Tag Archives: luxury barge

Cruising in Bordeaux with the Luxurious Saint Louis Barge

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The Saint Louis is a charter only, luxury barge accommodating six passengers in cabins that can be configured as twin or double beds.   With en-suite shower facilities, retractable clothes lines, bath robes, hairdryers, heated towel rails, full length mirrors, and ample wardrobe space, you will be comfortable in your temporary home.

The salon on the barge includes a fully stocked open bar, comfortable seating area, coffee maker, music system with CD’s and Wi-Fi available.

Saint Louis has one of the largest open sundecks of any barge of comparable size where you will be able to relax and dine whilst enjoying the peace and tranquility of this wonderful, secluded canal. The sundeck is easily accessed via wide stairs directly from the salon.

Saint Louis cruises in South West France where the finest fruit, vegetables, meats, cheeses and wines of great note are all produced.  Because of the outstanding quality of our ingredients and their freshness, our ethos in the kitchen is: cook it simply, cook it lightly, embrace seasonality and avoid heavy use of sugar, salt and fat, let the flavor and texture of the food be the focus. Over the past 6 years the chef Martin, has worked with some of the finest Michelin Star chefs in France, Biasibetti and Pourcel. His training and extensive knowledge of French cuisine and his love of food shows in every dish he prepares.

France is renowned for its cheeses and no meal would be complete without an offering of the area cheeses. A selection of cheeses are chosen each day to create cheese boards that may include dried fruits, nuts and honey for guests to enjoy.

Pairing wine with food is an art and the barge owners work closely with their wine distributor in St Émilion, himself an executive chef, to bring guests a wide variety of wines of great quality from across this region that are specifically selected to complement the food aboard the barge. The barge has an excellent cellar and carry approximately 600 bottles on board.

The enjoyment of food is central to what we do; it is not only a taste experience it is also a visual one. Each evening guests sit down to a different table setting featuring a variety of themes throughout the week.

The Saint Louis cruises the Bordeaux area, and offers 2 cruises:  Bordeaux Area between Castets en Dorthe and Serignac sur Garonne.  The other itinerary is a Gascony itinerary cruising between Boe Port and Lacourt St Pierre.  Some of the highlights of these cruises are:   The Lily Gardens that inspired Monet, 12th century hill top town of Lauzerte, Moissac Abbey and Cloisters, the town of St Emilion, A 1st Grand Crus Chateaux, 12th Century town of La Mas d’Agenais and its church, with an original Rembrandt painting of Christ on the Cross, Port Chateau d’Arche, Serignac and the local weekly market at Valence d’Agen.

Check out the itineraries offered by the Saint Louis Barge.  We also have videos on the Saint Louis barge, the cruising area and the gourmet food to be found on the Saint Louis.  888-869-7907 Europeanbarging.com

6 Passenger Clair de Lune barge on the Canal du Midi

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When looking for a barge cruise in Southern France, an excellent choice would be the 6-passenger Clair de Lune, tastefully furnished with Mediterranean plane tree and American cherry wood furnishings. There is a stylish, modern salon with a comfortable sitting area, a large dining table and a well stocked bar. There are three spacious cabins, each of which can be configured with a queen bed or two twin sized beds. Each cabin has a large wardrobe, dressing table, and an ensuite bathroom, with large shower. The cabins and the salon all have large picture windows. The beds in each cabin face the windows, so that you can enjoy the scenery even from inside of the barge. For easy access, the boat has been built with as few stairs as possible.

A very large sundeck takes command on the exterior of the barge, where you can lounge in comfort on reclining chairs. Sun-lovers can soak up the sun and cool down in the Jacuzzi, while those who prefer the shade can relax under the awning while watching the picturesque scenery unfold. The sundeck is a perfect setting to enjoy an al fresco lunch or a leisurely candlelit dinner on beautiful summer evenings.

In the spring and fall the Clair de Lune cruises on the quaint Canal du Midi between the charming village of Le Somail and the fortified city of Carcassonne, discovering some of the most beautiful scenery in the south of France along the way. During the cruise you will visit historical sites such as the spectacular Cathar village of Minerve, the elegant city of Narbonne and enjoy wine tastings at renowned local domaines. In the summer it cruises an alternative itinerary on the Canal du Midi passing Carcassonne and Castelnaudary. Excursions include a visit to Limoux for a private wine tasting, the medieval Cathar town of Mirepoix and beautiful Lac de Saint-Ferréol.

The Clair de Lune team is led by its French owner, Yves Pastor, who is accompanied by an English-speaking crew: a professionally trained Chef who will be responsible for all of the meals on board, a tour guide who will lead all of the excursions, and a hostess. Yves’ lifelong love of boating and desire to provide a luxury barge experience to passengers from all over the world is what drives his passion for barging. While on board, the crew invites you to relax and enjoy the landscapes and natural beauty of this magnificent canal.

