Amaryllis
Barging in Burgundy

Passengers: 8
Size: 126 feet long
Last Visited: 2011
Rating: Ultra Deluxe, A/C

2012 Rates

Whole-Boat Charter for 6: $49,100
Whole-Boat Charter for 7: $54,750
Whole-Boat Charter for 8: $60,400

2012 dates

April 1 - 7	May 27 - June 2	July 22 - 28	September 16 - 22
April 8 - 14	June 3 - 9	July 29 - Aug 4	September 23 - 29
April 15 - 21	June 10 - 16	August 5 - 11	September 30 - October 6
April 22 - 28	June 17 - 23	August 12 - 18	October 7 - 13
April 29 - May 5	June 24 - 30	August 19 - 25	October 14 - 20
May 6 - 12	July 1 - 7	August 26 - Sept 1	October 21 - 27
May 13 - 19	July 8 - 14	September 2 - 8
May 20 - 26	July 15 - 21	September 9 - 15

Caroline Sack Klein, aka Barge Lady Junior was thrilled to join top industry colleagues for a three night cruise aboard Amaryllis. The last time we boarded this divine vessel was on its maiden voyage in 2002! Since then, Amaryllis has been acquired by Orient-Express who has maintained the barge and its operation to the highest “grand luxe” standards.

Caroline says: “Our trip started in Paris with a night at the San Regis, an elegant jewel-box of a hotel that began life as a mansion built in 1857. This is a very fine choice in Paris for Orient-Express guests. The next day, we were chauffeured to Amaryllis, moored in St. Leger. Joining us was Valerie Ottofaro, an old friend and our account executive in the U.S. and Rory and Caroline Macrae, industry veterans who manage the five Orient-Express barges in France.

I boarded to discover a vessel of supreme elegance. From antique furniture in the salon, to lamps and chandeliers created by Italian craftsmen to Villeroy and Bosch china on the dining room table: The public areas are a treasure trove of classic European design.

In the huge cabins, however, the accent is on voluptuous comfort. King size beds are piled high with elegant pillows and comforters. Each room has a different color scheme: crimson, bayberry-aqua, pale gold and royal blue. Closets are huge with wonderful lighting and full-length mirrors. The spacious and elegantly tiled baths have every amenity, including double sinks and heated towel bars. Also heated is the pool on deck - a fabulous and unexpected amenity!

Since Amaryllis looks like a five star hotel, it is only fitting that it is operated like one! The crew of five magically ensured that the vessel was spotless and that each guest was constantly being pampered. The more details I noticed, the more that seemed to appear - constant refilling of the shampoo and soap bottles, linens that were changed every time I left my cabin, new coasters with every cocktail hour, different candies everyday in the candy bowl, the list goes on and on. The best part is that it just "happened" by seemingly invisible fairy godmothers. Such synergy and magic occur to make it special for 8 lucky guests!

A visit to Beaune, a cobble-stoned town of great charm, was the highlight of our sightseeing. There we toured the Medieval hospital called the Hotel Dieu and tasted wine in the cellars of Maison Drouhin, one of the top winemakers based in Beaune.

The cuisine was delicious (go to the Menu tab to see the meals I enjoyed), and the crew gave us both a warm welcome and outstanding service. Our guests rightfully love the Amaryllis – and now so do I!”

Amaryllis

Burgundy Barge Cruise Itinerary

Dijon to Escommes

Sunday: Dijon

Private Chauffeured Transfer - Of Course!

Our Transfer Agent will meet you at 2:30 pm at the one Paris pickup hotel of your group’s choice and chauffeur you to Amaryllis moored in Dijon’s Port du Canal. Estimated travel time is three hours. A champagne reception provides a warm welcome and introduction to crew. Afterwards, there is plenty of time to unpack and stroll in the Port before the first of many gourmet dinners on board.


Monday: Dijon to Fleury-sur-Ouche

Visit Clos de Vougeot

Leaving Dijon, the canal follows the River Ouche where small unspoiled villages and green, forested hills provide exceptional views from the deck. Spend the morning walking, or perhaps cycling along the tow path. This afternoon's excursion is a degustation in Vougeot and a visit to "Clos de Vougeot", a medieval chateau and the headquarters of the Chevallier de Tastevin, whose special label is awarded annually to the finest Cote D'Or vintages. The barge moors for the night in the small village of Fleury-sur-Ouche.




Tuesday: Fleury-sur-Ouche to Gissey

Visit Dijon

After a wonderful French style breakfast, your guide takes you on a walking tour of Dijon, pictured below left, including a visit to the Ducal Palace, the market and the Grey Poupon mustard shop. Enjoy some free time for shopping at the many wonderful shops in town, or perhaps just sit in one of the numerous pavement cafes and simply watch the world go by.

