With the Fine Hotel Yacht Miro From Holland to Paris
A real European Barging Adventure. A Special Tour on the most beautiful Rivers of Holland Belgium and France. The Hotel yacht Miro sets sail for the world-renowned City of Lights every year from the end of September, October ensuring you a gorgeous Autumn 1 trip to Paris and 1 trip Back.
The ship is fully equipped for the adventurous route to France, and is well-able to ensure that you get to enjoy the most scenic of routes as we progress. We’ll take more than 160 long tunnels, Locks and bridges,and of which most Locks are automatic. But sometimes it’ll be expected of us to lend the Lock Master a helping hand! Along the route are delightful cycling opportunities and possibilities to enjoy some (Nordic) walking, and we’ll have the bikes ready for you on the deck, so be sure to help yourself and feel free. If you disembark, make sure to drop into one of the many delightful villages that you’ll pass to buy a deliciously crusty baguette: you’ll enjoy the soup at dinnertime that much more! The route takes us from Maastricht, to Liege and Namur through the coal basins of Charleroi. We’ll sail on to Strépy where the ship will be lifted by a special ship lift, as big as a football field, 73 metres into the air across to the other side. We’ll sail through kilometres of long tunnels where a small locomotive will pull us through the dark corridors. A truly unforgettable experience! We’ll dock at old French cities such as Maubeuge, Compiègne and Pontoise, gorgeous garden cities where the various Napoleons and kings built their country lodgings. We’ll sail over the Somme (2e War Flanders Fields) de gorgeous Oise and lastly the magical Seine.
In Paris we’ll dock in the middle of town so that you will have more than enough time to discover this enchanting city. Your skipper knows Paris like the back of his hand, and the cook on board is a real chef who uses his experience and knowledge of the region to ensure a fabulous gastronomic experience, together with a delicious French wine and some renowned French cheese to accompany. Life on board is just like that of the old Dutch saying: comparable to that of God in France.
The tours are 14 days and are based on full pension. Includes:
- Koffie & Thee and Wines at diner
- We offer a warm and welcoming ambiance where you’re free to do as much or as little as you wish
- We have a maximum of ten hotel guests at one time
- Your travel agent can help you with arrangements in getting to and from our point of departure: per car, train or airplane. We’re also happy to plan out shorter routes if you have less time to spend.
The trip Paris - Maastricht will be the same as the first leg, naturally in the opposite order. Our motto is Vacation with Friends, and as such: Captain Mart and Miss Elly. Heartily welcome you on board.
This delightful river cruise and Boat and Bike Holiday is the ideal way to discover the gorgeous Old landscapes between Maastricht and Paris, whether it’s by ship, bike or walking. It’s all entirely up to you! There is ample time to relax and wonder at delightful old cities we will dock at along our route. Resign yourself to the care of the crew, enjoy the luxury and fun on board and take pleasure in an unforgettable sailing adventure through three countries.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Saturday. 13.00 will see you embarking the boat and enjoying a chilled glass of Champagne, meeting the cast and crew and having your bike adjusted to meet your own personal preferences. There will also be time for a short test "drive", so that you can get used to the feel of your bike. We’re delighted to serve you a delicious welcome dinner on board, before you embark upon a lovely city excursion through Maastricht that evening. During the walk a guide will show you all the hidden delights of this wondrous city: you’ll follow in the footsteps of d'Artagnan, the famous 4th musketeer. The guide will be please to tell you all about the city of Maastricht, including the rich history of this important southern town. And he’ll also be more than happy to join you for a beer on the very famous Vrijthof Square!
Day 2: Sunday. At 8.00 you’ll be enjoying a sumptuous breakfast while the Miro sails to Liege. On the way, you’ll pass the Maas’s highest Locks whereby the boat will ascend 18 metres – an impressive experience. The tour (27 km) will bring you to Liege, where the Miro will dock in the very heart of the city. In the footsteps of legendary writer George Simenon and his equally famous Commissary Maigret, we wander through the city and visit the renowned Sunday market La Batte. This is the largest market in all of Belgium, and it is literally a treasure trove of everything you could possibly imagine. We will be pleased to serve you dinner at around 18.00, leaving more than enough time for you to spend you evening hours discovering Liege’s enchanting secrets, romantic streets and cozy bars for yourself.
Day 3: Monday. We Cruise to Huy while you enjoy breakfast, and enjoy the vistas of all that we pass as we make our way. Once in Huy, we will have ample time to visit the imposing Cathedral and the impressive Citadel, and to have a look around this lovely town all by yourself. Huy is also the starting point of the route to Namur (32 km), which will take you along gorgeous country panoramas with a number of unforgettable spots. The tour will end in the impressive city of Namur, which is also the capital of the Wallonia State. From where we’ll be docked you’ll have a beautiful view of the fairytale castle high above the city and the city ramparts, built centuries ago to protect against marauders. Namur has an enchanting city centre and after dinner the captain will be pleased to take you to the Citadel for a walk back in time, and to enjoy a wonderful view over the city, the Maas and the Sambre.
Day 4: Tuesday. As you enjoy another sumptuous breakfast, the Miro will already be progressing on to Charleroi, and you’ll see in the landscape the vestiges of the once-booming mining and steel industry for which the region was famous for centuries. Today’s tour will take us to Strépy Thieu (35 km) to the new ship elevator in the Canal du Centre. This gigantic ship lift is as big as a football field and bridges a span of 73 meter. The fantastic engine room and adjoining museum are open to visitors so that you can learn more about this marvelous feat of engineering. Dinner will be served on board and afterwards you can enjoy the beautiful nature and the wonderful panoramic views.
