Canal du Midi Cruises » Saraphina
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info@boutiquehotelbarges.com
Saraphina is a Dutch barge, built in 1924, cruising the Canal du Midi between Portiragnes plage and Carcassonne.
Owners Emily and Finnegan bring extensive experience in hospitality and piloting from their years on some of Europe's most exclusive luxury barges, to make your week cruising on Saraphina the perfect holiday.
Full-board and half-board rivate charters are available for 2 - 4 passengers, with 3, 4, 5, and 6-night itineraries to choose from.
Drifting down the Canal du Midi on a private barge is a life changing experience; drifting on a private barge with Finnegan and Emily is the experience of a lifetime. History and beauty quietly come together and we felt we could shed all the stress of everyday life in their care. A combination of privacy in both the public space and cozy cabins and, at the same time, having all needs attended to — exquisite meals, wine, and service — make river cruising with them perfection.
Saraphina Passengers Susie & Jimmy Ratner, Betsy & Julian Seifter, and Debby & Zack Paris
Cleveland, Ohio and Boston, Massachusetts
Owners Emily and Finnegan bring extensive experience in hospitality and piloting from their years on some of Europe's most exclusive luxury barges, to make your week cruising on Saraphina the perfect holiday.
Saraphina is a Dutch barge, built in 1924. She is 25 meters (82 feet) long and 4 meters wide (12 feet) . Finnegan converted the barge in 2007.
Saraphina cruises between Portiragnes plage and the majestic medieval city of Carcassonne, the locks at Beziers, the winding grand bief (big pound) with beautiful views and pretty villages. Finnegan and Emily select unique places for your lunches or dinners ashore.
Saraphina has 2 spacious cabins each about 20 square meters in size. The aft cabin, which is designed for a couple has many original features giving it a traditional boaty feel. The front cabin is more contemporary modern with queen size or twin beds. Both cabins have en-suite bathrooms.
Lunches and dinners can be enjoyed outside, in our covered wheelhouse, or in Saraphina's spacious dining area, where you can enjoy watching the landscape floating by. The open kitchen allows you to see your meals being prepared by your hosts.
Saraphina has a comfortable deck to lounge on, or take the traditional Dutch bicycles and cycle along the towpath.
Every day a guided tour can be organized to discover the surrounding towns, wineries and markets
Finn steered the vessel masterfully though the locks and all those tiny bridges, full of cheer and very much a part of the community of the canal. Emily charmed us with flowers, cheese and wine and simultaneously kept everything ship shape onboard and our glasses filled.
~The Tarr Party - June 2013
Words cannot describe this voyage. We could not have asked for a more wonderful crew. Emily was so knowledgeable about all the cheeses and so much more (even 60's music) and was a delight. Finn led us into a world not to be forgotten soon. Thank you seems to little to say, but thanks!
Stephanie and Dick - October 2014
Saraphina cruises between Portiragnes-Plage near the Mediterranean and the majestic medieval city of Carcassonne. To ensure that you make the most of your stay on-board, the days are split between exploring the surrounding area and cruising. While cruising you are free to unwind as you wish; watch the lovely landscape float by from the deck, relax in the lounge with its views of the passing canal and its inhabitants. Walk, jog or cycle (on our traditional Dutch bicycles) along the tow path. Should you wish, you can even try your hand at steering the barge from the covered wheelhouse, which has panoramic windows and comfortable seating.
Following a delicious breakfast your personal tour guide will pick you up to explore the local area and to enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. All itineraries can be tailored to accommodate specific sites of interest — such as wineries and museums — and include visits to: the historic streets of Pezenas and the Cistercian Abbey of Fontroide; the towns of Beziers and Narbonne; the medieval Cathar village of Minerve as well as the medieval city of Carcassonne.
Saraphina is perfect for romantic honeymoon couples, a group of four friends or a family of four. We welcome children and ensure they will be entertained. In addition we can offer a beach day, horse riding, water and adventure parks and canoeing.
Sunday - We pick you up from your hotel, train station, or local airport and bring you safely aboard Saraphina. After a short cruise through the "mini Camargue" and Champagne welcome, your first dinner will be served aboard. A beautiful mooring in the country side close to the village of Portiragnes.
Monday - After breakfast you will be taken to the historic streets of renaissance Pezenas with its arts, crafts and antique shops. After a typical bistro lunch in Beziers we cruise over the aquaduct and up the majestic flight of locks at fonserannes. This evenings mooring a stones through away from Beziers.
Tuesday - The morning visit brings you to the cistercien abbey of Fontfroide. After lunch at a quaint restaurant, with a stunning view over the "pond of Montady" we cruise along the windiest part of the canal to our mooring in Capestang, a small village with a charming square where you can enjoy an aperitif with a view on the enormous 12th century collegial church.
Wednesday - Our tour guide takes you to Narbonne. known for the arch bishops palace, the gothic cathedral, shopping, and the famous covered food market, where you will choose a selection of sea food or charcuterie to enjoy back onboard. We then cruise to another stunning mooring next to the sleepy village of Le Somail. Take the opportunity to visit the world famous antique book shop and the ateliers. In the evening you can walk to a restaurant in the village to wine and dine.
Thursday - Thursday's visit brings you to the medieval cathar village Minerve and the olive oil factory Oulibo. You will then enjoy your lunch ashore returning to the barge for an afternoon cruise to Roubia. A wine tasting before dinner could be organised if you wish.
Friday- The medieval city of Carcassonne is a highlight of the week. After a guided tour around europe's largest medieval fortified town and lunch there we set off for the final cruise to the village of Homps and farewell dinner aboard.
Saturday - After breakfast you will be transferred to train station, hotel or local airport for your onward journey.
Emily, thank you for making our stay so comfortable. The table was always set so beautifully. Our anniversary was very special with all of your touches. We always felt taken care of. We loved being in your company. Finn you are the "Captain Extraordinaire", you made us feel so welcome and always with a smile .
~Jack and Germaine - May 2013
Sample Dinner Menus
Salmon Gravlax, with pickled cucumber and wasabi dressing
Slow Roasted rack of lamb with Sauteed potatoes and mange tout
Rocamadour & Camembert served with apples and dried fruits
Home made Crème Brulée
Local goats cheese, honey and tyme parcels on bed of rocket
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Sole served with new potatoes, green beans, lemon butter and fried capers
Brie de Meaux & Roquefort served with pear and toffee walnuts
Homemade mousse au chocolat
Traditional Pissalidière from Nice, with beetroot and feta salad
Confit leg of duck with sweet braised red cabbage and Medeira gravy
Epoisses de Bourgogne & Brillat Savarin served with blueberry confiture
Home made baked lemon tart with crème fraiche de Normandy
Starters
Salmon Gravlax, with pickled cucumber and wasabi dressing
Goats cheese, honey and tyme parcels on bed of rocket
Pissaladiere with beetroot and feta salad
French onion soup
Asperagus with boiled and aioli egg
Foie Gras with homemade chutney
Mains
Roast leg of lamb with Sauteed potatoes and mange tout
Guinea fowl served with ratatouille
Sole served with new potatoes (butter and parsley) and green beans
Moules Mariniere
Steak, Daube camargaise
Confit duck with red cabbage
Desserts
Crème Brulée
Mousse au Chocolat
Banana cake
Tarte au Citron
Apple crumble /tarte tatin
Up to 4 Guests: US$ 19,800
Up to 3 Guests: US$ 17,750
Up to 2 Guests: US$ 15,960
NOT INCLUDED Drinks ashore (other than house wine served with lunches) and gratuities are on clients own expense.