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THE
10 PASSENGER ATHOS
.The 10-passenger Athos was built in 1964 as a commercial sand,
grain and wine barge and was converted into a luxury hotel barge
in 1982. Her five cabins offer all modern comforts and spaciousness
and her saloon, dining area, bar and sun deck are perfect for
relaxation. An English-speaking crew of 5 efficiently attends
to your comfort and entertainment and ensures an unforgettable
experience.
ATHOS
CRUISE ITINERARY
Salleles d'Aude
to Marseillan, France
Sunday,
Day 1 - Salleles D’Aude - You will be met by Athos Captain
and Manager at 4pm at a designated point in Montpellier and transferred
by private air-conditioned Chrysler minivan to Athos. A full-crew
Welcome Aboard follows, with Champagne and Mediterannean canapés.
Once you are settled into your cabin, you will be invited to a
4-course dinner, prepared by our highly acclaimed onboard Chef.
Monday, Day 2 - Salleles d'Aude to Argeliers - The proposed
morning visit is a drive to the famous medieval double-walled
city of Carcassonne. Your knowledgeable on-board guide will offer
the historical & guided visit making sure that you have time
to browse those shops! An afternoon cruise takes us to Argeliers.
By early evening you have arrived in Argeliers and there should
be enough time for a brisk stroll into the village before Chef
starts serving up her next delight!
Tuesday, Day 3 - Argeliers to Capestang This morning's
suggested visit is a tasting at the Oulibo - the local olive oil
press. After an olive tasting, a short drive up the Gorge de la
Cesse brings you into the hilltop village of Minerve, scene of
the Cathar siege of the 13th century. A long lunch and an afternoon
of relaxation await your return to the Athos which cruises to
the charming village of Capestang where we moor with a clear view
of the flood-lit St. Etienne cathedral. The village is a 5-minute
walk. Dinner aboard.
Wednesday, Day 4 - Capestang to Fonserannes After
breakfast, take a moment for a stroll into the village square
to visit the market. Athos gets underway in time to stop for a
pre-lunch wine tasting at one of the few remaining traditional-method
19th century wineries, Domaine de Guery. The cruise route today
promises spectacular views of the Pyrenees across the sunny, clear
plain. When you arrive at the overnight mooring at top of the
Fonserannes locks, there is time to visit to the old market town
of Pezenas, the first seat of the Languedoc court. The architecture
is especially attractive. Dinner aboard.
Thursday, Day 5 - Fonserannes to Portiragnes This morning
we visit Narbonne. Explore an excavated portion of the original
Roman road, the Via Domitia, browse through the well-compiled
Roman Museum, discover the beauty of St. Juste Cathedral, or simply
relax in one of the many cafés. Later, the cruise takes
in the 17th century feat of engineering, the "Neuf Ecluses"
(or staircase locks) and the 18th century canal bridge which carries
Athos over the Orb River to Portiragnes. It is an ideal afternoon
for walking or cycling. Dinner aboard.
Friday, Day 6 - Villeneuve les Beziers to Agde to Marseillan
This morning we cruise through the “Petit Camargue”,
a joy for bird watchers with its pink flamingos, African rollers
and bee eaters that frequent the surrounding estuaries. Later
we enter the open-waters of the Etang de Thau, Europe's largest
mussel and oyster park, and moor in the port at Marseillan, near
to the Noillly Prat Vermouth distillery. Captain’s Farewell
Dinner aboard
Saturday, Day 7 - Marseillan to Montpellier
CRUISE
HIGHLIGHT
* Visit the mediaeval city of Carcassonne
* Wine tasting
at Domaine de Guery
* Visit
Pezenas, an architectural gem
* Passage
through Fonserannes locks
* Visit
Roman Narbonne
* Cross
the 18th century Orb canal bridge
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