Family Cruise Special Offer on Savoir Faire

SAVOIR FAIRE

Multi-Generational Family Fun for All Ages

2012 SPECIAL OFFER in Burgundy 

(open until further notice)

Savoir Faire welcomes families of all ages on charter barge cruises

Whole boat charter for up to 12 guests

$35,000*

* two guests must be under age 12 to qualify

2012 FAMILY CRUISE DATES

JUNE

10 - 16, 17 - 23, 24 - 30

JULY

1 - 7, 8 - 14, 15 - 21, 22 - 28, 29 - Aug 4

AUGUST

5 - 11, 12 - 18, 19 - 25

In addition to regularly-scheduled sightseeing, walking and biking on the towpaths and relaxing on board this spacious barge, the Savoir Faire offers a multitude of additional activities for families.

Spread out into quiet corners and curl up with a good book or enjoy the large public spaces where the family can be together.

Here is what families can enjoy together on their barge cruise in Burgundy, Savoir Faire:

SAVOIR FAIRE SIZZLING PIZZA SESSION

What fun! Learn how to make that perfect dough, choose your own toppings, into the oven and presto! - a pizza all of your own for lunch and we'll officially name it on our Blog.

Let us film you making it and we'll post it on Facebook for all your friends to see.

COOKIE COMPETITION

Learn how to cook the best cookies ever. Create a new recipe with the chef and wow all your friends and family with your very own invention.

COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS

Your chef demonstrates how to make a regional specialty with your help and answers any questions. The finished dish is then eaten as part of lunch or dinner.

POPCORN & MOVIE NIGHT

Snuggle up in front of a great movie with a big bowl of popcorn. Our lounge is perfect for this. A big screen, cozy chairs. A real snug family evening in.

ZIP-LINING & PICNIC(please note that there is an additional charge for zip-lining)

A marvelous experience high above. Explore the treetops and let the monkey out. This is something all your friends will want to know about.

Relax afterward with one of Sophie's Summer Picnics - a basket full of surprises!

BBQ NIGHT

If the weather's bright, let's do it right. Give the chef a hand to prepare your favorite BBQ meal. Let's dine alfresco, enjoy the fresh air and watch the sunset

PIRATE TREASURE HUNT

A pirate afternoon making pirate hats, color in or draw pirate ships or bake pirate themed biscuits.

Followed by our Treasure Hunt for children and adults alike - follow the clues on your map and discover the hidden treasure.

FAMILY QUIZ NIGHT

Form your team and answer questions on general knowledge, music, sport etc. A small prize for the winning team.

GLASS PAINTING

Ruth is a qualified sign writer and her hobby is glass painting, She loves to teach people to paint designs on wine glasses. What a great souvenir from your vacation.

Water based glass paints are very safe for children to use and if baked in the oven are permanent. T shirt painting could also be an option for children.

NAPKIN FOLDING

Interested in making that next meal with your friends a little different - take a napkin and our stewardesses will show you how to fold them into simple yet impressive designs.

PETANQUE & PASTIS (or fruit juice) with the crew

Learn how to master this marvelous game, so beloved by the French and a mystery to others

For more information:
Call Beth at 1-888-264-3983 or Email Beth

Savoir Faire Webpage

Check Availability

www.CanalBargeCruises.com

10 Reasons Why I Love Barge Cruises

People often ask me how I became a travel specialist booking barge cruises in France and Europe. Back in 1988, my husband, Jack, and I bought a charter barge and spent the next 8 years cruising with guests through the waterways of Holland, Belgium and France. The next 7 years was spent organizing and leading walking and "ladies on the loose" tours in Paris and France. With all that experience and knowledge, it was a natural transition into representing 40+ barges as their U.S. agent. But WHY do I still love barging after all these years?


Relaxing on the sundeck of Saint Louis in southwest France

1. It is the ultimate getaway. Once on board, the rest of the world fades away and time slows down. I am surrounded by a cocoon of old world charm and the pleasure of living on an historic vessel. The ambiance and beauty along the canals creates a magical atmosphere of peace and tranquility. It’s a chance to get off the roller coaster of life back home. I can choose to relax on deck and watch the ever-changing scenery glide by or get off to walk and bike. Everything is up close and personal.




Lots of time to fool around and have fun!

2. The camaraderie of being with friends, old and new, where everything is taken care of from lodging, sightseeing, food, wine and cruising. All we have to do is show up and participate.

3. Being pampered and cared for by an attentive crew is truly relaxing and fun. Each crew member has his/her own personality which makes for an entertaining mix of people.



4. French culture and life on the canals is a timeless, unique experience. I love the French way of life where slow travel and slow dining are the norm.
 
5. The scenery is gorgeous - pastoral and rural, green rolling hills, sleepy ancient villages, sunflowers, vineyards, mustard fields, flowers everywhere, pastures with fat cows, fishermen, people strolling and biking the towpaths, colorful lockhouses, historic sights, old stone buildings, outdoor cafes, people playing petanque, open air markets, on and on and on.

