p.22
ESCAPE
foreveryoung | March 2014
Luxury on the Loire
Canal barging in
France: so easy,
so luxurious, si
doux
had decided to take an ultra
deluxe French canal river
barge trip on one of European Waterways’ barges, there
was a pause in the conversation and almost in unison,
eyebrows were raised.
Didn’t we mean the larger,
more exclusive river cruisers? was the first query. Not
quite the same, I explained.
The barge is narrower and
smaller but it has all the
By Barbara Kingstone
When I mentioned to
our friends that for our anniversary, my husband and I
gastronomical
highlights
plus the scenery of the little
villages along the way.
European
Waterways
operates a series of luxury
barges with up to 12 guests;
ours was the Renaissance.
Cruisers have many more
on board. In our case, we
were only six guests travelling in a most lavish style
with all-inclusive amenities,
including the local wines,
personal service, visits to
historic treasures and, best
of all, floating through the
Loire country. The Renaissance turned out to be exactly what we wanted and
needed – serenity, a slow
pace, cruising gently and
being tended to as the royal
French families were before
they lost their priveleges
and a few beheaded.
Once cargo vessels, about
The Renaissance cruises the Loire in the vicinity of the Canal de
Briare.
EUROPEAN WATERWAYS PHOTO
ONTARIO AND QUEBEC - 9 Days
30 years ago these barges
were bought and cleverly
remodeled into floating
boutique hotels. The Renaissance was refitted again
May 25 ~ July 10 ~ August 14 ~ Sept 11 ~ October 2 or 23
Come join us as we visit Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City and the 1000 Islands. Enjoy
guided tours of all 3 cities, tour the Canadian War Museum, have lunch at Chez Dany’s,
a traditional Quebecois Sugar Shack and take a boat cruise around the beautiful 1000
Islands. Don’t forget your camera when we visit the Grand Canyon of Ste. Anne Falls,
where the river cuts through narrow chasms and falls over 200 feet to the river bed, a
truly magnificent sight. Price includes flight and 2 nights accommodation in Toronto.
2,03700
$
TWIN PER PERSON
FROM KELOWNA
Explore,
Escape &
Experience!
+ $166.13 GST
+ $160.00 Air Tax
MARITIMES DISCOVERY - 16 Days
May 30 ~ June 13, *27* ~ July 11, 25, Aug 8 ~ Sept 5, 12, 19
3,577
$
00
Tulalip - 3 Days • Mar 4*, 24, Apr 6*, May 20, June 11 ................ $259
Tulalip - 4 Days • May 5, 12 ............................................. from $349
Tulalip - 5 Days • NEW!
June 16, Sept. 15 (includes Seattle & 7 Meals) ................................ $489
Silver Reef - 3 Days • Mar 5*, 17*, Apr 6, May 20, June 11 ......... $214
Silver Reef - 4 Days • Mar 25, May 13, 26, June 15 ................... $289
Weekend Escape to Silver Reef - 4 Days • Mar 20 .......... $334
Swinomish Lodge - 3 Days • May 5, Sept 8 ........................ $209
4 Days • Oct 12 .................................. $289
Northern Quest - 3 Days • May 7...................................... $259
+ $375.50 GST
+ $160.00 Air Tax
SPRING GETAWAYS & SCENIC SIGHTS
Skagit Tulips & Bellingham Bay - 4 Days •
Departs September 17 or September 25
April 13, 28* .......................................................................... $339
Tulalip & the Skagit Tulips - 4 Days •
April 21*, 22*, 24*, 28* .......................................................
from $359
Easter at Silver Reef - 4 Days • April 18
includes Skagit Valley Tuli