Europeanbarging.com   888-869-7907

Golfing and Barging in Ireland

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If you are interested in golfing in Ireland and you want to cruise the waterways of Ireland, Shannon Princess II is the only luxury hotel barge available. Much thought has gone into designing this ten passenger hotel barge. The captivating interior of the barge has panoramic windows through which you can enjoy watching the scenery. The barge has a comfortable saloon, dining area and bar. Shannon Princess II also has a full length rooftop sun deck that is perfect for enjoying a drink or watching the sunset.

Shannon Princess II has five suites with en-suite facilities. You are given a choice of twin or double bed configuration.  The chef on the barge was trained at the Ballymaloe School and shows her perfection at every meal with her signature dishes. Your captain has piloted and managed the Shannon Princess II for several years.

Aboard Shannon Princess II, you will get some great food and wines while your luxury barge smoothly cruises the River Shannon. Baked Baby Lobster, Roast Shoulder of Lamb, Black Velvet Crepes filled with Raspberries and served with Champagne Sauce are some of the regional specialities. A wide selection of French and other European wines and fine Irish single malt whiskies are available. Some other delicious foods offered are: Cashel Blue Farmhouse Cheese, Boilie Goats Cheese and Carrigbyrne Soft Cheese.

Golf lovers will be particularly delighted that Shannon Princess II, during its course from Killaloe to Athlone, affords you an opportunity to visit some great golf clubs along with some spectacular sites.

Day 1 Sunday  Glasson
We meet you at the **designated meeting place and transfer you by coach to Shannon Princess moored moor right next to the 17th tee at Glasson Golf and Country Club. Your Captain and his crew welcome you on board with Champagne, Black Velvets or Irish Coffees, then time perhaps for a stroll. Dinner on board.

Day 2 Monday Glasson to Althone
This morning, enjoy a round of golf at Glasson Golf and Country Club, a Christy O’Connor design quoted as “the best he has done so far”. The course presents you with many challenges and treats, as well as spectacular views from all 18 holes.  (18 holes, 6400m, Par 72). After lunch back on board, we cruise around the beautiful Inner Lakes of Lough Ree and moor in Athlone. In the afternoon we visit the Kilbeggan Whiskey, dating from 1757 and the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, for a tour and, of course, a tasting.  Dinner on board.

Day 3 Tuesday Athlone to Banagher
This morning we cruise through a wild life flora and fauna reserve, mooring on the way at the ancient ruins of Clonmacnoise, a famed 6th century university and early Christian settlement.  After a guided tour we enjoy lunch on board, whilst cruising on north to Athlone through Europe’s richest example of “Callow” landscape, countryside little changed in over 1,000 years. After lunch we transfer to the K Golf Club, which hosted the 2006 Ryder Cup.  The Arnold Palmer designed course is one of the premier parkland golf courses in Europe. (18 holes, 6815m, Par 72). Return to the barge for dinner on board, followed by a session of golf lore and music at a local pub.

Day 4 Wednesday Banagher to Shannonbridge to Terryglass
After breakfast we cruise down through Meelick lock, pausing as Portumna swing bridge is opened to allow the Shannon Princess passage onto idyllic Lough Derg. We moor at Terryglass Harbour where there is time to explore this charming hamlet. In the afternoon, we visit Leap Castle, reputed to be Ireland’s most haunted house. You will be greeted by Sean Ryan and his family who will invite you into their unusual home and Sean, a renowned musician, will tell you the fascinating history of the castle and the part it played in founding the American Constitution. Sean will gladly play a few tunes with possibly the added bonus of being joined by his talented young daughter who will demonstrate her amazing dancing skills. Dinner on board.

Day 5 Thursday Terryglass to Mountshannon
A sunrise cruise before we transfer you to Adare Manor Golf Resort, an exquisite 18-hole Championship course featuring 230 acres of lush Irish countryside with lakes and a river meandering through it.  The Adare course was designed by legendary Robert Trent Jones Senior.  (18 holes, 6815m, Par 71). We return to Shannon Princess and set sail across beautiful Lough Derg, passing Forrest Park and ancient mountains to our mooring at Mountshannon, a lovely lakeside village perched above the Lough.  Dinner on board.

Day 6 Friday Mountshannon to Killaloe
This morning we continue our cruise south on Lough Derg past her many islands re-joining the River Shannon to our final mooring at Killaloe, once home to the court of the greatest High King of Ireland, Brian Boru. Before lunch, there is time for you to visit the town, then we transfer you to Lahinch Golf Club – ranked in the World’s top 100 and dating back to 1892, making it one of Ireland’s oldest clubs. The golf course is a 70 minute drive each way, but well worth it! (18 holes, 6115m, Par 72).Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Day 7 Saturday Killaloe
After breakfast you will disembark.  Departure for Dublin Airport or hotel.

Double the enjoyment by combining your love of golf with one of the most relaxing and luxurious ways to travel-aboard our luxury floating hotel Shannon Princess II. We assure it will be an experience of a lifetime!

Contact Europeanbarging for more details.  888-869-7907  or jan@europeanbarging.com  Barge and River Cruise Specialist since 1998.