Join an exciting 7-day private trip along Canal Du Midi on the Athos luxury hotel barge. Begin at Argeliers, a little village in Southern France's Aude, Languedoc-Roussillon wine region. Cruise to La Croisade and learn about the history of Carcassonne's medieval walls, followed by organic olive Tasting at L’Oulibo in Capestang. Visit the weekly morning market in Narbonne or relax at a picturesque café in Fonserannes. The next day, browse the artisan stores in Pezenas, home to painters, hat makers, and costume designers, before traversing the 17th-century engineering marvel, the Fonserannes Staircase Locks. Pass under the 18th-century Orb aqueduct. Before arriving in Marseillan, go birding in Petit Camargue, taste local wines, or have lunch in Etang de Thau, which has Europe's largest mussel and oyster beds.
Highlights
Pass through the Fonserannes locks with your private group of up to 10 guests
Tour Carcassonne, the most complete medieval fortified city in existence
Visit Pezenas, an architectural gem
Enjoy a wine tasting at a local château, such as Château Cabezac
Bicycle or stroll the 18th-century aqueduct across the river orb
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Argeliers is a small village in Southern France situated in the Aude, Languedoc-Roussillon region. Guests are met in Beziers while waiting to be transferred to the ship by a private chauffeured minibus. Guests are served chilled champagne and Mediterranean canapés as they arrive on board where your accommodating crew awaits. Be invited to your first 4-course dinner prepared by the highly skilled chef.
After you've enjoyed a fresh and delicious breakfast on the upper deck of the hotel barge, visit the famous medieval double-walled city of Carcassonne. The first walls were built in Gallo-Roman times, followed by additional walls that were added in the 13th and 14th centuries. Your knowledgeable guide provides a full tour of this magical and historical place with enough time to browse some shops along the way. Return to the ship and enjoy a gourmet lunch that may even include the famous duck confit stew, cassoulet. In the afternoon, cruise to La Croisade, where you can spend some time walking or cycling along the towpath. A delightful dinner is served to end the day.
After a delectable breakfast, have the opportunity to taste some organic and wholesome olives accompanied by a glass of rosé at L’Oulibo. A short drive up the Gorge de la Cesse and into the hilltop village of Minerve is next on the list. Your guide entertains you with the harrowing tale of the Cathar siege launched at Minerve during the 13th century. After lunch, relax on board while cruising to Capestang, then enjoy a glass of wine at a local château such as Château Cabezac.
End the day with an elegant dinner on board and take in the views of the floodlit Collegiale St. Etienne.
Narbonne is a town in southern France on the Canal de la Robine. After breakfast, have the opportunity to explore the morning market in Narbonne, but non-shoppers should not worry since Narbonne also entertains. Explore and discover an excavated portion of Via Domitia, the first Roman road built in Gaul to link Italy and Hispania through southern France. Explore the Roman Museum, the beauty of St. Juste Cathedral, or relax at one of many cafés nearby. You can have your lunch at the atmospheric market then return to the Athos to cruise to Fonserannes. Before the day ends, have a chance to view the town of Beziers and the Cathedral St.Nazaire.
Drive to the old market town of Pezenas. a commune in the Hérault department in the Occitanie region in southern France. The architecture of Pezenas is distinctive because of the "Hotels Particuliers" or those mansions of the noble families who followed the Court. Filled with artisans' shops such as hat makers, painters, and costume designers, have time to browse these shops and learn historical information. After lunch, begin your exploration of the Fonserannes Staircase Locks, then travel across the 18th-century aqueduct over the River Orb. Walking or cycling the paved towpath alongside your ship are optional activities.
Cruise through the area known as the "Petit Camargue" and keep your eyes peeled for local bird species such as pink flamingos, African Rollers, and Bee Eaters. The ship then cruises across the magnificent "round lock" at Agde. A delightful seafood lunch awaits you at the Etang de Thau, which humbly offers Europe's largest mussel and oyster beds. While the ship moors at the port of Marseillan, have the chance to witness the enclosure of the Noilly Prat vermouth distillery. The tour ends with a tasting of Noilly Prat and Captain's farewell dinner on board.
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Maindeck
Averaging to 93 - 102 sr. ft. including en-suite. Five Twin/Double staterooms with private bathroom with shower. Located on the maindeck
Notes
- All children under the age of 18 years accepted onboard qualify for a discount of $300 per child per week
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Credit card, check, and bank transfer. All final payments by credit card subject to a surcharge of 2.5% and maximum of $20,000 charge
I could not be happier with my Adventure Life experience, from beginning to end. I travel a lot, and I think your company and personnel do an outstanding job. I truly appreciate your professionalism, attentiveness, and flexibility. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend your company and would be happy to serve as a reference.
Constance Block
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
