bulls on their superb white horses. Our final destination is Aigues-Mortes, a 14th century walled city rising from a flat landscape from which St. Louis set sail on his Holy Crusades. The Camargue never fails to surprise and welcomes us for our farewell dinner!
Saturday
After breakfast, morning departure to the defined transfer point.
Note: This is a sample cruise itinerary and it may be subject to change.
Sunday
Transfer from a defined pickup point to Le Phénicien moored close to the Avignon ramparts. It is time to settle in and enjoy a welcome Champagne drink. Our first dinner on board sets the tone on both cuisine and wines served during the trip. Welcome aboard!
Monday
While the most keen on learning the secrets of our French Chefs will have a private hands-on cooking class at the 4-star Hotel restaurant La Mirande, the others will enjoy strolling around in the Palace of the Popes area. Everybody is invited to join the students at La Mirande for lunch and taste the results of the morning lessons! Then the bus will take us to the Domaine Beaurenard in Châteauneuf-du-Pape where we have a guided visit followed by an uncommon vertical tasting. A moment that no wine connoisseur would like to miss. Le Phenicien docked nearby will takes us down to Villeneuve lès Avignon where we will stay overnight.
Tuesday
This morning we will visit Le Domaine de La Mordorée in Tavel where we will taste some AOC Lirac and the famous Tavel rosé, certainly one of the best rosés of France, enjoyed by Julius Cesar himself the gossip says. After this heady visit we get back to the barge and sail down to Vallabrègues, a quiet and charming little port where it is good to rest, have a bike ride or play pétanque under the plane trees.
Wednesday
Those who would like to complement their Monday training will enjoy the second cooking class taking place this morning at the Domaine de Valmouriane in the valley of Les Baux de Provence. The others can take advantage of the trip to discover the medieval village, one of the most beautiful of France. Everybody can have lunch at Valmouriane and evaluate the progress done since last Monday!
This afternoon we will visit the Chateau Dalmeran in St Etienne du Grès with its romantic gardens and Roman canal featuring brilliant AOC Baux de Provence. Back to the barge we pass through the huge 36 feet high lock of Beaucaire and sail down to Arles, the open-air Museum of Provence.
Thursday
Good wine does not necessarily needs to be expensive, this is what we are going to discover this morning with the visit of the cooperative cellar of Monfrin and its AOC Côtes du Rhône and Costières de Nîmes. The most impressive navigation for today is heading for the Camargue! We cruise the Rhône river, the petit Rhône and the canal to reach the quiet and typical village of Gallician. And this is not the end of it as we will have a special evening visit at Le Mas du Notaire where will have a vertical tasting of the multi-awarded reds Costières de Nîmes.
Friday
For our last day in the area we will visit Chateau Puech-Haut, one of the very best wineries of Languedoc, where we will taste the famous AOC "Pic Saint Loup." Back on board a lazy navigation on the canal will take us to our final destination Aigues-Mortes, a 14th century walled city rising from a flat landscape from which St Louis set sail on his Holly Crusades. The Camargue never fails to surprise and welcomes us for our farewell dinner!
Saturday
After breakfast, morning departure to the defined transfer point.
Note: the is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. It may run in reverse.
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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.
| LE PHENICIEN 2010 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACCOMMODATION | VALUE Mar 28 thru Apr 24 Jul 11 thru Aug 14 Oct 31 thru Nov 13 |
MID Apr 25 thru May 15 Jun 27 thru Jul 10 Aug 15 thru Aug 28 Oct 17 thru Oct 30 |
REGULAR May 23 thru Jun 26 Aug 29 thru Oct 16 |
WINE THEME CRUISE, SPECIAL ITINERARY May 16 thru May 22 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$3,290 |
$3,770 |
$4,190 |
$4,860 |
| Single Occupancy Supplement |
$1,180 |
$1,450 |
$1,770 |
$1,770 |
| Charter for 9 |
$42,840 |
$42,840 |
$55,570 |
NA |
| Charter for 10 |
$42,840 |
$43,600 |
$55,570 |
NA |
| Charter for 11 |
$42,840 |
$45,770 |
$55,570 |
NA |
| Charter for 12 |
$42,840 |
$47,940 |
$55,570 |
NA |
| Charter for 13 |
$43,570 |
$50,110 |
$57,740 |
NA |
| Charter for 14 |
$45,750 |
$52,290 |
$59,920 |
NA |
| Charter for 15 |
$47,940 |
$54,460 |
$62,100 |
NA |
| Charter for 16 |
$50,110 |
$56,640 |
$64,270 |
NA |
| Charter for 17 |
$52,290 |
$58,830 |
$66,460 |
NA |
| Charter for 18 |
$54,460 |
$61,000 |
$68,630 |
NA |
| Culinary Cruise Supplement (per person) |
$920 |
$920 |
$920 |
NA |
| Wine Cruise Supplement (per person) |
$670 |
$670 |
$670 |
NA |
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in cabins with private bath
- Transfers from Avignon or Nimes 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 extra cost)
- Use of bicycles
For Bike and Barge Program (no extra cost, minimum of 6 passengers):
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in cabins with private bath
- Transfers from Avignon or Nimes to the barge and return
- All meals beginning with dinner on Sunday, through breakfast on Saturday
- All wines with lunches and dinners
- Open bar
- Bicycles are custom ordered; passengers must provide their measurements (weight, height and inseam)
- Attendees are provided a road book with suggested cycle routes; each itinerary is an average 35-50km trek. For serious cyclists, a longer 50-80km extension itinerary is offered.
- Bicycle helmets, repair tools, tubes, pump and a small case fixed on the bike to carry a picnic lunch and a bottle of water.
What's Not Included
- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Transportation from Paris to Nimes/Avignon and return
- Optional gratuity for the crew; we suggest a minimum of 5 % to be given to the manager in equivalent euros
For Bike and Barge Program:
- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Transportation from Paris to Nimes/Avignon and return
- Optional gratuity for the crew; we suggest a minimum of 5 % to be given to the manager in equivalent euros
- Guided land excursions
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Special Places Travel, LLC "Barges in France (and the rest of Europe) ... for the experience of a lifetime!" ™
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