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!

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!

Paris Boat Show

HI all,

This month see's one of the most popular events in Paris: the Salon Nautique.
Although not holding a stand this year, I will be nipping up to Paris to inspect the 'nouveautés', and to meet prospective clients looking for that special cruise.
Many visitor's attend the show looking for a boat to purchase, but there are increasing numbers looking for that special boat holiday, whether it be a self drive or crew chatered cruise.
If you are unable to attend the show, and let's face it, you may not want to be among so many people!, you may like to visit our site instead where you can see all the self drive boats on display at the salon, and many, many more.
As an English speaking agent, I can assure you that my advice will be impartial and based on my knowledge of the french waterways, hire boat companies, regions, gastronomy and so forth acquired over the past 12 years since I moved to Burgundy.
Visit my site now at
http://www.hotelsafloat.com/
and beat the crowds!
In addition, we are offering some excellent early booking discounts up until the end of the year. With just 23 days to go, contact me sooner rather than later to save up to 15% on published rates.

See you soon.

Success with the scanner

Sorry not to have written for over a week: Shame on me!
However, among all the gloomy news of the financial world, not to mention the wars and political upheaval, I have good news: Yes, I finally managed to install the scanner much to my amazement. Naturally there are plenty of functions that I have still to discover, but I have managed to scan, copy and even print some photos so am feeling quite pleased with myself.
Let's just hope that I don't need to change anything else in the office for a while.
My absence wasn't due to the scanner but the annual overhaul of my website at
www.hotelsafloat.com
It's not complete yet but I have updated prices for the 2009 season and am now dealing with the new boats that I must add.
I am currently offering discounts of up to 15% on certain 2009 cruises so if you fancy a cruise here in France, whether it be aboard a captained vessel or a self -drive, send me an email and I will see what I can do for you.
The merger of Crown Blue Line, Connoisseur and Emerald Star under the flag Le Boat has given me a great deal of work, not to mention my site manager, and I shall be very pleased when I have finished with the site for another year. I actually enjoy updating as just as we are creeping into cold days, I can begin to think about the new boating season in the spring. The downside is the frozen shoulder that I seem to suffer with even though I have an ergonomic chair and keyboard.
Just call me Quasimodo!!
Here in France, Autumn is just around the corner: The leaves are beginning to change colour, conkers galore litter the lanes, and the evenings are drawing in. It's a magical time for us: of mushroom hunting .
Being an English girl, I would never dare to eat a wild mushroom were it not for the guidance and wisdom of Philippe, my partner. He hasn't poisoned us yet so I guess he really does know what he's doing.
The best way to cook wild mushrooms is in cream, with a touch of white wine, and freshly ground pepper. Simply delicious! We eat them as an accompaniment to Beef stew, but they are equally fantastic on freshly buttered toast: Watch out for the calories!
BUT beware: Last year our dog suffered hallucinations and was very ill after eating magic mushrooms which she found in the garden! Ever seen a stoned dog? Not a pretty sight and expensive at the vets.

Time for the early evening glass of wine here in Burgundy. A bientôt.