Day 5: Wednesday. Today we’ll breakfast at 8.00 to fortify you for the tour planned. This one is 37 kilometres long and takes you from the Canal Historique du Centre, where you can visit three smaller antiek ship elevators, one of which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. From there, the route will take you to Mons and you’ll cross the French border. After dinner you’re welcome to take a break, and recover from your active day of biking or walking.
Day 6: Thursday. A new bike tour awaits you after a delicious breakfast, and this one takes you to Denain en Arleux (35km). The ship will follow on it’s course along the Boven Schelde and will dock at Souterrain du De Ruyaulcourt. Here you’ll come back on board to continue through the dark shipping tunnels of St. Quentin. These tunnels are 4.354 meters long and cross right through the hilly countryside. You’ll sail through the Canal du Nord that ends in the Souterrain du Pannetrie, a total of 1.601 meters of tunnels! From here, we’ll sail in a convoy, in typical French fashion: with wine and delicious food. Because what we don’t finish today, we can always do tomorrow or the day after, right? At any rate, there’s more than enough time to catch up on relaxing and taking walks, and simply enjoying the delights of the unique countryside.
Day 7: Friday. The bike tour scheduled for today takes you all the way to Noyon. It’s not a short one - between 40 and 50 kilometres – but since you’ll be tracking the boat anyway you can jump on at every sluice to take a break. The trip takes you through storybook French countryside and past picturesque villages that are primarily rural in nature. Noyon is an old city, dating to the period 600 BC. The town offers many worthy sight-seeing highlights and monuments that have survived the impact that both WWI and WWII had on the region. In the evening you’ll once more enjoy a sumptuous dinner and with a crisp wine on the aft deck, you’ll realize that life just doesn’t get any better.
Day 8: Saturday. Following a buffet breakfast you’ll proceed to Compiegne (31 km), while the ship keeps it’s lazy river pace alongside you. You can jump on again at any of the delightful riverbanks that you’ll pass. Compiegne is known as a regal village because every French king of old had a summer dwelling here, and once you see it you’ll know why. It’s also the city where Jeanne 'd Arc was captured. In short, a delightful city of rich history that you’ll love discovering for yourself, dotted with many museums to while away your day in. We’re happy to let you wander around to your heart’s content for the rest of the afternoon.
Day 9: Saturday. During breakfast, the Miro will sail on to Creil. (There you’ll begin your bike trip to Pontoise) The tour will take you along tiny villages to 'l Isle - Adam. This is where Parisian’s come to play, and the influence of such a big city is obvious. You’ll spend the night in Pontoise or, if you choose, we can sail on to Conflance - Sainte - Honorine. This is the main city of French inland sailing, and you’ll wonder at all the beautiful boats, big and small, docked here peacefully. The town has a lovely ambiance and you won’t be surprised to learn that many skippers retire here to enjoy their twilight years.
Day 10: Monday. Today you’ll make your entry into Paris! Biking and walking are a little difficult today but the Seine offers the perfect foreground for the wondrous city of Paris. You’ll love seeing the approaching skyline of Paris while you slowly make your way into the City of Lights. In Paris we’ll look to dock at Grenelle and after dinner you can take a walk to the romantic Eiffel Tower. You’ll fall sleep in it’s incredible shadow.
Days 11-13: After breakfast, the city of Paris awaits you! If you’d like to know more about this world-renowned city, our guide will be happy to accompany you on your travels. He’ll take you to see all the highlights by bike or by public transport, if you so wish. And a twilight boat ride on the Seine is yours for the asking. What an unforgettable way to end your holiday!
Day 14: Friday. You’ll enjoy one last breakfast on board before saying goodbye to your newfound friends. We’ll be sad to see you go and hope that you’ll leave with only the fondest memories! Return trip by TGV or Airplane. You’re free to bike or walk during your vacation but nothing is obligatory, and shorter or longer bike or walking tours are also very much a possibility. We’re here to tailor-make your vacation in accordance with your wishes! The Miro has 5 luxuriously appointed 2-person Comfort Class Cabins, finished in the finest cherry wood, each containing a separate bathroom with shower, toilet and so forth. There is a cozy seating area, satellite colour TV, a safe, 220 volt electricity network, fax, telephone. The yacht is also equipped with internet access, as well as heating for those cooler nights and air-conditioning for warm summer days. You’ll also fin don board a BBQ, various games, darts, Jeux de boulle, bikes and so forth.
It’s also possible to cut the trips down somewhat if you have less time at your disposal. Please feel free to enquire about the possibilities. The return trip Paris - Maastricht covers the same ground as outlined above, except naturally in reverse order. Departure dates and the 2008 price list: special Jubilee price 2400 € - pp 14 days all incl. (1400 € - 7 days Half trip)
Embark in Maastricht 27 Sept 2008
Disembark in Paris 10 Oct 2008
Embark in Paris 11 Oct 2006
Disembark in Maastricht 24 Oct 2008
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
2400€ 14 days (1400€ 7 days Half Trip) all Meals, service Boat (and bikes) tour, all taxes.
Price Includes:
- Champagne welcome
- Full size accommodation
- Breakfast - Lunch- Diner wines at diner
- Coffee & Afternoon Tea
- Fruit
- Towels and Bed linen
- Bike rental
- Maps
- A welcoming family atmosphere
- Harbor duties + Tourist Tax
- Sailing duties + gas oil tax
- Not included are: own purchases, extra Bar Drinks ,extra
- The trips are either 7 or 14 days based on full pension, with a maximum of 10 guests
- Your travel agent can advise you on the best way to get to and from your point of embarkation
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Netherlands
Belgium
France
Barging
Bicycle Touring
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