Cruise the Canal du Midi Aboard Hotel Barge Anjodi

Cruise the Canal du Midi Aboard Hotel Barge Anjodi. Anjodi is of classic Dutch design, specifically rebuilt to negotiate the 330-year-old Canal du Midi. She has been completely refurbished in the tasteful tradition of African hardwoods, hand-crafted panelling and shining brass, to create a comfortable and charming ambience reminiscent of a classic yacht.

The well planned accommodation offers a choice of four air-conditioned twin/double staterooms, each with full en suite facilities. The shaded sun deck is unusually spacious, with a heated sunken spa pool and comfortable sun loungers.

Anjodi has also achieved “film star” status following her many appearances during the television series Rick Stein’s French Odyssey, when she carried the world renowned chef, Rick Stein on a 400-mile voyage of culinary discovery through Southern France.

Canal du Midi

The 330-Year-Old Canal du Midi skirts the sun-drenched shore of the Mediterranean before meandering inland through the fabled 'Cathar Country', with its fortified hilltop villages and walled cities, such as Carcassonne.

This historic canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is defined by its beauty, lined with plane trees, canalside villages and crossed by pretty, arched bridges. The gentle pace of life lulls you into unwinding as your hotel barge slowly cruises along this serene waterway. This is the perfect place for cycling or walking along the ever-present towpath, or simply watching the scenery drift by as you relax on deck.

You will discover a marvellous blend of ancient Gallo-Roman and traditional influences reflected throughout this region of historical importance and visit such places as Pezenas, Minerve and Narbonne.

The cuisine is a delicious combination of Provençale and Mediterranean flavours. Fresh seafood and regional specialities, paired with the excellent local Corbières and Minervois wines, produce an unforgettable repertoire of dining experiences.

What is hotel barging?

Despite the growing popularity of cruising, especiallly on large river vessels, hotel barging is still a little known niche concept. Most hotel barges started life as cargo vessels but have since been painstakingly converted to offer luxury boutique accommodation for small groups of up to 20 passengers. This is cruising, but in a very different style to ships plying the big rivers or oceans.

The pace is slow, with a 6 day cruise covering maybe just 50 miles along a rural canal. Passengers can walk or bike the towpaths as their floating hotel glides gently along. Guests enjoy an intimate atmosphere, high levels of personal service and immersion into the culture, history and gastronomy of regions of Europe such as Burgundy, the Midi, or the Italian Veneto. Every day there is an excursion, perhaps to a chateau, a vineyard for a wine tasting, or some other ‘off the beaten track’ location. About half of European Waterways’ bookings are for whole boat charters, ideal for families. Otherwise, clients book a cabin to join other like-minded people. A ‘slow boat’ European Waterways barge cruise offers the ultimate in experiential travel. A truly unique experience!

European Waterways offer luxury hotel barge cruises on the beautiful canals and rivers of Europe, such as through Burgundy, the Midi, Alsace, the Po Valley, Holland and the Scottish Highlands.

The exclusive collection of hotel barges accommodate up to 20 passengers who may charter a whole barge with family or friends, or join a small group of like-minded travellers on an individual cabin basis. Each barge is fully crewed with a Captain, chef, hostesses, deck-hand and tour guide.

The 6-night cruises include gourmet meals, fine wines, open bar, excursions and the use of facilities such as bicycles and spa pools.