hotel barging in france - Outdoor Travel

HOTEL BARGING IN FRANCE 2016

CHAMPAGNE PROVENCE BURGUNDY LOIRE AQUITAINE OR ALSACE 7-days / 6-nights 24 passenger canal or river cruising and sightseeing

Hotel Barge cruises combine canal or river cruising with guided sightseeing excursions by bus or on foot. Unpack once and come ‘home’ each afternoon to your comfortable cabin with your own bathroom and dinner. Cruise through the heart of France at a pace far removed from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. Life is simplicity itself as you float peacefully along these rural waterways. This is the chance to learn about the region through which you are travelling; its flora and fauna, its history, its culinary specialities and much more. Our barges are designed with just 11 or 12 double / twin cabins for up to 24 passengers which allows access to tranquil cruising on the smaller waterways of France visiting many small towns, villages, charming French chateaux or vineyards. The tour bus then gives access to the larger sightseeing destinations. For those with a discerning gourmet palate there is chance to savour a wide range of regional gastronomic dishes, accompanied by carefully chosen local wines. There is chance too to discover the natural beauty spots on foot along hiking trails or by bicycle travelling the cycle paths which run alongside the banks of the canals. These custom designed hotel barges have been equipped with comfort in mind for unforgettable holidays. With a client/crew ratio of 4 to 1, passengers are pampered by a trained, professional crew, so you can relax on board and have a truly wonderful time. These all-inclusive cruises offer a high standard of meals prepared by our onboard chef, serving traditional and regional cuisine with a selection of local wines and cheeses. Breakfast is an impressive self-serve continental buffet. Lunch and dinner are usually a 3-course sit down meal with a fixed menu of local specialities prepared daily from fresh ingredients and accompanied with complimentary wines or soft drinks, beer, tea and coffee. There are speciality wines and Champagne available for purchase from the bar. Sightseeing excursions are available on most days, including a guided city-walk or bus tours of regional highlights, or you can relax, take a stroll or bike ride along the towpaths and a host of other activities. Duration:

7-days / 6-nights

Departs:

Selected dates in different regions from May to October 2016 (see page 2)

Cruises usually include: All meals from dinner the first day to breakfast on day 7, drinks (wine, beer, fruit juices and coffee during lunch and dinner on the boat), drinks from the bar (except champagne or listed wines), double-occupancy cabin with ensuite shower/toilet, onboard multi-lingual host/hostess, welcome cocktail, gala dinner, port fees, transfers by bus to/from the barge, excursions as shown, Wifi (where available, may be limited in some areas), use of bikes. Not Included: Drinks on excursions or transfers, optional excursions (offered during cruises - must be reserved and paid for on board), cancellation and baggage insurance, personal expenses, crew gratuities.

Call OUTDOOR TRAVEL on 1800 331 582 for details or reservations

CHAMPAGNE PROVENCE BURGUNDY LOIRE AQUITAINE OR ALSACE Prices are per person based on twin-share cabin occupancy or with a single cabin supplement. Prices are shown in Australian dollars and are subject to exchange rate fluctuations and booking conditions.

