Per-Person Twin-Share Eight-Day Canal Boating in France

Inclusions:

• Six nights accommodation onboard
• Boat comes fully equipped with bed linen, bath towels, crockery and cutlery
• Bicycles
• Wi-Fi access
• BBQ and lantern for the top deck
• Food starter pack

Exclusions:

• Flights
• Personal travel insurance

Itinerary:

Day One:

Homps

• The trip commences at 3.00pm. On arrival at your base, you will meet your leader and fellow travellers, before receiving a comprehensive briefing from our base manager. Then you’ll be taken out onto the water for a hands-on cruising demonstration. You'll be shown how to drive the boat safely and responsibly, how to navigate through canal locks and where possible, how to manoeuvre the boat for mooring. It’s vital that you feel confident before setting off, but please be reassured that your leader will be with you at all times. 
• You'll spend the night in Homps, the jewel of the Languedoc. Home to 650 residents, Homps is an ancient Gallo Roman village with two grocery stores, one with a bakery and butcher, and a wine shop. 
• Overnight boat
• You will be provided with a food starter pack to get you through a few breakfasts and morning/afternoon teas

Day Two - Seven:

• After a deck-top breakfast on the morning of Day Two, visit the Homps local grocery store for some fresh coffee and to stock up on pastries, cold meats and cheese for lunch. It's time to set sail down the Canal du Midi. The beauty of this trip is the freedom to explore at your own pace. While there are planned visits to Carcassonne and Minervois, over the next week you'll also have the choice to visit a number of the following destinations:

Minervois

• A visit to the quaint town of Argens-Minervois is the second planned stop on the itinerary. The village is clustered around a 14th-century chateau and overlooks the canal and the river Aude. Enjoy a guided walking tour of the town, which is typical to the Minervois region. Then head to an independent family-run winery, where you'll learn about the sustainable farming practices that have been in use for over a century. You will also, of course, be treated to a tasting of the final product.

Puicheric

• Surrounded by verdant vegetation, Puicheric is a charming village with a beautiful 14th-century church.

La Redorte

• Moor in the leafy town of La Redorte to take a walk along one of the numerous trails around town. You might prefer to indulge in some provincial cuisine and relax with a book at one of the town's restaurants or cafes.

Marseillette

• Perhaps visit the peaceful village of Marseillette, where you can take a wander among the surrounding vineyards and lush, green countryside.

Trèbes

• Further along, the canal is the welcoming town of Trèbes. Moor here and soak up the atmosphere in a cafe, explore the town or visit the church Saint-Etienne, built in the 14th century.

Carcassonne

• Make an included visit to the Cite de Carcassonne, the biggest and most beautiful medieval construction in Europe. This World Heritage-listed fortress is the second most visited tourist site in France after the Eiffel Tower. Occupation of the town dates back to the 6th century BC. The group will have the choice to catch the local bus, walk or ride bikes into the city, where your leader will conduct a guided tour. Entrance to the Chateau Comtal (the castle within the citadel) is also included. There will be time to grab some lunch before we head back to the boat and continue on our journey.

Villesequelande

• Check out Villesequelande's parish abbey, which is classified as a historic monument. What is particularly iconic to Villesèquelande, however, is the tree planted in front of the church. This huge old elm is one of the last of its kind in France.

Bram

• Surrounded by a vineyard and built in a concentric circle around the town church, the village of Bram is in the heart of Cathar country. Look out for the ruins of many castles on the surrounding hilltops. 

Villepinte

• Villepinte is a small, charming village. Perhaps visit the 14th-century church, or simply relax downtown in one of the good restaurants. You can use your bike to ride along the banks of the canal.

Castelnaudary

• Your final destination is Castelnaudary. Stroll around the 17th-century Grand Bassin, seeing ducks, swans and a beautiful church. Downtown, there are some great restaurants where you can sample the local delicacy of Cassoulet - a slow-cooked casserole usually containing pork, duck or goose, pork skin and white beans.

Day Eight:

Castelnaudary

• Today your Canal du Midi adventure comes to an end in Castelnaudary. Bid farewell to your leader and fellow travellers and disembark the boat by 9.00am. From here you are free to continue on your way.

Departure dates 2018:

• 01 September
• 15 September