Sunday, Day 1
- MARSEILLAN
4pm pick
up at designated point in Montpellier where
you will be met by ATHOS Captain and Manager. In the comfort of ATHOS'
private air-conditioned minivans, you will be chauffeured to where the
ATHOS awaits you at her moorings. You will be treated to a full-crew
Welcome Aboard, whilst toasting with Champagne and Mediterannean
canapés. Once you are settled into your cabin, you will be invited to a
4-course dinner, prepared by our highly acclaimed onboard Chef.
Monday, Day 2
- MARSEILLAN to AGDE
Enjoy
your first coffee of the day sitting in a comfortable chair on the
upper deck of ATHOS. While coffee is available at any time from the
bar, continental-style breakfast is served from 8:30, at your leisure. For Golfers on
this first morning, the proposed course is the well-acclaimed "la
Grande Motte". It is made up of two 18-hole courses and one 9-hole,
designed by Robert Trent-Jones (Senior) in 1987. The drive is
approximately 45 minutes, and is close to the sea, just south of
Montpellier. To get there, we'll leave the barge at 8:00am. For non-golfers,
last night's mooring is the impressive view of the Island of Sete.
We'll take the scenic 20 minute drive down the Mediterranean coast,
explore the look-out point at the Mont St. Michel, then browse the
morning market at Sete. On your return, a spectacular (and
appropriate!) seafood lunch awaits you, as you move off last evening's
mooring and enter the open-waters of the Etang de Thau. The Etang hosts
Europe's largest mussel and oyster park. Having cruised across the
Etang and on to the Canal du Midi itself, the barge comes to its
evening's moorings at Agde, in a shady and pretty spot under the
massive Plain Trees.
Tuesday, Day
3 - AGDE to FONSERANNES
After breakfast, this morning's suggested course for Golfers
is the Golf de Fontcaude. An hour's drive away, your guide suggests a
slightly later start and golfing through lunch today. An 18-hole
international course, par 72 and 6,881 yds long, it was designed by
Chris Pitman in 1991. The Clubhouse is a modern complex where you can
stop for lunch when you are ready. Non
golfers
are invited for a visit to the historical village of Pezenas. Many of
the buildings in this village are architecturally impressive, as many
were the family mansions of the first Languedoc court. Pezenas is
filled with small artisanal boutiques, well worth exploring. Dannielle
first suggests a small walking tour of the village-centre, and then a
good browse through the shops! The Pezenas group returns to the barge
for a delicious lunch on board served with chilled rosé, relaxing
sunshine and perfect service from Athos' attentive crew. While eating,
Athos begins moving through the famous round lock at Agde and heads
towards Beziers. Golfers return to join the last leg of the cruise
which is the exciting climb up the staircase locks. This is the perfect
setting for a post-golf drinks and a toast to a perfect setting. Athos
crew will have dinner underway for your arrival at the scenic
Fonserannes -- the hostess suggests dinner on the top deck, overlooking
the spectacular scene of the evening-lit Cathedral at Beziers.
Wednesday,
Day 4 - FONSERANNES to CAPESTANG
After
breakfast, Golfers have only a 20 minute drive to the delightful course
at "St. Thomas". This course was designed in 1992 by Patrice Lambert.
It is 6704 yds long and a par 72. Along with the beautiful views, it
includes an interesting blend of groomed greens, and natural, open and
wooded landscape. Lunch will be available at your leisure in the
attractive and friendly clubhouse. The proposed visit for non-golfers is
for a 30-minute drive into the bustling and quaint town of Narbonne.
After a brief look at the excavated section of the original Roman road,
the Via Domitia, you have the option of browsing through the
well-compiled Roman Museum, discovering the beauty of St. Juste
Cathedral, shopping through the many stores surrounding centre ville,
or, simply take a moment to blend into the scene: sit and relax in one
of the many cafés. Returning from Narbonne, the Athos crew are again
awaiting your pleasure: chilled drinks are on the bar for your
entrance, and as cruising gets underway, another gourmet lunch is
served on the upper deck. Golfers meet the barge at the Malpas Tunnel,
and will enjoy the traverse through the tunnel as well as a relaxing
late-afternoon of cruising towards Capestang. Captain Julian stops the
barge momentarily, and we hop off for a short wine-tasting at one of
the few remaining traditional-method 19th century wineries. Cruising
will then carry on for another hour, until Athos arrives in the
charming village of Capestang. Another gourmet dinner will be served on
board.
Thursday, Day
5 - CAPESTANG to ARGELIERS
Golfers
may be needing a day off today? Your guide invites everyone to the
Oulibo - the local olive oil pressoir. After tasting the organic and
wholesome olives (accompanied, bien sur by a small glass of rosé!!), a
short drive up the Gorge de la Cesse and into the hilltop village of
Minerve is in order. Dannielle will regale you with the harrowing tale
of the Cathar siege launched at Minerve during the 13th century. A long
lunch and an afternoon of relaxation await you on your return to the
ATHOS. By early evening you have arrived in Argeliers, where ATHOS'
mooring is beside the picturesque Argeliers bridge. There ought to be
enough time for an invigorating game of petanque (over cocktails!?) or
a brisk stroll into the village before Chef starts serving up her next
delight!
Friday, Day 6
- ARGELIERS to SALLELES d'AUDE
Today is the last chance for golfing,
and your guide suggests an early drive towards Carcassonne. The course
at Golfe de Carcassonne was designed by JP Bascuro and is 6297 yds
long. If you are still feeling energetic after golfing, your guide
suggests a quick stop-off at the Cité of Carcassonne and a quick look
around the Medieval City. Lunch will be your choice - either at the
Golfe de Carcassonne, or an earlier return to the barge to join your
group. Non-golfers
are
chauffeured to the Medieval Cité and are offered a guided historical
visit by their knowledgeable on-board guide, Dannielle. After a look
around the city together, there will still be time for browsing those
shops, or a refreshing drink in the cafés while watching the busy
crowds go by. A late lunch is waiting when both groups return for the
final afternoon of cruising. The locks down to Salleles d'Aude are
close together, and walking the short distance between locks is
pleasant in the shade of the pine trees that line the canal. We arrive
in the charming and rustic village of Salleles d'Aude in time for
leisurely cocktails, a toast with your captain and crew, and another
fabulous dinner the Chef has prepared for your send-off.
Saturday, Day
7 - SALLELES D'AUDE
After
breakfast, you wave goodbye to the Crew, who have looked after your
every need throughout the week. The minivans will now depart to the
appointed destination in Montpellier.
Note:
- This
itinerary is a sample only. Golf Courses, cruising and mooring points
may be altered to suit guests' individual requirements.
- The itinerary runs the reverse in
opposite weeks.
- All courses have electric golf buggies
for hire.
- Although
some equipment is available for hire, it can be difficult to find
complete sets of clubs to rent. The best advice is to bring your own!
- Green
fees and equipment rental are additional to the ATHOS Charter rate.
They vary between €25 to €60 for Green fees and €25 to €40 for buggies.
- Lunch
and drinks while on the Courses will be at the expense of the
passenger. All meals, beverages and snacks on board are included in the
Charter price.
- A crew member will be available at all
times to give advice and help when needed.
