Discover a very interesting article by Carolan Nathan on Wikinut Ltd.
Carolan is a journalist specializing in food, wine, travel ... She wrote her experience aboard the hotel barge Rosa.
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| hotel barge Rosa |
"truly a wonderful adventure awaits all who take the six day cruise aboard Hotel barge Rosa....a superb way to enjoy the pleasures of nature, fabulous cuisine, local wines and cheese...it is a Journey of a Lifetime" Carolan Nathan
Pleasures aboard Hotel barge Rosa...
For those who love great food and wine; being catered to like kings and queens and enjoy the peace of a journey along the quiet waterways of France then a stay aboard the refurbished Hotel barge Rosa is definitely the way to go.
Recently I spent six heavenly nights and fun filled days travelling along the Canal de Garonne in this wonderful restored Dutch ‘Clipper’ barge ably manned by a crew of four: a most knowledgeable captain, master chef, tour guide and housekeeper all who took excellent care of us.
There are four staterooms, two with double beds and two with twin beds each with full en-suite facilities and the barge is air conditioned throughout. There is a roomy lounge where you can relax after dinner or before with a cocktail as I so often did! The dining area with its large table is where incredible cuisine is served by master chef Mike Crowson whose passion for France and creating delicious cuisine has prevented him from participating in the Master Chef TV program and having been fortunate enough to enjoy his super offerings at lunch and dinner for six incredible days, I am glad he stayed on the barge Rosa!
Alongside the Canal de Garonne trees and bushes grow in glorious profusion - broom, acacia scenting the air and the waters reflect the gifts of Mother Nature. Each day brings different treasures to enjoy – the fluctuation of the waters in the lochs; colorful assortments of yachts and barges wending their way; and families of ducks paddle by quacking up a storm! There is a great variety of bird life coming and going along the waterway all of which add another note to the scale of pleasure a journey such as this entails.
The deck lounge is a great way to relax and watch the world go by or else you can bicycle along the canal paths…I loved to walk early in the morning and pick the wild flowers that grew everywhere. Sometimes lunch and dinner are served on the deck especially if the days are warm and the nights balmy…to look up at the stars and see falling comets in the sky early evening is most enjoyable.
Captain Dominique took us on side trips to small medieval cities, wine estates and the Armagnac distillery. Each morning very early he goes to a nearby village to purchase freshly baked breads, pastries and fruits for our breakfast. We visited Montauban and a fabulous produce market where we wandered with chef Mikey as he purchased meat, fish, eggs and salads to make into tempting treats for our meals. He took us to a small café to drink coffee and munch on croissants and brioche before returning to our home aboard our beautiful barge. Mikey’s knack of titillating our taste buds was superb. No wonder Rick Stein went aboard to feature Rosa in his successful television series on a French Odyssey !
One special evening our Captain Dominique took us to a brasserie to enjoy typical French cuisine although I did much prefer our onboard chef and his marvelous concoctions. Also the many and superb varieties of local cheeses and wines which our housekeeper described to perfection and we imbibed to our heart’s content.
Along with Anjodi, Rosa was featured in the hugely successful television series, Rick Stein’s French Odyssey. Without doubt a trip aboard Rosa is a heavenly experience. One you will never forget and return to enjoy again and again. Truly a journey of a lifetime!
The deck lounge is a great way to relax and watch the world go by or else you can bicycle along the canal paths…I loved to walk early in the morning and pick the wild flowers that grew everywhere. Sometimes lunch and dinner are served on the deck especially if the days are warm and the nights balmy…to look up at the stars and see falling comets in the sky early evening is most enjoyable.
Captain Dominique took us on side trips to small medieval cities, wine estates and the Armagnac distillery. Each morning very early he goes to a nearby village to purchase freshly baked breads, pastries and fruits for our breakfast. We visited Montauban and a fabulous produce market where we wandered with chef Mikey as he purchased meat, fish, eggs and salads to make into tempting treats for our meals. He took us to a small café to drink coffee and munch on croissants and brioche before returning to our home aboard our beautiful barge. Mikey’s knack of titillating our taste buds was superb. No wonder Rick Stein went aboard to feature Rosa in his successful television series on a French Odyssey !
One special evening our Captain Dominique took us to a brasserie to enjoy typical French cuisine although I did much prefer our onboard chef and his marvelous concoctions. Also the many and superb varieties of local cheeses and wines which our housekeeper described to perfection and we imbibed to our heart’s content.
Along with Anjodi, Rosa was featured in the hugely successful television series, Rick Stein’s French Odyssey. Without doubt a trip aboard Rosa is a heavenly experience. One you will never forget and return to enjoy again and again. Truly a journey of a lifetime!
Nature along the canal and visits
Further down canal we wander light and sound is everywhere
Peace and quiet tranquillity trees reach out their verdant branches
birds trill merrily folk along path walk enjoying Nature at her best
Yesterday a visit to Chateau Goudourville. Building commenced in 1100's through 14th 16th carried on almost to present day now a hotel wonderful place to stay each floor ascended to by twisting stairwell up and up and up you go a grand four poster awaits you frolic with man of the moment mmmhhhh! if you will round many bends barge Rosa doth go come with me!
Further Odyssey along Canal de Garonne
Sun shines warmly overhead Rosa down Garonne plies early morning found us all sipping coffee in Montauban stuffing croissants in our tums back on barge Rosa on our way to Pommevic I walked and ran 3.8 km along canal path lots of wild plants agrowing and many birds in sky chattering away greeting with me another perfect day no clouds in a blue blue heaven a paradise soon this cruise will be over many happy memories then onto Cava I will go spend time with a very precious lady whose books of Life I share so well will visit many special places perhaps have lived there before I certainly will let you know !
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