Archive for the ‘European Barges’ Category
France-Paris, Provence and Mont Blanc
This article is written by, Josh Shafran husband of travel consultant, Holly Shafran.
This past summer, we had a great vacation month in France.
Our travel goal was to have adventure, relax with friends and re-charge the
batteries. Generally we wanted to walk in cities and countryside, enjoy the
good company of friends, visit museums, and historical places and eat good
food. Our goals turned into a varied itinerary carefully arranged by the
best travel agent, my wife Holly… a week in Paris, a week on a privately
escorted barge in the Burgundy region, a week in northern Provence and a
week hiking the Tour de Mont Blanc.
We began in Paris.
Here we relaxed, reflected and contemplated life in a magnificent urban
setting. Paris is a cultural zenith. Forget the stereotypes. Learn some
French language and customs, and communicate with the people. In this style
we enjoyed their proud home, Paris.
We stayed in a quaint, quiet setting on Ille St. Louis, a small island
neighborhood around the corner from Notre Dame Cathedral. We sampled the
great ice cream, ate wonderful dinners in “our new neighborhood” and walked
through quiet Parisian streets lined with historic buildings, wide open
park areas and stunning museums.
We re-visited places we knew, and discovered new ones too. The Picasso
museum is set in a striking stone house, resembling an urban Chateau. The
Orsey museum is a great home for impressionist art works. The Louvre has
been renovated and updated…it shines. The city of Paris is being sand
blasted clean and sparkles with gleaming brilliance for the millennium
celebration. This is an urban center to admire, behold and enjoy.
Our second stop was the Burgundy region.
The most efficient, fast and picturesque way to get to Burgundy was by TGV
train. We met our friends, Joan and John of Boulder, got on the high speed
train and were whisked away for a quick ride to Dijon. Of course we had to
pick up some local lunch items such as bread, meats, cheeses, fruit and
wine to sample on the way. You need “tourist energy” for the TGV.
At Dijon we were met by our Barge escort and captain, Peter who took us to
his “time machine” on the canal. He and his wife, Mary gave us a list of
options for our pre-paid all inclusive days’ activities. Since we were the
only four passengers on their private barge we set our schedule, based on
their advise.
We learned that the canal system in France dates back a thousand years. The
barge is a gentle, calming mode of transport back to an era where time is
measured in the absolute quality of the moment. Barge travel in France is a
first class vacation.
Here we settled on the reflections in the water, the great company of
friends, the Chateaus in the hills, and the vineyards in the valley. We
dined on culinary excellence, and sampled selections of wines all served in
16th century elegance and along canal side Auberges. Every activity and
meal, except for our hot air balloon ride, was included in the cost of this
week.
We traveled south from Dijon to Avingon. We picked up our rental car and
drove a short twenty kilometers to St. Remy. Here we began our week’s
exploration of Provence. We stayed at Chateau Rousson set on an estate,
built by the Nostradamus family. This place is full of the history and
mythology of the St. Remy/Provensal area.
St. Remy is an upscale tourist town that has good food, shopping and sites.
Our most memorable visits in this portion of the region were Glannum, the
Van Gough exhibits, Le Baux, Fonteville and Pont du Gard. Driving is easy.
The roads are well marked.
From the St. Remy area we continued to the Luberon region visiting
Bonnieux, Mennerbes, Lacoste and Gordes. We wore out the sites that the
author, Peter Mayle writes about and memorized the recommendations of
leading food magazines and guidebooks.
Mountains, and forests filled with ceder and chestnut trees greeted us on
our hikes. Narrow switched back roadways to towns carved into the stone
hillsides is what the Luberon countryside is all about. The people are
wonderful, and the cuisine continued to be fresh, and finely prepared and
presented. The meadows smelled of lavender, and the fields were full of
flowering sunflowers. This is what makes Provence intoxicating to the
vacationer.
The restful weeks of adventure continued with mountain alpine hiking from
Chamonix. Holly arranged this portion of the month with a guided Mountain
Travel/Sobek experience. This is an extreme adventure hiking experience. We
covered over seventy miles in six days. We walked each day up and down two
to three-thousand vertical feet of elevation gain and loss through three
countries.
The views of the French, Italian and Swiss Alps are dramatic. To see these
ice and snow covered peaks, while walking over nine mountain passes, and
through vast flower lined valleys is a natural treat to remember for a
lifetime. Even though we were exhausted at the end of each day’s 4-6 hours
of hiking, we were exhilarated by the sites and sounds of the countryside.
Our month in France was a varied month of great activities. We are left
with fine memories. We had a magnificent time. I highly recommend this type
of summer vacation. Go to France. Treat yourself well…have fun!!
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Floating Thru France on a Luxury Hotel Barge
By Pat Jeske Barge Specialist at James TravelPOINTS.
