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| Recommended For Every Woman By WJ - Viv & Jill cruised the Canal du Midi on European Waterways luxury canal barge Anjodi during a 2009 visit to France. European Waterways ~ Canal Barge Anjodi ~ Location & Itinerary http://gobarging.com/ |
| WAVE JOURNEY Women's Adventures, Vacations & Experiences ~ Your Journey Starts Here! |
Map showing region of France the Canal du Midi runs
Contact European Waterways
Address: European Waterways Ltd
35 Wharf Road, Wraysbury,
Middlesex TW19 5JQ, England
Reservations:
UK Tel: 44 (0)1784 482 439
UK Fax: 44 (0)1784 483 072
USA Toll Free Tel: 1-800-394-8630
CANADA Toll Free Tel: 1-888-342-1917
AUSTRALIA Toll Free Tel: 1-800-771278
Email: sales@gobarging.com
Website: Click here.
Address: European Waterways Ltd
35 Wharf Road, Wraysbury,
Middlesex TW19 5JQ, England
Reservations:
UK Tel: 44 (0)1784 482 439
UK Fax: 44 (0)1784 483 072
USA Toll Free Tel: 1-800-394-8630
CANADA Toll Free Tel: 1-888-342-1917
AUSTRALIA Toll Free Tel: 1-800-771278
Email: sales@gobarging.com
Website: Click here.
| WJ's Review Barge Atmosphere / Location / Cabins / Food & Wine / Crew & Service / Shore Excursions / Spa & Fitness / Fellow Passengers / Photos / Quick Facts / Gratuities / Company Overview / Bottom Line & Value |
Itinerary - Canal du Midi October 18 - 24, 2009
Le Somail to Agde
The typical itinerary that Anjodi follows on the Canal du Midi is Le Somail to Marseillan, or vice versa.
Our cruise ended in Agde (the last town along the canal route to Marseillan) due to high-waters from a
few days of heavy rain. Prior to dinner being served each evening, passengers would meet in the salon
with the captain for an aperitif and briefing of what was on the agenda for the next day.
Sunday 18th - Montpellier to Le Somail
We were met at the Holiday Inn hotel in Montpellier at 4pm by Captain Julian Allsop and escorted by
minivan to Anjodi where she was moored in the delightful village of Le Somail. Upon coming aboard and
being greeted by the crew, we enjoyed a Champagne welcome and hors d'oeuvres. Next we were
shown to our cabin and then had time for a relaxing stroll around this quaint village before dinner
aboard. A safety talk was given by Laurent and any passenger's questions were answered.
Monday 19th - Le Somail to Pigasse
Following breakfast we enjoyed a fascinating two-hour morning tour of Carcassonne with Laurent,
including a cafe visit. Carcassonne is the most complete medieval fortified city in existence today. It has
52 watchtowers, portcullis and extraordinary repertoire of defences and has resisted many armies that
tried to storm its walls. We returned to Anjodi for a delightful lunch and then had some free time to
wander Le Somail. The rest of the afternoon was spent cruising (for approximately 2.5 hours) along the
Canal du Midi to the hamlet of Pigasse. Before dinner there we were able to take a walk or bike ride
along the canal tow path.
Tuesday 20th - Pigasse to Capestang
At 9:15 a.m. cruising commenced and even though the weather was windy, chilly and overcast,
passengers bundled up and headed out on deck to take in all that the passing scenery had to offer.
Lauren promptly ensured passengers stayed warm with hot beverages - the rum-spiked hot chocolate
was delicious. After 2.5 hours we moored in the village of Capestang and had the opportunity to
wander through the tiny streets to the town center. After lunch aboard Anjodi, Laurent whisked
passengers off on an excursion to visit an olive oil producing factory and Minerve, the ancient capital of
Minervois. Minerve boasts a 12th Century Cathar fort surrounded by deep limestone gorges. Besieged
by Simon de Montfort in 1215, its hill-top location affords spectacular views. Upon arriving back on
Anjodi, Lauren greeted us with a Kir Royale and hors d'oeuvres. Sarah again delighted passengers with
another fabulous dinner aboard.
Wednesday 21st - Capestang to Beziers
A morning visit with Julian to Narbonne (a Roman Mediterranean capital where the Visigoth monarchs
once lived) was fascinating. Although we experienced torrential rain, all the passengers enjoyed
visiting the cathedral, learning about the history of Narbonne, visiting the colorful indoor market and
visit to a cafe to warm up and dry out. After devouring Sarah's delectable cassoulet lunch aboard,
passengers were able to walk or bike it off while following Anjodi as she slowly cruised towards
Beziers. It was during this section of cruising that we passed through the world's oldest canal tunnel at
Malpas. Dinner at La Raffiniere Restaurant in Beziers was hosted by our charming and entertaining
captain, while Laurent was our chauffeur for the evening.
