Tango~Cruising on

The Canal du Midi

Passengers: 6-8
Size: 100 feet long
Last Visited: 2007
Rating: Deluxe, A/C

2009 rates

Whole Boat Charter of 6:
$32,240
Whole Boat Charter of 8:
$43,400
Individual Cabins
$5,880 per person/double occupancy - Van Gogh and Captain's Cabin
$4,750 per person/double occupancy -
Renoir and Cezanne Cabins

TANGO'S sister ship FANDANGO - owned and operated by Hazel Young - moves to Burgundy in 2009. As always, Hazel plans a special and delicious experience! See our Southern Burgundy section for full details.

Tango is operated by Hazel Young's son, Daniel Sak. As a child he had seen this barge abandoned by the side of the canal and was determined to own it. In 2000, his dream came true when he purchased the vessel, re-christened it as Tango, and renovated it to produce striking and sophisticated decor. Daniel now serves as both Captain and chef, continuing a tradition of excellence inherited from his mother.

Tango is absolutely gorgeous! Pictures do not do it justice. It reminds of a sophisticated yacht: with polished teak flooring, gleaming brass portholes, romantic cabins and luminous ceramic tiled baths. Chef Daniel is a perfectionist; the barge looks, feels, and even smells wonderful. His French country cooking uses the freshest ingredients. It is flavorful, creative, and light. A tiny window allows guest to watch him cook!

We have welcomed many parties onto Tango. Delightful guests Norman and Ann Bikales cruised in October, 2006. Their wonderful commentary sums up much that is special about Tango and its route encompassing both Mediterranean towns and the Canal du Midi: "The Canal du Midi is magical. It winds through medieval villages that have not changed in years. The countryside is a mass of grape vines and olive trees. We went to the local markets and saw the fabulous produce, which our chef bought and prepared daily. The food was exceptional. We ate all the local vegetables, fish, occasionally meat and drank the local wines which were blends of local grapes. We slept late, had long breakfasts, went to the market, to the villages, the most famous being Carcasonne, which we have been to twice before. The other areas were new to us and each village had a history of its own and a charm that drew us along the narrow cobblestone streets. We went all the way to the Mediterranean Sea just off the border of Spain. The terrain changed daily. Going through the locks was exciting as all the townspeople came to watch the big event of the day. One day, we went through seven locks in a row. We often got off the barge and walked for miles along the banks meeting the barge at another point. It was such fun."

Tango

Barge Cruise Itinerary

Marseillan to Le Somail on the Canal du Midi

Sunday:
Welcome Aboard
A crew member meets you at your designated meeting point and accompanies you to the barge where the Captain toasts your arrival with Champagne. Guests enjoy a sunset cruise to visit the oyster beds on the inland sea of Thau, mooring for the night at the Mediterranean port of Marseillan. You may begin your welcome dinner on board with fresh oysters and a chilled white wine from the nearby vineyards of Pinet.

Monday:
Marseillan to Agde
Morning visit by mini-van to the sunny, pastel colored fishing port town of Sete. This is France's Venice, with a network of canals intersecting the town center. We'll bring back seafood fresh off the boats for the chef to prepare a barge specialty, seafood spaghetti. Before lunch, guests will have a wine tasting at the Noilly Prat Vermouth cellars and museum. While you lunch on deck, the barge will set sail toward the lighthouse that heralds the beginning of the Canal du Midi. You will pass through the first of many locks and avenues of sycamore trees as the canal draws us inland. Agde is our destination for a stroll before dinner. The ancient winding, tiny streets are the same as when the Greeks built this port town, only the shops are different, offering a good choice for shoppers. Dinner is served on board.

Tuesday:
Agde to Beziers
Cruise in the morning to the canal-side village of Villeneuve les Beziers. There's a great cycling path for those wishing to bike alongside the barge while it moves at a slow pace between locks. After lunch on board, a picturesque afternoon drive in the mini-van to the historical and elegant town of Pezenas, antiques capital of the Languedoc. We will head back to the barge in time to cross the spectacular aqueduct over the Herault River and climb up the seven lock staircase of Beziers, both fine features of Paul Riquet's engineering feats. A stunning view of the Beziers Cathedral illuminated is a romantic backdrop for dinner on board.

