Jonah has joined Barge Lady as our second “Barge Lad!” Merging a wealth of experience in the luxury hotel industry with deep knowledge of European culture and history, Jonah’s background is tailor-made to assist Barge Lady clients in selecting that “perfect barge cruise.”
Based in Chicago, Jonah has been in hospitality for twelve years, most recently with the five-star Langham Chicago. Along with concierge services, his responsibilities included leading pre-launch sales and marketing teams for new hotel properties. Before that, Jonah matriculated at Indiana University with a triple major in European history, art history, and religious studies. “These topics are still my personal passions and will be useful in recommending the best itineraries to our guests,” he says.
Jonah’s first foray into French canal cruising began in Northern Burgundy with his celebrating his 37th birthday aboard the La Belle Epoque. Among his favorite excursions were the Cistercian Abbaye de la Fontenay, which he had studied at university, and luncheon with the Baron and Baroness at the historic Chateau de Ricey-Bas in Champagne. His barging adventure continued in the south of France on the Canal du Midi, where he was a guest aboard the Johanna Somail. Visits to the preserved church in Minerve and the medieval walled city of Carcassonne proved to be highlights, as were hours of relaxing on the Johanna’s deck as the region’s rustic scenery slipped by.
During his free time in Chicago, Jonah bicycles on the lakefront, plays tennis, tries new restaurants and bars with friends, and attends classical music concerts. He visits his out-of-town family often and looks forward to joining his parents at their summer home in Michigan.
“The highlight of my first immersion into French barging was joining guests from the barge Savannah, driving vintage Citroen cars on the country roads along the Canal du Midi. It was a beautiful sunny day, I had the top rolled back, and Edith Piaf playing on my cell phone. A life-changing moment – and one of the most amazing, unique, memorable, and exciting experiences offered in the Barge Lady fleet!”