Alphonsia is an authentic Dutch Freese Aak of 110 feet. It was built in 1913 in Groningen (NL) and remained in service until 1998. At the time it transported cereals along the small canals all over Northern Europe. During the past 90 years, the ship went through various transformations as technology evolved. The boat was fully renovated in 2000. The plans of this transformation preserved all the authenticity, while bringing comfort, modern luxury and the style of the Italian designers.
Alphonsia is now offering her guests Bed and Breakfast and Half Board cruises in the French countryside.
Salon: Saloon/dining area with comfortable furniture, entertainment center, library.
Deck :Large sundeck with recliners, dining table, chairs, and umbrellas
Swimming Pool and Solaris
Alphonsia is powered by a powerful DAF Dutch diesel, which gives her a cruising speed of 7 knots on the river. On the canals her speed is limited to 3 knots.
There are 4 cabins onboard Alphonsia. The accommodation in each cabin set as double beds. They all have fully tiled en-suite bathrooms, with roomy showers. The cabins are well insulated, and equipped with wardrobes.
Salon & Dining Room:
The salon aboard the Alphonsia is very well appointed, with a fitted bar, a dining area, and a "sitting room" with comfortable sofas. There is also a small library, stocked with reference books and novels, and a music center/CD player. The main saloon was designed by her Italian architect / chef owner Carlo Ciacchella.
On Deck:
The sundeck of 80m2 has a small pool as well as plenty of space for relaxing and watching the countryside go by.Cruising onboard Alphonsia, guests can enjoy a refreshing pool and a solarium.
Off Boat:
Air Conditioned minivan is available for transfers to and from dinners out, during guided excursions and transfers on the first and the last day of the cruise (pick up from pre arranged meeting place and drop off to arranged place at the end of the cruise).
Alphonsia is providing geared bikes for each guest onboard.
The cruise route of Alphonsia takes you through the Loire region with its rolling hills and stone built villages.
This is also the region of great wines and in particular the white wines of Sancerre and Pouilly.
A visit to Nevers is a well-remembered experience, and the first day concludes with a candlelit dinner by the pool on board the Alphonsia. Subsequent days take in visits to Apremont, Charité sur Loire, dinner at la Ferme des Barraux (Foie gras specialities), Sancerre and its renowned vineyards for some wine tasting. There will be free time for bicycling, golf, tennis, miniature golf and more. During the fifth day of the cruise guests will experience the Garden of Tisserand, famous for sericiculture (silk worms) and weaving, Châtillon sur Loire with its towers and ancient houses, possible participation in local artistic events, music and harvest festivals, and an evening enjoying a Gala Dinner on board. The sixth day brings guests to the very famous canal bridge of Briare built by Gustave Eiffel followed later by departure for Rogny -14 locks in 14 miles -and the 7 locks of Henri IV, then on to Gien, a city famous for its porcelain where you will see the Castle at Gien and more.
Highlights:
Nevers, the city of duke with its old fascinating buildings.
Apremont sur Allier, medieval village with ancient Castle and its flowering garden.
Bourges, with its world famous cathedral with windows from the 12th cent.
The world famous wine region of Sancerre and Pouilly with the opportunity to sample the local wine.
The Abbey of La Charité sur Loire.
The impressive Briare Aqueduct, built by Mr. Eiffel of Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Franck Debanne - 46 years old. Franck first studied in Nice on the French Riviera, then moved to Roma, Italy where he lived for 15 years as a translator and as a teacher. Later, Franck became manager of mountain lodgings, welcoming over 40 travelers each day. For the last 10 years, Franck has been dedicating himself to the Hotel-Barge business, enjoying sharing his passions for cruising, cuisine and wines.
Carlo Ciacchella - 53 years old. Following an impressive career in Italy as an architect, Carlo was involved in many projects from Europe to Saudi Arabia, including churches and government buildings. Carlo, who is originally from Roma Italy, joined Franck to transform the barge into an authentic floating B&B, and organize weekly cruises in the French countryside.
For the last 5 years, Franck & Carlo have been welcoming guests from all over the world on the magical canal that separates Burgundy and the Loire.
Alphonsia's concept of barging is to offer her guests a variety of “A la carte” cruises to accommodate guests with different interests and needs. The barge is offering Bed and Breakfast Cruises, Half Board Cruises, as well as Full Board Dine Around Cruises.
Bed & Breakfast cruises include daily continental breakfast served onboard, while lunch and dinner is taken out at local restaurants along the way (not included in cruise fare), which will give all the guests a great opportunity to enjoy wonderful local foods and get introduced to local traditions.