Return to the boat for lunch and an afternoon's cruise to the charming village of Gissey. This is a truly stunning part of the canal, sit back and watch the ever changing scenery go by.





Wednesday: Gissey to La Bussiere

Visit Chateau de Savigny-les-Beaune

Mid-morning, disembark the boat for a visit to l'Abbaye de la Bussiere, which was built in the 12th century under the guidance of the Cisterian monks from Citeaux. Enjoy a tour of the grounds and have lunch in the one Michelin star restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the 15th century Chatuea de Savigny-les-Beaune set in its own vineyard and housing a huge collection of antique motorbikes, cars and planes.

Thursday: La Bussiere to Pont d'Ouche

Visit Beaune

Relax with a morning cruise through the rolling hills of the Ouche Valley to Pont d'Ouche. After lunch visit Beaune, capital of the wine region of Burgundy and the famous Hotel-Dieu, Hospice de Beaune. There is free time for shopping or strolling through the cobbled streets of this lovely town. Sample some of the local wines before returning to the barge.

Friday: Pont d'Ouche to Escommes

Visit Chateauneuf-en-Auxois

Our final cruise of the week takes us to the countryside mooring of Escommes, then after lunch visit Chateaunuef-en-Auxois. This medieval village with its commanding views over the plains is a wonderful place for a visit. Both the village and the chateau have a long and interesting history. This is followed by a tour of the surrounding countryside. Meanwhile the chef is preparing your farwell gala dinner on board.

Saturday: Departure from Escommes

A Sad A Farewell

You will depart at 9:00am and chauffeured as a group to either one location in central Paris or one location at Charles de Gaulle Airport. We estimate arrival in Paris at noon. We estimate arrival to CDG as between noon and 1:00 pm. Please make all travel plans for the day of departure on the basis of this timing. Breakfast is your last on-board meal. We hope you have created memories to last a lifetime on the elegant Amaryllis!

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ST LÉGER SUR DHEUNE TO DIJON

Sunday: ST LÉGER

Private Chauffeured Transfer - Of Course!

Board the barge at St Leger sur Dheune for your cruise through Burgundy. A champagne reception welcomes you on board and gives you a chance to meet the crew. Later that evening enjoy your first dining experience on board.

Monday: St Leger to Rully

Visit Chateau de Marguerite de Bourgogne

A leisurely cruise on the Canal du Centre gives you a chance to savor the beauty of the French countryside, with plenty of opportunities at the many locks to get off the barge and walk or cycle along the splendid tow path. Later, your guide takes you to Couches for a tour and wine tasting at the magnificent Château de Marguerite de Bourgogne. Return to the barge for lunch and an afternoon's cruise to Rully.

Tuesday: Rully to Chalon-sur-Saône

Visit Chalon-sur-Saone

Relax on board while the barge cruises the final section of the Canal du Centre before entering the last and very deep lock into the River Saône just north of Chalon-sur-Saône. The scenery changes from the close proximity of the canal banks to the expanse of this beautiful river. This afternoon enjoy a walking tour of Chalon with its quaint antique shops, stunning cathedral square and half timbered buildings. There is free time to enjoy the fine shops, or perhaps just to sit in one of the numerous pavement cafes and watch the world go by.

Wednesday: Chalon-sur-Saône to St Jean de Losne

Visit Beaune

A somewhat different cruising experience today, through the lovely valley of the River Saône to the town of Verdun sur Doubs. Lunch is taken in the heart of Beaune at the restaurant Loiseau des Vignes. We then visit this wonderful town to see the famous Hotel-Dieu, Hospices de Beaune, followed by a wine tasting. The town itself has hardly changed in appearance throughout the years; it's tiny centre is a dense maze of narrow old streets with a circular boulevard running round it's former ramparts, many of which still stand. Tonight's mooring is at St Jean de Losne, the barging capital of France. Take some time to stroll around the ports and see the many working barges and house boats that are moored here.

Thursday: St Jean de Losne to Longecourt

Visit Chateau de Longcourt

This morning the barge leaves the river and enters the Burgundy Canal. Enjoy the chance to walk or cycle along the towpath. After a wonderful lunch on board we visit the stunning Château de Longecourt, owned by the same family since 1630. Inside the stables you can still see 'graffiti' made by the American pilots who stayed there during World War II. If the Count is in residence you may enjoy a personal tour of his property. Rejoin the barge in the countryside near Longecourt, the overnight mooring.

Friday: Longecourt to Dijon

Visit Dijon

Today your guide takes you on a walking tour of Dijon to visit the market, Ducal Palace, the Grey Poupon mustard shop and enjoy some shopping at the covered food market. Tonight, the barge moors in the port of Dijon. As the chef prepares for your Farewell gala dinner on board, perhaps try a 'Kir' aperitif; a cocktail which mixes the locally produced Cassis blackcurrent liqueur with the area's Aligoté white wine.

