Please bear in mind that Alegria – as all the barges on the Canal - will cruise at between 4 and 6 kms/hour depending on the meanders of the Canal and the traffic. Our objective is that you spend between 3 and 4 hours a day cruising. The day is split nicely between navigating the canal and visiting some of the exceptional sites in the region. You can also run or cycle along the Canal: you will go faster than the barge!! While cruising ... just relax, enjoy the scenery, enjoy the locks, refresh yourself in the pool and enjoy the drinks offered by your hostess!!
When you look at the itinerary below you might be surprised that no Wine Tasting or Cellar Tour is planned … Do not worry!!!! Our Languedoc region offers many treasures of the local great wine makers. Depending on your taste and your willingness to discover some of them, we will personalize each cruise including visits which will appeal to you. The day is always long enough to allow time for this. Our schedule, as you can read below, is not very heavy. Some wine makers have also committed to coming on board Alegria to give you a personalized wine tasting.
The itinerary will be similar to the one below, but it can be changed according to your taste or due to unforeseeable circumstances. (This itinerary is therefore not to be considered as binding.) The same itinerary can also be done the other way round, Carcassonne to Béziers
The gastronomy aboard Alegria will vary a lot… You will taste some typical French local dishes as well as the best French gastronomy. Every meal will be accompanied by different wines, both local (the St-Chinian, Minerve, Corbières are more and more renowned) and from other regions of France (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire, etc…). Straight from our Wine Fridge on board you will never be offered the same wine twice during the week (unless you insist on drinking again one that you particularly loved!)…
For your added
pleasure we set your table with different services for breakfast, lunch and
dinner: from the festive one through the
ethnic
one to the classic one… When weather permits
you have your meal outside on the deck.
- Our Chef will directly cater for you and might also teach some tips when he prepares a dish…
- And… we will also offer you some meals outside the barge in some excellent restaurants!
During the week you can count on at least two meals outside the barge… We will talk about
all these possibilities once you are on board, while you are holding a glass of Champagne…
H
I G H L I G H T S &
E X C U R S I O N S
SATURDAY/ BEZIERS-POILHES
From 4pm we have the pleasure of welcoming you at the airport or at the railway
station and driving you to Alegria. On the way we may pop into the City of
Beziers to see the famous locks of Fonséranes. After you settle down on the
barge, you'll a welcome drink of a glass of Champagne and the crew will be
introduced to you. Alegria might even take you for a short introductory cruise,
depending on the navigation conditions. We'll also explain you how the week will
work and we'll give you the necessary instructions for your stay on board. We'll
serve your first dinner and spend the night in Poilhes, our "home
mooring".
SUNDAY/ CAPESTANG AND LA CROISADE
Sunday is "Le Jour du marché" in Capestang: your French Captain,
Olivier, will teach you all the secrets of a French Public Market ... We may
even find something tasty to buy for lunch which will be served along the
beautiful bank of the Canal. The afternoon takes you to La Croisade underneath
the lowest bridge on the Canal: the famous bridge of Capestang. Mind you head!
We spend the night in a restful place a stone's throw away from ... an old 17th century stone bridge.
MONDAY/ LE SOMAIL AND ROUBIA
Should you be interested in archeology, you can visit an exceptional site today:
the Oppidum of Ensérune, one of the largest around the Mediterranean. This
takes you back to pre-Roman times in the South of France, from the 6th century
BC. Thereafter, we cruise along Le Sommail, one of the most charming villages
along the Canal. Should you need a book for the week you can buy one from a
unique book shop that has approximately 50 000 second-hand books in stock ... in
many different languages!
The evening and the night are spent along the Canal near Roubia.
TUESDAY/ HOMPS
In the morning we visit Minerve, a fascinating site and a previously fortified
village in a very special rocky environment. Minerve was attacked in 1210 by the
terrible army led by Simon de Montfort: the right time for us to tell you about
the Crusade of the Albigeois in the 13th Century, one of the harshest stories of
our past …
After the afternoon cruise you'll be offered a dinner "à terre", off the barge. It's the perfect opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of a French restaurant!
We spend the night in the beautiful area of Homps, a significant harbor on the Canal.
WEDNESDAY/ PUICHERIC
In the morning we drive through the landscape and we visit a beautiful town,
Narbonne. Narbonne is full of Roman history and includes the "Palace of the
Archbishop". You will love its Mediterranean and Gothic style. And ...
we'll offer you lunch there.
After lunch we drive back to the barge for the afternoon leg, up to Puicheric, where we'll stay for the night
THURSDAY/ TREBES
In the morning we visit the great City of Carcassonne, the biggest medieval City
in Europe. You will be fascinated by the size of the walls and the narrow
streets inside. You will be right there in the middle of French history! There
also many shops where you can buy typical souvenirs to bring back to friends or
children.
After lunch we embark on the last leg of the cruise for the week, from Puicheric to the area of Trebes. We spend the last night there after the "Captain’s Farewell Dinner".
FRIDAY/ DEPARTURE
After your breakfast, it is unfortunately time to conclude this unforgettable
cruise. We will transfer you back to the airport or railway station … so that
you can continue your adventure in Europe or wherever!!!
NOTE: On alternate weeks,
cruise will be in reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject
to change.
Year 2010 Rates in US Dollars
|
ACCOMMODATION
|
VALUE
|
REGULAR
|
|
Charter 4 guests whole boat
|
$24,000
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$24,000
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