Smoked salmon on a bed of roasted beets and lambs' lettuce

6. It's great for foodies! The food and wine are superb. From the fresh coffee and croissants in the morning to the last sweet treat after dinner, the food is fabulous. Healthy, fresh and diverse, the chef shops for seasonal ingredients to prepare a variety of traditional French dishes and gourmet fare. Each dish, wine and cheese is presented and explained with loving care. There is a story for everything we consume - it's just plain fun!. Some of the barges have open demonstration kitchens where the guests can watch the meals being prepared.

7. The barge itself is unique and personalized by its owner. I love unpacking once and getting settled into the sometimes small, but well designed, cabin. It's like playing house. The well appointed cabins provide a comfortable retreat.

Savoir Faire in a lock on the Burgundy Canal

8. Amazing history and engineering. The canals and waterways are an engineering feat dating back to Leonardo di Vinci. The canals and rivers are an important part of the history and development of France and Europe.

9. Excursions to the local sights gives me an insight into the history and people in the area. And the history of France is fascinating when our guide regales us with stories of local families and the culture. Of course, shopping the open air markets and village boutiques is great fun too!

10. Appreciation for the barge owners' passion. It helps me appreciate the passion and commitment the barge owners put into their work, from building and decorating the barge in their own unique style to providing a welcoming home away from home where guests can relax and enjoy themselves for a week in an intimate and comfortable environment. The experience of being welcomed into these floating homes is priceless.

I snuck in #11 - This is my life's work. I love helping people go on barge cruises. It is so satisfying to talk with clients when they return to hear that this was “one of the best vacations ever.” I now hear that it's on their "bucket list" of things to do and see. No wonder I love the business of helping people go on truly unique vacations.

Ready to go barging? Call me at 1-888-264-3983 or visit our website at www.canalbargecruises.com. I'm ready to help whenever you're ready to go.

Spring Tulip Cruises in Holland on the Deluxe 12-Passenger Savoir Faire

Love gardens? Gourmet food and wine? Cruising on a small ship with friendly crew and passengers? Captain Chris of the Savoir Faire says this is his favorite cruise. The canals are scenic and exciting, the architecture is purely Dutch, the gardens are splendid in the spring and his experienced crew is ready to welcome you aboard for a week of fun and cruising. For more information, see http://www.canalbargecruises.com/All-Barges/Europe/Savoir-Faire-in-Holland/default.aspx or contact Beth at 1-888-264-3983. It's time to book for April and May tulip cruises!

Beth's Visit to Clair de Lune on the Canal du Midi

Imagine a perfect, sunny day, and I have an appointment to visit the Clair de Lune, a 6 passenger deluxe barge, cruising on the Canal du Midi. I arrive to meet the new owners, Yves and Nathalie, a lovely French couple. "Would you like to stay for lunch?" they say with friendly smiles. Exhuberant Gus, the lively Australian guide, joins us shortly after, and we enjoy a delicious chicken with vegetables created by Michelle accompanied by a fresh dry rose wine. My two friends who were traveling with me and I were delighted with the ambiance, the beauty of the barge and the hospitable and talented crew. They offer a classic barge cruise for 6 or a unique well-being cruise for 4 complete with a massage program and healthy but gourmet cuisine. I think you would be as delighted as I was to cruise on this beautifully crafted barge. For more information, call 1-888-264-3983 or visit Clair de Lune's webpage.

What is a Typical Day on a Barge Cruise?

A barge cruise abounds in beautiful scenery, relaxation and activity, exquisite gourmet meals, fine wine, interesting people, new adventures and more . . .



8 passenger Savoir Vivre in Burgundy

Imagine a typical day on board a charming floating home with a friendly crew to care for you. You wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread and croissants. The aroma of coffee pulls you from your bed, and you pad to the dining room where breakfast awaits you at your leisure. Then maybe a shower, or not, as the barge warms up the engine and casts off for a few hours of cruising through villages, vineyards, farms and oh-so-pretty countryside.





Le Phenicien offers barge and bike cruises

 A walk along the towpath or bike ride to a nearby village energizes you with exercise and fresh air. Or maybe you read a good book on deck and watch the world float by. With fascination, you watch the workings of the locks and marvel at the 300-year-old engineering feat that allowed cargo to be transported by barge.




Freshly prepared dishes every meal

Lunch is a luscious buffet of salads, cheeses and culinary delights prepared by the chef. Wine is served, bien sur, with every meal. Stories of the origin and history of each wine and cheese served delight guests.

Carcassonne, an excursion on the Canal du MIdi

Then it's into the chauffeured van for your daily excursion. Maybe today you taste wine in an ancient cave where the family has made wine for generations. The entertaining guide regales you with history and stories of the local culture. Tomorrow it may be an open air market, a medieval village or an architectural wonder.

The inviting cocktail lounge on Savoir Fair

Back on the barge perhaps a nap is in order before aperitifs on deck. Maybe a game of petanque on shore as the chef prepares a gourmet feast. How about a friendly game of cards?




   
 

Gourmet dining on board Luciole


The day is capped with a delectable dinner in the company of your fellow passengers. Your friendly hostess serves 4 to 5 courses paired with regional wines. Vegetarian or allergic? No problem! Dietary requests are gladly accommodated.



Happy guests on board Athos on the Canal du Midi

 
Bon nuit, sweet dreams. You wonder where the day went as you realize how relaxed and content you feel. Your comfy cabin welcomes you to dream of another fun day ahead.

Get ready for another day of adventure and fun.