SAVE AN EXTRA 20% ON FRENCH COUNTRY WATERWAYS CHAMPAGNE REGION AUGUST SAILING

August 14 Departure includes Cruise and Two Nights at Paris’ Hotel Raphael – A Savings of $3,600 per Couple

                Duxbury, MA -- French Country Waterways has announced a special deal on its six-night, August 14, 2011 Champagne region sailing, aboard the 12-passenger deluxe barge Adrienne.  The special price of $4,636 per person, double, is a savings of $1,159 off the already discounted Value Season rate of $5,795, or 20%.  In addition, the company is including a two-night stay – one night before and after the cruise -- in a deluxe room at the very elegant Hotel Raphael in the heart of Paris – bringing the total savings to $3,600 per couple. 

 

The all-suite Adrienne explores Champagne, a region known as much for its celebrated wine as its rich history.  As the luxury vessel sails between Maizy and Château-Thierry on the Canal Latéral à la Marne, Canal de l’Aisne à la Marne and the River Marne, guests enjoy daily excursions.  Besides dining at the Michelin two-star L’Assiette Champenoise in Tinqueux, visits include the Cathedral of Reims, which served as the setting for the coronation of French kings; the cellars Moët & Chandon, with 17 miles of tunnels; the House of Ployez-Jacquemart, a small, family owned Champagne house, for a private tour and tasting; and the wheat fields and farms of Belleau, site of the American Cemetery and World War I battlefields. 

The very attentive and friendly crew, numbering one crewmember to 2 passengers, are fluent in English and French and happily pass on their extensive knowledge of the wines, cheeses and history of the regions.  Signature characteristics of the cruises are a dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant; creative cuisine prepared by talented young chefs, who blend classic cooking techniques with the trend to lighter cuisine; four-course candlelit dinners accompanied by Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines; daily sightseeing excursions to nearby medieval towns and churches, châteaux and famous vineyards; time for relaxing on the sun deck, walking or bicycling along canal towpaths and shopping  in nearby villages; escorted, private round-trip transfers between Paris and the barge; and no smoking inside the barges and coaches.  Hot-air ballooning is an option.

The Adrienne is opulently decorated in 18^th-century country French style with custom-made furniture adorned with intricate woodcarving and rich fabrics.  Six suites have a lavishly carved king-size bed, armoire and bathroom of granite and marble.  They are also equipped with a desk, individual air-conditioning and heating controls, extra pillows, fresh flowers, heated towel bar, hair dryer and 110- and 220-volt electrical outlets.  The lounge, which has a well-stocked bar and library of books, games and music, opens onto a partially canopied sundeck.

Information, brochures and reservations can be obtained from French Country Waterways, Ltd., P.O. Box 2195, Duxbury, MA 02331; (800) 222-1236 in the U.S. and Canada and (781) 934-2454 in MA; or, visit www.fcwl.com.

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