Athos
Why cruise on this ship?
The 10 passenger Athos was built in 1964 as a commercial sand, grain and wine barge and was converted into a luxury hotel barge in 1982.
Dining
The classic traditions of French and International cuisine are an unforgettable highlight of your cruise. The onboard chefs are experienced, highly-trained culinary artists, whose gastronomic creations are often rated higher by our discerning clients than those they have sampled in top restaurants.
Cuisine & Dining Onboard
Before you wake each morning, a crew member has visited the local patisserie to collect newly baked breads, buttery croissants and a variety of fresh pastries, which will be laid out in the saloon with an array of fresh fruit and other accompaniments. Together with the aroma of fresh coffee brewing, the day has just begun and you may want to enjoy your breakfast on deck.
Luncheon may be a colourful arrangement of salads, pâtes, savoury quiches and of course, a selection of cheeses, all accompanied by an excellent choice of wines from the barge cellar. This daytime feast is often enjoyed on the sun deck, perhaps while cruising.
Dinner is the culinary highlight of each day. Served by candlelight, each course is a delicious creation, complemented by fine wines. Your chef will use the best fresh ingredients, bought from the wonderful local markets and pick fresh herbs from the small onboard herb garden to skilfully produce mouth-watering regional and national dishes that are full of flavour.
Features
- Experience: Complimentary
- Food type: French
Entertainment
Each hotel barge has a library, games and a CD player/iPod dock and some of them a spa pool on the sun deck, TV/DVD, or computer with internet access, often WiFi. Some even have a telescope for an after-dinner gaze into the night sky. There is also, of course, an open bar stocked with a wide range of alcoholic and soft drinks.
Enrichment
Athos does not offer any dedicated enrichment facilities. She however visits many location of historical and cultural value. See below for more information on the Canal du Midi.
Canal du Midi
The 300 year old Canal du Midi skirts the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean before meandering inland through ancient villages, Roman fortifications and famed vineyards. This canal is defined by its beauty, lined with plane trees and crossed by pretty arched bridges. The Mediterranean weather and pace of life is relaxed and lulls you into unwinding as your luxury Canal du Midi barge meanders gently downstream.
This is the perfect place for cycling or walking along scenic tow paths, or simply watching the scenery pass by as you relax on the deck of a Canal du Midi barge with a cool drink. In the distance you can see the Pyrenees, whereas closer to hand are the vineyards that stretch for thousands of square miles. Enjoy private wine tastings at chateaux en route, the locations of which vary depending on your choice of Canal du Midi cruise.
You will discover a marvellous blend of ancient Gallo-Roman and traditional influences reflected throughout this region of historical importance. Explore this further with your tour guide when you visit the walled city of Carcassonne, the most complete medieval fortified city in existence.
Features
Canal du Midi Cruise Highlights
- Tour Carcassonne, the most complete medieval fortified city in existence
- Wine tasting at a local château, such as Château Cabezac
- Visit Pezenas, an architectural gem
- Passage through Fonserannes locks
- Visit Narbonne with its Archbishop’s Palace and lively covered market
- Cross the 18th century Orb canal bridge
- Excellent towpath for walking and cycling
Features
Health and fitness
Athos does not offer any dedicated Health & Fitness facilities. There is however 8/10 touring bikes available on request for anyone wishing to cycle through the areas visits.
Kids and teens
Athos does not offer any dedicated Kids & Teens facilities.
Cabins
All hotel barges in the fleet benefit from an annual refurbishment and this may vary from redecoration and refurnishing of the accommodation or public areas of a vessel, to a complete refit of bedroom suites and their en suite facilities.
The accommodation on each hotel barge ranges from charming twin and double-bedded staterooms to suites with sitting areas – but all with closet and drawer storage and private en suite shower rooms. For any cruise, you can select a specific cabin, particularly if you book early.
Deck plans
Deck
- 5 Double or Twin Cabins
- Dining Area
- Saloon
- Bar
- Galley