HI, and sorry to all of you have been waiting for news for 2 months. I don't know where the time goes, but as always promise to try to do better.
I have been very busy as many of you who were unable to join us in France in 2009 are clearly determined to cruise here in 2010. It looks like we are going to have a good season and I am very grateful to you all for your support during this difficult time.

Cruise wise there are not too many changes to report this year BUT we do have a lovely new barge in Brittany. Libje is the only hotel barge cruising in this unspoilt region. Available on both full board and half board charters for up to 4, this cruise is exceptionally competively priced at just 7250 euros for full board , thats just 2625 euros per person, all inclusive!
Take a look at the Libje on our site now

http://www.hotelsafloat.com/barge/313

and benefit from a discount if reserving by December 31st by quoting BLOG when you email us.

An 'IOU one cruise' would make a lovely Christmas present for your loved ones!

Fine Chocolate and Wine in France

I have several ideas of heaven, and of heaven on earth! The latter I have found in Burgundy: A hotel barge cruise based on wine and fine chocolates!

Imagine discovering some of the finest wines of the region, and tasting chocolate dessers mde my our on-board chef.

Aboard Elisabeth you can cruise on the Burgundy canal, one of the most famous in the world, among family or friends. Available on a charter basis only, the Elisabeth offers first class accomodation for up to 6, but her friendly owner-crew are equally happy to host honeymoon couples.

What better way to spoil yourselves than with two of the most delicious tastes in the world?

Come and see Elisabeth on our site at

http://www.hotelsafloat.com/

I promise that you will be tempted to join us!

Paris and the annual website update

Hi!
It's that time of year again, when I am stuck to the pc morning, noon and night updating our website at
www.hotelsafloat.com
This year sees some exciting changes! Some new hotel barges, one of which offers a Chocolate and Wine cruise, while another is situated in unspoilt Brittany.
It's been a tough year for us all, but now that the worst of the financial crisis appears to be behind us, it's perhaps time to look forward and plan a much needed holiday to raise your spirits in 2010.
Our new prices reflect the current market. There are some small increases, but in general the rates are actually the same if not lower than for 2009. We are, of course, also offering early booking discounts of up to 20% to our clients.
If you fancy a cruise in France this year, why not drop me a line at
hotelsafloat@aol.com
and I will be happy to find you the ideal cruise, at a price that may well surprise you.

Not all the new rates are published yet, but after a fabulous 4 days in Paris with my daugher, I am now settling down and will not be moving again until the job is done!

technology is a pain!

Burgundy summers are synonymous with fresh fruit and veg, chilled rose wine with lunch on the terrace and electrical storms!
Here at Hotels Afloat, the latter has struck again, for the second time this season.
The first strike, at the beginning of the summer, blew the modem so despite having invested in a satelite system for internet access thus cutting the risk of losing the phone lines as in 2008, we were cut off from cyber space for 5 days. Thank goodness for iphones!
Last week, the phone didnt ring all day. Nor did the fax line, but with so much to do on the email front I didnt take much notice until I tried to make an international call. The noise on the line was rather akin to those first broadcasts from the moon: rather fitting I suppose given the recent anniversary! My partner suggested that perhaps the line was drowned.... after torrential rain the manhole covers were all brimming. 6 days later, it's blazing hot, dry as a desert, and still no line. France Telecom, bless them, can finally send me an engineer tomorrow, just 8 days after I registered the break down.
SO, if you have tried to call us over the last week, I can only offer my sincere apologies and a word of advice. Never, but never, have a breakdown of any nature during the summer holidays in France.
Hotels Afloat is alive and kicking, and will be kicking a technicians' b..t tomorrow if he cant get the line working again.
In the meantime, If you want to take advantage of our early booking discounts for next year, please send me an email at hotelsafloat@aol.com
or call me on +33 614 250 200 and I will call you straight back.
Speak soon!

The Nivernais canal

The Nivernais canal is one of the most beautiful in France. The scenery changes as you cruise gently along from rolling hills, to vineyards to cliffs! For the sporty, there is an excellent cycling path and for those who would rather take it easy, there is the Luciole.