REGION

ROUTE

TOUR COST (TWIN SHARE) from…

SINGLE CABIN SUPPLEMENT from…

DEPARTURE DATES FOR 2016

Champagne

Epernay – Paris

$2975

$1370

18 August

Champagne

Paris – Epernay

$2975

$1370

28 July, 25 August

Champagne

Epernay – Paris: Great War

$3085

$1370

1 September

Provence

Arles – Sete

$3050

$1370

10, 24 June, 8 July, 2, 30 September

Provence

Sete – Arles

$3050

$1370

17 June, 26 August

Burgundy

St Leger-Dijon

$2765

$1370

10 June, 22 July

Burgundy

Dijon – Besancon

$2715

$1370

2 September, 14 October

$1370

26 May, 23 June, 18 August, 15 September

Loire

Briare – Nevers

$3040

Aquitaine

Castelsarrasin – Damazan

$2900

$1370

26 May, 23 June, 18 August, 15 September

Alsace

Strasbourg-Lagarde

$2695

$1370

15 July, 26 August

Alsace

Lagarde-Strasbourg

$2695

$1370

27 May, 8 July

CHAMPAGNE – EPERNAY TO PARIS OR RETURN Suggested Itinerary: * Day 1 Epernay: Transfer from Paris by coach to join our barge at about 6:00pm. After settling into your cabin, we present the crew and serve dinner. We remain moored in the port overnight. Day 2: Epernay – Dormans: An optional visit to the famous Champagne Tourist Route and the picturesque village of Hautvillers, regarded as the birthplace of Champagne. We visit a prominent Champagne house for a tasting. We return to the barge in Dormans where we moor overnight. Day 3: Dormans – Château-Thierry: This morning we offer an excursion to see the beautiful Champagne city of Reims. There is a guided tour of the historic centre and majestic Reims cathedral with its superb stained glass windows by Marc Chagall. We return to the barge for lunch, spending the afternoon cruising along the beautiful Marne canal to Château-Thierry Day 4: Château-Thierry – Saint-Jean-les-Deux-Jumeaux: We begin with a visit to the Jean de la Fontaine Museum, to learn more of this 17th Century poet and fabulist, and a guided tour of Château-Thierry, passing the castle walls and Hotel Dieu. We return to the barge and cruise towards Saint-Jean-les-Deux-Jumeaux, through the heart of the Seine-et-Marne countryside covered with Champagne vines, arriving in the evening. We’ll remain in port overnight. Day 5: Saint-Jean-les-Deux-Jumeaux – Meaux – Lagny-sur-Marne: After breakfast we cruise to Meaux. And, in the afternoon there is an optional excursion to this charming town, discovering the cathedral, Bishops’ Palace, the ancient city ramparts and the Bossuet Garden. Afterwards we visit the Brie de Meaux exhibition, followed by a tasting of this delicacy known as the "The Prince of Cheeses". The barge will cruise to Lagny-sur-Marne and we will re-join the barge there for the overnight mooring.

Day 6: Lagny-sur-Marne – Paris: We spend the morning cruising along the Marne and Seine Rivers, arriving in Paris in the early afternoon. There is time to explore Paris by coach and on foot including many of the major tourist sites and to some of Paris' many covered walkways and shopping arcades. Return to the ship this evening for a festive gala dinner. Day 7: Paris: Breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00am. * A different, WW1 (The Great War) themed, cruise is also offered on this route - ask for a detailed itinerary.

PROVENCE – ARLES TO SETE OR RETURN The Rhône à Sète Canal combines the Canal des Étangs, Canal de Beaucaire and the Canal de la Radelle. Along the canal there is plentiful marshland wildlife including flocks of flamingos and other water birds, black fighting bulls, coypu and the grey horses. From Avignon to Frontignan Port, we follow the Rhône River to the port of Beaucaire and then cruise the Rhône à Sète Canal. At the foot of the Costières plateau is Saint-Gilles-duGard with a splendid 12th Century abbey. The imposing and dramatic fortified city of Aigues-Mortes has a tumultuous history and is the doorway to the Camargue, the Rhone River delta. We follow the Chemin des Étangs to the port of Sète, where we moor overnight. Suggested Itinerary: Day 1: Arrive In Arles: Passengers are welcome to board at 6:00pm. After you settle into your cabin, we present the crew before serving dinner. We'll remain in the port of Arles overnight. Day 2: Arles – Gallician: An optional tour of Arles is offered to discover this cultural centre and its Roman ruins and historical heritage. We then travel inland to learn about olive oil production in Provence and to taste some local products. We return to our barge and spend the afternoon cruising to Gallician on the Rhône River and the Rhône à Sète Canal. Overnight mooring is in Gallician. Day 3: Gallician – Aigues-Mortes: This morning we offer an optional excursion to the Camargue with free time in the splendid city of Saint-Marie-laMer, with its rather unusual underground fortified church sacred to the local gypsies. The afternoon is spent cruising towards Aigues-Mortes, arriving in the early evening and we moor here overnight. Day 4: Aigues Mortes – Palavas-Les-Flots: An optional tour of Aigues-Mortes is offered after breakfast. This old, fortified city with a rich heritage is located in the marshlands of the river delta and is one of the most beautiful sites in Provence. We board a tourist train to see the salt marshes and to visit the salt museum. We return to our barge in the afternoon and cruise to PalavasLes-Flots. Here you can discover a spa resort of Palavas-Les-Flots, with a history dating back more than three centuries. We'll remain in port overnight. Day 5: Palavas-Les-Flotes – Sète: After breakfast an optional tour to discover a manade (a Camargue word for a shepherd settlement) and learn something of the life of the herders by wagon. We will see some of the animal management of the area, perhaps taking part in bull sorting before returning to the boat for some delicious snacks of produce from the farm. We spend the afternoon cruising towards the sea and the port of Sète where we moor for two nights. Day 6: Sète – free day or an optional excursion: Today there is an optional excursion of the Étang De Thau, famous for its shellfish. We'll visit the museum to learn of the importance of shellfish and fish to the local economy. And of course you can taste some of the shellfish while enjoying views of the basin from a terrace. The afternoon offers an optional tour of Sète's historical downtown area and Mont Saint-Clair, a nearby peak with exceptional panoramic views, as well as a renowned cross and the Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette chapel. The barge moors in Sète overnight. Day 7: Sète – Arles: Transfer by coach after breakfast to Arles, where your tour ends.