Saturday: Dijon

A Sad A Farewell

You will depart at 9:00am and chauffeured as a group to either one location in central Paris or one location at Charles de Gaulle Airport. We estimate arrival in Paris at noon. We estimate arrival to CDG as between noon and 1:00 pm. Please make all travel plans for the day of departure on the basis of this timing. Breakfast is your last on-board meal. We hope you have created memories to last a lifetime on the elegant Amaryllis!

Please note: this is a sample itinerary which may be subject to change depending on local conditions. The route will run in reverse on alternate weeks. Contact The Barge Lady for reservations and more information about Barging in Burgundy on the canals and waterways of France Or call us toll free at (800) 880-0071.

 

Amaryllis

Guest Book

"Dear Ellen,
We wish to thank you for helping to make our barge cruise on the Amaryllis absolutely fantastic. Your professional guidance and attentive care given to every detail certainly steered us in the right direction for our first barge cruise. You were most helpful in answering our every question, often anticipating them before we even asked. This created high expectations on our part and we are happy to say the cruise on the Amaryllis exceeded them. We felt very comfortable dealing with you. You inquired about our likes and dislikes and when we arrived on board, it was evident that this had been looked after.

When the crew met us at the Dijon train station with their smiles and warm personalities, it was most welcoming. We knew right away this crew was great. But I would say they were more than great, they were amazing. We were so well attended to in every way – the crew was never in our way, but continually pampering us and making us feel right at home.

Our hostesses, Diane and Sarah, set aside an afternoon and offered to teach our 11 year old granddaughter, Sarah, how to fold napkins in the most interesting shapes, from the style of the Sydney Opera House to tuxedo shirts, which our Sarah enjoyed immensely. These ladies kept our rooms immaculate, set beautiful tables for our meals, pleasantly served us, and always met us with a smile and time for a little chat if we so wished.

Our deck hand, Richard, was equally as pleasant. We enjoyed the swimming pool often, and it was Richard who always had it ready for us, with the pool toys on hand. He kept the deck spotless, along with doing his many other chores.

We knew we were in good hands with our Captain, Drew, at the wheel. His excellent cruising skills couldn't help but be noticed as he took us through many narrow locks and canals. His personality matched the other crew members, and we thoroughly enjoyed his joining us for dinner on the last eve of the cruise. We all shared great conversation and laughter.

On to our fabulous chef, Cory. Our meals were definitely five star quality with presentation to match. Everything served was absolutely delicious.....breakfast, lunch and the 5 course dinners. It was a gourmet experience we won't forget, thanks to Cory's expert culinary skills. He was most accommodating to our granddaughter, serving her favourite type of ham with lunch and a special pizza appetizer. Each day when the menu was posted, the kitchen staff asked if there was anything she would not eat or if Cory should prepare something else for her, but our granddaughter let it be known she wanted his lamb, veal, escargot, etc. No changes please!! Desserts were mouth watering and chocolate mousse topped with fresh berries became our granddaughter's favourite. Cory gave us the recipe with a full explanation of how he prepares it.

Jacquie, our tour guide, took us on great sight seeing expeditions in the huge comfortable van, which she maneuvered so easily. Her knowledge of the villages, chateaux, vineyards, and other points of interest was outstanding. She also doubled as our sommeliere, selecting and presenting us with an excellent choice of wines to complement our meals. We enjoyed hearing her description of each wine served. And it was Jacquie who came on board early one morning with a bottle of maple syrup for our granddaughter to serve on the pancakes that Cory prepared for her breakfast. How nice.

The Amaryllis barge is absolutely beautiful. It is elegant and tastefully decorated but has a comfortable "homey" feeling. We girls were delighted with our "full size" bath, toiletries, lovely linens, and fresh flowers throughout the barge. We certainly would do this barge trip again---on the Amaryllis---and would want the same great crew!

And we would certainly book with Ellen, The Barge Lady, again! Once again, a big thank you from the Chase Family. "
- Garry and Linda Chase, 2010


"We had a wonderful trip. The cabins were as good or better than staying in a Relais et Chateau hotel. The wines served on board and the wine tastings were memorable."
-Satisfied 2010 Guests

Amaryllis Floor Plan

126 Feet long
-One Upper Deck Suite - 180 square feet
-Three Lower Deck Suites - from 227 to 278 square feet
-All suites with choice of one King or two twin beds
-Two suites with bathtub/shower and two suites with shower stall
-Elegant French decor, full size closets and glamorous tiled baths
-Heated pool on sundeck
-On board computer for guest use with internet access