Join an exciting 7-day cruise on board the Athos ship. Enjoy the different places along the way while cruising the Canal Du Midi. Explore the history of the walls in Carcassonne and browse artisans shops in Pezenas filled with painters, hat makers and costume designers. You might choose to bird watch in Petit Camargue, taste local wines, or enjoy lunch at Etang de Thau, which offers Europe’s largest mussel and oyster beds. Visit the weekly morning market in Narbonne or simply relax at a picturesque café in Fonserannes.
Highlights
Tour Carcassonne, the most complete medieval fortified city in existence
Enjoy a wine tasting at a local château, such as Château Cabezac
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Argeliers is a small village in Southern France situated in the Aude, Languedoc-Roussillon region. Guests are met in Beziers while waiting to be transferred to the ship by a private chauffeured minibus. Chilled champagne and Mediterranean canapés will be served as guests arrive on board where your accommodating crew awaits. Once on board, you will be invited to your first 4-course dinner prepared by the highly skilled chef.
After you've enjoyed a fresh and delicious breakfast on the upper deck of the hotel barge, you will visit the famous medieval double-walled city of Carcassonne. The first walls were built in Gallo-Roman times followed by additional walls that were added in the 13th and 14th centuries. Your knowledgeable guide will provide a full tour of this magical and historical place with enough time to browse some shops along the way. Return to the ship and enjoy a gourmet lunch that may even include the famous duck confit stew, cassoulet. In the afternoon, cruise to La Croisade where you can spend some time walking or cycling along the towpath. A delightful dinner will be served to end the day.
After a delectable breakfast, you will have the opportunity to taste some organic and wholesome olives accompanied by a glass of rosé at L’Oulibo. A short drive up the Gorge de la Cesse and into the hilltop village of Minerve is next on the list. Your guide will entertain you with the harrowing tale of the Cathar siege launched at Minerve during the 13th century. Relax on board after lunch while cruising to Capestang then enjoy a glass of wine at a local château such as Château Cabezac.
End the day with an elegant dinner on board and take in the views of the floodlit Collegiale St. Etienne.
Narbonne is a town in southern France on the Canal de la Robine. After breakfast, you will have the opportunity to explore the morning market in Narbonne but non-shoppers should not worry since Narbonne also offers entertainment. Explore and discover an excavated portion of Via Domitia, the first Roman road built in Gaul to link Italy and Hispania through what is now southern France. Explore the Roman Museum, the beauty of St. Juste Cathedral or just relax at one of many cafés nearby. You can have your lunch at the atmospheric market then return to the Athos to cruise to Fonserannes. Before the day ends, you will have a chance to view town of Beziers and the Cathedral St.Nazaire.
Drive to the old market town of Pezenas. a commune in the Hérault department in the Occitanie region in southern France. The architecture of Pezenas is distinctive because of the "Hotels Particuliers" or those mansions of the noble families who followed the Court. Filled with artisans' shops such as hat makers, painters, and costume designers, you will have time to browse these shops as well as learn historical information. After lunch, you will begin your exploration of the Fonserannes Staircase Locks then travel across the 18th-century aqueduct over the River Orb. Walking or cycling the paved towpath alongside your ship are optional activities.
Cruise through the area known as the "Petit Camargue" and keep your eyes peeled for local bird species such as pink flamingos, African Rollers, and Bee Eaters. The ship then cruises across the magnificent, "round lock" at Agde. A delightful seafood lunch awaits you at the Etang de Thau which humbly offers Europe’s largest mussel and oyster beds. While the ship moors at the port of Marseillan, you will have the chance to witness the enclosure of the Noilly Prat vermouth distillery. The tour ends with a tasting of Noilly Prat and Captain's farewell dinner on board.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$6,0502-3 travelers
Rates are subject to change without notice. Book early to get the best rate.
Maindeck
Averaging to 93 - 102 sr. ft. including en-suite. Five Twin/Double staterooms with private bathroom with shower. Located on the maindeck
Notes
- All children under the age of 18 years accepted onboard qualify for a discount of $300 per child per week
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Credit card, check, and bank transfer. All final payments by credit card subject to a surcharge of 2.5% and maximum of $20,000 charge
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Creating a checklist was very beneficial and meeting objectives on certain dates helped as well (to keep my trip organized). The Adventure Travel personnel helped keep me on track which is why my trip was so successful. Communication from both travel agencies (AT/MT) was vital.
Iziah Carthens
3 days ago
This is an amazing company to work with. I generally do not use tour companies as I am more of an independent traveller so I was slightly reticent. They were fantastic from the start - 10/10 - from lining up a phone call to discuss requirements, then their ongoing communication in the lead up to the tour and during it (thank you, Franny and Phen). They also explored cost-effective options (eg group transfers). The tour was in Patagonia so Adventure Life organised a pickup from the El Calafate airport to the El Chalten accommodation, two day hikes with a private guide and then to the El Calafate accommodation. A tour coordinator came to the hotel to explain, using the maps, what was involved in each day tour and what should be expected, and patiently answered all questions. The tour guide Marcos was excellent - very professional, knowledgable, communicative and at all times felt very safe with his navigational skills (important in the Patagonian wilderness). On the second day I forgot to take hiking poles so Marcos kindly gave me his. I honestly wouldn't have changed a thing and would happily recommend and book through them again.
Petrina Sta
5 days ago
Adventure Life has been great throughout my planning process for our up and coming Galapagos cruise. Kevin Moore, in particular, was very helpful in assisting me in making choices and providing me with options. He was also very patient, as I worked through figuring out what I really wanted in this vacation.
Lucy Greenway
5 days ago
Adventure Life was a pleasure to work with. They helped us find different options for our charter and answered a lot of questions with patience and clarity.
Brooke Hopper
6 days ago
Excellent service, great hotels and well organized excursions with expert guides! Highly recommended!
