Testimonials
Your testimonials and reviews are important to us. Please provide your valuable feedback. Here are some testimonials from our patrons:
 I had high expectations for the trip aboard the Renaissance, but the accommodations, service, and food exceeded what I expected. The captain, Adrien; chef, Hannah and staff Nicole, Danny, and James provided friendly, excellent services, always with a smile. The food, cheeses and wines were what you would expect at a highly rated restaurant. Also a shout out to Crystal Groome, who was always happy to help with questions answered and helped smooth the trip. When we walked off the barge on the final day, we were ready to go again, which we will. Date of Posting: 05 October 2017 Posted By: Helen B Renaissance - September 10, 2017 - Upper Loire |
| Crystal, we really enjoyed our England barge trip. The boat worked out fine. We our now great lock masters, having gone through over 20 of them. The boat was comfortable. Before our week on the boat, we did Scotland and Wales. We really enjoyed Stirling and Conwy. Great castles and not the hustle and bustle of the big cities. Your flight rates were terrific, I tried to match them myself and could not. Virgin Atlantic plane was much nicer than Air France, but premium economy is a good way to fly. Will miss that when we fly home from NH to Cal. with South Western at the end of this week. We will for sure notify you if we ever want to do a big trip like this again. Thanks for a great trip! Lou M Date of Posting: 05 October 2017 Posted By: Lou M Crusader Self Drive - England - Sept 16-23 |
 | Everything was perfect...except for the weather! The staff team are amazing--taking care of any request and making for a fun and interesting week (Even finding great alternatives when we were rained out). All meals by Chef Jim were incredible and we learned so much about Burgogne wines from the charming Cat--wine steward and all-around care taker. Kudos to French barge captain and tour guide Melissa and barge pilot Eric. And last but not least is Crystal Groome who organized our pre-tour in Dijon and Beaune before we joined the L'Art de Vivre in Auxerre on the lovely Canal de Nivernais (recommended as the 'best' canal by Rick Steeves). No request was denied...like the daily bicycle tours and personalized transportation. If you want a personalized barge trip...call Crystal! Jay & Diana (San Francisco) Date of Posting: 22 September 2017 Posted By: Jay & Diana T. L'Art de Vivre - June 25, 2017 - Burgundy Region |
| It was beyond my expectations. The crew, Hadrian, Hannah, Danny, Nicole and James were outstanding on the Renaissance. The food was over the top. We all plan on doing this again! Not enough words to say how memorable the week was. Thank You, Charles Date of Posting: 22 September 2017 Posted By: Charles C Renaissance - September 10, 2017 - Upper Loire |
 | The Baker Family had a fun filled week aboard the charming Emma. Date of Posting: 05 July 2016 Posted By: Baker Family Emma - June 25th Cruise - Canal du Midi |
| Barge was PERFECTION. lovely decor comfy rooms GREAT STAFF and gourmet food. We all loved it. Ready to go again!!! Date of Posting: 24 May 2016 Posted By: Adrienne Hines Napoleon Barge - Provence |
| Our trip was simply unforgettable! particularly having such a wonderful group of people on the boat together - including 4 people we had never met. Your welcome package was phenomenal! Those delicious chocolates, that huge vat of honey among other things - a lovely lovely surprise! You were too generous. Our travel went exactly as planned, no hitches at all. Date of Posting: 24 May 2016 Posted By: Andrea Stillman Napoleon Barge - Provence |
| We would certainly book another canal cruise through your company, most probably in France next time. Date of Posting: 12 October 2015 Posted By: Kassandra Jackson Minuetto - Self Drive Barge - Italy |
| Hello Crystal, Millard and I just wanted to thank you for your help in linking us up with the “Emma.” We had an absolutely fabulous time. It was all we hoped it would be in terms of the quality of food and wine, comfortable quarters, leisurely bike rides, gorgeous scenery and fascinating tours. What truly delighted us, though, was the friendliness and attentiveness of the crew. By the end of the trip we felt like we were part of one big happy family. We would definitely give it five stars! Just wanted to send you some feedback on a most memorable cruise. We have enjoyed telling our friends and family all about it, and will recommend to those who are interested that they work through The Barge Connection! Regards, Debbie Barger Date of Posting: 22 September 2015 Posted By: Debbie Barger Emma - August 2015 |
| We enjoyed all! Our chef, Joe, was outstanding and could excel anywhere. Wines were excellent, cheeses with lunch and dinner- great; good excursions—especially enjoyed Vougeot winery and tastings at Cote de Nuits, visit to Beaune (Hotel de Deuix noteworthy), visit to Dijon outstanding. Crew was very efficient and lots of fun—always helpful and provided information as needed. No problem using bikes and locating locks for pickup. Great area for riding into villages and checking out shops, tourist offices, bridges, etc. As usual we highly appreciated your advice, hotel bookings and source of information—Thanks! Date of Posting: 20 July 2015 Posted By: Lee Berry Hirondelle - June 2015 |  |