This beautiful hotel barge, originally a working barge transporting goods, was loving converted by it's current owners, John and Penny Lilley, to accomodate up to 14 guests in comfortable, homely surroundings.

When I have been fortunate enough to visit, Penny has made me most welcome, and I have come away with a smile on my face and a full stomach! Yes, Penny and her cook prepare some of the most sumptious meals to be had aboard a boat. Her secret? Fresh ingredients bought daily and prepared with the utmost care. I only wish that I had more free time so that I could arrange an inspection trip each season!

This season has proved difficult for many hotel barges, and indeed a number of the larger barges have disappeared. John and Penny have fared extraordinarily well with many weeks completely sold out. The secret? A fresh approach ie adapting to the current market place with a number of tempting discounts.

We still have a few cabins available, and are currently offering an incredible deal: Just 2000 USD per person! This represents a saving of about 40%. Dates remaining are July 19th, July 26th, and August 9th.

Call me on +33 380 39 29 38 or email me at hotelsafloat@aol.com

for the deal of a lifetime!

The joy of home grown vegatables

Fresh lettuces, radishes, tomatoes, spring onions from the garden, and our first fig! These are the signs that summer is now really here, apart from the heat of course.
This season I decided to grow carrots and turnips, hoping to put some away for the winter months, but a new recipe caught my eye and I now doubt that we will have any veg left for the winter.
Take baby carrots and baby parsnips, wash them thoroughly, trip the green to within 1 inch of the veg itself. Either steam or boil until almost cooked: Do NOT over cook if you wish to preserve the flavour and vitamines. Drain the veg. Heat a nob of butter in a heavy frying pan, add a generous teaspoon of sugar and a pinch of salt, then the veg. Stir regulary until the veg are glazed, usually 10 minutes. Simply delicious, expecially with lamb.

Of course, it's not easy to find time for gardening as business is good depsite the economic crisis. Hotels Afloat has discounts of up to 40% so if you fancy cruising in France this year, and perhaps tasting some fresh veg bought from a lock-keeper, send us an email at
hotelsafloat@aol.com

You'll be glad you did.

2010 : Holiday planning advice

HI!
Things are certainly warming up here in France, with temperatures in Burgundy reaching 32°C this afternoon. I'm always relieved when the weather smiles on my clients, even if it makes me wish that I was outside too on a sun-drenched boat rather than typing away in the office.
While my guests are beginning their cruises, I am already planning ahead for the 2010 season, and if like me you appreciate a bargain, you might like to consider following suit!
We are currently offering Le Boat, Pavillon Saone and Nicols cruises at the 2009 rates. BUT that's not enough for us: We are now offering Locaboat cruises at the 2009 rates MINUS 7%!
Whether you are looking for a luxury, air-conditioned cruiser or a traditional, canal boat, we have plenty to choose from.
Take a look at our site at
www.hotelsafloat.com
to discover the huge range of boats in our fleets.
For a price check and confirmation of applicable discounts, simply email our team at
hotelsafloat@aol.com

With these special offers you can afford that much needed break, despite the financial crisis.

1001 nights....

Hi!
I cannot believe that I havnt updated my blog since March 24th, but beleive you me, it's not through laziness. I have been working flat out every day and evening, for what seems like 1001 nights but of course isnt really!
So how come I'm so busy? Well, I guess it's all the fantastic discounts that we have been offering here at www.hotelsafloat.com
With emails galore and the phone ringing off the hook, I just simply havn't had the time to blog.
Today it's quite calm, at last!
This month, we are offering discounts of up to 40% on last minute bookings, and between 10 and 15% for cruises in May, June and July. Even our most luxurious boats are discounted, with 20% off the air-conditioned America boats for cruises in southern Burgundy in May and June. Why not treat yourself and your family to the break that you deserve? Crisis or no crisis, we all need a break from time to time, and with our discounts, I am likely to be able to offer you a cruise to suit your budget, while keeping all the family happy.
Give me a call on +33 614 250 200 or email at hotelsafloat@nordnet.fr or hotelsafloat@aol.com

Discounts to beat the credit crunch!