BURGUNDY – FROM SAINT LÉGER TO DIJON OR RETURN This Burgundy cruise makes a magnificent journey through the Saône-et-Loire and La Côte d’Or regions of France. Cruise past the natural beauty of the River Saône and discover the many attractions of the Canal du

Centre linking the River Saône to the River Loire. We pass rolling hills and lush green pastures, through forests and rural countryside, discovering the canal de Bourgogne and its wonderful tranquil landscapes. At the crossroads of the great wine appellations, we cruise through the vineyards of the Côte Chalonnaise and the Côte de Beaune. This is a tour that will discover many famous destinations highly regarded in the world of wine, each unique and authentic, so prepare to be captivated. Suggested Itinerary: * Day 1: Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune: Board the barge at Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune at around 6.00pm for a welcome and an introduction to the crew and life onboard before dinner is served on board. Day 2: Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune – Santenay – Chagny: After breakfast we set off by coach for a walk to the Cirque du Bout du Monde with its imposing chalk cliffs carved out by the river Cozanne and a natural 25m waterfall. We return to Nolay on foot and join our coach for the drive to Mont de Sène, or the Mountain of the Three Crosses, an ancient Celtic religious site which overlooks the Santenay vineyards at a height of about 521m. Classified as a nature park, there are many plants and wild shrubs here, amazing views of the vineyards of the Côte de Beaune, the Saône Valley, Morvan, Jura and Alps. In the afternoon we walk to Santenay, a charming little wine-producing village, with an interesting historic heritage. There is wine tasting at one of the 38 wine producers in the village. We return to the barge and cruise to Chagny, where we arrive in the early evening. Dinner is served on board. Day 3: Chagny – Chalon-sur-Saône: Breakfast and lunch are served on board today as we spend the morning cruising towards Chalon-sur-Saône. For those who prefer you can cycle along the banks of the River Doubs taking one of France’s famous Green Routes. In the afternoon there is the chance to explore Chalon-sur-Saône, birthplace of Joseph Nicéphore Niepce, who is regarded as the inventor of photography back in 1824. There is an excursion to the old town with its old wooden houses, the Cathedral of St Vincent and many classical dwellings from the 17th and 18th Centuries. We have a wine tasting of Côte Chalonnaise wines and then return to the barge for dinner. Day 4: Chalon-sur-Saône – Saint-Jean-de-Losne: Breakfast is served as we cruise towards the town of Saint-Jean-de-Losne. Bicycles are available for those wishing to continue along the Green Route cycle trail. We have lunch on board and in the afternoon there is a guided visit of Saint-Jean-de-Losne where we will discover a monument commemorating the Siege of 1636, the Hôtel-Dieu which was a hospital founded in 1658 (with wrought iron railings dating from the 12th and 13th Centuries), the Gare d’Eau (or Water Station), we can visit the Gothic-style Church of St John the Baptist, built during the 16th Century and the Batellerie Museum (also known as the Sailors’ House) – which is closed on Mondays – which is one of the oldest houses in the town, dating from the 15th Century and which tells of the history of navigation. Our tour ends at the Hotel de Ville where we can taste some specialities from Burgundy before returning to the barge for dinner. Day 5: Saint-Jean-de-Losne – Petit-Ouges: Breakfast and lunch are served on board today as we spend the entire day cruising towards Petit-Ouges. Again bicycles are available if required. At each lock, there is usually time to get off the boat and visit the charming villages of the Doubs. We arrive around 7.00pm in Petit-Ouges and dinner is on board. Day 6: Petit-Ouges – Dijon: Our cruise today is to Dijon and in the afternoon there is an excursion along the Burgundy Grands Crus Wine Route. The route crosses through the finest and most prestigious of the Burgundy vineyards and we pass through many villages before stopping in one of the many estates to enjoy a wine tasting session. We return on board at the end of the afternoon for the end of cruise Gala Dinner. Day 7: Dijon: The tour ends at 9.00am after breakfast. * A variation of this cruise runs on selected dates between Dijon and Besancon - ask for a detailed itinerary.