Thursday 22nd - Beziers to Portiragnes
At 9 a.m. Anjodi was first in line to descend the 7-lock flight of Fonserannes with all passengers out on
deck to witness this engineering marvel. Shortly after, we crossed the aqueduct over the River Orb and
continued our cruise to the town of Portiragnes. Julian escorted us on our afternoon excursion with a
stop at Au Chai du Languedoc wine shop and epicerie in Beziers, followed by an informative visit and
wine tasting at Domaine Perdiguier, a local chateau, famous for its 15th century frescoes. Julian's vast
knowledge of wine came into play again at the wine tasting as he imparted more wisdom about the
wines of the region and the ones we were tasting. During another amazing dinner, Lauren continued
to educate passengers on the cheeses we were about to devour and why she had chosen those
particular ones for our meal.
Friday 23rd - Portiragnes to Agde
A relaxed morning quickly passed while cruising towards our final destination and going through the
last locks of our voyage. We were joined in the Agde Round Lock by another hotel barge, Athos, and
made the decent with her - a rather exciting finale to our lock experiences. After mooring just outside
the Agde Round Lock we ventured into the town of Agde to do a little exploring with our fellow
passengers. Then it was back to Anjodi for another of Sarah's delicious lunch creations. In the
afternoon Laurent drove us to visit Pezenas, a delightful village, mostly known for its associations with
the French playwright Moliere, who is said to have written many plays while staying there. We returned
to Anjodi for the Captain's Farewell Dinner aboard.
Saturday 24th - Agde to Montpellier
After breakfast, passengers departed Anjodi before 10 a.m. and Laurent transferred them by minivan
to Montpellier.
Bon Voyage!
Le Somail to Agde
The typical itinerary that Anjodi follows on the Canal du Midi is Le Somail to Marseillan, or vice versa.
Our cruise ended in Agde (the last town along the canal route to Marseillan) due to high-waters from a
few days of heavy rain. Prior to dinner being served each evening, passengers would meet in the salon
with the captain for an aperitif and briefing of what was on the agenda for the next day.
Sunday 18th - Montpellier to Le Somail
We were met at the Holiday Inn hotel in Montpellier at 4pm by Captain Julian Allsop and escorted by
minivan to Anjodi where she was moored in the delightful village of Le Somail. Upon coming aboard and
being greeted by the crew, we enjoyed a Champagne welcome and hors d'oeuvres. Next we were
shown to our cabin and then had time for a relaxing stroll around this quaint village before dinner
aboard. A safety talk was given by Laurent and any passenger's questions were answered.
Monday 19th - Le Somail to Pigasse
Following breakfast we enjoyed a fascinating two-hour morning tour of Carcassonne with Laurent,
including a cafe visit. Carcassonne is the most complete medieval fortified city in existence today. It has
52 watchtowers, portcullis and extraordinary repertoire of defences and has resisted many armies that
tried to storm its walls. We returned to Anjodi for a delightful lunch and then had some free time to
wander Le Somail. The rest of the afternoon was spent cruising (for approximately 2.5 hours) along the
Canal du Midi to the hamlet of Pigasse. Before dinner there we were able to take a walk or bike ride
along the canal tow path.
Tuesday 20th - Pigasse to Capestang
At 9:15 a.m. cruising commenced and even though the weather was windy, chilly and overcast,
passengers bundled up and headed out on deck to take in all that the passing scenery had to offer.
Lauren promptly ensured passengers stayed warm with hot beverages - the rum-spiked hot chocolate
was delicious. After 2.5 hours we moored in the village of Capestang and had the opportunity to
wander through the tiny streets to the town center. After lunch aboard Anjodi, Laurent whisked
passengers off on an excursion to visit an olive oil producing factory and Minerve, the ancient capital of
Minervois. Minerve boasts a 12th Century Cathar fort surrounded by deep limestone gorges. Besieged
by Simon de Montfort in 1215, its hill-top location affords spectacular views. Upon arriving back on
Anjodi, Lauren greeted us with a Kir Royale and hors d'oeuvres. Sarah again delighted passengers with
another fabulous dinner aboard.
Wednesday 21st - Capestang to Beziers
A morning visit with Julian to Narbonne (a Roman Mediterranean capital where the Visigoth monarchs
once lived) was fascinating. Although we experienced torrential rain, all the passengers enjoyed
visiting the cathedral, learning about the history of Narbonne, visiting the colorful indoor market and
visit to a cafe to warm up and dry out. After devouring Sarah's delectable cassoulet lunch aboard,
passengers were able to walk or bike it off while following Anjodi as she slowly cruised towards
Beziers. It was during this section of cruising that we passed through the world's oldest canal tunnel at
Malpas. Dinner at La Raffiniere Restaurant in Beziers was hosted by our charming and entertaining
captain, while Laurent was our chauffeur for the evening.
