There’s a lot of chat in the press and social-media at the moment about Artificial Intelligence, AI. Therefore, just for fun, I decided to ask one of the most talked about, ChatGPT, “how to enjoy a barge cruise on the Canal du Nivernais?” Below is ChatGPT’s answer, it’s fair to say the response was true to barge cruising on the Nivernais; Take in the scenery, plan ahead, be prepared for relaxation, try local food and wine, be flexible.
How to enjoy a barge cruise on the Canal du Nivernais
However it is our passengers who are best qualified to comment on the Randle barge cruise experience. Below are some the kind words from our guests who have enjoyed cruising with us on the Nivernais, who are able to put it much more eloquently what the barge cruise experience really is about.
“We couldn’t of asked for a better vacation”
“Talk about a trip of a lifetime”
“We had such a marvellous voyage on the Randle”
Plan ahead now and book a barge cruise with us aboard the Randle in 2023, take in the beautiful scenery, enjoy the best of food and wine aboard & ashore, and be prepared for relaxation.
The Randle moored on the Yonne on the canal du Nivernais
We all very much look forward to welcoming our passengers aboard in the coming season, to find out more information, chat or book, please feel free contact me as below.
Tim Harrold is owner and captain of the Randle, a beautiful and classically styled river boat fitted with two en-suite cabins and all the modern facilities to travel in comfort.
Tim offers private barge tours on the picturesque Burgundy Canal du Nivernais and river Yonne. A luxury cruise with Tim and his crew includes gourmet cuisine, fine wine, and guided tours by private car to vineyards and chateaux. Learn more about Edge Charter and barge trips on the Randle along Burgundy's canals and rivers here.
Slow Travel Tours is an affiliation of small-group tour operators who offer personalized trips in Italy, France and other European countries.
With Village Vacations in Italy, you do just that. Our philosophy is Slow Travel, Un-Pack Once with No Rush to Savor, and Enjoy your time in each village we take you to. A wonderful time to spend time in the “Green Heart” of Italy, Umbria. I don’t walk around with a stick and flower on top and ask that you follow. You enjoy your day your way. Sip & Shop, visit museums, and art galleries, Explore the streets and pathways take photos. Whatever your heart desires. I escort the tours, so you are never alone.
A Side Street in Cortona
Each village has its own unique characteristics and history; slow down and savor the true essence of Italy. The cuisine, the wine, and the natural beauty. Stroll the cobblestone streets in medieval villages your way.
Arrival at Leonardo Da Vinci Airport
No need to rent a car; we pick you up and drop off at Leonardo Da Vinci Airport (FCO) and whisk you away each day on our extraordinary day trips, and when we say farewell, we transport you back to the airport unless, of course, you would like to continue your stay and travel to other cities.
You will stay with a small group of like-minded travelers in a gorgeous villa or, if you prefer, on your own solo in an apartment or boutique hotel. The options are endless. Most prefer group travel, where you will meet and make new friends and have memories and friendships that will last your lifetime.
Your Accommodations for the Week
I want you to experience Italy as I do…Like a Local. You will meet local artisans from the different villages I take you to. They are proud of their heritage, and the trades passed down through centuries, from pasta making to glass blowing, from pottery to jewelry designers and cheese making. The vineyard and olive tree farmers where their love and passion is in every drop of wine and extra virgin olive oil known as “Liquid Gold.”
You will enjoy two meals a day. A bountiful breakfast to get your day started and dinner at the end of the day prepared by our two “Nonnas,” served with wines from local vineyards. Every meal is made with fresh seasonal ingredients that will undoubtedly wake up your taste buds. We also cater to special dietary needs. And you will learn the “Secrets of Italian Cooking” with your cooking lesson. With Village Vacations in Italy, you get a taste of everything, making our tours unique.
Learn the Secrets of Italian Cooking
In a nutshell, all you need to do is arrive at the airport for pick-up, and we will take care of the rest. You won’t have a care in the world except to enjoy yourself.