LOIRE VALLEY – BRIARE TO NEVERS OR RETURN This cruise on the Loire River and Canal Lateral de la Loire is an inspiring journey in the heart of France. We cruise past historic cities, taking time to discover the heritage and architecture of Briare, Sancerre, and La Charité-sur-Loire. Our route takes us through the vineyards of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, where we stop and sample these renowned wines. We visit typical rustic French farmhouses and taste local produce including

artisan cheeses made from goats’ milk. And, in the richly diverse Val de Loire natural reserve, we may see wild beavers. This is an unforgettable cruise that unites French history, cuisine, culture and heritage. Suggested Itinerary: Day 1: Paris – Briare Transfer by coach from Paris to the barge moored in Briare, where you may board from 6pm. Settle in to your cabin, then meet the crew and your fellow guests. After dinner, the barge cruises through the Gustav Eiffeldesigned Briare aqueduct, which was until recently the longest navigable aqueduct in the world. We return to Briare and moor overnight here. Day 2: Briare – Léré After breakfast, we take a tourist train, Le Petit Train de Briare, through the charming village of Briare. Among the hidden treasures of Briare are the 19th Century brick Chateau de Trousse-Barriere and the town hall. Travelling along the tree-lined canal we also see many locks, lock-keepers’ houses and quaint bridges, some bedecked with flowers, that cross the waterways. The 19th Century church of Saint-Etienne was built on the site of an earlier church and combines elements taken from both Byzantine and Gothic styles of architecture. Later we visit the Museum Conservatory to learn more about the history of the Loire and its canals, once considered the most important waterways in France. We return to the barge for an afternoon cruise to Léré. You may like to relax and enjoy the scenery, or perhaps take one of the on board bicycles for a ride along the canal. Dinner tonight is in Léré tonight, afterwards there is free time to explore. Day 3: Léré – Ménétréol-sous-Sancerre Today’s highlight is an excursion to the beautiful medieval city of Sancerre, set in the historic region of Berry, overlooking the Loire Valley. We explore the city by following the Fil d’Ariane, a red line painted on the streets taking us past the old quarters of winemakers and bakers, 15th Century buildings and lovely art galleries. The Fief Tower is all that remains of the 14th Century castle of the counts of Sancerre, and if you are game for a steep climb up some significant stairs, you may like to visit the tower (optional, entrance fee not included) and be rewarded with extensive views. Afterwards we visit a family-run goat farm for a tasting of the trademarked local cheeses and the local Sancerre wine. The classic pairing of goat cheese with Sancerre is just heavenly, and the cheesemakers are happy to share some of their secrets. Returning to the barge we cruise to Ménétréol-sousSancerre, where we enjoy dinner onboard followed by free time. Day 4: Ménétréol-sous-Sancerre – Chapelle Montlinard After a leisurely breakfast, depart by coach for Pouilly-sur-Loire. We call in at the Tour de Pouilly-Fumé, a wine tourism centre located in a beautiful setting. We visit the vineyards, the wine cellar and taste some of the local wines, including of course the Pouilly-Fumé made from Sauvignon grapes. Afterwards we re-join the barge and continue to Chapelle Montlinard. You may like to cycle along a portion of the EuroVélo 6, the bike route that travels from the Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea. Arriving in Chapelle Montlinard we dine and then the evening is yours to do as you please. Day 5: Chapelle Montlinard – Marseilles-les-Aubigny Today we visit La Charité-sur-Loire. We begin by visiting the remains of the 11th Century priory at the heart of the medieval village. The priory, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was once an important stop on one of the many pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela, and in fact the town of La Charité gained its name from the generosity of the monks to the pilgrims passing through. Afterwards we head to a typical farm deep in the countryside, where we can absorb the rustic calm that is particular to France. This afternoon we cruise through the Val de Loire Natural Reserve, roughly 1500 hectares of rich biodiversity, where nature, culture and heritage meet. Upon arrival in Marseilles-les-Aubigny, tonight is our festive gala evening. Day 6: Marseilles-les-Aubigny – Nevers Our first stop on today’s excursion is the Fontmorigny Abbey, a privately-owned French historical monument, formerly a Cistercian monastery. The present owners have tried to bring the abbey back to life, and it has now become one of the main cultural sites in the area, hosting a series of concerts in summer. We can still admire the peaceful abbey-church and cloister ruins, a part of the ancient guest quarters, fish pond, abbot’s garden, and the contemporary stained-glass windows. Afterwards, we continue on to Apremont-sur-Allier and its floral gardens. Classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, this small medieval jewel on the banks of the Allier is not to be missed. The village offers wonderful views of the castle that overlooks it, as well as a lovely walk along the Allier River. Over lunch and through the afternoon we cruise to Nevers. As night falls we have the option to take a romantic tour of Nevers with lanterns. Day 7: Nevers – Paris Disembark after breakfast at 9am. There is a transfer by coach available to Paris.

