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Barges In France, Barges in Europe: Special Offers on Hotel Barge Cruises
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"Euro-Stretcher" Special Offers for Barges in France
(... and England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Germany, Italy, too!)


Updated: Tuesday, May 6, 2008

"EURO-STRETCHER" SPECIAL OFFERS for the 2008 season are detailed in the listing, below. Call or email us for personal assistance in selecting the hotel barge that best matches your interests, needs, and price. You can rely on our eleven years of experience and thousands of hours aboard all of the barges in France and the rest of Europe to give you candid, honest and thorough answers to all of your questions, and to guide you to the experience of a lifetime.

"Two-for-One" Special is offered aboard the six passenger Meanderer, cruising in the Upper Loire region of Burgundy, for the cruise week of May 25-31, 2008. Click here for further details.

Just released cabins! Note that the 20-passenger LITOTE, cruising the rural Burgundy Canal in France, has just opened up one double cabin and two twin cabins on the upper deck of the May 24-30, 2008, cruise week. Great opportunity for a biking, walking and relaxing cruise at $2,415 per person, based on double occupancy.

Note: All prices are quoted and payable in US Dollars.

Barge Name Pax Regular
Price
Sale
Price
$
Off
Applies to These
Cruise Weeks
Special Expires Remarks
LE PHENICIEN
WEBSITE
18 $3,990 $2,700 $1,290 May 18-May 24
Jun 8-Jun 14
  Sale on Cruises in Provence!: Cruise in Provence at $1,290 off the "regular season" price per person (based on double occupancy) -- a 33% reduction! Similar savings on single occupancy -- normal single rate of $5,590 now reduced to $3,900 (includes single supplement).
LE PHENICIEN
WEBSITE
18 $2,990 $2,700 $290 Aug 3-Aug 9   Sale on Cruises in Provence!: Cruise in Provence this summer at $290 off the already low "value season" price per person (based on double occupancy) -- a 10% reduction! Similar savings on single occupancy -- normal single rate of $4,190 now reduced to $3,900 (includes single supplement).
  • BELOW: Sale on Meanderer for May in the Upper Loire, including two-for-one for May 25!
    (as featured in The Washington Post's Sunday Travel Section, "What's the Deal" column, May 4, 2008)
  • Emma offering substantial discount for cabins or charters on select weeks.
  • Tango offers a Free Hotel Night (May - August), plus sale prices on cabins and charters (May - August).
  • Super sale price on the 18-passenger Esprit!
  • Click here for CHOCOLATE and WINE cruises in Burgundy!
    See below for these and other offers.
Barge Name Pax Regular
Price
Sale
Price
$
Off
Applies to These
Cruise Weeks
Special Expires Remarks
MEANDERER
WEBSITE
6 $4,498 $2,249 $2,249 May 25-May 31   Spring Special: "Two for One" for new bookings of one or two cabins (single supplement still applies) for cruise week of May 25th (as announced in The Washington Post, Sunday Travel section, May 4, 2008).
MEANDERER
WEBSITE
6 $4,498 $2,924 $1,574 per person May 11-17
  Spring Cabin Sale!: May 11 cruise week: cabins are 35% off regular season price. Sale price is only $2,924 per person with 2 cabin minimum booking.
MEANDERER
WEBSITE
6 $4,498 $3,998 $500 per person July 6
through
Aug 30
  New Summer Pricing: July 6 - August 30 changed from regular to value season prices with two cabin minimum = $500 per person savings!
EMMA
WEBSITE
6 $3,990 $3,000 - $3,200 up to $990 Selected cruise weeks from May to September   Special Offers: Reduction from regular price of $3,990 to $3,200 or $3,000 on several choice weeks. (Please call or email for dates available for this special offer.) Rate based on double occupancy.
EMMA
WEBSITE
6 $23,000 $18,500 $4,500 Jun 14-Jun 20
Jul 19-Jul 25
  Charter Special: Charter for 6 rate reduced from $23,000 to $18,500 for select cruise weeks - an excellent opportunity!
TANGO
WEBSITE
