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Alphonsia Cruise: Nevers - Briare offered by supplier M08497 (read about supplier) Key Information: Tour Duration: 7 day(s) Group Size: 4 - 6 people Destination(s): France   Specialty Categories: Barging   Season: April - October Airfare Included: No Tour Customizable: No Minimum Per Person Price: 2500 US Dollar (USD) Maximum Per Person Price: 2500 US Dollar (USD)

The cruise route of Alphonsia takes you through the Loire region with its rolling hills and stone built villages. This is also the region of great wines and in particular the white wines of Sancerre and Pouilly. A visit to Nevers is a well-remembered experience, and the first day concludes with a candlelit dinner by the pool on board the Alphonsia. Subsequent days take in visits to Apremont, Charité sur Loire, dinner at la Ferme des Barraux (Foie gras specialities), Sancerre and its renowned vineyards for some wine tasting. There will be free time for bicycling, golf, tennis, miniature golf and more.

During the fifth day of the cruise guests will experience the Garden of Tisserand, famous for sericiculture (silk worms) and weaving, Châtillon sur Loire with its towers and ancient houses, possible participation in local artistic events, music and harvest festivals, and an evening enjoying a Gala Dinner on board. The sixth day brings guests to the very famous canal bridge of Briare built by Gustave Eiffel followed later by departure for Rogny 14 locks in 14 miles and the 7 locks of Henri IV, then on to Gien, a city famous for its porcelain where you will see the Castle at Gien and more.

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Meeting point in Nevers train station (2 hours from Paris) and transfer to the barge with private bus. Greeting on board, welcome drinks. Afternoon, visit of Nevers and its historical center, Palais Ducal and Cathedral. Return on board, aperitifs and candle-lit dinner near the pool.

Day 2: Departure to the canal-bridge Le Guétin over the Allier River. Lunch at the Auberge du Pont Canal. Afternoon visit of Apremont, medieval village with ancient Castle and its flowering gardens. Stop at Marseilles les Aubigny, dinner aboard.

Day 3: Passage of the locks and arrival at the Chapelle Montlinard. Lunch aboard. Visit of Charité sur Loire, medieval abbey on the road of Saint-Jack of Compostela. Cruise to Herry. Dinner at "la Ferme des Barraults", (Foie gras specialities).

Day 4: Departure for Ménétréol sous Sancerre. Lunch aboard. Afternoon: Sancerre et Pouilly, visit of the cities and their renowned vineyards for some wine tasting. Dinner at the Auberge Joseph Mellot (Sancerre wine producer).

Day 5: The daily excursion program continues with a visit to the town of Bourges, the very ancient Cathedral, the old city, shopping and lunch at restaurant La Courcillère. Back to the barge after lunch and cruise to Belleville sur Loire, dinner aboard.

Day 6: Head for the monumental canal-bridge of Briare built by Gustave Eiffel. Full day navigation with lunch aboard. Stop and walk over the bridge and its very pretty view on the Loire.

Day 7: After breakfast departure to the railway station and transfer to Paris.

Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.

Price Includes:
- Full Board Dine Around cruises:
* Pick up/drop off in Nevers or Gien/Briare train station
* Captain and crew
* Welcome cocktail reception
* Daily continental breakfast
* Daily set menu lunches on board (inclusive of beverage)
* Daily dinners at a wide selection of superb restaurants (non inclusive of wine
* Chauffeured minibus transfer to and from dinners out plus daily chauffeured, guided sightseeing in air conditioned minibus inclusive of all admission fees
* Geared bike for each guest.

Notes:
- Half board cruise prices $7840 - $16730
- Individual cabin bookings per request.

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Europe   France   Local Culture   Barging  

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