AQUITAINE – CASTELSARRASIN TO DAMAZAN OR RETURN Sunny Aquitaine, in south-western France, is a true gourmand’s paradise. With local specialities ranging from candied violets, prunes of Agen, foie gras, Armagnac brandy, confit duck through to sweet canelés, you won’t go hungry or thirsty on this cruise. The itinerary along the Canal de Garonne visits charming villages, fortified towns, historical churches and abbeys, and passes along the aqueducts of Cacor and Agen to discover some of the many secrets of Aquitaine. Suggested Itinerary: Day 1: Castelsarrasin Transfer from Toulouse to the barge in moored in Castelsarrasin, where we board from 6pm. Once you are settled in to your cabin, meet the crew and your fellow passengers, followed by a gourmet dinner. Day 2: Castelsarrasin – Toulouse – Moissac We start today with an excursion by coach to Toulouse, the ‘Pink City,’ where we can explore the rich architectural heritage on a guided tour. We pay a visit to the Maison de Violette to taste some of the many delicious products made from violets – candies, chocolate, jams, sugar, liquor, teas and more. Afterwards we rejoin the barge in Castelsarrasin and cruise towards Moissac. You may like to use the onboard bicycles to cycle the ‘Green Road’ that follows the canal. Just before our arrival in Moissac, we cross the navigable aqueduct in Cacor, with 15 arches made of Toulouse bricks and Quercy stone. Dinner tonight is onboard in Moissac. Day 3: Moissac – Valence d’Agen After breakfast we have a guided tour of St Pierre Abbey in Moissac. The cloister, dating to 1100, is a wellpreserved example of Romanesque art, and the abbey church was featured in the film The Name of the Rose, based on the Umberto Eco novel. Following the tour we have a tasting of regional specialities, including products made from the local Chasselas grapes. Before we re-join the ship we drive to a lookout point offering magnificent views of Moissac and the valleys of the Tarn and Garonne rivers. This afternoon the barge cruises along the Canal de Garonne towards Valence d’Agen. The canal, which connects Toulouse to the Atlantic Ocean, was built in the 19th Century as an extension of the Canal du Midi. Together the two waterways form the Canal des Deux Mers. Free time this evening to explore Valence d’Agen. Day 4: Valence d’Agen – Agen After breakfast we board the coach for to Auvillar, a lovely city voted one of the most beautiful villages in France. Dating back to the Romans, Auvillar once enjoyed a strategic position perched high above the Garonne. The city is centred around the Place de la Halle, an attractive square lined with 17th and 18th Century houses. Other highlights include the clock-tower, the church of St Peter and the chapel of St Catherine, and the local historical museum. We will sample some local produce before returning to the barge. Our afternoon is spent relaxing onboard the barge whilst it cruises to Agen. Evening is at leisure. Day 5: Agen – Serignac-sur-Garonne A guided tour of Agen’s historical centre this morning to see the distinctive half-timbered houses and the 11th Century St Caprais Cathedral. Agen is sometimes called the ‘prune capital’ so we visit a prune boutique and learn more about this delicious regional specialty, pruneaux d’Agen, made from a local variety of plum. After there is free time to explore Agen at your leisure. Later in the afternoon we re-join the barge and cruise to Serignac-sur-Garonne. You have the choice to relax onboard whilst cruising along the canal, or to grab a bicycle and cycle the ‘GreenWay’ alongside the Canal de Garonne. Day 6: Serignac-sur-Garonne – Damazan Today we have an optional excursion to the quaint city of Nerac, which straddles the Baïse River. The area has been inhabited since the Bronze Age and flourished during the Roman occupation – mosaics from that era can still be seen at the city’s park and town hall. The city centre is home to many buildings dating from the 15th, 16th and 17th Centuries. The town was home to Henry III of Navarre (later Henry IV) in his youth, and a wing of his chateau still remains. After time spent wandering through Nerac, we continue to Barbaste, where we stop to view the 13th Century fortified mill and the bastide in Vianne. We then visit a local wine cellar for a tasting of the local AOC wine, Buzet. Local vignerons make reds, whites and rosés, the reds similar to those of Bordeaux to the north. After our tasting we return to the barge, where this afternoon we may like to walk or cycle on the towpaths alongside the canal. Return to the barge for tonight’s Gala Dinner. Day 7: Damazan – Toulouse Disembark after breakfast at 9am. Transfer by coach to Toulouse.

