Barge Cruise: Tango
Cruise on the Garonne And Dordogne Rivers In the Bordeaux Region Aboard the Deluxe Hotel-Barge TANGO
BARGE CRUISES: SEVEN DAYS/SIX NIGHTS
The 8-passenger Tango cruises on the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers in the Bordeaux wine region. A barge cruise on Tango means relaxed luxury plus a chance for personal contact with a stimulating local culture. Each day will be a flowing experience of cruising for a few hours and sightseeing excursions in the air-conditioned minivan, visiting historic sites, shopping at open air markets, and enjoying wine tastings. While the barge cruises at a leisurely pace, take in the countryside from Tango's Provençal-tiled deck, sip on a glass of locally produced wine, and relax while the chef prepares your next delicious meal. An English-speaking crew of four pampers you the week long. We have cruised on the Tango on the Canal du Midi and enjoyed its outstanding cuisine and beautiful accommodations and are excited about its current route in Bordeaux.
Soak in all the gourmet luxury, historic charms, and postcard-worthy scenery of the French countryside as you cruise the meandering waters of the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers in the fabled French wine region of Bordeaux. During your cruise week, a portion of each day is spent navigating aboard Tango, with the remainder of the day on a guided excursion ashore. Tango's experienced tour guide tailors the week's excursions to match your interests. Excursions and activities include wine-tasting, vineyard bike rides, picnics along the Atlantic coast, shopping, antiques, museums, farmers' markets, and even visits to see prehistoric cave paintings. A cruise on Tango offers an ever-changing scenery of vineyards, picturesque villages, ancient ruins, and spectacular views, with tranquil moorings for each evening.
Tango's large salon, with soft leather sofas, fully-stocked bar, and dining table, is the perfect space for relaxing, meeting for morning coffee and croissants, or enjoying after-dinner drinks and conversation. Large brass portholes and opening skylights throughout the vessel provide fresh circulating air and light. French art deco fixtures, and rich teak wall panelling recreate the atmosphere of a 1930's French passenger liner.
The Van Gogh cabin is at Tango's bow and can be made up with twin or queen beds. The ensuite bathroom features glazed lava vanity and sink and hand made Provençal tiles in sunny, warm colors. The Renoir and Cezanne cabins sit opposite each other, on Tango's port and starboard with twin or queen beds and ensuite bathrooms with Provençal tiles. The 1930's Captain's cabin at the stern, which is only available for an 8-passenger charter, has its own entrance with steps from the main deck and is exquisitely fitted with the original mahogany paneling and cabinets. It features a separate bedroom with king-size bed and a dressing room with a classic claw-foot tub and toilet room with sink.
Tango has ample space on deck to enjoy the outdoors. The main deck is the perfect spot to relax with a glass of wine while cruising, as you watch the countryside gliding by. There is a spa, as well, to melt your cares away while attaining a state of total relaxation. Lunch and dinner are served al fresco on the canopied dining terrace, where the peaceful surroundings provide the perfect atmosphere to enjoy the gourmet cuisine prepared by your on-board chef. Top-quality touring bicycles are available should you wish take a ride into the countryside.
Tango's on-board chef specializes in "cuisine de terroir," using only the freshest locally sourced meats, seafood, fish, and produce prepared using traditional methods and recipes unique to the region. Cuisine served aboard Tango focuses on the rich culinary tradition of the Bordeaux area. A moderate climate provides sun ripened fruits, vegetables, olive oil and herbs, while the robust traditional fare of the Southwest offers foie gras, duck and tender lamb. A fantastic choice of fine cheeses and hand-selected wines of the Bordeaux region complete each meal. Tango's owner, Daniel Sak, graduate of the French National Cooking School in Beaune, Burgundy, designs all menus and oversees sourcing of ingredients, and selection of wines served onboard Tango. Tango's onboard chef welcomes passengers with a strong interest in cooking and are happy to share recipes, techniques and philosophy on fine dining.
