SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS
The 6-passenger first-class WHO KNOWS is owner-operated by its seasoned, relaxed owners who are enthusiastic about combining the fun and enjoyment of canal barging with laid-back cruising in Southern Burgundy along the picturesque Canal de Bourgogne. Beginning the 2010 season, the Who Knows offers an all-inclusive cruise week including two meals on shore included in the cost, as well as a half-board option that includes breakfast and one other meal (lunch or dinner) each day with one meal (lunch or dinner) off the barge each day at guests own expense (transportation provided).
The Who Knows, built in 1930, is one of the finest examples of a classic Dutch barge in Europe with hardwood interior and brass finishings throughout. The owners, Dawn and Jason, have worked extensively on the Who Knows since purchasing her in 2005. The Who Knows has three cabins, one with a double bed and two with twin beds. The cabins have newly renovated spacious, modern, and luxurious bathrooms. With the addition of central heating and air conditioning, the barge is extremely comfortable all year round. Jason and Dawn have also refurbished the upper salon in a cozy yet contemporary style, and it is now an even more enjoyable place to read a book or enjoy an aperitif before dinner. On the lower level is the open plan kitchen and dining area equipped with a fully stocked open bar. This is an area where you will spend hours indulging in excellent cuisine from Dawn's kitchen.
Cruising is all about the outside and the Who Knows is the perfect barge to take in the wonderful scenery as you glide by. Sit near Jason and admire the art of piloting a large boat, under a large, permanent sun canopy which has transformed this area and the boat, giving clients an all-weather outside terrace. Alternatively, lounge under the warm lazy sun on one of the steamer deck chairs and doze the afternoon away, or enjoy dining alfresco on the large main deck.
Burgundy is world renowned for gourmet French cuisine and grand wines. A vacation aboard the Who Knows will allow you to experience the very best offered by Burgundy. Every day fresh bread, croissants and other pastries are delivered to the boat or collected from local boulangeries along the route. A highlight of each day will be the dinners you will indulge in both on board and ashore, allowing you to taste France first hand. Both on board and ashore you will discover a broad choice of cheese. France has more than a 1,000 and many represent the country's rich heritage, culture and traditions. With food ... must come wine. Drawing from France's extensive and varied selection of wines, your cruise will offer you the perfect opportunity to sample, compare and enjoy the excellent wines that represent many of France's wine producing districts.
Jason and Dawn are the perfect hosts for you to experience France as it should be seen. Dawn applies her culinary skills to each meal and her attention to detail ensures that the barge runs like clockwork. Jason's skills as a qualified sommelier, chef, professional bilingual tour guide and barge captain have really come into their own on board the Who Knows.
The service was excellent. Dawn and Jason Ashcroft were excellent hosts. The food and wine were wonderful, and the Ashcrofts were both very knowledgeable about the Burgundy area. Jason proved to be quite a student of the area and had answers to any questions we had about the country we traveled through, the people, the buildings, etc.
-- N.W. & E.W., WY, USA
Dawn and Jason did a wonderful job. They made us feel very welcome and did their best to look after our every wish. We hope they enjoyed the cruise as much as we did and we wish them both much luck!
-- J.C., BC, Canada
The meals and wines were wonderful. The half-board option was perfect. It gave us a chance to have relaxing times on board and also the opportunity to explore the small towns, sample the local cuisine and experience the culture. We could not have been more pleased with the excursions. Jason is very knowledgeable of the area and the history; he is a great guide. We also felt he really listened to what we wanted to do/see and he put together a plan that was perfect. The barge route was beautiful, especially once it curved away from the roadway. The hamlets, the chateaus, the farms with cattle and the views of the countryside all were breathtaking. Jason and Dawn are wonderful hosts. They are knowledgeable about their business and accommodating and attentive to their guests. It was a wonderful, relaxing trip!!
-- J.L., MO, USA
Loved the excursions and the meals were great ... the whole cruise was very nice. Jason and Dawn were very friendly and warm. Meals were wonderful ... Dawn is a very good cook. She served great wines with every meal and gave us info on the wines we were drinking.
-- J.M., WA, USA
The WHO KNOWS has character and the B&B tour is much preferred for its flexibility, etc. Dawn and Jason did a wonderful job for a group of nonstandard folks. Both Dawn and Jason made us feel very welcome and did their best to look after our every wish. We hope they enjoyed the cruise as much as we did and we wish them both much luck.
