Cana du Midi Cruises » Tango
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Tango features a rich vintage décor that makes this an exceptional boutique barge. Not only are the cabins and main rooms exquisite, the original two-room Captains suite of mahogany and brass and claw-footed bathtub is one of a kind. The cuisine is exceptional as ingredients are sourced from local growers. And best of all, Tango offers a near-perfect river cruise itinerary through France's iconic Bordeaux region.
The multi-talented owner Daniel Sak gives his guests an insider's experience of the local culture. Wine expert, chef and pilot, he selects a professional crew and offers a top experience.
From the moment we were picked up in the the minivan and arrived on Tango, it has been the most magical vacation we have ever had! We're leaving you with heavy hearts and dream of returning someday! ... We felt like we were living a dream.
~The Crosby Family, Seattle, WA USA
Tango, built in 1931, initially navigated on the canals of North Eastern France. In the 1950's she sailed south and was used to transport grain between the Atlantic and Mediterranean ports. At this time Tango was shortened to 100 feet, the maximum length barge that can navigate the Canal du Midi. When commercial barging ceased in the 1980's, Tango was retired in a small canal-side village. French born Tango Captain, Daniel Sak, had seen the barge abandoned as a child, when navigating with his mother. He always said it was the only barge he wanted to own. In the year 2000 that dream came true, when Daniel purchased Tango and lovingly converted her into a deluxe charter barge for up to eight guests.
Daniel continues the family tradition of excellence in barging. An experienced pilot, he also oversees the culinary details onboard Tango, selecting the wines, and making certain the overall experience of your cruise more than meets your expectations.
Tango's décor is a delight in all its details. Large brass portholes and opening skylights throughout the vessel provide fresh circulating air and light. French art deco fixtures, Provençal ivory linens, and rich teak wall panelling recreate the atmosphere of 1930's French passenger liners. Up on deck, two terraces provide space for al fresco dining, and a sundeck with hot tub. Tango's large salon with soft yellow leather sofas, bar and dining room, provides the perfect space for congregating for after-dinner drinks and conversation.
Tango's knowledgeable, English-speaking crew see to your every comfort during your cruise. Your friendly hostess makes sure cabins are tidy, beds made, and towels fresh each morning. Chef Daniel prepares gourmet feasts using the finest local produce, seafood, artisanal cheeses, pates, and seasonal fresh fruits. Tango's tour guide escorts your group on daily excursions in our air-conditioned minivan, taking in local history, wine-tasting, shopping, and site-seeing. And of course your pilot is at the wheel as Tango cruises along the canal and navigates through the locks.
The Van Gogh, Cezanne, and Renoir cabins can be made up with twin or queen beds. The ensuite bathrooms in all cabins feature hand made Provençal tiles designed by Alain Vagh, of Salernes.
The Captain's cabin has its own entrance onto the main deck, and is exquisitely fitted with the original mahogany panelling and cabinets. It features a separate bedroom with king-size bed, dressing room and ensuite bath. The Captain's cabin is only available for private charters of eight passengers, or on individual cabin weeks.
A cruise on Tango offers an ever-changing scenery of vineyards, picturesque villages, ancient ruins, and spectacular views, with tranquil moorings for each evening.
Aboard the Tango, soak in all the gourmet luxury, historic charms, and postcard-worthy scenery of the French countryside as you cruise the meandering waters of the Garonne and Dordogne in the fabled French wine region of Bordeaux. During your cruise week, a portion of each day is spent navigating aboard Tango, with the remainder of the day on a guided excursion ashore. Tango's experienced tour guide tailors the week's excursions to match your interests. Follow the wine-focused itinerary described below, or opt for activities like golf, kayaking, hot-air ballooning, vineyard bike rides, shopping, antiques, airplane tours, and even visits to see prehistoric cave paintings during your enchanting week on the water.
Sunday:
Your tour guide picks you up from your pre-arranged meeting point in Bordeaux and brings you to Barge Tango, where you're welcomed aboard with a festive glass of champagne. An evening cruise and romantic evening mooring await, as you settle into your spacious and comfortably appointed cabin. Relax on deck over hors d'oeuvres, then sit down to a meal of modern French cuisine prepared by Tango's onboard chef.
Monday:
Set off in the morning for a slow-paced and scenic cruise, mooring just outside Bordeaux's celebrated Cité du Vin. This unique cultural facility brings wine to life through immersive, sensory exhibits, all housed within an evocative modern architectural setting. The tour wraps up with a tasting in the elegant Belvedere room on the eighth floor, with a 360-degree view of the city and surrounding landscape.
With your appetite whetted, head back to the barge to linger over lunch prepared from market-fresh, regional produce. Keep your camera handy for the afternoon's leisurely cruise to Médoc, where you'll hop off Tango for wine-tasting at the world-renowned Châteaux Margaux, Return to Tango, admiring the beautiful châteaux along the route, and relax over dinner featuring fresh takes on classic French cuisine.
Watch the short film CHÂTEAU MARGAUX: « PRODIGY OF THE ARCHITECT » here
Tuesday:
Leave the rolling hills of wine country behind for a trip to the sparkling Atlantic seaside and Arcachon Bay. A motorboat whisks you out across the dazzling blue waters of the estuary for up-close views of working oyster farms and the striking Dune du Pilat, a massive mountain of sugar-white sand rising above the pines. Back onshore, you're treated to a déjeuner sur l'herbe as you enjoy the classic country pastime of picnicking, complete with a round of freshly shucked oysters. Head back to Tango for a cruise across the Gironde Estuary to the ancient village of Blaye, where your evening's mooring is just a stone's throw from the stone ramparts of the UNESCO-listed citadel. Dinner is served under the romantically lit canopy on deck.
