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EMMA
| Luxury barge cruise vacations on the French hotel barge EMMA, cruising the Canal du Midi, Provence and Camargue, South of France |  |
French Hotel Barge EMMA : ITINERARY
CARCASSONNE TO SALLELES D’AUDE
SATURDAY - DAY 1
5:00 p.m: You will be met at around 4pm and escorted to where "Emma" is moored in the port of Carcassonne. After being introduced to the rest of the crew and shown to your cabins we shall cruise off with a little champagne reception to inaugurate your holiday. You have time for a walk in the countryside whilst the first of your gourmet dinners is being prepared.
SUNDAY - DAY 2
Morning: We go off to explore the biggest and best fortified city in Europe, Carcassonne. Although dating from the time of Charlemagne, it has been extensively restored. You can walk along the ramparts, visit the Chateau Comptal, shop in the boutiques along the cobbled streets, visit galleries and museums and get the feel of life in the middle ages.
Afternoon: After lunch you can relax out on deck while René skilfully guides “Emma” along the canal under the shade of the plane trees. We pass through Trèbes and our mooring tonight is overlooking the Alaric Mountains.
MONDAY - DAY 3
Morning: Our visit this morning is to a sleepy little village in the heart of the Corbières, Lagrasse. It has become a haven for artists and sculptors who appreciate it’s calm beauty on the river Orbeil with its magnificent Abbey.
Afternoon: The cruise after lunch today is through a particularly lovely stretch of canal.Enjoy a walk around the lock-keepers garden filled with rather unusual wooden sculptures and back to “Emma” for another gastronomic treat.
TUESDAY - DAY 4
Morning: Olonzac with its open air market full of local produce from the surrounding countryside, cheeses, olives, home made jams, pottery and colourful fabrics is our first stop; Then we head up into the hills to Minerve, a mediaeval village perched on a spectacular rocky outcrop formed by the rivers Cesse and Brian. Famous for its Cathar history and sweet wine.
Afternoon: Another lazy lunch and an afternoon cruise to Argens Minervois. Our mooring tonight is beside a cliff face with a beautiful walk up to a stunning viewpoint for the energetic and a stroll to the lake for the not so energetic.
WEDNESDAY - DAY 5
Morning: Narbonne today. Once the capital of Roman Gaul, their influence is still visible in the old road dating back to 118bc and the underground stores called the Horreum. It is now a bustling town with chic boutiques, street cafés and pride of place goes to the covered market which overflows with the smells and colours of all the local produce for which the Midi is renowned. Narbonne is dominated by the 12th century cathedral and Arch Bishop’s Palace.
Afternoon: We cruise to the charming little village of Le Somail for the evening. You may visit the antique bookshop, admire the old ice house and church on either side of the hump back bridge over the canal, or have a stroll through the vineyards before dinner.
THURSDAY - DAY 6
Morning: We visit the olive factory of Oulibo this morning; sample the different types of olive oil, olives and all the other by products such as soap and hand cream and not forgetting the beautiful bowls and implements made from the wood. How about a little wine tasting to open your appetite for lunch?
Afternoon: After lunch we leave behind the plane trees of the Canal du Midi and greet the magnificent pine trees of the Canal de la Robine. We have a series of locks to go down before arriving at our destination Salleles d’Aude. A gala dinner awaits you tonight.
FRIDAY - DAY 7
Morning: After breakfast, we must say our farewells and you shall be taken to your departure point for your onward journey.
EMMA HOME > ITINERARIES > Carcassonne - Salleles d'Aude
CARCASSONNE TO SALLELES D’AUDE
SATURDAY - DAY 1
5:00 p.m: You will be met at around 4pm and escorted to where "Emma" is moored in the port of Carcassonne. After being introduced to the rest of the crew and shown to your cabins we shall cruise off with a little champagne reception to inaugurate your holiday. You have time for a walk in the countryside whilst the first of your gourmet dinners is being prepared.
SUNDAY - DAY 2
Morning: We go off to explore the biggest and best fortified city in Europe, Carcassonne. Although dating from the time of Charlemagne, it has been extensively restored. You can walk along the ramparts, visit the Chateau Comptal, shop in the boutiques along the cobbled streets, visit galleries and museums and get the feel of life in the middle ages.
Afternoon: After lunch you can relax out on deck while René skilfully guides “Emma” along the canal under the shade of the plane trees. We pass through Trèbes and our mooring tonight is overlooking the Alaric Mountains.
MONDAY - DAY 3
Morning: Our visit this morning is to a sleepy little village in the heart of the Corbières, Lagrasse. It has become a haven for artists and sculptors who appreciate it’s calm beauty on the river Orbeil with its magnificent Abbey.
Afternoon: The cruise after lunch today is through a particularly lovely stretch of canal.Enjoy a walk around the lock-keepers garden filled with rather unusual wooden sculptures and back to “Emma” for another gastronomic treat.
TUESDAY - DAY 4
Morning: Olonzac with its open air market full of local produce from the surrounding countryside, cheeses, olives, home made jams, pottery and colourful fabrics is our first stop; Then we head up into the hills to Minerve, a mediaeval village perched on a spectacular rocky outcrop formed by the rivers Cesse and Brian. Famous for its Cathar history and sweet wine.
Afternoon: Another lazy lunch and an afternoon cruise to Argens Minervois. Our mooring tonight is beside a cliff face with a beautiful walk up to a stunning viewpoint for the energetic and a stroll to the lake for the not so energetic.
WEDNESDAY - DAY 5
Morning: Narbonne today. Once the capital of Roman Gaul, their influence is still visible in the old road dating back to 118bc and the underground stores called the Horreum. It is now a bustling town with chic boutiques, street cafés and pride of place goes to the covered market which overflows with the smells and colours of all the local produce for which the Midi is renowned. Narbonne is dominated by the 12th century cathedral and Arch Bishop’s Palace.
Afternoon: We cruise to the charming little village of Le Somail for the evening. You may visit the antique bookshop, admire the old ice house and church on either side of the hump back bridge over the canal, or have a stroll through the vineyards before dinner.
THURSDAY - DAY 6
Morning: We visit the olive factory of Oulibo this morning; sample the different types of olive oil, olives and all the other by products such as soap and hand cream and not forgetting the beautiful bowls and implements made from the wood. How about a little wine tasting to open your appetite for lunch?
Afternoon: After lunch we leave behind the plane trees of the Canal du Midi and greet the magnificent pine trees of the Canal de la Robine. We have a series of locks to go down before arriving at our destination Salleles d’Aude. A gala dinner awaits you tonight.
FRIDAY - DAY 7
Morning: After breakfast, we must say our farewells and you shall be taken to your departure point for your onward journey.
EMMA HOME > ITINERARIES > Carcassonne - Salleles d'Aude