'Colibri'

Day 1—Guests are meet by the Captain, Earl, between 4 and 5 PM at the arranged meeting point. Enjoy a warm welcome on board with aperitifs, and cruise slowly through the vineyards near Colombiers to whet your appetites for dinner and the days to come.

Day 2—Morning visit to the Enserune Oppidum, a site inhabited by man since 800BC. We then pass through one of the oldest tunnels on the French canals at Malpas and on to Capestang; a small town dominated by a huge church and a good place to stretch the legs. From here we cruise on towards Argeliers.

Day 3—The bustling markets or the historic sites of Narbonne are on offer for today’s excursion and lunch is taken ashore today. In the afternoon we cruise to Le Somail and then on to the small village of Ventenac. Le Somail was a staging post for the 18th century passenger boats, the village is pretty and one must visit the antique bookshop. Ventenac offers wine tasting at the quayside chateau. There is always the chance for a game of boules too.

Day 4—The Abbey de Fontfroide is a beautiful tranquil setting and with its garden of 3000 rosebushes it is a wonderful place to visit today. We cruise to Homps, another forgotten town steeped in history, and with a fine winery to visit. We may cruise on to La Redorte, for a sensational dinner aboard.

Day 5—Visit to the Cathar fort and hill top village of Minerve; a stunning location with a museum that tells of its history. We cruise just beyond Puicheric this afternoon - a great place to sit under the trees and relax. Tonight you dine ashore at a beautiful restaurant. This evening savour the chance to view the Cite of Carcassonne by night to fire your imaginations of fairy tale castles.

Day 6—Tour of the Cite of Carcassonne, to take in the fascinating medieval city; truly a wonderful journey into history. In the afternoon we cruise through towards Trebes to a quiet location for tonights farewell dinner aboard.

Day 7—Leisurely breakfast, and transfer between 10 and 11am to nominated drop-off point.

PLEASE NOTE - This is a very much a guide-line, and we can do as much or as little as you would like, it is. your holiday and our pleasure to tailor the cruise to your needs

Carcassonne to Beziers

Day 1—Guests are meet by the Captain, Earl, between 4 and 5 PM at the arranged meeting point. Warm welcome on board with aperitifs, and cruise slowly through the vineyards near Trebes, to whet your appetites for dinner and the days to come.

Day 2—Tour of the Cité (citadel) of Carcassonne, to take in the fascinating medieval city; a wonderful journey into history. In the afternoon we cruise through towards Puicheric, to a quiet location for dinner aboard.

Day 3—The bustling markets or the historic sites of Narbonne are on offer for today’s excursion, and lunch is taken ashore today. In the afternoon we cruise to Homps, another forgotten town steeped in history, and with a fine wine cave to visit.

Day 4—Visit to the Cathar fort and hill top village of Minerve; a stunning location with a museum that tells of its history. In the afternoon we cruise towards Ventenac. Ventenac offers wine tasting at its quayside chateau. There is the chance for a game of boules too! We cruise on towards Le Somail. Le Somail was a staging post for the 18th century passenger boats. The village is very pretty and one must visit the antique bookshop.

Day 5—The Abbey de Fontfroide is a beautiful tranquil setting and with its garden of 3000 rosebushes a wonderful place to visit today. We cruise to Argeliers, stopping in a beautiful location under the trees, looking southwards over the vineyards of Minervois. Tonight you dine ashore at a beautiful restaurant.

Day 6—Morning visit to the Enserune Oppidum, a site inhabited by man since 800BC. After lunch we cruise past Capestang, a small town dominated by a huge church, where guest may stretch their legs or choose to cycle the towpath. We cruise towards Columbiers, choosing a quiet location for the farewell dinner aboard.

Day 7—A leisurely breakfast, and transfer between 10 and 11am to nominated drop off point.

PLEASE NOTE: This is very much a guideline, and we can do as much or as little as you would like. It is your holiday and our pleasure to tailor the cruise to your needs.

Agen to Bordeaux (Castets-en-Dorthe) - available on request and subject to other booking commitments

Day 1-The Captain, Earl, meets guests between 4 and 5pm at the arranged meeting point. Warm welcome on board Colibri with aperitifs, to whet your appetites for dinner and the days to come.

Day 2-In the morning we cruise to Buzet sur Baise, the local Côtes de Buzet wine region capital. The town is a junction point where the Canal crosses the Baise River. In the afternoon we visit the town of Nerac on the banks of the Baise. The town is known as the flower of the region, favoured by the Albert Family and is steeped in history with strong Protestant ties. There is a fabulous chocolaterie (chocolate shop) here to tempt even the most strong willed amongst us. We end the afternoon with a visit to one of the independent wineries of the region, Château du Frandat, producing wines recommended by the Hachette guide. Returning to Colibri for a relaxing dinner aboard.

Day 3-We take a leisurely cruise stopping for lunch in the shade of the trees. One can relax on the sundeck enjoying the views or for the more energetic cycle the towpath. In the afternoon we moor near the village of Le Mas D’Agenais. This mooring offers us panoramic views over the Garonne River and countryside. Here we can see the Rembrandt painting ‘The Crucifixion’ painted in 1631. We may visit the thermal station of Casteljaloux on the edge of the Landaise forest, with a history rich in kings.

Day 4-This morning we cruise to Meilhan on the Garonne. After lunch we visit the 14th Chateau de Roquetaillade. The castle gives a fascinating insight into life in days gone by. The Rose room and staircase are not to be missed. We visit Saint-Macaire with its winding streets and stone stairways or the Winery of Marmandais in Cocumont on our way back to the barge.

Day 5-In the morning one may stroll into Meilhan and take in the view over the Garonne or visit the nearby Labeau pear brandy distillery. Late morning we cruise toward Fontet. In the afternoon we visit the town of La Réole and the museum of classic vehicles from around the world. Time allowing we may visit the Bastide of Monsegur founded in 1265 by Eleanor of Aquitaine – ‘By the wrath of god, Queen of England’.

Day 6-Today is given over to the fine wines of Bordeaux. We start with an introduction to the Bordeaux wines and a wine tasting course. To follow we visit some of the well-known châteaux of the region, and most prestigious in France. Lunch will be taken in a carefully selected restaurant. Late afternoon we return to Colibri for an evening cruise to Castets en Dorthe and a farewell dinner aboard.

Day 7-Leisurely breakfast, and transfer between 10 and 11am to nominated drop off point.

PLEASE NOTE - This is a guideline, and we can do as much or as little as you would like, it is your holiday and our pleasure to tailor the cruise to your needs. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks, cruises will be in reverse direction.