Wednesday:
In the morning, delve into the area's centuries' worth of history with a guided tour of Blaye. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this riverfront village features an impressive 17th-century citadel and fascinating military history. Scope out the architectural treasures in town, and venture out to the prehistoric caves of Pair-Non-Pair-undiscovered until 1881, this subterranean site contains engravings of animals that are among the oldest in the world. Back on the Tango, savor lunch as you cruise through the afternoon to Libourne. Moored at the foot of the town's 14th-century clock tower, evening brings a deck-side tasting of fine local Pomerol wines before you sit down to dinner.
Thursday:
Set off in the morning with Tango's chef for a stroll into Libourne for market day. Roam among stalls heaped with seasonal produce, local meats and cheeses, and gourmet specialties as you help to select items to take back to the barge for lunch. In the afternoon, make your way through the chateau-dotted countryside to the alluring medieval village of St. Emilion, whose picturesque charms are only matched by the quality of the wines produced here. Discover the wines cultivated in this magical hilltop town during a tasting, and then meet up with Tango as it cruises toward the fairytale village of Bourg, an idyllic setting to moor for dinner.
Friday:
Gain special insight into the winemaking processes and techniques employed in Bordeaux with a visit to a cooperage, where traditional barrels are crafted from fragrant French oak. Watch artisans at work using centuries-old practices to form the barrels, and learn about the importance of everything from shape to materials in wine production. Return to Tango for lunch and a leisurely cruise to your final mooring in Bordeaux. Toast your time aboard Tango and end your week on a high note with a special festive dinner prepared by the chef.
Saturday - Departure for the continuation of your journey.
After breakfast the tourguide will take you to the pre-arranged departure point for the continuation of your journey.
Cuisine served aboard Tango focuses on the rich culinary tradition of the cruising area, the Languedoc. A Mediterranean climate provides sun ripened fruits, vegetables, olive oil and herbs, while the robust traditional fare of the Southwest offers foie gras, duck and tender lamb from the Pyrenees. A fantastic choice of fine cheeses and increasingly prominent wines from vineyards once favoured by the Romans complete each meal.
Chef Daniel Sak, graduate of the French National Cooking School in Beaune, Burgundy oversees the preparation of your meals when aboard Tango. He welcomes guests with a strong interest in cooking and are happy to share recipes, techniques and philosophy on fine dining. All of the meals prepared on board Tango are made with garden market produce bought daily, the best quality meats and poultry from the farms of the Southwest of France, and fresh Mediterranean seafood and fish.
Pétit Dejeuner - Each morning risers are greeted by a smiling hostess serving freshly squeezed orange juice, warm freshly baked baguettes and croissants from the boulangerie, locally homemade jams, cereals, fresh fruit, yogurts, café au lait, decaf or regular coffee, teas, hot chocolate and eggs for protein breakfasts.
Midi - Wonderful salads, soufflés, quiches, charcuterie, soups, barge made fresh pasta, pizzas and tartes are prepared alongwith specialties from the farmer's markets such as the olive and cheese 'cakes'. The fish mongers of the 100 year old covered market of Narbonne provide seafood for paella, monk fish, mussel 'bourride' and seafood spaghetti. Cheese platters complete the mid day feast and of course the choice of chilled rosé, white and red wines.
Favourite lunch - Salade Niçoise, as colourful as delicious, nothing missing down to the just tender fresh green beans and capers. Flaky pastry tarte topped with caramalized onions, roasted figues, melted goat's cheese laced with honey and herbes de Provence.
Soir - Each evening an entrée featuring seasonal produce and local delicacies will be a light and delicious 'mise en appetit' to enhance your appetite. Hearty and flavoursome main courses dressed up and served in fine style either alfresco on deck or on candlelit tables making each evening a romantic slow food delight. Desserts are composed of the great French classics, rich and divine.
Le Vin- During your cruise you will have the occasion to visit some of the Chateau wine domaines of the vineyards that stretch as far as the eye can see through which the Canal cruises. Each meal will introduce you to the region's fine red and white wines as you 'deguste' the excellent Corbieres and Minervois. A careful selection both from the sandy soils of the Mediterranean coast to the rich reds of the sundrenched inland valleys and foothills will be matched with the dishes prepared by the chef. There is also the 'champagne' of Limoux, which will be served as a chilled aperitif.
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Petite salade de Mesclun, Asperges du Printemps Gambas flambées au Pastis Confit de Canard Plateau de Fromage Fraises Tiramisu |
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Terrine de coquilles St. Jacques aux herbes Ravioli farci au ricotta et épinards Tango filet de bÏuf au foie gras Plateau de fromage Fondant au chocolat |
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| Soft drinks and mineral waters, tea and coffee are available all day, wine offered at all meals. The Chef will choose wines to accompany each course at dinner. | |
Van Gogh and Captain's Cabins each 15 square meters / 161.5 square feet, including bath
Renoir and Cezanne Cabins each 12 square meters / 129 square feet, including bath.
Your cruise includes six nights accommodation in your own private twin or queen-bedded cabin with elegant en suite bath, all meals, including one meal at a local restaurant for either lunch or dinner, fine regional local wines, open bar, chauffeur-guided daily sightseeing, transfers to and from the barge in the cruising area, and use of barge amenities including bicycles and spa.
Private charter cruises are available for four to eight passengers (double occupancy). The Captain's Cabin is available for 8 passenger private charters only.
4 passengers: US$ 27,200
6 passengers: US$ 37,800
8 passengers: US$ 50,400
Not included: