DEPARTURE DATES
(Sunday ) |
RATE |
ROUTE |
| March
28 |
Value |
Canal
du Midi
|
| April
4, 11 , 18 |
Value |
Canal
du Midi
|
| April
25 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi |
| May
2, 9, 16, 23, 30 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi
|
| June
6, 13, 20, 27 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi
|
| July
4, 11, 18, 25 |
Value |
Canal
du Midi
|
| August
1, 8, 15, 22 |
Value |
Canal
du Midi
|
| August
29 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi
|
| September
5, 12, 19, 26 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi
|
| October
3, 10 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi
|
| October
17, 24, 31 |
Value |
Canal
du Midi
|
Meeting
Point
France -
Monpellier - The Metropole Sunday 4pm
End of Cruise - Montpellier Train Station, Airport or The Metropole Hotel
about 11am
Athos
Barge Information
THE TEN PASSENGER ATHOS….
The 10-passenger Athos was built in 1964 as a commercial
sand, grain and wine barge and was converted into a luxury
hotel barge in 1982. Her five cabins offer all modern comforts
and spaciousness and her saloon, dining area, bar and sun
deck are perfect for relaxation. An English-speaking crew
of 5 efficiently attends to your comfort and entertainment
and ensures an unforgettable experience.
| Cruise
Highlights |
Cuisine
Aboard |
- Visit
the mediaeval city of Carcassonne
- Wine
tasting at Domaine de Guery
- Visit
Pezenas, an architectural gem
- Passage
through Fonserannes locks
- Visit
Roman Narbonne
- Cross
the 18th century Orb canal bridge
|
Regional
Specialities
Gratin of Havelland Perch with Fresh Water
Crayfish
|
|
Wine
Cellar
A good selection of French and
German Wines including Speciality German Beers
|
|
Cheese
Board
Limburger, Romandur, Tilsiter
|
ITINERARY
Sunday,
Day 1
SALLELES D' AUDE
You will be met by Athos Captain and Manager at 4pm at a designated point
in Montpellier and transferred by private air-conditioned Chrysler minivan
to Athos. A full-crew Welcome Aboard follows, with Champagne and Mediterannean
canapés. Once you are settled into your cabin, you will be invited
to a 4-course dinner, prepared by our highly acclaimed onboard Chef.
Monday,
Day 2
SALLELES D'
AUDE - ARGELIERS
The proposed morning visit is a drive to the famous medieval double-walled
city of Carcassonne. Your knowledgeable on-board guide will offer the
historical & guided visit making sure that you have time to browse
those shops! An afternoon cruise takes us to Argeliers. By early evening
you have arrived in Argeliers and there should be enough time for a brisk
stroll into the village before Chef starts serving up her next delight!
Tuesday,
Day 3
ARGELIERS - CAPESTANG
This morning's suggested visit is a tasting at the Oulibo - the local
olive oil press. After an olive tasting, a short drive up the Gorge de
la Cesse brings you into the hilltop village of Minerve, scene of the
Cathar siege of the 13th century. A long lunch and an afternoon of relaxation
await your return to the Athos which cruises to the charming village
of Capestang where we moor with a clear view of the flood-lit St. Etienne
cathedral. The village is a 5-minute walk. Dinner aboard.
Wednesday,
Day 4
CAPESTANG - FONSERANNES
After breakfast, take a moment for a stroll into the village square to
visit the market. Athos gets underway in time to stop for a pre-lunch
wine tasting at one of the few remaining traditional-method 19th century
wineries, Domaine de Guery. The cruise route today promises spectacular
views of the Pyrenees across the sunny, clear plain. When you arrive
at the overnight mooring at top of the Fonserannes locks, there is time
to visit to the old market town of Pezenas, the first seat of the Languedoc
court. The architecture is especially attractive. Dinner aboard.
Thursday,
Day 5
FONSERANNES - PORTIRAGNES
This morning we visit Narbonne. Explore an excavated portion of the original
Roman road, the Via Domitia, browse through the well-compiled Roman Museum,
discover the beauty of St. Juste Cathedral, or simply relax in one of
the many cafés. Later, the cruise takes in the 17th century feat
of engineering, the "Neuf Ecluses" (or staircase locks) and
the 18th century canal bridge which carries Athos over the Orb River
to Portiragnes. It is an ideal afternoon for walking or cycling. Dinner
aboard.
Friday,
Day 6
VILLENEUVE LES BEZIERS
- AGDE - MASEILLAN
This morning we cruise through the “Petit Camargue”, a joy
for bird watchers with its pink flamingos, African rollers and bee eaters
that frequent the surrounding estuaries. Later we enter the open-waters
of the Etang de Thau, Europe's largest mussel and oyster park, and moor
in the port at Marseillan, near to the Noillly Prat Vermouth distillery.
Captain’s Farewell Dinner aboard.
Saturday,
Day 7
MARSEILLAN - MONTPELLIER
Wave goodbye to the crew and depart by private minivan to the appointed
destination in Montpellier.
This
is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
On alternate weeks, cruise
will be in reverse
|