Wednesday:
Beziers to Capestang
The mini-van will be ready in the morning for an exciting shopping and sightseeing trip to Narbonne, once Roman capital of the area on the route between Rome and Barcelona. Chariot rutted paving stones from the Via Domitia can be walked over in the central square, on the way to visit the splendid Cathedral and cloister. Smart designer boutiques fulfill the needs for those unable to shop in Paris. The 100 year old covered les halles market gets our appetites going for another luncheon feast on board. We cruise in the afternoon to the canal-side village of Capestang, with time for a wine tasting in a local vineyard or a stroll in the village before dinner on board.

Thursday:
Capestang to Pigasse
Minerve will be today's mini-van visit. An ancient castle and hilltop town perched high above a canyon, Minerve was a natural site for the Cathars to try and defend themselves from Simon de Montfort. Your tour guide will give you an in-depth historical tour. On the way back to the barge for lunch, we'll stop at the prize winning olive oil mill to stock up on olives and gifts. An afternoon cruise with breathtaking views of vineyards as far as the eye can see to the Pyrenees. We moor the barge at the garden's edge of the Michelin star restaurant of Pigasse. We'll enjoy a wine tasting of the vineyards belonging to Mr. Eden, domains scattered in four locations, giving you a connoisseur's tour before an unforgettable candlelit dinner at the restaurant.

Friday:
Le Somail
A morning cruise to the most picturesque village of the Canal, Le Somail. Browsing in the antique books store here will give you prints and posters to frame back home. For a regional feast, your tour guide will take you to Carcassonne for a lunch of cassoulet, followed by a walk around the ramparts of this famous walled medieval city. Fabulous shopping for Provencal tablecloths and other wonderful fare on display before heading back to the barge. Time for a last bike ride along the towpath before your gala farewell dinner on board.

Saturday:
A Sad Farewell
Breakfast on board, followed by 10a.m. Departure and transfer for continuation of your journey.

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 Cruises on the hotel-barge Tango and barging on the Canal du Midi Or call us toll free at (800) 880-0071.

Tango

Guest Book

"Our Tango cruise was beyond our expectations. Accommodations were top-of-the-line and food exquisite. The crew of Hazel, Daniel, Anna and William were fantastic. They were so enjoyable and truly made the trip. From the moment we got on the barge until we departed, we did not want for a thing! TANGO is the nicest barge on the canal. Such attention to detail! Upon returning, I told our friends that other barges were Holiday Inns. We were on the Ritz Carlton!"
- Anissa Gurnee, 2007

"Fabulous in every way. This was as close to a perfect family vacation as one could wish for."
-Bill Jones III, 2007

"Outstanding. Daniel runs a good ship and the food was fabulous. The canal was even more beautiful than we expected. We would like to do it again in a few years."
-Joe and Ann Jennings, 2006

"Actually having the two barges worked very well - activity on one, peaceful sailing on the other. We loved the Van Gogh cabin on Tango - it is beautiful, particularly in the bath which has tiles to die for! Our family adventure was a great success. Hazel and her crew made us comfortable in every way."
- Gambill Family Tandem Charter, 2006

"An exceptional week on a lovely vessel with a superb crew."
- Ned and Lura Edge 2006

"Tango more than met our expectations, all the better because we had been looking forward to barging for years! Beautiful cabin, excellent cuisine, and likeable barge staff. Thanks to you, Barge Lady, and the crew of Tango for a memorable trip."
- Jim and Beth Wolf 2005

Tango Floor Plan

100 Feet long
-Refit for 2008 with four cabins
-"Honeymoon cabin" 190 square feet and two smaller cabins at 90 square feet
-Fourth cabin accessible by separate entrance
-Salon with piano and elegant moderne style decor
-Gorgeous tiled baths and deck