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European Waterways - Hirondelle - France - 2011 Season

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CRUISING BURGUNDY

Rates are for six nights on either: A whole boat charter basis or per person based on double occupancy per cabin for our GoBarging luxury hotel barge cruises with departures every Sunday, from April to October

2011 DISCOUNTS
Cruise Area
Barge
Discounts
Departure Date
Deposit By
Burgundy/U. Loire
Hirondelle
50% off companion price - cabin bookings**
All 2011 departure
31 March 2011

Conditions
Our normal Terms & Conditions apply.
Some cruises may require a minimum of 4 passengers booked to guarantee the cruise.
These special offers are subject to availability, apply to new bookings only and cannot be used in conjunction with other offers.

**These Hirondelle offers are based on double occupancy in a double/twin cabin and apply to a maximum of two cabins per departure.

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2011 Rates in EUR( Euros ) for 6 nights on either:
per person based on a double occupancy per cabin or a whole boat basis
ACCOMMODATION REGULAR
Charter 6 guests wholeboat €25,700
Charter 7 guests wholeboat €27,600
Charter 8 guests wholeboat €29,500
Stateroom per person €3,650
Single Supplement €913

Child Discount - 200 discount is offer to children aged 12 - 17 inclusive travelling with adults
Note: First Class TGV tickets from Paris to local station and return to Paris are also available at time of booking.

Rates, additional charges and conditions are subject to change, and to
currency fluctuation, without notice - Errors and Omissions Excepted

DEPARTURE DATES - (sundays) RATE ROUTE
April 3, 10, 17, 24 Regular Burgundy
May 1, 10, 17, 22, 29 Regular Burgundy
June 5, 12, 19, 26 Regular Burgundy
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Regular Burgundy
August 7, 14, 21, 28 Regular Burgundy
September 4, 11, 18, 25 Regular Burgundy
October 2, 9, 16, 23 Regular Burgundy

MEETING POINT
TVG tickets are included in the costs of the cruise and therefore you will be met off the train at the local TGV station by a barge representative and transferred directly to the barge on sunday afternoon

Hirondelle Barge Information


THE 8 PASSENGER HIRONDELLE ....
The 8 passenger Hirondelle, owned and operated by Afloat in France, cruises some of the most tranquil and beautiful waterways in all of Europe: the Canal de Bourgogne, the Canal du Centre, the Canal du Rhône au Rhine and the River Saône.

The large windows, well above the water line, and the sun-deck on the top deck of the boat make it easy for you to enjoy the passing scenery of Burgundy and Franche-Comté: renowned for their vineyards, Gothic churches and abbeys, Renaissance châteaux and picturesque villages.

Burgundy is a region of France in which gastronomic delights and the art of living have reigned supreme since Roman times.

Excursions are arranged to places with story-book names, whether it be the quaint town of Dole, the famous museum in Dijon, the castle in Châteauneuf or to Besançon, birthplace of Victor Hugo.

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Digoin to Guetin itinerary

Sunday - Montchanin
You will be met this afternoon at the local TGV station by a crew member who will escort you on your transfer to Digoin where you will board the barge for your cruise. A champagne reception welcomes you and gives you a chance to meet the crew. Dinner aboard.

Monday – Montchanin to Diou.
Enjoy a drive through the countryside to see La Clayette, its château and the specialty chocolate factory of M. Bernard Dufoux. The master himself demonstrates the art of making chocolate, followed by a private tasting. Dinner aboard.

Tuesday – Diou to Garnat-sur-Engièvre
Today's visit is to the beautiful medieval town of Bourban Lancy. Enjoy a guided walking tour through the medieval quarter with its authentic timbered houses and 14th century belfry which houses a unique automaton. In the afternoon, relax on board as the barge continues its cruise to tonight's mooring at Garnat-sur-Engièvre. Dinner aboard.

Wednesday - Garnat-sur-Engièvre to Decize
Enjoy a full day cruising from Garnat-sur-Engièvre to Decize. Take a private tour of the chateau of St Aubin, a fine example of renaissance architecture with extensive grounds and kitchen gardens. Dinner aboard.

Thursday – Decize to Imphy
After breakfast your guide takes you to a "ferme des escargots" to see how this Burgundian speciality is produced. Later cruise to Chevenon, a small country mooring and a quiet place to walk or cycle. In the afternoon visit the beautiful village and gardens of Apremont. Dinner aboard.

Friday – Imphy to Guétin.
This morning enjoy a walking tour of Nevers, the capital of the Nivernais, and a chance to buy some of the distinctive blue and gold faience at the local market. During the afternoon the barge cruises to Pont Canal du Guetin, the site of the "pont canal" which traverses the river Allier. Enjoy a Farewell Gala Dinner aboard.

Saturday – Le Guetin
After breakfast disembark the barge and transfer to the local TGV Station.

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. The itinerary is in reverse direction on alternative weeks.

First Class TGV tickets from Paris to local station and return to Paris are also available at time of booking for a supplement of £160/US$300 per person.