After visiting Tango regularly over the years, we spent a week in May 2019 exploring Tango's winetastings and excursions in the magnificent Bordeaux region, and had an especially memorable time aboard with Daniel, Tango's owner.
Features
- Size of barge: 100 ft by 16 ft
- Number of Passengers: 8
- Number of Cabins (all with private bath):4
- Crew: 4
- Air Conditioning and Central Heating:Yes
- Salon: Light and spacious salon with skylight, comfortable sofas, dining table seating eight.
- Bar: Open bar
- Deck: Two tiled sundecks - one for alfresco dining with dining table, chairs and large parasol and one for lounging with hot tub, lounge chairs and large parasols
- Spa Tub: Yes
- Cabin features:Large Van Gogh suite (190 sq ft) and two smaller cabins (135 sq ft), all with twin beds or queen bed and ensuite bathroom with shower. Captain's cabin (196 sq ft) with separate entrance, king bed, and bathtub only available for 8-passenger charter.
- Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: VW minibus seating 9.
- Accessibility:Six steps from deck to salon. No steps from salon to cabins except for Captain's cabin, which is accessed from the deck by walking along the gunnel and down 5 steep steps to cabin.
- Bicycles: 4 three-speed bicycles. Alternatives may be rented for the week for 100 euros per person
- Wi-Fi: Yes - limited in some areas
- Menu Plan: Offers full board 6-night cruises or 5-night half board charter cruises
Tango's Deck Plan
| TANGO 2021 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | |
|---|---|
| TYPE | REGULAR May 2 thru Oct 30 |
| Charter for 4 |
$23,000 |
| Charter for 6 |
$32,400 |
| Charter for 8 |
$42,000 |
| Five Night Half Board Charter for 6 |
$24,000 |
| Five Night Half Board Charter for 8 |
$32,000 |
| TANGO 2022 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | |
|---|---|
| TYPE | REGULAR May 1 thru Oct 29 |
| Charter for 4 |
$23,000 |
| Charter for 6 |
$32,400 |
| Charter for 8 |
$42,000 |
| Five Night Half Board Charter for 6 |
$24,000 |
| Five Night Half Board Charter for 8 |
$32,000 |
What's Included
For Full Board Cruises:
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in cabins with ensuite bathroom
- Transfers from Bordeaux to the barge and return
- All meals beginning with dinner on Sunday, through breakfast on Saturday, including one lunch ashore
- All wines on board with lunches and dinners
- Open bar on board
- All escorted side-excursions
- Use of bicycles
For Half Board 5-Night Charter Cruises:
- 6 days and 5 nights on the barge in cabins with ensuite bathroom
- Transfers from Bordeaux to the barge and return
- All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners on board beginning with dinner on Monday, through breakfast on Saturday.
- All wines on board with lunches and dinners
- Open bar on board
- All escorted side-excursions
- Use of bicycles
What's Not Included
For Full Board:
- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Air or train transfers from Paris to the cruise area and return
- Suggested minimum 5% gratuity for the crew, to be paid to the captain in equivalent euros
- Trip cancellation insurance
For Half Board:
- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Air or train transfers from Paris to the cruise area and return
- 2 lunches and 2 dinners on shore
- Suggested minimum 5% gratuity for the crew, to be paid to the captain in equivalent euros
- Trip cancellation insurance
|
Tango 2021 Season Cruise Schedule* |
||
|---|---|---|
| Week | Route (Or Reverse) | Season |
| May 2 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| May 9 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| May 16 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| May 23 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| May 30 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Jun 6 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Jun 13 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Jun 20 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Jun 27 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Jul 4 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Jul 11 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Jul 18 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Jul 25 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Aug 1 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Aug 8 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Aug 15 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Aug 22 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Aug 29 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Sep 5 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Sep 12 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Sep 19 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Sep 26 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Oct 3 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Oct 10 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Oct 17 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Oct 24 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
|
Tango 2022 Season Cruise Schedule* |
||
|---|---|---|
| Week | Route (Or Reverse) | Season |
| May 1 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| May 8 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| May 15 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| May 22 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| May 29 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Jun 5 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Jun 12 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Jun 19 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Jun 26 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Jul 3 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Jul 10 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Jul 17 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Jul 24 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Jul 31 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Aug 7 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Aug 14 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Aug 21 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Aug 28 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Sep 4 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Sep 11 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Sep 18 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Sep 25 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Oct 2 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Oct 9 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Oct 16 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
| Oct 23 | Bordeaux-Bordeaux | Regular |
*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.
