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“EXPERIENCING FRANCE’S DELICACIES”
These trips allow you to experience France. France, a new destination to our business, has been added as a response to our “alumni” clients’ requests to expand our destination list. We appreciate the compliment of such trust and have shown this by responding positively. Of course, we also enjoy the food, the people and the surroundings France offers. It is a pleasure to add it to our list of travels.
The itineraries listed here do not necessarily fit into one of our previous category. But of course we continue our same policies and ensure your requests are met at affordable prices as well as providing you with attention to detail which make a vacation a dream come true. For example, our venture with La Tortue, a luxury barge featured in Conde Nast Traveller Magazine. Also appeared as a guest’s recommendation in American Express Travel Magazine. Additionally it appeared in 'Travel and Leisure Magazine' (June 2002) and in 'Readers Find', and featured in a 15 minute Yorkshire (England) Television documentary 'Ian's Big Trip'. With this level of service almost guaranteed, Travel – World Discovery still provides you with discounted prices for a vacation with them.
BARGING IN SOUTHERN FRANCE
6 nights
Prices vary on size of group and season
A first class vacation, customized to your needs, personalized touring and attention to every detail. Additionally you will have a culinary experience as all your meals, prepared by a published chef, are included. Of course, to enjoy a meal thoroughly, different wines should be tasted as well. Your chef will provide you with wines that compliment your meals. Wines of Southern France - the Languedoc region. Get onboard a fascinating barge cruise along the Canal du Midi, the most beautiful waterway in Europe!
This trip is a joint venture with the luxurious barge, La Tortue. Gliding along the canal, La Tortue will take you through some of the most beautiful countryside in France. Each bend captures a different scene from an Impressionist painting: a garden bursting with oleander, bougainvillea and citrus trees; a lock-keeper's cottage; a family fishing on the canal bank; an aquaduct...
Relax and enjoy one of the most luxurious holidays in Europe knowing that your every need is catered to. La Tortue accommodates a maximum of 6 guests and serves you with 4 staff members. You will be impressed with Peter's culinary skills and his extensive knowledge of wines and cheeses from the region.
Here is an example of a typical itinerary on La Tortue. Should you want to reserve the entire barge, we can accommodate special itineraries such as wine tours, golfing, cycling and walking and of course family holidays on the Canal du Midi.
DAY 1 - Saturday
At 5:00pm, Sally Shaw, the owner will be waiting to greet you at a pre-arranged pickup point which may be either the Béziers train station, car rental agency, or a hotel in Béziers or immediate environs. She will then transfer you directly to La Tortue in our air conditioned minibus. Dinner is your first on board meal.
The cruise starts at Colombiers, a pretty village just outside Béziers. After a champagne reception, we cruise off through the Malpas Tunnel, the oldest canal tunnel in the world. To the tranquil mooring of Regismont Haut with pretty bridge, historic buildings and an array of British warship cannons. Take a stroll before aperitifs and your first gastronomic delights.
DAY 2 - Sunday
An early morning cruise to Capestang, the largest village on the canal. Just in time to visit the colourful street market, with stalls selling a wide variety of local produce, clothes and flowers. Then off in the minibus to visit the Oppidum d'Ensérune a pre-Roman hillside site occupied from 600 BC to 100 AD, only discovered by archaeologists at the beginning of this century. There is a fascinating museum containing many artifacts found on the site. Back to La Tortue for a colourful lunch of salads, tartes, wines and cheeses, then a cruise along the canal, which meanders through the vineyards to the village of Argeliers.
DAY 3 - Monday
Our morning starts with a short cruise to the quaint village of Le Somail. Visit the fascinating antique bookshop and the local potters and artists. Before or after lunch we can visit the Amphoralis, the largest excavation of Roman pottery in Europe.
Another short cruise brings us to Ventenac where we moor outside the Chateau and have the opportunity to visit the wine cellar and sample some of the excellent Minervois wines.
And then on to Paraza, a picturesque hillside village overlooking the canal, commanded by a magnificent chateau.
DAY 4 - Tuesday
Peter, your chef and owner, takes you to Narbonne, the ancient capital of Roman Gaul and will guide you through the outstanding covered food market. Choose your lunch from a variety of homemade pâtés and charcuterie, and freshly caught fish for dinner. Afterwards, visit the amazing gothic Cathedral with one of the highest naves in France; walk along the Via Domitia (the recently uncovered Roman road), or just do some shopping in the chic boutiques on the charming pedestrianised streets.
Return to La Tortue for a short cruise to Roubia for lunch. Your afternoon cruise takes us through four locks, two doubles and two singles, to Homps where you can visit the church, a replica of the Basilica of Lourdes. Tonight you will be escorted to the wonderful 'Auberge de l'Arbousier' for your evening meal.
DAY 5 - Wednesday
A morning visit to Minerve, an ancient village that stands on a rocky outcrop formed by the valleys of two rivers: the Cesse and the Brian. It was once a Cathar stronghold, overthrown by Simon de Montfort and the Crusaders. The local museums do a fine job of explaining the history of the region and its geological features. Also visit the church where the altar dates back to 456AD.
Back to the boat for lunch, and an afternoon cruise through 3 locks. The distance between locks is two to three miles - ideal for a bike ride or a walk if you feel so inclined. We moor for the night at the top of the third lock, Aguille, the home of an enthusiastic and friendly lock-keeper who makes amusing sculptures from tree branches and trunks. Watch out for the crocodile!
DAY 6 - Thursday
A morning visit by minibus to Carcassonne, the finest example of a mediaeval walled city in the whole of Europe. For those who have already visited this magnificent city or who are staying there after the barge trip, we suggest instead, a visit to Lastours, spectacular site of four ruined Cathar Castles - with, for the energetic, a climb up a steep rocky path to the remains, to get a feel of what life was like in those ancient times. In the afternoon, a peaceful cruise through one of the most magnificent tree-lined stretches of the canal, where linked overhanging branches form a superb green canopy, known as the 'green cathedral'. Our last mooring is at the peaceful setting of Millepetit, where you can relax and enjoy your last evening of the cruise under the stars with La Tortue.
DAY 7 - Friday
After breakfast we cruise to the triple lock at Trèbes with its beautiful views over the Alaric Mountains. From here we say our goodbyes between 9:00am and 10:00am and you will then be taken to Narbonne, Carcassonne or Béziers for your onward journey.
Let us know what else you would consider a dream vacation and we’ll find it for you.
www.travelworlddiscovery.com
E-mail: travelworlddiscovery@yahoo.com
Phone (613) 830-7338
PLEASE REMEMBER: Some of the villages in France have limited accommodations we would consider “affordable and of good value”. It is not uncommon to book 6 months or more in advance. The same is true of vacation planning, as is fine cuisine: it takes time to prepare the best. Please contact us as soon as possible to ensure the best.
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