Guetin To Digoin itinerary

Sunday - Le Guétin.
You are met at Paris Gare de Lyon where you collect your 1st Class TGV tickets from the representative. You take the TGV train to the local station where you are met, and transferred, by a crew member, to Le Guetin on the Canal Latéral à la Loire, where a champagne reception welcomes you and gives you a chance to meet the crew.  Your first cruise on the canal will take you over the spectacular canal bridge of Le Guétin where the canal crosses the river L'Allier offering fabulous views of the River in its natural state. This evening enjoy your first dining experience on board the boat.

Monday - Cruise to Chevenon.  Visit Nevers.
This morning, the barge cruises to Chevenon, the site of a "pont canal" which traverses the river Allier. Imphy (Chevenon) is a small country mooring and a quiet place to walk or cycle.  After lunch, enjoy a walking tour of Nevers, the capital of the Nivernais. Visit the cathedral and discover its vibrant stained glass windows, replaced after being bombed in the Second World War. We then walk down to the old city fortifications and up the Rue of the Faienceries with its old porcelain factories dating from 16th Century, established by the Italian potters.

Tuesday - Visit Château d'Apremont and gardens. Cruise to Decize.
This morning after Breakfast you will take a pleasant drive to the beautiful village of Apremont.  Visit the 14th century Château d'Apremont including the Stables where there is a display of the poems of Jean de La Fontaine, as well as the collection of horse drawn carriages belonging to the family of Eugine Schnider. Enjoy strolling around the fabulous gardens set in this medieval village before heading back on board for lunch.  The barge will continue to cruise from Chevenon to Decize.

Wednesday - Visit Bourbon -Lancy.  Cruise to Garnat-sur-Engièvre.
After a short cruise, your guide will meet you for an excursion to the beautiful medieval town of Bourbon Lancy.  Step back in time as your guide leads you through the medieval quarter with its authentic timbered houses and 14th century Belfry which houses a unique automaton.  After the tour taste some of the wines from the nearby region of Macon, followed by lunch in a local restaurant. Return to the barge for the cruise from Decize to tonight’s mooring in Garnat-sur-Engièvre.

Thursday - Visit Château of St Aubin. Cruise to Diou.
Enjoy a leisurely morning cruise to Diou.  This afternoon, take a private tour of the chateau of St Aubin, a fine example of renaissance architecture with extensive grounds and kitchen gardens.Friday - Cruise to Digoin. Visit La Clayette.
Cruise to Digoin and moor near the picturesque Pont Canal.  After lunch, enjoy a drive through the countryside to see La Clayette, and a private tour of the beautiful château de Drée and gardens, a jewel of Burgundian architecture.   We will also visit the specialty chocolate factory of M. Bernard Dufoux.  The master himself demonstrates the art of making chocolate, followed by a private tasting.   Enjoy a farewell gala dinner on board.

Saturday - Le Creusot - Paris.
After breakfast disembark the barge for your onward travel arrangements.


This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. The itinerary is in reverse direction on alternative weeks.

St. Leger To Digoin itinerary

Sunday - St. Léger.
Transfer from local TGV station and transfer to the barge moored in St. Léger-sur-Dheune. A Champagne reception welcomes you on board followed by an evening cruise before your first delicious dinner.

Monday - Visit Beaune. Cruise to St. Julien-sur-Dheune.
Today, tour the famous Côte d'Or, home of Burgundy's finest vineyards; Meursault, Puligny, Montrachet, Santenay, to name but a few. Visit Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy, including the medieval hospital, the 'Hospices de Beaune'. Cruise to St. Julien-sur-Dheune, a small country mooring and a quiet place to walk or bicycle. Dinner aboard.

Tuesday - Cruise to Blanzy. Visit Château Marguerite de Bourgogne
This morning visit the Château Marguerite de Bourgogne, built in the 12th century, followed by a private wine tasting in the secret passages which run beneath the castle. Relax in the afternoon as the barge cruises to Blanzy. Dinner aboard.

Wednesday - Cruise to Genélard. Visit Autun.
Visit the canal side market at Montceau Les Mines before cruising to Genélard. Later, tour the city of Autun, founded by Emperor Augustus, and known as one of the leading cities of Roman Gaul. Visit the roman amphitheatre, one of the largest in France with a seating capacity of 17,000. Dinner aboard

Thursday - Tour Paray-Le Monial. Visit Cluny. Cruise to Paray-le-Monial.
After breakfast tour Paray-le-Monial, with its famous Basilica of the Sacré Coeur and site of pilgrimage since 1873. After lunch, visit Cluny, a little town dominated by its great Benedictine abbey. Dinner aboard.

Friday - Visit La Clayette. Cruise to Digoin.
Drive through the countryside to La Clayette to visit the specialty chocolate shop of M. Bernard Dufoux. The master himself will demonstrate the art of making chocolate, followed by a private tasting. Car enthusiasts may tour the vintage car museum just around the corner where all the vehicles are for sale. Afternoon cruise to Digoin where the barge will moor close to the Pont Canal de Digoin, a canal bridge which spans the Loire. Farewell Gala Dinner on board.

Saturday - Le Creusot
After breakfast disembark the barge and transfer to local TGV station.

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. The itinerary is in reverse direction on alternative weeks.

First Class TGV tickets from Paris to local station and return to Paris are also available at time of booking for an extra supplement of £160/US$300 per person.

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