SAMPLE ITINERARY*
Bordeaux
Bordeaux Wine Country Cruise 2023
Bordeaux
Bordeaux Wine Country Cruise 2023
A cruise on Tango offers an ever-changing scenery of vineyards, picturesque villages, ancient ruins, and spectacular views, with tranquil moorings for each evening. Soak in all the gourmet luxury, historic charms, and postcard-worthy scenery of the French countryside as you cruise the meandering waters of the Garonne and Dordogne in the fabled French wine region of Bordeaux. During your cruise week, a portion of each day is spent navigating aboard Tango, with the remainder of the day on a guided excursion ashore. Tango's experienced tour guide tailors the week's excursions to match your interests. Follow the wine-focused itinerary described below, or opt for activities like golf, kayaking, hot-air ballooning, vineyard bike rides, shopping, antiques, airplane tours, and even visits to see prehistoric cave paintings during your enchanting week on the water.
Sunday - Bordeaux-Your First Night Aboard
Our tour guide meets you at 4:00pm at a pre-arranged meeting point in Bordeaux and brings you to Tango where you'll be welcomed with a festive flute of Crémant de Bordeaux, and savory regional hors d'oeuvres. Get acquainted with the crew who will do their best to make every moment of your cruise a memorable one. Settle into your staterooms before a welcome candlelit dinner on board.
La Cité du Vin Museum
Medoc Vineyards
Citadelle de Blaye
Saint Emilion
Set off for a scenic cruise to the Cité du Vin where immersive, sensory exhibits housed in a space-age architectural complex will triple your understanding of this region's fabled wines. Celebrate your new expertise with a degustation in the elegant Belvedere room on the 8th floor which offers a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding landscape. Head back to the barge for lunch, and sit back and admire the scenery as we cruise along the sparkling waters of the Gironde Estuary. Dinner onboard the barge.
Tuesday - Medoc to Blaye - Touring the Médoc
This is the land of the wonderous wines created in the mythic terrains of Pauillac, Saint-Julien and Margaux. Your guide will lead you through these renowned vineyards, extensively classified and reclassified by oenophiles, making a special stop at the exceptionally picturesque Château Beychevelle in the Saint-Julien commune. Look forward to a full day of touring and tasting, pausing only for a delicious lunch in the midst of these world-famous vineyards. Return to the barge for an evening cruise and dinner on board.
Wednesday - Blaye to Bourg - A UNESCO-listed Citadelle in Blaye
The Marquis de Vauban designed the Citadelle de Blaye for Louis XIV in the 1639. You'll have a guided tour of the site, followed by a visit to a lively street market. After lunch on the Tango, cruise past picturesque fishing huts and sumptuous mansions to your evening mooring in the delightful village of Branne. You can stroll or cycle through the town before aperitifs and dinner on the barge.
Thursday - Bourg to Libourne - Saint Émilion
Our air-conditioned minivan will whisk you past alluring chateaux to the medieval village of Saint-Emilion where wine-grapes have been cultivated since the Gallo-Roman era. Visit the 14th century Cloisters of the Collegiate Church and the shops before repairing to a noteworthy hillside domain for a tour of their wine-making facilities and a tasting. In the afternoon you will cruise towards the fairy-tale village of Bourg, once colonized by the Visigoths, and subsequently fortified under several royal reigns. Dinner on board.
