| DEPARTURE DATES - (sundays) |
RATE |
ROUTE |
| June
27 |
Regular |
Loire
Valley |
| July
4, 11, 18, 25 |
Regular |
Loire
Valley |
| August
1, 08, 15, 22, 29 |
Regular |
Loire
Valley |
| September
5, 12, 19, 26 |
Regular |
Loire
Valley |
| October
3, 10, 17, 24 |
Regular |
Loire
Valley |
MEETING
POINT
FRANCE - Loire Valley -
St Pierre des Corps TGV station at 4.30pm
(Charter groups can be met at their Tours Hotel at 4.50pm if preferred)
Nymphea
Barge Information
THE 8 PASSENGER
ANJODI ....
is of classic Dutch design, specifically rebuilt to navigate the 300
year old Canal du Midi. She has been completely re-furbished in the tasteful
tradition of African hardwoods,hand-crafted panelling and shining brass,
creating a comfortable and charming ambience
The
well planned accommodation offers a choice of four air-conditioned
twin/double staterooms with full en-suite facitlities.
The sun deck is spacious and has a heated sunken Jacuzzi
Anjodi's
highly professional crew of four is comprised of Master
Chef, Tour guide and Stewardess, led by a knowledgeable
and experienced Captain who will ensure your cruise is
memorable and more.!
| Cruise
Highlights |
Cuisine
Aboard |
- All-inclusive
open bar, free
wines,gourmet cuisine, entry
fees to excursions
- Cruise
under the famed Château de Chenonceau
- Visit
a Troglodyte cave dwelling and see the silkworm
nursery
- Excursion
to the Château D'Amboise
- Private
tastings at Montrichard and Civray
- Château
visit to Valençay or Blois
- Experience
the colorful street markets
- Optional
Hot air Ballooning
|
Regional
Specialities
Filet Mignon de Veau à la Bière
et Moutarde,
Selle d'Agneau au Romarin, Saumon et Friture
|
|
Wine
Cellar
St Nicolas de Bourgueil,
L'Alliance des Generations, Sancerre, Vouvray
|
|
Cheese
Board
Valençay, St Maure de Touraine, Selles
sur Cher
|
ITINERARY
Sunday,
Day 1
AZAY SUR CHER TO MOULIN
DE NITRAY
You are met at 4.30 pm at the TGV railway station at St Pierre des Corps
and transferred to Nymphea where a Champagne Welcome awaits you. Cruise
upstream to our mooring opposite the 17th century Moulin de Nitray. Dinner
aboard.
Monday,
Day 2
MOULIN
DE NITRAY TO BLÉRÉ
A morning cruise through two locks takes us to the quaint
town of Bléré where
we moor for lunch. Afternoon excursion to Chateau D'Amboise and the Clos
Lucé, Leonardo Da Vinci's home. Dinner aboard.
Tuesday,
Day 3
BLÉRÉ TO
CHISSAY EN TOURAINE
A short stroll over the bridge to admire the colourful
street market in Bléré. Morning cruise to Civray de Touraine where an optional short
cycle ride takes us to Les Caves de Père Auguste for a wine tasting.
After lunch we cruise under the 5 arch bridge of the impressive Chateau
de Chenonceau and moor at Chisseaux. From there we depart by minibus
to visit the Chateau. Early evening cruise to the village of Chissay
en Touraine. Dinner aboard.
Wednesday,
Day 4
CHISSAY EN TOURAINE
TO ST AIGNAN
An early start sees the Nymphea tackling the upper reaches
of the navigable Cher, arriving at St Aignan, the head
of navigation where we moor in
the shadow of the castle. An afternoon excursion is made either to Blois
with its chateau, Musée de la Résistance and cosmopolitan shopping streets,
or the Chateau de ValenVay, with its renowned gardens. Dinner ashore
in a local hostelry.
Thursday,
Day 5
ST AIGNAN TO MONTRICHARD
After a chance to stroll the old centre of St Aignan,
we cruise downstream to the hamlet of Bourreé. A short
walk from the lock takes us to one of the more unusual
dwellings
in the Loire Valley, La Magnaneraie. The
Coquillat family have grown up in this hillside troglodyte habitation,
which has been in turn wine cellar, quarry for the tuffeau stone, and
lastly a silkworm nursery. Returning to the barge we cruise to Montrichard
where we moor for the night. Before supper we visit the local vineyard
of the Meriau family, to taste the regional Touraine vintages. Dinner
aboard.
Friday,
Day 6
MONTRICHARD TO NITRAY
Following breakfast, a short stroll takes us to the heart of Montrichard,
into the midst of one of the largest weekly street markets in Touraine.
There is much to explore at the 12th century Chateau of Foulques Nerra
overlooking the mediaeval town square. After an early lunch, Nymphea
sets off downstream again, for another passage under Chenonceau and arrives
at the hamlet of Nitray in time to visit the Chateau and rose garden
of Nitray. Enjoy a pre-Captains dinner aperitif from their vineyards.
Captains Dinner aboard.
Saturday,
Day 7
After breakfast disembark and transfer by minibus to St Pierre des Corps
Station in time for the 09.30 TGV to Paris.
This
is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
On alternate weeks,
cruise will be in reverse
|
