Go Barging Invites Leaf Peepers to Visit Southern France

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GO BARGING Offers Value Season Packages on All Fall Foliage Cruises

NEW YORK, NY September 26, 2006 A mosaic of brilliant autumn colors greets passengers at every bend of the river on Go Barging's six-night autumn cruises. Go Barging, Europe's largest luxury barging company, offers leaf peepers a selection of foliage tours through the enchanting canals of southern France at special value rates during October and November.

An Abundance of Riches
For discriminating travelers, there's only one way to experience the autumn bounties along the centuries-old canals of Burgundy and the Midi region: from the sundecks of the Go Barging fleet of luxury "floating hotels." Among the company's various cruises, three elegantly appointed barges, Anjodi, La Reine Pedauque and La Belle Époque, offer cruises that are perfectly suited for enjoying views of the changing seasons.

The handsome 8-passenger Anjodi is specially designed to navigate the 300- year-old Canal du Midi. Guests are treated to private wine tastings and have a chance to wander medieval streets carved from volcanic stone. The itinerary includes visits to the ancient Roman city of Narbonne and its colorful indoor market as well as to Carcassonne, the most complete medieval fortified city in the world. Prices for October and November departures start at $2,550 per person all inclusive.

La Reine Pedauque departs just outside historic Dijon and navigates a 45-lock passage into the heart of Burgundy and the glorious Ouche Valley.
Passengers are welcome to soak up the surroundings of dense flora onboard or keep pace on foot or bicycle along a parallel towpath. Land excursions include wine tastings and visits to Cistercian Abbey, Chateau la Chassagne and Beaune, home of the world-famous Hospices. The 8-passenger La Reine Pedauque is wheelchair accessible. Go Barging offers five October departures, starting at $3,550 per person all inclusive.

La Belle Époque is the flagship of Go Barging's European fleet. Guests are met in Paris and transferred to the graceful 12-passenger ship. The excursion through the Canal du Nivernais in Burgundy passes vineyard-clad hillsides.
Visits to a 12th century wine cellar and St. Bris with its extraordinary underground network of medieval passages are among the highlights. October and November departures start at $2,790 per person all inclusive.

All three barges are also available as full ship charters.

A Season of Celebrations
Fall is an ideal time to visit France, and not just for its gorgeous golden-green patina. Towns come alive with festivals, fairs and celebrations.

Dijon, the capital of Burgundy, hosts the International Gastronomy Fair featuring more than 500 vendors October 31-November 11. Wine lovers flock to Beaune the third Sunday in November for its internationally famous charity wine auction at the Hospices de Beaune. And throughout the season, foodies can embark on a truffle-hunting safari and pay a visit to the renowned truffle market in Noyers-sur-Serein.

"When Americans think of southern France, they think of wonderful food, world-class wines and beautiful countryside, but knowledgeable travelers also think of great sightseeing opportunities during the fall, when the crowds have gone home and life unfolds at a more leisurely pace," said Derek Banks, CEO of Go Barging, a subsidiary of European Waterways. "In October and November, the weather is still mild and the color-bursting backdrop of the season is in full view."

Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Prices are for cruise only and do not include airfare.

About Go Barging
Go Barging is a subsidiary of European Waterways, the largest luxury barging vacation company in Europe, offering vacations in nine countries and carrying approximately 1,700 passengers a year. Founded over 30 years ago, the company designs, builds, owns and operates a private fleet of luxury barges with exclusive cruises in France, Scotland, England, Ireland, Holland, Italy, the Czech Republic, Belgium, and Germany. Pioneers in barging, they were the first company to put a barge on the upper Nivernais, and the "real" Loire Valley. They are also the only company with a barge in Scotland and in the Venetian lagoon, as well as the first company to offer an Avignon-to- Amsterdam 6-week trans-Europe cruise, a thousand mile journey along Western Europe's inland waterways. For more information, pricing and cruise schedules, contact European Waterways at 1-800- 394-8630 or on the web at http://www.gobarging.com.

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