8 Normally charter only $3,990 - $4,250 Normally charter only All available weeks from May through August   Spring/Summer Cabin Sale with Free Hotel Night! Normally charter only, Tango is now offering individual cabins between May and August at $3,990 per person, based on double occupancy for cabins, and $4,250 per person for the Van Gogh suite. New bookings only. Additionally, each couple receives a free nights lodging before or after the cruise at either Maison Coste or Demeure St. Louis in Carcassonne. Ask about a discount for tandem cruises.
TANGO
WEBSITE
8 $30,000 $25,000 up to $5,000 All available weeks from May through August   Spring/Summer Charter Sale with Free Hotel Night! Sale price of $25,000 for 6 passenger charters May through August. Contact us for availability and other charter rates. New bookings only. Additionally, each couple receives a free nights lodging before or after the cruise at either Maison Coste or Demeure St. Louis in Carcassonne. Ask about a discount for tandem cruises.
ELISABETH
WEBSITE
6 $21,000 $15,000 - $17,500 up to $3,500 Several weeks still available in May. Please call for details.   Spring Charter Sale!: Spring discount on Charter for 6 now only $17,500 ($3,500 savings) and Charter for 4 now only $15,000 ($1,400 savings).
ADRIENNE
WEBSITE
12 $6,395 $1,900 $4,495 Jul 6-Jul 12   Special rate for July 6th including complimentary hotel night!: Special cabin rate of $4,495 per person including one complimentary night at the Raphael Hotel (pre- or post cruise).
ESPRIT
WEBSITE
18 $4,295 to $5,295 $3,200 $1,095 to $2,095 Six cruise weeks from May to June   Spring Sale: Super sale price on super luxury! Special rate of $3,200 per person double occupancy on six departures from May through June 2008. This offer represents a savings of up to $2,095 per person depending on season. Call or email for specific dates.
ESPRIT
WEBSITE
18 $5,295 $2,995 $2,300 August: call for specific week(s)   Summer Special: Special rate for end of August of $2,995 per person, double occupancy - a savings of $2,300 per person!
Barge Name Pax Regular
Price
Sale
Price
$
Off
Applies to These
Cruise Weeks
Special Expires Remarks
LUCIOLE
WEBSITE
14 $3,550 $2,850 $700 Jul 27-Aug 2
Aug 3-9
  Mid-Summer Reduction: Individual rate reduced to $2,850 (per person, double occupancy), $2,900 for single cabin if available. Special rates for week of August 10-23 as well.
LUCIOLE
WEBSITE
14 $46,000 $36,000 $10,000 Jul 27-Aug 2
Aug 3-Aug 9
Aug 10-Aug 16
  Mid-Summer Charter Special: $36,000 for whole boat charter up to 14 passengers - a savings of $10,000 off the normal price.
SAINT LOUIS
WEBSITE
6 $4,620 $4,158 $462 May 10-May 16
May 24-May 30
May 31-Jun 6
Jun 7-Jun 13
Jun 21-Jun 27
Jun 28-Jul 4
  Late Booking Discount: 10% off all new bookings for select cruise weeks in May and June (some weeks have individual cabins available).
SAVOIR FAIRE
WEBSITE
12 $42,000 $38,000 $4,000 Call for available cruise dates Jul 18 2008 Mid-Summer Summer Special: Full boat charters, up to twelve passengers, receive a USD $4,000 discount. Terrific offer for families that include two or more children under the age of 16. Price was $42,000 and now $38,000 for July 27, August 17, August 24 and August 31 departures.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR 2008 SEASON

MEANDERER:
Back for 2008!
    The six-passenger hotel barge MEANDERER, after a one-year hiatus, is now inviting guests for the 2008 cruise season, continuing its tradition of outstanding cuisine, wines, accommodations, and excursions on the beautiful Briare Canal (Upper Loire) route that includes visits to Fontainbleau, Montargis, Gien, Sancerre, Briare, Chateau St Fargeau and an evening cruise on the world longest aqueduct, crossing the River Loire. Call or email for further information or bookings.

ALOUETTE:
Change from 3 to 2 cabins for 2008!
    The hotel barge ALOUETTE, cruising on the Canal du Midi between Beziers and Carcassonne, is now being reconfigured from three cabins to two cabins, providing significantly larger cabin size per person for the 2008 cruise season. Call or email for further information or bookings.