My most vivid memory of France is of arriving in the little medieval market town of Clamecy in the Burgundy Region at the end of our week-long canal and river voyage on the luxury hotel barge ‘Luciole’. We were looked after by a crew so friendly — and yet so capable — they were part of the party, too.
All the way up the picturesque Nivernais valley in Western Burgundy, we were struck by the dazzling scenery all around. Starting from the spectacular city of Auxerre, where the medieval Cathedral towers above the waterway. Our Captain, pointed out the sights as we went, we visited the wine center of Chablis – the real Chablis, from where the finest wines originate, with a private tasting of Premier and Grand Crus. We also visited the magnificent 12th century Basilica of Vézelay that dominates this hilltop city, where Saint Bernard preached the Second Crusade, and the bustling market town of historic Avallon. Our final visit was to the imposing Château Bazoches, set on a hillside amidst the splendid rolling countryside.
Many of us explored the delightful villages along the way on the bicycles that the barge provides for passengers’ use. We also walked and bicycled on the tow-path that runs alongside most of the canal, catching up with the barge at a later point as it was moving along the canal at a leisurely 5 mph.
Our ‘Luciole’ barge had the gracious ambience of a fine country inn, beautiful wood, complemented by traditional and regional fabrics and the ever-present bouquets of fresh flowers. Our spacious sundeck with huge umbrellas for those who wished to be in the shade, provided a premium vantage point to view the gorgeous scenery as we cruised, as well as providing the perfect setting for alfresco dining.
James, our chef, fed us as if we were royalty. Though British, he knew this part of the Burgundy region so well combining traditional French cuisine with a contemporary twist. We enjoyed tempting luncheon buffets with a feast of delicious salads, quiches and pâtés prepared from the finest local ingredients purchased that day at the local market.
The four-course evening dinners were a feast for the eyes, as well as a gastronomic highlight. Each meal was accompanied by the fine wines of Chablis, Bordeaux and the Côte D’Or, chosen to be the perfect complement to the menu.
Then, on that final evening in historic Clamecy in the basin of the canal nestling in the woods, we settled down for our final, splendid candlelit four-course dinner. I felt I had come to know the real France as never before.
“Back to reality” someone said. But we, all of us really, thought we had seen “the real world” on our cruise. Call Pat Jeske-barge specialist to book this or one of many European Barges 1-800-549-2575/303 444-2799, www.bargetravelpoints.com.
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Best Barge Cruises
If you have never experienced a vacation trip aboard a luxury barge then you are in for the time of your life! Barge cruises are becoming increasingly popular among discerning travelers everywhere. Only on a luxury barge cruise are you presented with the unparalleled opportunity to experience the true essence of local culture and lifestyle, exquisite cuisine and the beauty of some of the most magnificent river villages in the world.
James Travel can help you choose the barge cruise that is right for you among 45 different luxury barges. These barges rate from 3 star to 5 star deluxe luxury cruises. Each unique barge offers its own distinct personality and character so that you can choose the perfect one for your vacation. Regardless of which vessel you choose to climb aboard for a memorable vacation you can be sure that you will be pampered and catered to for your entire trip.
Cruise through some of the best regions in Europe. Choose from barge cruises through France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Italy, England, Ireland, or Scotland. James Travel is ready to help you decide on your location aboard the best barge cruises in the world.
Call our Barge Cruise Specialist at 1-800-549-2575
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Best Holland Vacation
If you’ve always wanted to visit Holland then we have the perfect vacation idea for you! The absolute best way to tour this beautiful country is on a barge. The newest wave in vacation tours, a barge cruise offers you the perfect way to see the country.
Climb aboard the La Nouvelle Etoile, an ultra deluxe, four cabin barge with luxury amenities for discerning travelers. The spacious suites with large windows offer the perfect views of the old buildings and awesome architecture of the country. Included in these suites are luxurious private baths. You’ll be treated to exquisite cuisine and personalized service from the crew will leave you happy you toured Holland on a barge!
Begin your seven day cruise on a Sunday in Haarlam with a champagne welcome. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon cruising to Zaandam then be treated to a gourmet dinner while the barge moors quietly through the night. Wake up to a fabulous breakfast then set your feet on dry land. Take a short drive to Zaanse Schans where you’ll see a working windmill and see how clogs are made. Climb back aboard the barge to enjoy a cruise through the heart of Amsterdam then along the Amstel River where more excursions await.
The next few days of your barge cruise through Holland will include a special tour of the Kettle One Vodka Factory by the owner himself. Enjoy seeing a working cheese farm followed by a trip to the famous Keukenhof Gardens where you’ll see hundreds of varieties of tulips, hyacinths, and more.
After visiting the museum of the famous Dutch painter Frans Hals relish your farewell dinner on board as you revel in great conversation about all you’ve seen and experienced while in Holland. The following morning you will travel back home where you will want to share your best Holland vacation experience with everyone you know. Ready to take the best Holland vacation ever? Contact James Travel today and make it happen!
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