I am proud to be a member of Slow Travel Tours, an informal affiliation of small-group tour operators who offer personalized trips in Italy, France, England, and other European countries. All these people have a travel philosophy similar to ours. If one of our trips isn’t right for you, we hope you’ll consider one of theirs. Follow the Slow Travel Tours blog to learn more about exploring Europe slowly with a small group tour.
Ci Vediamo Presto, (See you soon)
Nedra Marie Bottieri
Former flight attendant Nedra Bottieri made a life-changing trip to Italy twenty years ago to re-discover her family heritage. Now with dual citizenship, she has a second home in Umbria.
Through her company, Village Vacations in Italy, she organizes and hosts small group tours based in small villages in Umbria and Tuscany, normally customized tours for private groups. Groups have included yoga workshops, writing workshops, and groups of family and friends. Nedra draws on her extensive experience and relationships to plan special accommodations and activities to meet each group’s needs and dreams. Experience “La Dolce Vita” in Italy!
As part of every Adventures in Italy tour, we invite you to tempt your tastebuds when you spend an evening at the family owned and operated Ristorante Bartolomei for olive oil tasting and wine pairing, featuring local specialties. Leading us in our exploration is Graziella, our sommelier and the only non-family member of our Bartolomei evening.
Graziella explains the timing of olive and grape harvest
Bartolomei has been producing olive oil since 1890, handed down one generation to the next. The olive oil is produced at the farm, Frantoio Bartolomei, and we start our evening by comparing the two oils, with olives picked earlier and later in the season.
tasting olive oil on toasted bread
The next course is antipasti. Always grilled or roasted vegetables in oil, olive paste on toast, truffle paste on toast, and if we’re really lucky, garlic. The garlic is soaked in milk so it’s less pungent, and delicious!
local specialties, including garlic soaked in milk
Usually a pasta course follows. Umbrichelli is the Umbrian specialty, like a thick spaghetti. You can find the same shape of pasta all over Italy but it’s called something different in every region. Truffles are also popular in this region, the mushroom kind, not the chocolate kind. Shaved truffle on top of pasta is a treat. Wild boar, cingale, is also popular, and will sometimes find it’s way into our pasta course.
Umbrian pasta, umbrichelli
We are often fortunate to sample local cheeses and honey for dessert. If you’ve never tried honey, also produced locally by Casa Parrina, on your cheese, you’re really missing out! Life changing, for real. There’s also biscotti, with dessert wine, or sometimes pie or a torte.
fruit and cheese served with local honey
biscotti with dessert wine
All of this is expertly paired with whites, reds, and dessert wines from Bartolomei and other wineries around Orvieto. Lucky for me, Graziella keeps track of everything and I’ve never had the same meal twice. Everything served to us, both food and wine, is available for purchase in their shop, and they ship, too. One last note, they also have a line of soaps, lotion and shampoo, made with extra virgin olive oil. Treat yourself to their lip balm, the softest, most amazing thing ever!
skin and hair care products made with extra virgin olive oil
For more about Adventures in Italy tours, you might enjoy these previous posts:
Michelle Logue leads cultural and creative adventures in Orvieto, Italy. With a mandate to provide "travel that transforms", Adventures in Italy gives guests an immersive experience. After more than 15 years of return trips, Orvieto has become a welcoming home base surpassing the typical Italian vacation.
Adventures in Italy operates trips in May and September, with two options: Artistic Enrichment nurtures creative expression, while Discover Orvieto invites visitors to focus on the history and culture of Orvieto and live as locals. Find out more about tours and special offers by following Adventures in Italy on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and visit www.adventuresinitaly.ca
Slow Travel Tours is an affiliation of small-group tour operators who offer personalized trips in Italy, France and other European countries.
Tim Harrold is owner and captain of the Randle, a beautiful and classically styled river boat fitted with two en-suite cabins and all the modern facilities to travel in comfort.
