Cruise in France on the Canal de Briare in the Upper Loire aboard the Ultra Deluxe Hotel Barge PRINCESS

The 8-passenger Princess offers the ultimate luxury for eight guests. The beautifully appointed main deck is divided into a lovely salon, a book-lined library and a formal dining room. All are handsomely furnished with custom seating and handcrafted cabinetry. On the lower level are four superb king or twin suites, each with private bathroom and double closets.

The Princess cruises on the Canal de Briare in the Upper Loire region. The cruise week includes a visit to the charming wine village of Sancerre for a private cellar tour and wine tasting, a cruise over the historic Briare aqueduct designed by Gustave Eiffel, a tour of the medieval town of Gien including the faience museum, and a day trip to the magnificent 16th century Chateau de Chambord, the largest of the Loire Valley chateaux. During the week, guests will see the 15th century village and chateau of St. Fargeau. And then one evening guests enjoy dinner ashore at the Michelin-starred restaurant, Auberge des Templiers in les Bezards.

Guests are greeted at our meeting point hotel by our guide for escort via private motorcoach or high-speed train to the mooring where your luxury hotel barge awaits. Once aboard, guests are welcomed by our cordial, English-speaking crew, and ushered to their comfortably appointed staterooms, complete with private bath. Guests spent the first evening becoming acquainted with fellow passengers who were seeking to experience France in a special way.

As in past seasons aboard Princess, each morning, the barge gets underway for the day's cruise. As it navigates the frequent locks on the canal, it is easy to step directly ashore for a leisurely stroll. If guests feel adventurous, they may take one of the barge's bicycles to explore the quiet lanes and quaint villages nearby. Or, simply relax on the sundeck and watch the lovely French countryside slowly unfold. During the day, guests are invited to join an excursion via private motorcoach to a nearby point of special interest. Each itinerary has been selected to include a varied sampling of the region... romantic castles, historic towns, and renowned vineyards for wine tasting. At certain châteaux and estates, a tour will be conducted by the owner, whose family has been in residence for generations. Princess' Captain also arranges for guests to enjoy special local events which occur during the cruise, from lively farmers' markets to the fireworks on Quatorze Juillet. As an option to the cruise, guests may also be able to experience the adventure of a hot air balloon flight, depending on the location and the weather.

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Features

• Size of barge: 128 ft
  
• Number of Passengers: 8
  
• Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 4
  
• Crew: 6
  
• Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Yes
  
• Salon: Living room, library and separate dining room, all with picture windows
• Bar: Open bar
  
• Deck: Sundeck with canopy and tables and chairs.
  
• Spa Tub: No
  
• Cabin Features: Two grand double suites, two suites, each with twin beds or king and ensuite bathroom with shower, averaging 183 sq ft
• Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: Air-conditioned minivan
  
• Accessibility: Steps to cabins
  
• Bicycles: Yes
• Dinner ashore: One dinner ashore at a Michelin star restaurant included
  

Princess's Deck Plan

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Princess 2012 Season Cruise Schedule* Week Route Season Apr 1 Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire Early/Late Apr 8 Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis Early/Late Apr 15 Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire Early/Late Apr 22 Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis Early/Late Apr 29 Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire Value May 6 Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis Value May 13 Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire High May 20 Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis High May 27 Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire High Jun 3 Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis High Jun 10 Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire High Jun 17 Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis High Jun 24 Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire High Jul 1 Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis High Jul 8 Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire Value Jul 15 Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis Value

Cruise Schedule* ... continued Week Route Season Jul 22 Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire Value Jul 29 Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis Value Aug 5 Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire Value Aug 12 Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis Value Aug 19 Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire High Aug 26 Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis High Sep 2 Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire Prime Sep 9 Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis Prime Sep 16 Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire Prime Sep 23 Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis Prime Sep 30 Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire Prime Oct 7 Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis Prime Oct 14 Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire Value Oct 21 Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis Early/Late Oct 28 Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire Early/Late

The Princess' routes through the Upper Loire, from Montargis to Chatillon-sur-Loire. For a more detailed look at the cruise route, view our map of the Canal de Briare.

*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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PRINCESS 2012 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS
ACCOMMODATION	EARLY/LATE Apr 1 thru Apr 28 Oct 21 thru Nov 3	VALUE Apr 29 thru May 12 Jul 8 thru Aug 18 Oct 14 thru Oct 20	HIGH May 13 thru Jul 7 Aug 19 thru Sep 1	PRIME Sep 2 thru Oct 13
Junior Suite (per person, double occ)	$5,495	$5,995	$6,495	$6,495
Suite (per person, double occupancy)	$5,695	$6,195	$6,695	$6,695
Suite Single Supplement	$1,795	$1,795	$1,795	$1,795
Charter for up to 8	$43,160	$46,360	$49,560	$52,760

What's Included
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in cabins with private baths
- 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
- Dinner ashore at a Michelin star restaurant

What's Not Included
- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Suggested minimum 5% gratuity for the crew, to be given 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: January 12, 2012

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