Friday - Libourne - Bordeaux - Return to Bordeaux
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before a guided walking tour of Bourg that will include the Gallo-Roman fountain, historic façades, the castle, antique shops, and a museum of horse-drawn carriages. After lunch on board, the Tango will cruise toward Bordeaux where, upon arrival, you'll board a water-taxi to the center of this dynamic town to admire the Water Mirror reflecting pool, the 11th century Cathedral, the Neo-Classic 18th century Opera house and/or the city's unlimited shopping opportunities. Farewell gala dinner on board.
Saturday - Bordeaux - Departure
After breakfast, the tour guide will accompany you to a pre-arranged departure point for the continuation of your journey.
Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. The cruising schedule can be subject to alteration due to tides and river currents. Supplemental on-shore activities can be tailored to specific interests: vineyard bike rides, antique shopping, or visits to the prehistoric cavern at Pair-non-Pair.
Dining Aboard The Tango:
SAMPLE MENU
Cuisine served aboard Tango focuses on the rich culinary tradition of the Bordeaux area. A moderate climate provides sun ripened fruits, vegetables, olive oil and herbs, while the robust traditional fare of the Southwest offers foie gras, duck and tender lamb. A fantastic choice of fine cheeses and hand-selected wines of the Bordeaux region complete each meal. All of the meals prepared on board Tango are made with garden market produce bought daily, the best quality meats and poultry from area farms, and fresh Atlantic seafood and fish.
BREAKFAST:
Each morning risers are greeted by a smiling hostess serving freshly squeezed orange juice, warm freshly baked baguettes and croissants from the boulangerie, locally homemade jams, cereals, fresh fruit, yogurts, café au lait, decaf or regular coffee, teas, hot chocolate and eggs for protein breakfasts.
LUNCH:
Wonderful salads, soufflés, quiches, charcuterie, soups, barge-made fresh pasta, pizzas and tartes are prepared along with specialties from the farmer's markets such as the olive and cheese 'cakes'. The fish mongers provide seafood for paella, monk fish, mussel bourride and seafood spaghetti. Cheese platters complete the mid day feast and of course, the choice of chilled rosé, white and red wines.
- Luscious, ripe figs straight from the tree combined with cured ham from Poitou and fresh local goats cheese
- A hearty soup of freshly harvested mussels from the Bassin d'Arcachon, laced with saffron, and enriched with wine and cream, served with crusty garlic bread
- An assortment of our favorite, locally sourced French cheeses
- Fruit Salad with Raspberry Sorbet
- Paella de Tango: An exquisitely fragrant combination of fresh Atlantic fruits de mer-gambas shrimp, calamari, mussels, langoustines, and clams - simmered with onions, garlic, saffron, red bell peppers, and locally grown rice
DINNER:
Each evening an entrée featuring seasonal produce and local delicacies will be a light and delicious mise en appetit to enhance your appetite. Hearty and flavorful main courses, dressed up and served in fine style, either alfresco on deck or on candlelit tables, making each evening a slow-paced, romantic culinary delight. Desserts are composed of the great French classics, rich and divine.
- A gourmet salad of fresh baby greens topped with purple asparagus from the Blaye region, laced with olive oil and Jerez vinegar
- Oysters from the bay of Arcachon gently poached in Bordeaux Blanc wine
- Confit duck from Bordeaux, Roasted postatoes in duck fat and garlic, breadcrumbs and parsley topping on sweet oven roasted tomatoes
- Fresh strawberries folded into a delicious double cream and cognac laced tiramisu
- Succulent shrimp flambée in Pastis
- Atlantic Coast Scallops and fresh garden herb terrine on bed of frisée salad greens with Roquefort dressing
- Freshly made ravioli filled with ricotta and spinach with a sage butter sauce
- Tango's Entrecote Bordelaise au foie gras: A speicialty of the Bordeaux region; rib steak seared with a flavourful sauce of red wine and shallots, garnished with a decadent slice of seared foie gras
- A pyramid of roasted eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper and sweet garden tomato sauce
- Rich and warm moist chocolate cake with red berry coulis and crème anglaise custard
- Assorted cheese platter
SAMPLE WINE LIST
During your cruise you will have the occasion to visit some of the Chateau wine domaines of the vineyards that stretch as far as the eye can see. Each meal will introduce you to Bordeaux's fine red and white wines, each matched with the dishes prepared by your chef. You'll deguste selections of the Médoc, St-Estèphe, Pomerol, Pauillac, and Margaux appellations found within the Bordeaux region. There is also sparkling Cremant de Bordeaux, served as a chilled aperitif.