ALSACE & LORRAINE – STRASBOURG TO LAGARDE OR RETURN A very popular cruising route, known as the Greenway, crosses the plain of Alsace and the Vosges. It links Strasbourg and Saverne—the entrance to Alsace wines region at the foot of the Vosges Mountains. The route continues through forests to Lutzelbourg in the Moselle region. Here we find the very distinctive Alsatian architecture and many fascinating structural works such as the Saint-Louis-Arzviller inclined plane (the only one in Europe), where boats are lifted to avoid a series of locks before reaching Xouaxange. Suggested Itinerary: Day 1: Strasbourg: Join the barge in Strasbourg (at the riverside station, rue du Havre) in the late afternoon. There is a welcome aboard and a presentation of the crew and the week’s cruise program before dinner. There is free time after dinner to explore the old centre of Strasbourg with its many churches and historical buildings. Day 2: Strasbourg – Waltenheim: A cruise to Waltenheim-sur-Zorn with breakfast and lunch served onboard. We cross the Zorn Valley and its landscaped fields - where the canal is wide and straight – through the Brumath Forest before reaching Waltenheim-sur-Zorn at around 3:00pm. Alsace offers an attractive and unusual landscape. A province known for wine-growing and beer-brewing, there is time for a walk through the hop fields followed by beer tasting. Dinner is at a restaurant in Waltenheim-sur-Zorn where the local speciality is "tarte flambé". Day 3: Waltenheim – Saverne: Breakfast and lunch are served on board as we cruise to Saverne passing Schwindratzheim, nestled on a hillside and the typical Alsatian village of Hochfelden. As we cruise you can stroll or take a bike for a ride on the paved trails along the canal. We arrive at Saverne in the afternoon and the barge will be moored in front of Rohan Castle. There is free time in Saverne and you can visit the Château de Hohbarr, nicknamed "The Eye of Alsace" with splendid views of the wide plains and the Chappe Tower with a small interactive display on the history of telecommunication. Dinner is on board and we moor overnight in Saverne. Day 4: Saverne – Lutzelbourg: After breakfast there is a guided tour of Saverne. Away from the usual tourist routes, Saverne offers a wide choice of places of interest. The Grand Rue with its unicorn fountain (the symbol of the city); the Katz House, adorned with magnificent carved timbers; Notre Dame Church with its 12th Century steeple; various 18th Century administrative buildings; or the Récollets Monastery founded in the 14th Century. After lunch onboard we cruise to Lutzelbourg winding through the Vosges Mountains before reaching the region of Lorraine. Lutzelbourg has a well-deserved reputation as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Those who wish can walk to Lutzelbourg Castle perched at 300m above sea level perched on a rocky, red sandstone spur. The ruins of the castle majestically dominate the villages in the Zorn Valley. We return to the barge for dinner. Overnight mooring is at Lutzelbourg. Day 5: Lutzelbourg – Arzviller Inclined Plane – Xouaxange: The highlight of the day is without doubt the Arzviller inclined plane but we also stop to visit a famous crystal glassworks near here too. Located at the foot of the incline for over 25 years, the glassworks is a family-run business specialising in the art of cutting crystal and we can see crystal blowing and cutting demonstrations. Our passage through the Artzviller inclined plane is always a fascinating one as the inclined plane replaces 17 successive locks over 4km that used to take a full day to navigate. The structure consists of a caisson or tank of water (41.5m x 5.5m) which is lifted or lowered on a 41% incline for 44m in just 4-minutes. Later onboard we serve a candlelight lunch while passing through the Arzviller and Niderviller Tunnels as we cruise to Xouaxange. Dinner is served onboard as we moor overnight in Xouaxange. Day 6: Xouaxange – Lagarde: After breakfast, we cruise through Xouaxange to Lagarde. We go through Réchicourt lock, one of the largest in France and then on a journey through the many freshwater lakes. Lunch is served on board and in the afternoon we visit to Sarrebourg. Located at the foot of the Vosges and the region of Alsace, the city offers a rich historical and cultural heritage and many unexpected treasures, such as Marc Chagall’s unique stained-glass window. There is free time to explore the city before returning to the boat. We can also stop at the Mephisto factory before our Gala Dinner onboard at our overnight mooring in Lagarde. Day 7: Lagarde – Strasbourg: Disembark at 9:00am after breakfast. There is a transfer by coach from Lagarde to Strasbourg.