Thursday 22nd - Beziers to Portiragnes
At 9 a.m. Anjodi was first in line to descend the 7-lock flight of Fonserannes with all passengers out on
deck to witness this engineering marvel. Shortly after, we crossed the aqueduct over the River Orb and
continued our cruise to the town of Portiragnes. Julian escorted us on our afternoon excursion with a
stop at Au Chai du Languedoc wine shop and epicerie in Beziers, followed by an informative visit and
wine tasting at Domaine Perdiguier, a local chateau, famous for its 15th century frescoes. Julian's vast
knowledge of wine came into play again at the wine tasting as he imparted more wisdom about the
wines of the region and the ones we were tasting. During another amazing dinner, Lauren continued
to educate passengers on the cheeses we were about to devour and why she had chosen those
particular ones for our meal.
Friday 23rd - Portiragnes to Agde
A relaxed morning quickly passed while cruising towards our final destination and going through the
last locks of our voyage. We were joined in the Agde Round Lock by another hotel barge, Athos, and
made the decent with her - a rather exciting finale to our lock experiences. After mooring just outside
the Agde Round Lock we ventured into the town of Agde to do a little exploring with our fellow
passengers. Then it was back to Anjodi for another of Sarah's delicious lunch creations. In the
afternoon Laurent drove us to visit Pezenas, a delightful village, mostly known for its associations with
the French playwright Moliere, who is said to have written many plays while staying there. We returned
to Anjodi for the Captain's Farewell Dinner aboard.
Saturday 24th - Agde to Montpellier
After breakfast, passengers departed Anjodi before 10 a.m. and Laurent transferred them by minivan
to Montpellier.
Bon Voyage!
Anjodi moored near Pigasse and the minivan used for shore excursions
Location
The Canal du Midi in southern France has been in
existence for more than 300 years. The original idea of
the canal came about as a way to transport goods
between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean
Sea. Pierre-Paul Riquet was responsible for the
construction that took place between 1667 and 1681,
taking over twelve thousand men and women to dig
out the 240 km (150 miles) of canal that connects
Toulouse and Sete.
These days, the peaceful tree-lined waterway that
meanders through the Languedoc region is used
primarily by hotel barges and pleasure boaters cruising
at a snail's pace (averaging 5 km/hour). Along the
route are many picturesque villages, tiny hamlets,
ancient Roman bridges, miles of vineyards, the
Pyrennees mountains in the distance, 1 tunnel, 91
locks and 40 aqueducts.
UNESCO added the Canal du Midi to its list of World
Heritage Sites in 1999.
The Canal du Midi in southern France has been in
existence for more than 300 years. The original idea of
the canal came about as a way to transport goods
between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean
Sea. Pierre-Paul Riquet was responsible for the
construction that took place between 1667 and 1681,
taking over twelve thousand men and women to dig
out the 240 km (150 miles) of canal that connects
Toulouse and Sete.
These days, the peaceful tree-lined waterway that
meanders through the Languedoc region is used
primarily by hotel barges and pleasure boaters cruising
at a snail's pace (averaging 5 km/hour). Along the
route are many picturesque villages, tiny hamlets,
ancient Roman bridges, miles of vineyards, the
Pyrennees mountains in the distance, 1 tunnel, 91
locks and 40 aqueducts.
UNESCO added the Canal du Midi to its list of World
Heritage Sites in 1999.
During our 6-night cruise aboard Anjodi approximately 50 kms (30 miles) were covered, the Orb
aquaduct crossed, the Malpas Tunnel cruised through and 7 locks navigated. Locks included the
Agde Round Lock (where two barges fit side by side) and the staircase Fonserannes Lock (7
flights) near Beziers.
aquaduct crossed, the Malpas Tunnel cruised through and 7 locks navigated. Locks included the
Agde Round Lock (where two barges fit side by side) and the staircase Fonserannes Lock (7
flights) near Beziers.
A Woman's Directory For Travel and Life.
WAVE Journey is your one-stop online resource for women-oriented travel businesses and
services around the world.
WAVE Journey is for every woman to enjoy. If you love to travel, cook, read or revel in outdoor activities this
website is for you. If you are looking to connect with other like-minded women or if you are interested in
finding businesses or services that cater to women, WAVE Journey is your number one online travel resource.
WAVE Journey is your one-stop online resource for women-oriented travel businesses and
services around the world.
WAVE Journey is for every woman to enjoy. If you love to travel, cook, read or revel in outdoor activities this
website is for you. If you are looking to connect with other like-minded women or if you are interested in
finding businesses or services that cater to women, WAVE Journey is your number one online travel resource.