Spring is here at last and we are enjoying sunny weather at last after the grey months of winter.
With Spring comes are Mad March Specials! We are currently offering discounts of 10% on Burgundy and Midi cruises not to mention an incredible 25% off certain one way cruises in April and 20% in May throughout France. Simply email us for details at
www.hotelsafloat.com
quoting March Specials.
Due to demand, we are contining to offer hotel barge charters at up to 25% off on certain boats and dates, so whether you fancy visiting Burgundy or the south of France, we are sure to have a bargain just waiting to be snapped up!
And don't forget our incredible offer on the Easyvie in the Aquitaine. 6 passengers can now cruise for 6 days for an incredible 7000 euros ( reduced from 10000 euros)

I know that the crunch is hitting you all, BUT now is perhaps the best time to take a cruise as these discounts are very unlikely to be repeated.
Go on, treat yourselves.
Call me on +33 380 39 29 38 to discuss your holiday plans.
Speak soon!!

The Bordeaux region of France

Not many people know that Bordeaux and the Aquitaine once belonged to the English! No wonder then that we Brits love the region. Living in Burgundy, I miss the hills of Yorkshire, where I lived for a number of years before moving to France 13 years ago. If I could move within France, it would be to the Aquitaine region. Not only is it absolutely stunning, steeped in history and with some wonderful weather ( and NO winter fog unlike Burgundy!) the region also has some wonderful wines to offer.
This region has always been popular with tourists too, and until the current economic crisis hit we enjoyed a regular flow of enquiries for cruises in the region. That is still the case, but unfortunately there are now fewer boats in the area. This year has seen the Mirabelle placed on the market. Once a beautiful boat, she needed updating and running costs alone have influenced the owners decision to sell. So, what can I do now for those large groups that contact us? Well, here at Hotels Afloat we have the solution: Easyvie and Saint Louis can now be hired in tandem, accomodating up to 12, and ideal for 10. A half board charter programme is available enabling our guests to enjoy breakfasts and quality lunches on board, while evening meals can be taken in the local bistos, restaurants, canal side cafés etc! There is plenty of choice whether you prefer casual or upper class dining!
So, if you fancy visiting this piece of old England in France, why not give me a call on +33 380 39 29 38 or email me on hotelsafloat@nordnet.fr
We are currently offering a huge discount on the Easyvie, so if you are a smaller group of 4-6, we will be happy to offer you the cruise of a life time at a once in a lifetime price!

25% discount!

I cannot believe that I am writing this, but today I have been notified off an incredible 25% discount. Take a cruise on the hotel barge Saroche on the historic Burgundy canal, in June, July or August this year and save 25% on the published rates. A full board cruise for 6 is now just an incredible 19500 USD aboard this beautiful boat.
Take a look now at Saroche in the Luxury Cruises section of our site at
www.hotelsafloat.com
and then let me know when you would like to cruise. Your dream holiday is just an email away!
hotelsafloat@nordnet.fr


It's pouring with rain today here in Burgundy, but I am hopeful that spring will be back again by the weekend! With just three weeks until the opening of the self drive boating season, we could do with some better weather!

Spring arrives in Burgundy, if only for a day!

Hello,

yes, on Saturday we had our first day of really spring like weather here in Burgundy! After a long, cold winter, it was such a pleasure to get out into the garden, plant some bulbs and then sit back with a cup of tea, and later a glass of wine while absorbing the sunshine and listening to the birds sing. As you can see, Chataigne is rather french and would like to join us with a beer!

Since I began taking Chataigne to her classes on a Sunday morning in October last year, we have seen snow, rain, sleet and temperatures as low as -10°C! Imagine trying to make your dog sit or even worse, lie down, under such circumstances.

