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Holland and Belgium Floriade 2012 River Cruise
8/5/2011 10:46:14 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
2012, Belgium, cruise, Europe, Floriade, Holland, River Cruise, Tauck
Amazing Hotel-Barge Meanderer Deals!
6/14/2011 1:06:29 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
2011, cruise, Hotel Barge, River Cruise

Restore mind and body with luxury barge tours in the Upper Loire.

Like the fine wines and produce of France, this historic countryside is best savored slowly, and there is simply no better way to enjoy France than to glide aboard the luxury barge Meanderer.

Visit magical chateaux, savor great cuisine, discover vineyards and galleries — a Meanderer voyage lets you have the French dream vacation on your terms.

Cruise with us aboard the Meanderer — connect with a time and place where
life moves a little more slowly and elegantly.

We’ll help tailor the experience that’s perfect for you — whether
you prefer to bicycle or walk down country lanes, or simply lounge
on board the Meanderer with your favorite vintage and watch
one of the world’s greatest landscapes go by.

Let us help make this one of your most memorable vacations.

The Barge

The Meanderer is your floating luxury hotel for french barge trips.

The 6 Passenger Meanderer

Originally a 1948 Belgian "Spitz" commercial barge, Meanderer was converted to a luxury hotel barge in 1992. Since her conversion she has been continually upgraded and now offers probably the most luxurious six passenger barge specification available in Europe. With three en-suite cabins each measuring in excess of 125 square feet, large lounge and dining areas, a spacious, teak covered sun-deck and an outdoor heated spa-pool, she is the perfect vessel for exploring the Upper Loire in style.

The flexible twin or queen bed arrangements and newly decorated, air-conditioned cabins and salon perfectly complement the spacious outdoor space.

Food & Wine

French Culinary experience on your barging holidays.

Food and Wine

Gourmet dining on board is another part of the wonderful, relaxing week that Meanderer offers. Dining al fresco under the canopy or inside in the elegant salon are both designed to be exceptional experiences.

Menus are created to represent the dining for which France is renowned. All meals on board Meanderer are prepared only with the finest ingredients and presentation is exquisite. Our chef shops daily in the local markets for the freshest seasonal gourmet foods available. Menus can be adjusted to accommodate special dietary requests. We will always do our best to customize menus to match likes/dislikes of our passengers.

Book now with Hotel-Barge Travel Specialists!

Call (321) 632-5610 * (800) 950-5610

Visit us at www.travelbyginny.com for all your travel needs
Day 9 & 10 -- Tarcoles Cruise, San Jose
2/3/2011 3:01:20 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Costa Rica, Land Tour, River Cruise

Day 9:

This morning drive through the cattle ranches of Guanacaste. Cattle ranching was a primary source of revenue to the area in the 16th and 17th century. After years of struggle the economy recieved a boost in the 1950s and 60s as the United States and North America in general desired more and more cheap beef. I don't know how direct the correlation is or if there is one, but fast food places like McDonald's began in the 40s and Wendy's first opened in the 60s.Who likes hamburgers? I know that I do.

Break for lunch.

When lunch is over you will go on a cruise on the Tarcoles River. It is a habitat for crocodiles and birds with it's marshy banks and lush foliage. The river run's adjacent to the Carara Biological Reserve, which is a rainforest and very popular amongst tourists. On your cruise you will pass through a mangrove reserve. You might even get to see the scarlet macaw for this one of the largest regions where it nests. The area is home to many mammal species as well as bird, amphibian, and reptile, though spotting them may be difficult through the density of the greenery.

As the day winds down, so does this Costa Rica Natural Paradise tour. After your river cruise you will return to San José and partake in a farewell dinner.

Day 10:

Enjoy one last breakfast in your hotel this morning. It begins at 6:30 AM. Caravan provides transfers to the Juan Santamaria International Airport at 5:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, and 11:30 AM. Adios and chau!

Call (321) 632-5610 * (800) 950-5610

Visit us at www.travelbyginny.com for all your travel needs!
Day 6 -- Cano Negro, Hot Springs, Arenal
1/18/2011 1:01:12 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Costa Rica, Hot Springs, Land Tour, Rainforest, River Cruise, Volcano

Your morning will start with a scenic drive through several types of plantations. Along the way you will see plantations for sugar cane, teak, and oranges. Which are your favorite?

Up next you will get to cruise on the Rio Frio River. This river goes through luscious Caño Negro wildlife refuge. Here you will find many migratory birds not readily found anywhere else in Costa Rica. It is sure to delight birdwatchers who will get to see whistling ducks, cormorants, roseate spoonbills, anhingas, northern jacanas, and blue heron.