TANGO:
Expands to 8 passengers for 2008!
    The hotel barge TANGO, cruising on the beautiful Canal du Midi between Beziers and Carcassonne, is opening up the spacious captain's cabin for passenger use for the 2008 season, which now allows the Tango to accommodate both 6 and 8 passenger charters. The captain's cabin is at the bow of the Tango and is accessed from a separate entrance from the three other cabins. Call or email for further information or bookings.

ELISABETH:
New cabins!
Chocolate and Wine Cruise!
    The hotel barge ELISABETH, cruising on the beautiful Canal de Bourgogne and Canal du Nivernais for the 2008 season, completely rebuilt all of the cabin and salon space early this year so that all cabins are now equal size and more spacious compared with Elisabeth's previous layout. As a result, all cabins are new and roomier, and allow side-by-side twin or double (queen) bed configuration. Combined with ELISABETH's outstanding reputation for great cuisine, and exceptional guiding of excursions, including cave painting excursions in France, this transformation makes Elisabeth all the more appealing!
May 2008 cruise weeks feature a "Chocolate and Wine Cruise in Burgundy." For full details Click here for Elisabeth's Chocolate and Wine Itinerary.

Luxury Spa Week     The 6-passenger PREMIER, cruising in Burgundy, is offering a luxury floating spa experience as an option on all cruises. As described in the June/July 2006 issue of Spavox magazine, "the treatments, products, and the combination of gentle exercise and sheer indulgence are the ideas of WhiSpas founders Simon and Laura Aplin." The program, presented by WhiSpas, includes yoga, and a complete spa program plus the wonderful pampering of the Premier cruise week. See the web page for more details, or Call or email for further information or bookings.

ACTIVE CRUISES: PROFESSIONAL WALKING TOUR, GOLF CRUISES, AND TOUR de FRANCE CYCLING CRUISE!
For much more about cycling cruises, see our website at: http://www.bargecycle.com/

SPRINGTIME IN HOLLAND 2009 -- The TULIP and GARDEN CRUISE OF A LIFETIME!

Springtime display of tulips at the Keukenhof Gardens Tulip Cruises in Holland: If you've not experienced the Keukenhof in Holland in the Springtime, with hundreds of thousands of tulips, book now for your Tulip Cruise in 2009. Most cruise weeks are still available for NEXT YEAR's tulip cruise season (mid March to mid May), but call or email us soon to ensure that your desired dates are available. Select from the following luxury hotel barges:
Don't miss the amazing display of thousands of tulips at Keukenhof (which is open the third week of March through the third week of May each year), the Aalsmeer flower market with up to a million flowers auctioned daily, up-close-and-personal encounters with the art works of the Dutch masters, the town of Gouda and cheesemakers, and the classic artistry of Delft's pottery works where porcelain is still handmade and painted. Priceless memories! Prices include Amsterdam transfers, all meals, guided excursions, wines with meals, and bar drinks. Call or email now to book your 2009 Tulip Cruise.

Cycling
Tours


Honeymoons
    The 6-passenger ELISABETH, cruising on the Canal du Nivernais and Canal du Bourgogne in 2008, has some special offers:
-- Special Cycling Tours include custom bicycles brought on board by a company in Dijon (all we need to know is your height and weight!) Cycling route is planned each evening, depending on fitness levels, using detailed maps. Formal cycling tours are charter-only, but of course ALL cruise weeks can be your own informal cycling tour! Elisabeth has cycles aboard for casual cyclists on all cruise weeks.
-- Honeymoon Special! Take the whole barge for yourselves at just $9,250. Be pampered and looked after by your crew of three. Spend time together away from the hustle and bustle of the real world. Relax and enjoy the privacy of your own intimate floating hotel. Let the crew of the Elisabeth do all the work and organization. Enjoy your special time together!
Call or email for details.

Open 7 days a week!
Call 1-877-642-2743
(outside US/Canada: phone 001.443.321.3614)
Go Barging in France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Germany, or Italy to see why everyone says this is the most pampered experience along waterways of incredible beauty.