Not an easy task, but yesterday Chataigne was so full of the joys of spring that she seemed to have become temporarily deaf! Assis, couchée and au pied were apparently foreign words to her!LOL It was initially frustrating, but then became so funny that even the dog handler was laughing. At one point instead of sitting up, chataigne slithered round on her belly to face the opposite way. I can only assume that the Saturday's sunshine had melted her brain. Today the gloom has returned. No rain but damp air and none too warm either. She is of course back to her normal self but still laughing at me I think!

Well, it's Monday so I'm back to work, and have some good news for those of you thinking of a self drive cruise in the Spring. With the Le Boat fleet, we are offering up to 25% off some one way cruises in March and April, and then 20% in May. If you can't join us in the spring, we can still save you 15% when cruising aboard a Consort, Caprice, Countess, Valentre or Calypso! To benefit, simply reserve your cruise by 31st march.

Give me a call or email us at hotelsafloat@nordnet.fr or hotelsafloat@aol.com

Luciole hotel barge prices reduced!

More good news for those of you looking for a bargain! Hotel barge Luciole have reduced their prices for all cruises up to August 29th!
The Luciole cruises on the beautiful Nivernais canal and is available on a charter basis or cabin basis. She can accomodate up to 14 guests: There are three double cabins, three twin cabins and 2 singles.
The published rates for 2009 were 3450 - 3750 USD per person on a cabin basis. These rates have been slashed to just 2950 USD per person.
Charter rates have also been dramatically reduced:
10 guests can now charter for beween 30000 and 36000 USD, while 12 guests will pay from 32000 to 40000 USD, depending upon dates.
Should you be a group of 14, prices are from 36000 USD to 42000 USD.
These prices represent savings of between 6000 USD and 8000 USD!
Luciole is featured on our main site at
www.hotelsafloat.com
so you can step aboard now to take a peek!

With a number of prime dates still available, please contact us with your requirements to see just how much money you can save.

Hotel barges and the recession

I don't really like to use the word recession, but I think that it would be unrealistic to ignore that we are certainly facing difficult times financially.
Every news bulletin, every newspaper seems to have nothing to report other than doom and gloom: The closing of another factory, a bank going under, and so forth.
It's difficult to know what to do in such circumsances; Do you hope that the government will shore you up? Ideal if you happen to be in the car industry, but of no use whatsoever to the tourist industry. Those set to suffer most here in France are the hotel barges, and a number are currrently up for sale. Of course, this gives additional business to the remaining barges but waiting for business to come ones way is hardly very active!
Now for the good news!
Tom and Sue Hollows are not so complacent as to wait and see! Owners of a half board charter barge, the Easyvie, they offer cruises for up to 6 people aboard their beautiful boat, which is also their home. Already at a very competitive price, I have just negociated a reduction in their prices: You can currently book a 7 day cruise for 6 from as little as 7000 euros! That's 3000 euros less than their normal rates.
Not only will you have a fantastic week exploring the Aquitaine, but you will not be worrying about the cost!!
Call me now on +33 614 250 200 or email me at hotelsafloat@nordnet.fr for information.

I look forward to hearing from you.

A new fleet for Hotels Afloat

HI all!

Despite the recession, and the terrible storms here over the last 36 hours, I was very pleased to meet Steve yesterday, after several email exchanges concerning the possibility of working together. A true Brit like me, Steve is very tall: The only man to set off the wind chimes as he came through the door! A real gentleman and very, very helpful and honest.

So I now have some more boats to add to the site http://www.hotelsafloat.com/

and they are going to be a very big hit! The Euro Classics are steel, traditional shaped barges with a real touch of class. Air conditioning, electric flush toilets, DVD/CD and free-standing furniture. Beautiful both inside and out, these boats are available in the Burgundy region and the Midi, the most popular destinations in France for a barge holiday.

I could go on and on all day on these boats, but have emails to reply to not to mention the site works to get on with, so if you want to see the Euro Classics, go to

http://www.hotelsafloat.com/

select the self drive boats, and then France Afloat.

There is even a possibility of having a daily captain, who will arrive each morning with your croissants! What more could you want? !

Internet by Satelite!