Besides birds, there’s plenty more to see on the river cruise. You will find many native species to Costa Rica among the trees and foliage. Watch for caimans, spider monkeys, crocodiles and web-footed, water-walking lizards. Those guys are cool. Have you ever seen one upclose?

After the river cruise you will break for lunch and then return to Fortuna.

In the afternoon you can enjoy a relaxing soak in the Tabacon, Tabaconcito, Ecothermales, or Baldi Hot Springs. These volcanic hot springs are a great way to unwind after a long day spent exploring. When you visit you'll get to relax among the beautiful waterfalls and tropical flora and fauna.

At night if the weather is clear, you might get to see the glowing orange lava flow running down the Arenal Volcano. Be sure to have camera equipment and film that can take night photos of this stunning vista.

Call (321) 632-5610 * (800) 950-5610

Visit us at www.travelbyginny.com for all your travel needs!
Day 5 -- Pineapple Tour, Fortuna
1/18/2011 12:50:52 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Costa Rica, Land Tour, Rainforest, River Cruise, Volcano

Today will be another great day for photography and birdwatching as you will start your day off with a morning cruise on the Tortuguero River. What do you think you are most looking forward to taking pictures of today? I'm hoping to spot some howler and spider monkeys. Be sure to take a range of macro shots and wide shots for your photo albums. The flora and fauna are just as beautiful as the animal life.

After enjoying a good lunch you will get to visit a pineapple plantation. The pineapple is indigenous to South America but can be found worldwide in similar climates. Did you know that a pineapple was once the term for a pine cone? I don't think that would be very appetizing to eat now, do you? Talk about a crunchy and bark-covered difference! Before you leave the pineapple plantation you will get to sample some of the organic fruit. Costa Rica is famous for it's sweet pineapples. Is your mouth watering yet? I know mine is!

Next you will head out with your tour guide on approximately an hour long scenic countryside drive to the San Carlos Valley. Taking pictures through the bus might be a little difficult so make sure you have your camera set for a fast shutter speed to ensure quality images. Here you will stay for two nights in La Fortuna de San Carlos or more simply known: Fortuna.

Fortuna is the gateway to the Arenal Volcano, the country's most active volcano. The Arenal Volcano is Costa Rica's most fantastic sight to behold. You will almost certainly get to see it smoking. It is also the home to Caño Negro wildlife refuge and some fabulous hot springs, all of which you will get to visit tomorrow. Now it's time for dinner and leisurely pursuit... We highly suggest the spas! It is a great way to relax. You deserve to pamper yourself.

Call (321) 632-5610 * (800) 950-5610

Visit us at www.travelbyginny.com for all your travel needs!
Day 4 -- Tortuguero Park, Canal Cruise
12/23/2010 2:17:03 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Costa Rica, Land Tour, Rainforest, River Cruise

Yesterday you explored the Tortuguero Park in large open-air boats (25-40 passengers) but today you will set out in small open-air boats (15 passengers). Your tour will be guided by a naturalist. You’ll want to bring your camera to get those great souvenir photos. You could be lucky enough to capture a howler monkey on film!

From there you will go through the canals and lagoons of Caño Palma Wildlife Reserve. Caño Palma means Palm Canal and is lined by its namesake on both sides of the canal for a truly lush feel. The reserve is the best example of a lowland tropical wet forest and is a perfect spot for birdwatchers. Be on the lookout for caimans (a type of alligator) as they are known to swim in these waters.

Near the reserve are world famous nesting beaches for the endangered green sea turtles. You’ll make a visit to the Green Turtle Research Station. Here you can explore and learn about the efforts involved to protect these magnificent creatures and take a guided walk of the beaches.

The Green Sea Turtle’s name comes from the color of fat found beneath their shell. Like other sea turtles they migrate vast distances between where they feed where they hatch their babies. Costa Rica is one of the major nesting grounds in the Caribbean. In the wild Green Sea Turtles have been recorded living eighty some years.

After your excursion with the sea turtles you’ll go to Tortuguero village where you will visit a Costa Rican grade school if it’s in session and meet some of its students.

It’s lunch time now which you will enjoy back at your hotel.

In the afternoon you can go on another boat excursion to Tortuguero Park to learn more about the region and take lots of photos of wildlife and fauna. When you’re done the rest of the day is yours to plan as you’d like. If you’re brave you can go zip-lining or if you’re looking for more leisurely activities you can golf or tour the Lankaster Gardens.

Call (321) 632-5610 * (800) 950-5610

Visit us at www.travelbyginny.com for all your travel needs!

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