MOST BARGE CRUISES ARE ALL INCLUSIVE: Unless noted, all canal and river cruises are seven days and six nights. The majority start their cruise on Saturday or Sunday afternoon. The all-inclusive trip price includes all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), alcoholic beverages, transfers, and excursions, except where noted. Most French barge cruises in Burgundy include transfer from and to Paris in their price (some even on the TGV train), whereas barges in the Canal du Midi, for example, typically don't include transfers from Paris. In Ireland, Scotland, England, Holland, Belgium, Germany, and Italy, prices usually include transfers from and to the major gateway airport or hotel or train station. "Value season" is typically early April and end of October, and July and August for some barges; "regular season" is all the remaining months. Call or email.
MORE ABOUT BARGES and SPECIAL OFFERS: While most barges have increased prices for 2008 compared with the last two years, most hotel barge prices have increased modestly in comparison with the euro-dollar exchange rate and hotel barges are still are one of the best values in European travel, helping to insulate you from the US dollar vs. Euro exchange rate gap and gas price increases!

This edition of our specials page highlights offers for the 2008 season and provides additional suggestions for special cruises -- including Spring Tulip Cruises in Holland, a fabulous cruise in Burgundy for chocolate and wine lovers, and cruises for runners, walkers, cyclists, golfers, antique-hunters, as well as cruises with emphasis on special interests, including garden cruises, archaeology, history, etc. If you've never cruised aboard a hotel barge, now is the time to discover why hotel barges are the best kept secret in travel!

If you've ever thought about cruising the canals of France (or waterways in England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Germany, and Italy) and being pampered like you've never imagined -- call toll-free from US/Canada at 1-877-642-2743, or email us at info@SpecialPlacesTravel.com to discuss "the best kept secret in travel" -- a vacation experience like no other! (Outside US/Canada, call 001.443.321.3614 or email.) We suggest you call early, since 2008 and 2009 season bookings are strong ... while most of the most popular weeks are already sold out on some barges -- though there are still many openings. So if you are considering cruising in 2008 or 2009 or beyond contact us soon!

All special price offers apply only to new bookings, and are subject to availability. Unless otherwise noted, all prices are in US Dollars. For a full description of each hotel barge listed on this page, click on the barge name.

Are you thinking of planning a family reunion, high school or college reunion, family celebration of a special anniversary or birthday? We will work with you to make the most memorable lifetime event for groups of 4 to 50. Do you have at least nine people who MIGHT go, but the group may expand to more, where you would like flexibility to eventually accommodate, 14, 16, even 18 total passengers? If so, call or email us soon, and we will work with you to create the most perfect imaginable reunion or family/group celebration for anytime in the 2008, or 2009 season! Group sizes from 4 to 50!

Hotel barging offers something for everyone:

  • Garden Tours/Tulip Cruises, especially springtime in Holland with visits to Keukenhof!
  • Barge Cruises for Walkers -- featuring casual or vigorous walking programs
  • Golf and Tennis Cruises -- the most memorable golf or tennis cruise you'll ever experience.
  • Running and Cycling Cruises -- create your own runners or cycling barge week, or join a formal cycle tour. For details, see http://www.bargecycle.com: Cycle Tour Ideas: Barges in France and elsewhere in Europe
    Cycling can be as vigorous or as easy as you want -- and there are a lot of possibilities from formal cycle tour weeks, to creating impromptu cycling on your own. Call or email to help decide.
  • Gourmet cuisine showcase weeks -- All barges provide exceptional dining experiences from on-board chefs, and some barges offer restaurant touring as well. Special gourmet cruise weeks on some barges raise the gourmet emphasis to an even higher level. Special cooking classes can also be hosted on some barges either for on-board demonstrations, or visiting local chefs in local chateaus or restaurants. Call or email to set up your Gourmet Cruise week.
  • Wine connoisseurs go barging! -- All the hotel barges in France and elsewhere in Europe feature excellent wines through the cruise week, and most offer visits to wineries. A few barges offer special wine cruises with premier cru and grand cru tastings and winery visits. Call or email for information.
  • Antique hunters cruise weeks -- A few barges offer special antique cruise weeks with outstanding opportunities to discover a wide range of antique items, led by a veteran antique shopper. Call or email to arrange!
If you're considering a cruise for this year or next, call or email us now and we'll work with you to help you make the best choice for what will be one of the greatest vacation weeks you are likely to have ever experienced!

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For booking information,
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