This morning I felt like a child on Christmas morning, knowing that a wonderful gift was surely awaiting me. Yesterday, the 21st century finally arrived at Hotels Afloat in the form of internet via Satelite. Normally it would be difficult to leave a warm, cosy bed at 8am when it's snowing outside and nobody actually needs me up just yet, but today I was up like a shot anxious to play with my new toy.
Our office will never be the same again: No more excuse for numerous cups of tea while waiting for the narrow band internet to connect, or the pages of any site to change. Even the chocolate and fruit consumption is likely to drop! But no complaints I assure you. We are just so grateful for this system which will enable us to keep up with the rest of the world, and of course to give an even better service.
You may be laughing, but if you had spent the last three weeks typing on an iphone due to a useless service provider, you would understand how such a thing can make one so blissfully happy!
I can't beleive that it's February already! The last month has just whizzed by with plenty of clients looking for bargains. But don't worry: They are not all over yet. We are currently offering discounts on self drive cruises to be taken in April and May on the Le Boat fleets, and are still offering up to 300 euros discount on the larger Locaboat penichettes for cruises in the south of France, one of the most popular destination.
So, if you are still wondering whether you can afford a boating holiday this year, send us an email at
hotelsafloat@aol.com
outlining your requirements and we will do our best to find you a bargain!

A new site!

French is rapidly becoming my second language! I remember the nightmares that I had when I first settled here in 1996, literally dreaming in french and being totally confused by all that I heard around me.
After 12 years I find myself thinking and dreaming in french, and indeed have days when I start to panic about my fast fading English vocabulary.
It must be bad when your own mother comments on how poor your english is, especially as I was once a Secondary school teacher!
So, I may as well put this new found gift to use, and have decided to create a french site.
Hotelsafloat.com is so popular now that even french people send me emails, so it seems only fair to reward their patience with a site dedicated to them.
Vacancesplaisance.fr is now in the making and I am busy typing french appraisals. No doubt I will make many mistakes, but the essential is that I am making an effort.

Many of our clients worry about the language barrier, but after 12 years here, I can confirm that making a small effort goes along way with most french people. A friend of mine when holidaying here had to take her son to the chemist for a cough. With very little french she was very worried. She held her hand out at child height, said 'enfant', and coughed. 'Wet or dry?' replied the chemist and instantly found the perfect medicine!

So, next time you are planning your holidays and wondering whether you will be able to get by, rest assured!
I look forward to seeing more and more English speakers here.

See you soon!

Discounted cruises!

Hi everyone.
In the current economic climate, everyone is looking for a bargain, and today I have just that!
We are currently offering a 40% discount on a hotel barge cruising on the Nivernais canal, a discount which has never been seen before.
If you would prefer a cruise on the Burgundy canal, we have the best value vessel there too and are currently offering a 20% discount.
I know that some of you would love to cruise on a hotel barge again this year, but fear that the prices are beyond your reach. With these discounts, we can help you fulfill your dreams!
Just call or email me for details at
hotelsafloat@aol.com
+33 614 25 02 00

We are cutting the rates, not the standards! Here at Hotels Afloat we are passing on these incredible savings.

Happy New year and the financial crisis

Happy new year to you all!
The Paris boat show is now behind us, and despite the financial crisis, visitors were numerous and emails have been flooding in ever since!
Although I love being busy, I was hoping for a quiet week at the beginning of the year as I am moving my office, having outgrown our present premises. But no! I am just having to work very long hours and unfortunately Father Christmas did not answer my request of an extra 4 hours per day for 2009!

While many companies are struggling, www.hotelsafloa.com and Bouba Meca Boat at www.appelbouba.com are both flourishing.
Here at Hotels Afloat we are kicking off the season with a number of special offers:
Our clients can currently save up to 300 euros when booking by 7th February on our larger boats in the south of France, one of our most popular destinations.
In addition, we continue to extend the discounts offered to us so that our clients benefit. We are also happy to negociate our prices so if you are fighting the effects of the crisis, please do send us an email at hotelsafloat@aol.com
We will do our best to find you a cruise within your budget!