Hotels Afloat : Luciole canal barge vacations in Burgundy Nivernais

Adventure charters now available:
The ideal choice for 2-3 generation family cruises

We are very pleased to represent the Luciole, the only hotel barge to accommodate 14 guests in such comfort, cruising the upper reaches of the Burgundy and Nivernais Canals.
John and Penny Liley have created a barge, known for her warm, professional atmosphere and attention to detail that our guests so appreciate.
The Luciole invites you to explore the beautiful countryside, and, by private air conditioned bus, the chateaux, Medieval towns and vineyards that so much account for the popularity of Burgundy.

We look forward to sharing this richness with you.

With 33 years of experience, proud owners John and Penny have seen many hundreds of clients leave with a smile, and treasured memories of their cruise, recorded in the Guests Log and in their hearts.
The result of such experience is evident the moment you step aboard.
As Penny says,"There is no 'them and us' on the Luciole, but a warm spirited and relaxed ambience".
So, leave your troubles behind and step aboard the Luciole for a week of bliss.

The spacious accommodation comprises:

3 twin bedded, ensuite cabins : bed size : 6ft4 by 3 ft

3 twin/double ensuite cabins : bed size : 6ft4 by 3 ft or 6ft4 by 6ft

2 single cabins: : bed size : 6ft4 by 3 ft

All cabins benefit from opening windows; air conditioning with individual thermostat control; bathroom with shower, hand basin and wc.

There is a large, airy saloon,lined with picture windows in which to relax and of course enjoy the French cuisine, described by the Financial Times as "culinary miracles".

As a former chef, Penny ensures that the meals served on board are both typical of the area, created using fresh, local produce, yet with an International twist.

Outside, enjoy the fine raised sun deck which gives excellent views of the passing scenery.

Choose to sit and watch Burgundy unfold, with a cup of tea or glass of wine, alternatively, stroll along the canal tow path or take one of the Luciole's touring bicycles and explore the many villages along the route.

With a team of 6 British or English speaking diligent crew members a personalised attentive service ensures the holiday of your dreams.

The itinerary presented here is a sample: please contact us for details of the Burgundy canal cruise.

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- Prices -
Accomodation	Regular	Value
Charter up to 14 guests whole boat	49000	39000
Twin or double cabin per person	3950	3650
Single cabin per person, when available	3950	3650

- Departure Dates -
Value	2012-04-08 -> 2012 -04-28; 2012-07-22 -> 2012-08-25; 2012-10-14 -> 2012-11-03
Mid
Regular	2012-04-29 ->2012-07-21; 2012-08-26 -> 2012-10-13

Prices quoted in US Dollars
Euro rates for non USA/Canadian citizens, on request

ITINERARY
Paris - Auxerre Sunday: Meeting at the Hotel Regina in Paris with a representative of the Luciole at 2.30pm, followed by a journey to Auxerre in the barge’s air conditioned bus. Luciole is moored on the impressive river frontage in the city, overlooked by the Cathedral, Parish Church and the Abbey, and in these splendid surroundings we stage a champagne reception on board. Auxerre - Bailly Monday : A visit into the Historic center of Auxerre is followed by a cruise out of the city into beautiful pastoral countryside. Lunch on board will be taken at Champs, one of several attractive villages along the way. The afternoon’s cruising through attractive reaches of the River Yonne concludes at the wine making center of Bailly. Bailly - Vermenton Tuesday : A morning visit is made to one of the wine caves in the vicinity of Chablis. The picturesque villages of St Bris, Irany and Esolives all stand close beside the waterway in wonderful surroundings, and a rendezvous will be made with one of the wine producers in the area. After lunch, we cruise onwards and up an arm of the canal to a quayside on the River Cure at the small town of Vermenton. Vermenton - Mailly-la-Ville Wednesday: A morning drive in the bus takes the group up the valley of the tumbling River Cousin to the historic town of Avallon – and the lively weekly market in the streets. This is the regional center for shopping, with an inside market also, in addition to the numerous stores in Avallon’s historic streets. After lunch, Luciole continues southward along a waterway in which winding stretches of canal mingle with sparkling river sections, before our arrival at the village of Mailly-la-Ville. Mailly -la -Ville - Lucy-sur-Yonne Thursday : Cruising ever deeper into the countryside, Luciole enters a region in which dramatic cliffs stand by the waterside, with many opportunities for cycling, strolling – or simply enjoying the scenery from the sundeck. Visits during the day can include the hill town of Mailly-le-Chateau, or the imposing chateau of Bazoches, home in the 17th century to the Maquis de Vauban, France’s greatest military engineer. Lucy-sur-Yonne - Clamecy Friday : From an overnight mooring at the village of Lucy-sur-Yonne, we make the short journey in our bus to Vezelay, to visit the spectacular 12th century Basilica, which dominates the town. Here St Bernard preached the 2nd Crusade and from this hillside a swathe of rural Burgundy can be seen. Travelling onwards, Luciole then reaches the delightful Medieval town of Clamecy, a worthy venue for the climax of our cruise. Clamecy - Paris Saturday : An after-breakfast departure for Paris anticipates arrival there at 12.30. For guests travelling onwards in hired cars from the area, a stop can be made at Auxerre again, on our journey through.

Terms and conditions

Booking conditions for 2011:

Reservations are confirmed on receipt by Inland Voyages (Bookings) Ltd in the UK, or Hotels Afloat in France, of a deposit of 30% of the total fare. In the event of cancellation this deposit is refundable only if the space is resold at the printed rate. In that case 90% of the payment will be refunded.

Final payment is due 90 days before departure, and such sums are also refundable if the space is resold at the printed rate. In that case 90% of the payment is refunded.

Cancellation insurance is strongly advised.

The operators reserve the right to increase fares in the event of substantial fluctuations in currency exchange rates (although, in practice, we have never yet had to do this in 28 years of operating).

We regret that we cannot carry children under the age of 15, unless on group charter.

The operators reserve the right to cancel a cruise if, through circumstances beyond their control it is impossible to provide the holiday. In such cases sums received will be returned in full, but passengers shall have no claim against the operators or agents.

Nor can responsibility be accepted for delays caused by waterway repairs, flood, drought or untoward events, and reserve the right to vary a cruise. In such event the operator will endeavour to re-route the craft. If a holiday is curtailed, payments received, of amounts proportional to the unexpired portion of a holiday, will be refunded, but no further claim can be made.

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Special News

Hi and welcome to Hotels Afloat.

AMAZING OFFER simply too good to miss: Book a private charter for 4 on the RANDLE on the beautiful Nivernais canal and save 15%!

Book a Romantic charter for 2 and save an incredible 25%!
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BEAUTIFUL hotel barge for sale: Sleeps 6 plus 2 crew + 2 owners. . Reduced to offers in the region of 325000 euros. Email us for details if genuinely interested.

Call Emma now on ++33 614 250 200 to discuss your holiday plans or email on emmas.cruises@gmail.com