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Barges In France: Princess
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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.


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
Deck Plan of the Princess


SAMPLE ITINERARY*
Upper Loire
Canal de Briare
Chatillon-sur-Loire to Montargis
Sunday
From Paris, you are escorted via private motorcoach to the PRINCESS's mooring in Châtillon-sur-Loire.  Champagne reception and Welcome Dinner on board.

Monday
Morning cruise across the Briare Aqueduct, designed by Gustave Eiffel, to Ouzouer-sur-Trezee.  In the afternoon, drive to the charming wine village of Sancerre for a private cellar tour and wine tasting.  

Tuesday
Morning cruise on the Canal de Briare to the overnight mooring in historic Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses.  After lunch, visit the medieval town of Gien, a leading center for French faience since the early nineteenth century.

Wednesday
After breakfast, depart PRINCESS for a day trip to the magnificent 16th century Château de Chambord, the largest of the Loire Valley châteaux.  Commissioned in 1518 by Francois I, the château has been central to French politics and culture from 1537 to the final end of the monarchy.  Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.  Return to PRINCESS for dinner on board.

Thursday
Morning visit to the village and chateau of St. Fargeau.  Tour the 15th century château, once home to Anne-Marie-Louise d'Orléans, cousin of Louis XIV.  Afternoon cruise on the Canal de Briare to Montbouy.  Dinner ashore at the Michelin-starred restaurant, Auberge des Templiers in les Bezards.      

Friday

Morning cruise to the final mooring in Montargis, with a walking tour of the town center.  Visit Sainte Madeleine's Church with its impressive stained-glass window designed by master craftsman, Leopold Lobin.  Return to PRINCESS for the Captain's Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday
After breakfast, depart PRINCESS at 9:30 AM via private transfer to our return point hotel in Paris, arriving at about 11:00 AM.

Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. Alternate cruise weeks will be in the reverse direction.


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.
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.


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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CLIA-Cruise Lines International Association, OSSN-Outside Sales Support Network. 
Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover Cards Welcome