-- J.C., BC, Canada
Sunday
Meet at Dijon train station arrivals hall at 4pm. Transfer to the Who Knows in Gissey-sur-Ouche for a Champagne welcome. Time to settle in before dinner on board.
Monday
After breakfast you set sail and head upstream towards Pont d'Ouche. Today is all about cruising with plenty of opportunity to cycle and walk along the towpath, exploring the small villages along the route or just sitting on the deck and watching Burgundy glide by. The Ouche valley is noted for its steep sided tree lined dense deciduous forest, wild boar, deer and birds of prey. The sedate pace continues through the afternoon and we climb through several locks to our destination of Pont d'Ouche our mooring for the night. Its name comes from the canal's aquaduct that crosses over the river Ouche and the valley opens out into a wide pastoral scene that France is so famous for.
Tuesday
This morning Jason will drive you into the wine district of the Cotes du Nuits. First Jason will do a guided visit of the famous Cistercian winery of the Clos du Vougeot, home to the "Knight of the round table of wine tasting." We then venture into the vineyards for a discussion on the vine, grape and strict growing conditions of Burgundy’s AOC, before doing a wine tasting. You'll have a "workman's lunch" at a restaurant today. In the afternoon Jason and Dawn cast off and you set sail for Vandenesse en Auxois this relaxing cruise takes the barge through several locks, giving you plenty of opportunity to walk or cycle along the towpath. Our mooring at Vandanesse is in the shadow of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois, classified as one of the prettiest villages in France. You can not help but be impressed by the view - truly memorable.
Wednesday
After breakfast Jason will drive you to Beaune, the capital of wine production in Burgundy. Jason will do a guided visit of the world famous Hospice du Beaune built in 1443. In the afternoon Jason takes you to Patriarche Pere et Fils, the famous wine cellars in Beaune where his extensive knowledge of wines comes into play to guide you through the cellars and tastings. With over 4 million bottles at any one time in their underground caves that cover over 4 acres, you will not go short for a drop or two - this is an extensive tasting ranging from the simple to the illustrious. A leisurely drive back through the countryside returns you to the barge.
Thursday
This morning Jason drives you the short distance up to Chateauneuf to do a guided visit of this impressive fortified castle with its commanding views of the canal and surrounding area. Behind the chateau is a fantastic village, surprisingly small considering the obvious importance of the chateau. Lunch will be at the Michelin star Abbey de la Bussiere. In the afternoon we set sail and head for the summit pound, where we prepare the barge to travel through the Pouilly tunnel, a hugely impressive feat of engineering, built by British prisoners of war during the Napoleonic wars. Our transit takes us around 45 minutes and brings us out at Pouilly en Auxois, our mooring for the night.
Friday
On your final day aboard we revert back to the utter sublime joy of pure barging. From the summit pound at Pouilly, we descend 12 locks in quick succession as we once again head into the Burgundian countryside, with ample opportunities to walk and cycle by the barge. In the afternoon we spend several relaxing hours lazily gliding through the valley floor to our destination of Pont Royal where the Who Knows moors up and the reflection of a wonderful week can begin.
Saturday
After breakfast Jason will drive you back to Dijon train station for your onward journey, with memories and pictures that will last a lifetime.
Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. It runs in reverse on alternate weeks.
*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.
| WHO KNOWS 2010 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | |
|---|---|
| ACCOMMODATION | STANDARD Apr 4 thru Oct 30 |
| Charter for 2 |
$10,000 |
| Charter for 3 |
$11,000 |
| Charter for 4 |
$12,000 |
| Charter for 5 |
$15,000 |
| Charter for 6 |
$18,000 |
| Half Board Charter for 2 |
$8,500 |
| Half Board Charter for 3 |
$9,000 |
| Half Board Charter for 4 |
$9,500 |
| Half Board Charter for 5 |
$11,500 |
| Half Board Charter for 6 |
$13,500 |
| WHO KNOWS 2011 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | |
|---|---|
| ACCOMMODATION | STANDARD Apr 10 thru Oct 29 |
| Charter for 2 |
$10,000 |
| Charter for 3 |
$12,000 |
| Charter for 4 |
$13,600 |
| Charter for 5 |
$16,000 |
| Charter for 6 |
$19,000 |
| Half Board Charter for 2 |
$8,720 |
| Half Board Charter for 3 |
$9,500 |
| Half Board Charter for 4 |
$10,500 |
| Half Board Charter for 5 |
$12,500 |
| Half Board Charter for 6 |
$14,500 |
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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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