Imagine cruising in southern France, exploring the wonderful Canal du Midi, a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, as captain of your own Penichette. Pause along the way to enjoy local food, savour the region’s wines, visit medieval villages, and take in glorious scenery.
If that sounds pretty close to heaven, Cruise Traveller has the perfect holiday. The key is Locaboat, a long-established French company that owns a fleet of 380 top-quality Penichettes and canal boats. No licence is necessary to steer these fully equipped and certified craft around, through canals and waterways.
All equipment, crockery, cutlery, bed linen, and towels are supplied, along with gas bottle and a captain’s handbook. You’ll receive boat handling instructions and orientation on departure day to make sure you understand essential cruising rules (which are pretty simple). You are assured of technical assistance available seven days a week.
Then, off you sail!
The itinerary is up to you. You’re the skipper. The Canal du Midi is a prime prospect. It is near the heart of the Camargue, an amazing region on France’s Mediterranean coast, famous for its wildlife, its white horses, black bulls, and pink flamingos. The Canal du Midi is also close to the Etang de Thau and its fantastic oyster beds.
Whichever trip you choose, you will cruise through exceptional cities. The area around Carcassonne, with its towers and battlements, impart the real flavour of the South of France, complete with fortified towns of white stone and historic villages like Trèbes and Puicheric. Medieval villages, Roman churches (Baraigne and Cazalrenoux), abbeys (St Papoul), and isolated monasteries – all can be visited from your self-drive canal boat.
Other suggestions include Narbonne, the former Roman town of Gaulle, Béziers and its cathedral, Saintes Maries de la Mer, and the magnificent Saint Gilles Abbey.
Regional France represents incredible value for Australian travellers. You can hire a Locaboat from €1284 (per boat) for seven days, specific dates apply. That price is based on a Penichette P935W in France, minimum two people, or comfortably fitting three. Bringing your friends along? Larger Penichettes are available, with multiple departure dates and bases.
Locaboat, established in 1977, also offers 200 different cruises to enjoy in 24 regions, not only in France, but also across Europe. Locaboat has established 26 bases in six European countries: France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, and Poland.
Whichever region you choose, your boating holiday will be punctuated by beautiful landscapes and charming towns, castles, wine cellars, and historical sights.
For more information, contact:
Cruise Traveller, Boutique Voyage and Cruise Specialists
Free call 1800 507 777 or (07) 5575 8094.
sales@cruisetraveller.com.au
www.cruisetraveller.com.au
(May-Aug2017)