Passenger Comments:
It was a lovely experience. We were taken to places that we wouldn't have thought to go ourselves, or wouldn't have been able to go. The team gave us just the right balance of activity and relaxation. The service was excellent. We were well looked after by each team member in a way that was friendly and relaxed yet efficient. There was always attention to fine detail and special touches to make us feel special, such as our decorated butter each day and the amazing napkin folding. This may not be important to some but I appreciate the effort. I'm sure that lots of women who entertain appreciate these little touches. All meals were good and our chef took great care to cater for the guest with special diet requirements. The wines too were well chosen and we tasted quite a variety. It was very different to be on such a large body of water and be at the mercy of the tides, unlike our other trips. Daniel really did a great job with the timing. What was really good were the mooring facilities in the small towns and very little river traffic to compete with.The overnight stops in small towns were great. We were able to walk around and get a feel of where we were. For us the high point was seeing Daniel again and getting to know the rest of the crew: Daphna, Chris and Pierre. Travelling with our friends was very special as every day was filled with laughter. I particularly loved handing over the responsibility for organising things. What a great relief to sit back and just go with it.
W.B. Australia
The barge was beautiful and very well maintained. The crew were terrific and were always ready to help and be of service. The canal is amazing, beautiful scenery. Fun side trips. We had the best cabin on the Tango. It was the Van Gogh. I highly recommend it. All the excursions were fun and interesting. We especially liked the walled cities (Carcassonne) and the wine tasting where we fired the mussels.
B.& D.M. NM, USA
Fantastic. The barge itself is unique, historically preserved with care by the owner/captain who takes prides in his craft. His crew of three plus additional support staff at some moorings were friendly, helpful and clearly long-time friends of the captain. The experience was homey with staff going out of their way to please. Daytrips were fun, historical, tailored tour interests. The day in the country at the old wine cellar with lunch in the garden was a highlight. After many trips to France, we have more of an understanding and appreciation for the country, people and values after this experience. the excursions were fun. Enthusiastic, charming guide who was fantastic at caring for us, especially some of our infirmities. More history next time. Carcasonne, Narbonne, etc. were fascinating. Hogh points were the time cruising on the water itself. Excursions, the historic villages, the day at the winery. Overall ambience, the crew. The wine. Getting to know the staff on more than a superficial level. We all say it is the trip of a lifetime. Great way to explore a small region of France, the Languedoc. Leisurely pace.
C.K. MA, USA
Exceeded our already high expectations. Did not want to leave the barge to continue our trip:) We will barge again in the future but the standard set by Daniel on the Tango will be hard to meet. Daniel had made great wine selections for the season, our chef Steve was passionate, creative and outstanding. Seamlessly accommodated Dianne's vegetarian needs. Service was personal and delightful. Let us make ourselves at home.... outstanding. High points were the wine tasting with Xavier, visiting Daniel's new vineyard and spending one day on the barge by ourselves as the others went on an excursion... what a blissful day!
M.B. & D.C, GA, USA
It exceeded our expectations. The barge itself was absolutely beautiful in every detail, and very comfortable. The captain (Daniel) was experienced and capable, and the chef (Tony) was excellent. Chris was an exceptionally knowledgeable and interesting tour guide, and kept things running smoothly. Angie and Helen were very professional, competent, warm, and lovely, and provided fabulous service in every respect. The excursions were fun, and were just enough to provide an interesting experience each day, while leaving plenty of time for relaxing. We also enjoyed biking along the canal, and sitting on board watching the scenery. We received very accurate and detailed information about the trip from Special Places Travel as well as reliable recommendations.
M.D.& J.F., MD, USA
LINKS to Tango Information
This page last updated December 25, 2023