Call OUTDOOR TRAVEL on 1800 331 582 for details or reservations

IMPORTANT NOTE: The barge cruises in the opposite direction on alternate weeks. These are sample itineraries and may be subject to change at the captain or tour guide’s discretion. Care is taken, amendments to the itinerary details and inclusions may occur - ask for current details when you make your booking. OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS: Each day there may be optional excursions not included in the tour cost – similar to programs offered on cruise ships - these are at your own choice and are paid locally. Costs will vary with the duration and inclusions – ask for details when you make your reservation.

Please ask for a detailed itinerary of your preferred tour, as inclusions may vary between tours Other hotel barge cruises carrying from 4 to 22 passengers are available from Outdoor Travel - with weekly departures – are in other areas of Burgundy, in the Loire Valley, the Bordeaux region, Provence or on the Canal du Midi in the south of France or Venice in Italy. Outdoor Travel offer Self-skippered motor cruisers in most of these areas of France and also in Germany, Italy, Holland, Belgium, England, Scotland and Ireland. Traditional Narrowboat hire is also available on canals in England, Scotland and in Wales.

Contact Outdoor Travel or your travel agent for details, brochures and reservations     

Call Toll free 1800 331 582 or (03) 57551743 Fax (03) 57501020 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.outdoortravel.com.au Mail: Outdoor Travel Pty Ltd, PO Box 286, Bright, VIC 3741, Australia