DEPARTURE
DATES
(Sunday ) |
RATE |
ROUTE |
| March
28 |
Value |
Canal
du Midi
|
| April
4, 11 , 18 |
Value |
Canal
du Midi
|
| April
25 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi
|
| May
2, 9, 16, 23, 30 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi
|
| June
6, 13, 20, 27 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi
|
| July
4, 11, 18, 25 |
Value |
Canal
du Midi
|
| August
1, 8, 15, 22 |
Value |
Canal
du Midi
|
| August
29 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi
|
| September
5, 12, 19, 26 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi
|
| October
3, 10 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi
|
| October
17, 24, 31 |
Value |
Canal
du Midi
|
Meeting Point
France -
Monpellier - The Metropole Sunday 4pm
End of Cruise - Montpellier Train Station, Airport or The Metropole Hotel about
11am
Athos Barge
Information
THE TEN PASSENGER ATHOS….
The 10-passenger Athos was built in 1964 as a commercial
sand, grain and wine barge and was converted into a luxury
hotel barge in 1982. Her five cabins offer all modern
comforts and spaciousness and her saloon, dining area,
bar and sun deck are perfect for relaxation. An English-speaking
crew of 5 efficiently attends to your comfort and entertainment
and ensures an unforgettable experience.
| Cruise Highlights |
Cuisine Aboard |
- Visit
the mediaeval city of Carcassonne
- Wine
tasting at Domaine de Guery
- Visit
Pezenas, an architectural gem
- Passage
through Fonserannes locks
- Visit
Roman Narbonne
- Cross
the 18th century Orb canal bridge
|
Regional
Specialities
Gratin of Havelland Perch with Fresh Water
Crayfish
|
|
Wine
Cellar
A good selection of French and
German Wines including Speciality German Beers
|
|
Cheese
Board
Limburger, Romandur, Tilsiter
|
Top of Page
ITINERARY
Sunday,
Day 1
SALLELES D' AUDE
You will be met by Athos Captain and Manager at 4pm at a designated point in
Montpellier and transferred by private air-conditioned Chrysler minivan to Athos.
A full-crew Welcome Aboard follows, with Champagne and Mediterannean canapés.
Once you are settled into your cabin, you will be invited to a 4-course dinner,
prepared by our highly acclaimed onboard Chef.
Monday,
Day 2
SALLELES
D' AUDE -
ARGELIERS
The proposed morning visit is a drive to the famous medieval double-walled
city of Carcassonne. Your knowledgeable on-board guide will offer the historical & guided
visit making sure that you have time to browse those shops! An afternoon cruise
takes us to Argeliers. By early evening you have arrived in Argeliers and there
should be enough time for a brisk stroll into the village before Chef starts
serving up her next delight!
Tuesday,
Day 3
ARGELIERS - CAPESTANG
This morning's suggested visit is a tasting at the Oulibo - the local olive
oil press. After an olive tasting, a short drive up the Gorge de la Cesse brings
you into the hilltop village of Minerve, scene of the Cathar siege of the 13th
century. A long lunch and an afternoon of relaxation await your return to the
Athos which cruises to the charming village of Capestang where we moor with
a clear view of the flood-lit St. Etienne cathedral. The village is a 5-minute
walk. Dinner aboard.
Wednesday,
Day 4
CAPESTANG - FONSERANNES
After breakfast, take a moment for a stroll into the village square to visit
the market. Athos gets underway in time to stop for a pre-lunch wine tasting
at one of the few remaining traditional-method 19th century wineries, Domaine
de Guery. The cruise route today promises spectacular views of the Pyrenees
across the sunny, clear plain. When you arrive at the overnight mooring at
top of the Fonserannes locks, there is time to visit to the old market town
of Pezenas, the first seat of the Languedoc court. The architecture is especially
attractive. Dinner aboard.
Thursday,
Day 5
FONSERANNES - PORTIRAGNES
This morning we visit Narbonne. Explore an excavated portion of the original
Roman road, the Via Domitia, browse through the well-compiled Roman Museum,
discover the beauty of St. Juste Cathedral, or simply relax in one of the many
cafés. Later, the cruise takes in the 17th century feat of engineering,
the "Neuf Ecluses" (or staircase locks) and the 18th century canal
bridge which carries Athos over the Orb River to Portiragnes. It is an ideal
afternoon for walking or cycling. Dinner aboard.
Friday,
Day 6
VILLENEUVE LES BEZIERS
- AGDE - MASEILLAN
This morning we cruise through the “Petit Camargue”, a joy for
bird watchers with its pink flamingos, African rollers and bee eaters that
frequent the surrounding estuaries. Later we enter the open-waters of the Etang
de Thau, Europe's largest mussel and oyster park, and moor in the port at Marseillan,
near to the Noillly Prat Vermouth distillery. Captain’s Farewell Dinner
aboard.
Saturday,
Day 7
MARSEILLAN - MONTPELLIER
Wave goodbye to the crew and depart by private minivan to the appointed destination
in Montpellier.
This
is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
On alternate
weeks, cruise will be in reverse |
