MEANDERER
UPPER Loire Valley
Seven
Days / Six Nights
The Upper Loire region is as rich in legend as it
is in beauty. Little has changed over the centuries.
Wind your way through the narrow streets of a centuries old
village, discovering hidden shops with hand-painted pottery or
stumble across an open market. Talk to a cheese maker and find
out why this is the most famous goat's cheese in France.
The six passenger Meanderer was originally a
Belgian 'Spitz', and recently converted to her current exacting
specification. With three en-suite cabins measuring in excess of
125 square feet each and an outdoor heated spa-pool, she is the
perfect vessel for exploring the Upper Loire.
Meanderer's Captain, an experienced host and crew
of three ensure the finest of cruises along France's oldest
canal, the Briare, opened in 1642.
The flexible twin or double bed arrangement and
newly decorated, air-conditioned cabins and saloon complement
perfectly the spacious sun deck and spa pool.
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Chateau
Vaux Le Vicompte with its spectacular formal gardens |
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Palace
of Fontainebleau. Renaissance architecture and home to
some 30 French Kings |
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16th
century working farm and the splendid Chateau of St
Fargeau |
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Gien,
pretty town set on the banks of the Loire, and Hunting
Museum |
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Tour
and wine tasting at a vineyard in the heart of Sancerre
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Cross
the Loire River via Eiffel's famous Aqueduct |
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Culinary Notes |
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Regional Dishes
Emince de Turbot au corail de homard
Rosette d'Agneau, a speciality of Louis XIII
Regional Wines
Sancerre
Menetou Salon
Coteaux du Giennois
Vins de 'Orleanais
Regional Cheeses
Crottin de Chavignol
Brillat-Savarin
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2005 Sailings for Meanderer |
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Sails on
Sunday's: From May 15th to October 23 |
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Wholeboat charter prices: |
| for 4
passengers |
$17,500 |
$19,500 |
| for 5
passengers |
$18,725 |
$20,725 |
| for 6 passengers |
$19,950 |
$21,950
|
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6 nights full board accommodation on Meanderer, Champagne
Welcome, open bar, excursions including admittance fees, use of
bicycles and other facilities on board such as sauna, jacuzzi/spa
pool. |
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Meeting Point |
| Sunday, 1.30pm, Hotel
Ampere, Paris |
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DAY 1
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Sunday
PARIS TO MONTARGIS
Guests are met at 1.30 pm and transferred to Meanderer where a
Champagne Welcome awaits you. We begin our early evening cruise
through Little Venice, so called for its flower-bedecked bridges and
small canals. Dinner aboard. |
DAY 2
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Monday
MONTARGIS TO MONTCRESSON
After a leisurely breakfast of croissants, preserves and delicious
French bread, fresh from the local boulangerie, our excursion begins
with a visit to the Chateau Vaux le Vicompte, filming location for
'Man with the Iron Mask' with formal gardens and a collection of
19th century horse-drawn carriages. Afternoon cruise through
beautiful rural countryside. Dinner aboard. |
| DAY 3 |
Tuesday
MONTCRESSON TO CHATILLON-COLIGNY
Morning visit to the fabulous Palace of Fontainebleau, home to
almost 30 Kings of France through eight centuries between Louis IV
and Napoleon I and world-renowned for its extraordinary Italian
Renaissance art and architecture. Afternoon cruise and dinner
aboard. |
| DAY 4 |
Wednesday
CHATILLON-COLIGNY TO
ROGNY-LES-SEPT-ECLUSES
This morning's excursion takes us to the re-created working
Renaissance farm and Chateau of St Fargeau. Today we lunch in a
local auberge. During the afternoon we cruise to Rogny where the
17th century flight of seven locks stands as a canal monument.
Dinner aboard and an evening stroll to see the floodlit steps. |
| DAY 5 |
Thursday
ROGNY-LES-SEPT-ECLUSES TO BRIARS
Morning cruise followed by an excursion to the town of Gien, a
pretty town set on the banks of the Loire river. Opportunity to
visit the Hunting Museum, the famous Faience Factory and boutique or
Chateau de Gien. Tow-path bicycling or walking possibilities and
canal cruising to Briare. Dinner aboard. |
| DAY 6 |
Friday
BRIARE TO CHATILLON-SUR-LOIRE
Briare is a busy market town with a fascinating canal history. Time
to explore before an afternoon wine tasting at a family run vineyard
in the heart of Sancerre with a chance to sample the wines and
cheeses for which this region is renowned. Evening cruise to take in
the delightful splendour of the world's longest aqueduct across the
mighty River Loire. Farewell Captain's Dinner. |
| DAY 7 |
Saturday
CHATILLON-SUR-LOIRE TO PARIS
This morning after breakfast we return you to Paris for
approximately 12 noon. |
| NOTE: |
On alternate weeks, cruise will be in reverse
direction.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. |
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124 feet long |
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6 passengers |
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4 crew |
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3 suites |
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Air-conditioned |
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Centrally heated |
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Spa-pool |
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6 touring bikes |
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Air-conditioned minibus |
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