The Half Board plan offers daily continental breakfast and one meal per day (lunch or dinner) served on board or at canal side restaurants (alcohol and beverages not included). One meal is then enjoyed off the barge at your own expense, each day.
Full Board Dine Around cruises include daily continental breakfast, as well as lunches (beverages included) onboard and daily dinners at a wide selection of superb restaurants (non inclusive of wine).
Sample Dishes served aboard the Alphonsia
The menus are composed of traditional French food and Italian specialties, thanks to the experience and the origins of the Chef. These dishes are prepared exclusively with fresh seasonal products.
Croûtons of goat cheese
Salad, pears and Parmesan
Chicken livers in Madeira
Pies, quiches, savoury pancakes
Stuffed zucchini flowers
Roman Artichokes (roasted with garlic, olive oil and basil)
Escargots de Bourgogne (Burgundy Snails)
Braised red peppers in Bagna Cauda (sauce based on anchovy, raisins and aromatic herbs)
St-Jacques scallops with Calvados (apple-brandy)
French bellows
Shrimp soup
Salmon Coulibiac
Risotto agli asparagi (with the wild asparagus tips)
Gratinées of pike quenelles
Fricassée of foie gras
Oysters
Marinated mussels
Parma ham and figs
Breton soup
Sandre in Sancerre (fish cooked in white wine)
Guinea fowl with pears
Rabbit stew with red fruit
Grilled fish (according to season and arrivals) with caper sauce
Salmon fillets with horseradish sauce
Truite aux amandes (trout with almonds)
Leg of lamb
Roast pork with juniper
Magret de canard à l'orange (duck fillet)
Cailles farcies à la provençale (stuffed quails)
Vitello Tonnato (roast veal, tuna cream)
Side dishes made with fresh vegetables in Julienne slices, gratins, braised or vapor.
Home made pastries (tarte flambée with pears, Charlotte, chocolate croquants, Bavarian cream, etc.)
Wines are chosen according to the menu:
Bandol
Nuit-Saint-Georges
Côte de Bourg
Médoc
Mouton Rothschild
Saint-Emilion
Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil
Gamay
Sauternes
Chablis
Pouilly Fumé
Sancerre...
Selected Restaurants offered by Alphonsia
Your hosts aboard your Hotel-Barge introduce you to select restaurants in the local area, some truly exceptional, each different, which serve high quality food.
They escort you to and from each restaurant, introduce you to the owner and assist you with any questions you may have regarding the menu (where possible, there's a copy of the menu aboard in advance). You are then left to enjoy your evening amongst yourselves.
Cruises commence on the day of your choice, whenever possible.
Bed & Breakfast cruises include:
Local pick up/drop off
Captain and crew
All fuel and canal fees
Daily continental breakfast
pick up and drop of at the local restaurants
Geared bike for each guest
Detailed maps and routes with informative guides for all daily tours
chauffeured air conditioned minibus for the duration of the cruise
HALF BOARD CRUISES
Individual Cabin Bookings
6 Nights / 7 Days
3 Nights / 4 Days
Per Person (2 sharing)
On Request
On Request
Full Boat Private Charter
6 Nights / 7 Days
3 Nights / 4 Days
For 6 guests
11,950 Euro
8,400 Euro
For 4 guests
8,400 Euro
5,600 Euro
Cruises commence on the day of your choice, whenever possible.
Half Board cruises include:
Local Pick up/drop off
Captain and crew
Daily continental breakfast
One meal per day (lunch or dinner) served on board or at canal side restaurants (alcohol and beverages not included). One meal is then enjoyed off the barge at your own expense, each day.
Chauffeured minibus transfer to and from meals out plus daily chauffeured & guided sightseeing in air conditioned minibus (guest admission fees are paid by the guests)
Geared bike for each guest
FULL BOARD DINE AROUND CRUISES
Individual Cabin Bookings
6 Nights / 7 Days
3 Nights / 4 Days
Per Person (2 sharing)
On Request
On Request
Full Boat Private Charter
6 Nights / 7 Days
3 Nights / 4 Days
For 6 guests
12,930 Euro
8,870 Euro
For 4 guests
8,870 Euro
5,920 Euro
Cruises commence on the day of your choice, whenever possible.
Full Board Dine Around cruises include:
Pick up/drop off in Nevers or Gien/Briare train station
Captain and crew
Welcome cocktail reception
Daily continental breakfast
Daily set menu lunches on board (inclusive of beverage)
Daily dinners at a wide selection of superb restaurants (non inclusive of wine )
Chauffeured minibus transfer to and from dinners out plus daily chauffeured, guided sightseeing in air conditioned minibus inclusive of all admission fees
