Saraphina overview
- Capacity 6 guests
- Crew members 4
- Booking type Private charter only
- Meeting point 4pm in Beziers or Narbonne
- Price Starting from €6,650
“Owners Finnegan (from Holland) and Emily (from the UK) bring their extensive experience in hospitality and piloting from their years on luxury barges, to make your week cruising on Saraphina the perfect holiday.”
Saraphina is a charming, old-fashioned boat with a contemporary, bright and welcoming interior. Originally built as a Dutch barge in 1924, Saraphina was used to transport freight in her early life around Amsterdam. Finnegan bought the Saraphina when she was just an empty hull and converted the barge in 2007, doing most of the work himself. She is 25 meters long and 4 meters wide and can comfortably accommodate up to 4 passengers in 2 spacious cabins.
Cruising between Portiragnes Plage and the majestic medieval city of Carcassonne, discover the locks at Béziers, the winding grand bief (big pond) with beautiful views and pretty villages. Finnegan and Emily select unique places for your lunches ashore. On-board, lunches and dinners can be enjoyed in the covered wheelhouse or in Saraphina’s spacious dining area where you can enjoy watching the landscape floating by. The open kitchen allows you to see your meals being prepared by your hosts. Saraphina has also a comfortable deck to lounge on. Alternatively, take the traditional Dutch bicycles and cycle along the towpath.
Cabin
- Cabin Iona (13 m²)
This aft cabin will take you a step back in time with its original 1924 features, giving it a traditional boaty feel. This cabin is designed for a couple. - Cabin Ysée (17 m²)
This contemporary modern cabin can accommodate 2 guests in a queen size bed or 2 twin beds. - Air conditioning and heating
- En-suite bathrooms including bath towels, bathrobes, hair dryers and complimentary toiletries:
Public area
- Open kitchen and dining area with contemporary furnishings
- Skylight
- Stereo sound system, small library of books and games, DVD player and DVDs
- Passenger friendly wheelhouse for seating and dining
- Wi-Fi (may be limited in some areas)
Deck
- Sundeck with bench seating, chairs, umbrella
- 4 Dutch touring bicycles
Vehicle for private transfers and excursions: 7-seater Ford Galaxy van
Route: Portiragnes to Carcassonne
Day 1, Sunday – Portiragnes Plage
We pick you up from your hotel, train station, or local airport and bring you safely aboard Saraphina. After a short cruise through the “mini Camargue” and Champagne welcome, your first 4 course gourmet dinner will be served aboard with matching wines. A beautiful mooring in the countryside close to the village of Portiragnes.
Day 2, Monday – Pézenas & Béziers
After breakfast, you will be taken to the historic streets of renaissance Pézenas with its arts, crafts and antique shops. After a typical bistro lunch in Béziers, we cruise over the aqueduct and up the majestic flight of locks at Fonserannes. This evening’s mooring is a stones through away from Béziers.
Day 3, Tuesday – Fontfroide & Capestang
The morning visit brings you to the cistercian Fontfroide Abbey. After lunch at a quaint restaurant with a stunning view of the Etang de Montady, we cruise along the windiest part of the canal to our mooring in Capestang, a small village with a charming square where you can enjoy an aperitif with a view on the enormous 12th century collegial church.
Day 4, Wednesday – Narbonne & Le Somail
Today, the tour guide will take you to Narbonne, known for the Archbishop’s Palace, the gothic cathedral, shopping and the famous covered food market, where you will choose a selection of seafood or charcuterie to enjoy back on-board. We then cruise to another stunning mooring next to the sleepy village of Le Somail. Take the opportunity to visit the world’s famous antique book shop and the ateliers.
Day 5, Thursday – Minerve & Roubia
Thursday’s visit brings you to the medieval Cathar village Minerve and the olive oil factory L’Oulibo. You will then enjoy your lunch ashore returning to the barge for an afternoon cruise to Roubia. A wine tasting before dinnercould be organised if you wish.
Day 6, Friday – Carcassonne & Homps
The medieval city of Carcassonne is a highlight of the week. After a guided tour around Europe’s largest medieval fortified town and lunch there, we set off for the final cruise to the village of Homps and farewell dinner aboard.
Day 7, Saturday – Departure
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the train station, hotel or local airport for your onward journey.
Rates 2019/2020
- Private charter for 6 passenger – Self-catered EUR6650.00 per passenger
Self-Catered Barge inclusions
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Enjoy the freedom of a self-catered holiday without the responsibility of navigating the boat
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Barge Saraphina can accommodate four between 2 en-suite cabins, perfect for 2 couples or a family
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We take care of the piloting the boat (although you are welcome to assist), and service your cabins each day
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Full concierge services are included, i.e reserving restaurants, organising guided day tours to Carcassonne, Pezenas or Narbonne and many more
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We can provide transport to the surrounding area
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You are welcome to use our fully equipped kitchen and there is a BBQ which travels with you
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We are even happy to do some basic shopping for you for your arrival
Included in the fare:
- Rental of the boat with 2 air conditioned cabins, use of the kitchen and BBQ, 2 crew (Pilot and Hostess), bicycles, towels, bathrobes, hairdryers, 3-5 hours of cruising each day
Not included in the fare:
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Tours, transport service, food, beverages
“Merci, merci, merci for our experience extraordinaire! Never have we been treated with such courtesy and attention to detail. To Emily, thank you for treating us like royalty. Oh what an accent. Cute and talented and vivacious! To the marvelous Finn. Each lock was a fascination to our novice eyes. Your expertise and patience were great. Thank you for making our introductions to the Sud de France a most unforgettable experience.”
The Woodfords – June 2015“Your wonderful service, pleasant personalities and your expertise in what you present. Your love for what you do shines through in all that you do. Emily your lovely touches and beauty in what you do is a reflection of you, plus your wonderful, fun spirit. Finn, your absolute love for boating, the canals, the history and every angle of the canals and bridges seems to engrained in your soul. Thank your for a fabulous, beautiful trip in every way.”
Kathy & Paul – August 2015
