Caroline was built in Holland in 1928 as a cargo carrying sailing 'Tjalk', transporting goods between the islands of the North Sea and the mainland.
Today, converted into a comfortable hotel barge, Caroline is accommodations for up to 6 guests, great service and a cozy, relaxed atmosphere.
Cruises onboard Caroline are Half Board cruises, which gives the guests a great opportunity to enjoy a big variety of local cuisine with visits to the local authentic restaurants for dinner along the way.
Salon: Comfortable lounge and dining area with wood burning stove.
Deck : Large flowered sun deck with table and chairs, lounge chairs and umbrellas.
Internet access on board
The unique sound and rhythm of Caroline's huge three-cylinder diesel engine and her displacement of more than 90 tons will give you a smooth journey without any seasickness - guaranteed!
With one double-bedded and two twin-bedded cabins, Caroline offers 3 spacious and air-conditioned accommodations to her guest cabins.
Each cabin has a private bathroom with shower, wardrobes and shelves for your clothes.
Salon & Dining Room:
On board Caroline guests will find a relaxed atmosphere, with a comfortable lounge and dining area and a well-equipped galley-kitchen where your hosts will prepare “incredibly delicious” meals.
On Deck:
The huge flowered sun deck is laid with a carpet and is also the best place to admire the gurgling waters in the famous oval locks. Enjoy relaxing on the sundeck with a cool drink or sit on the bench in front of the steering position under a shady umbrella watching the wonderful French countryside passing by.
Off Boat:
An air-conditioned minivan seating six is provided by the barge Caroline for transfers and short side trips along the way.
Of course, bicycles are also available on board
for those who want to take advantage of the many
bicycling opportunities available along the canal.
Caroline travels the idyllic Canal du Midi in the sunny southern part of France between the cities of Beziers and Carcassonne, famous for the old fortified “La Cite” overlooking the Canal and the city.
Close to the Mediterranean and the historic sites of the Cathar country of Languedoc-Roussillon, the Canal du Midi joins, since 1681, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. This terrific waterway is part of UNESCO World Heritage.
This more than 300 year old Canal offers enchanting views behind every curve. The waterway follows the contours of the landscape. Sometimes one curve leads into the next and than suddenly spacious vineyards.
Sometimes Caroline crosses a river on an aqueduct, this always excites interest and many photos. The locks, the avenues of plane trees, whose roots are securing the banks of the canal, every bridge or aqueduct speaks volumes of the ingenuity of the builder - Pierre-Paul Riquet, who, with engineering ingenuity, constructed a technical masterpiece.
Highlights:
The vast medieval castle town of Carcassonne.
Exploring
Narbonne, the ancient capital of Roman
Gaul.
Le Somail: a hamlet created by Pierre Paul Riquet, now home of quite a few craftsmen like painters and potters.
Beziers: the native town of Pierre Paul Riquet, inventor of the "Canal du Midi”.
Barge Caroline offers her guests Half Board Cruises, which helps her travelers to get acquainted with local traditional cuisine of the area and exploring new tastes of the local restaurants.
Breakfast
Caroline
offers an extensive continental breakfast with
freshly brewed coffee, tea, fruit juices, croissants
and Baguettes, eggs, jams, cereals, yogurts
…
Lunch
Lunches served aboard Caroline are true
4-course gastronomic dinner like menus, including
fresh salads from the region with different dressings
like roquefort or walnut dressing, tomatoes provençal,
local specialties like ham, pepper salami and
wild salami from the Languedoc-Roussillon, different
cheese specialties, warm Quiche Lorraine, Confit
de Canard, Créme Bruleé...
Beverages aboard like soft drinks, beer, wine
and bar drinks are included.
Dinners are not included in the weekly arrangement, except on Sunday evening and will be taken ashore in a restaurant of your choice. If requested, there could be other arrangements at additional cost.
Your
Half Board Cruise Includes:
Room with private bath accommodations,
meals (Sunday evening ‘Welcome
Dinner’ on board, breakfasts
& lunches), table wine, beers,
soft drinks and Bar drinks served
aboard, use of vessel's bikes &
other facilities, and round trip transfers
from or near Carcassonne or Beziers.
Barge vehicle is available for short side trips along the way. Guided shore excursions and longer side trips are optional and available on request for an additional fee.
