Duxbury, MA, December 2015– French Country Waterways, an American-owned company offering luxury barge cruises along France's historic canal system, announces a special incentive for guests who reserve space on April 2016 departures on any of the company's Burgundy itineraries. In addition to a $600 savings per couple*, the company is offering its guests a complimentary one-night stay at a luxury Paris hotel the night before their cruise departs. Rates in the April shoulder season start at $4,195 per person on the 18-passenger Esprit and $5,895 per person on the 12-passenger Adrienne and Nenuphar barges. All trips depart on Sundays and last six nights.

The Adrienne and Esprit travel the company's “Burgundy” route, cruising the Canal de Bourgogne and the Canal du Centre near the heart of France's famed Côte d'Or wine region. Highlights of this itinerary include a walking tour of Dijon, the historic capital of Burgundy; a visit to the charming wine town of Beaune; a wine tasting in Chassagne-Montrachet; and dinner ashore at the Michelin-starred Lameloise restaurant. The Nenuphar takes the Central Burgundy route, focusing on the region's history, commerce, art and religion. Among the activities on this itinerary are a private wine tasting in Chablis, visits to the 12th-century Abbaye de Fontenay and 16th-century château of Ancy-le-Franc, and dinner ashore at Michelin-starred Le Relais Bernard Loiseau.

For more than 30 years, French Country Waterways has offered its guests the most tasteful approach to exploring the French countryside – in more ways than one. Each barge is a luxurious floating hotel staffed by an accommodating English-speaking crew of six or seven … one of whom is an accomplished chef, intent on giving guests a true taste of France. Buffet breakfasts include fresh breads and pastries picked up in the villages along the way, allowing guests to feel truly immersed in the small-town charms of the French countryside. Multi-course dinners are served in the comfortable dining room, and lunches are served there or on the barge's cheery sundeck. Throughout the journey, passengers are offered more than two dozen different wines, many with well-known labels from Grand Cru or Premier Cru vineyards, and countless French cheeses. On one night guests visit a Michelin-starred restaurant that only further supports the notion that nobody knows cuisine quite like the French.

Besides the daily excursions, guests are encouraged to hop off the barge to walk or cycle along the canal towpaths, giving them the opportunity to explore the French countryside, take photos or simply mingle with locals. Those guests with a slightly more adventurous spirit may book an optional hot air balloon flight (an additional fee applies), which allows them to see France from land, water and air all on the same relaxed journey.

Each French Country Waterways barge is available for individual bookings and for charter groups. In addition to these Burgundy itineraries, the company offers two other barges and three other itineraries. The eight-passenger Princess visits Champagne from April through July and Alsace-Lorraine from August through October, and the eight-passenger Horizon II explores the Upper Loire Valley during the length of the season, with Sunday departures from April 3 through October 30, 2016. Information, reservations and the company's 2016 brochure can be obtained from French Country Waterways, Ltd., P.O. Box 2195, Duxbury, MA 02331; calling 800-222-1236 in the U.S. and Canada and 781-934-2454 in Massachusetts; or visiting www.fcwl.com.

 *Rates based on double occupancy. Staterooms booked for single occupancy will receive a $300 discount. Other restrictions apply. Please call for all details.

# # #

Gillies and Zaiser
212.724.7783
media@gilliesandzaiser.com
www.gilliesandzaiser.com

FCW-03, December 2015