 | It was like a reunion with old friends! Peter and Sheena were wonderfully accommodating. This time they knew my love of photography and had already lined up several excursions that they knew I would enjoy. Max (first mate) and Giles (chef) were there again, too, so we settled in very quickly. The itinerary was different, so we never felt like we had seen it all before. It would be hard to choose which itinerary to recommend. Both were wonderful! Thanks for taking such good care of us. It was perfect! Date of Posting: 20 July 2015 Posted By: Bob & Pris Joy Elisabeth - May 2015 |
| "We had an absolutely wonderful time on our trip!! It exceeded our expectations. The crew was absolutely superb!! They attended to our every need with good humor and professionalism. We threatened to kidnap them and take them home with us! Hostess Camille, Captain Fred, Tour Guide Spencer and Chef Joe each did their respective jobs with aplomb and they worked well together. I think our family melded well with their family. The cuisine was delicious, beautiful, plentiful, and everything we could hope for. We loved Chef Joe's daily descriptions of what he was doing. The wines were wonderful and complimented the food well. Only trouble is we ate and drank too much! We all loved the cheese selections lovingly described by Camille at lunch and dinner. Spencer's sightseeing tours were perfect ...not too much, not too little. His knowledge and connections in the region made the excursions very personal and special. Our cabins were very comfortable. The rooms were nicely appointed, great bathrooms! Nothing was unclear or confusing prior to our cruise. Pre-trip information was great...no problems. Summing up our experience...one of the best, most relaxing vacations I've ever taken! Thanks again for all your help!" Date of Posting: 20 July 2015 Posted By: K C Rendezvous - July 2015 |  |
 | I have experienced good food around the world, but this was consistently the very best. And, the wines, from mostly Lanquedoc were really good too. All in all, a very good experience. Thank you Crystal. I am recommending like crazy. Corinne Date of Posting: 11 June 2015 Posted By: Corinne Pryor Athos - May 17, 2015 |
| The cruise was wonderful. Enjoyed everything about it, the food was fabulous, the crew was engaging, efficient and extremely pleasant. The daily tours were interesting and Matthiew was fun and informative. All in alI would recommend the cruise to friends. Bobbie Date of Posting: 11 June 2015 Posted By: Bobbie Loughlin Athos - May 17, 2015 |  |
| The crew and the Apres Tout completely exceeded our expectations. We had a wonderful time and will recommend them to anyone who is considering a trip. How did you enjoy your barge cruise? We loved it! How was the barge and accommodations? Fantastic rooms and service for those rooms (Thank you Hannah!) Is there anything you really enjoyed (excursions, food, wine)? All of the above, we loved our interacting with the entire crew, the tours led by Nick and the food prepared by Caroline was off the charts. Every wine was great and paired with foods from lunch through dinner. Is there anything that can be improved? Not a thing-do not change anything. How was the crew? We have invited them to our place in Maui-we would only do that if we liked them and loved being with them, they took incredible care of us. We have invited them to our place in Maui-we would only do that if we liked them and loved being with them, they took incredible care of us. How did The Barge Connection do in booking your barge cruise? You were all great, very efficient in the bookings and billing and very patient with all our questions before the trip. Will you be going on another barge cruise in the future? Who knows, but if we do Rory will have to transport his barge wherever we go. Date of Posting: 17 August 2014 Posted By: D. Wells Apres Tout |
| My client Mr. Starling had nothing but praise for the ship and staff of the Emma. They cruised along the Canal du Midi on the Emma this July 2014.There were only 4 guests and the other couple was from California which made communication easy among the guests. They enjoyed the food and the experiences. Thank you for your assistance and please extend my thanks to the staff of the Emma. I hope to be able to use your services again in the future. Sharon from I'ts Time to Travel. Date of Posting: 12 July 2014 Posted By: Sharon from It's Time to Travel Emma |
 | We loved it! We had high expectations, but it exceeded them. The itinerary was relaxed, but not slow. There was always something interesting to look at and Peter and Sheena freely share their vast knowledge of the area. How was the barge and accommodations? We have stayed at many luxury resorts over the years, and taken a dozen luxury cycling trips, but this was one of the best. The Elisabeth provides a five-star experience at a four-star price. Is there anything you really enjoyed (excursions, food, wine)? All the excursions were enjoyable, particularly because Sheena was able to guide them and we were able to stay as a small group. Her enthusiasm is contagious. With two wonderful cheeses at each meal and a fine (and copious) selection of wines, it would be hard to improve the cuisine. Each meal was a delight! How did The Barge Connection do in booking your barge cruise? We appreciated the way you coached us through the options and guided us to just the right choice. We always felt you were helping us reach a decision, but not pressuring us to do so. We can see why you kept circling back to the Elisabeth! Will you be going on another barge cruise in the future? Definitely! I doubt that we would consider anything but a return trip to the Elisabeth. Date of Posting: 18 June 2014 Posted By: Mr. and Mrs. Joy Elisabeth |
| I could go on and on about how wonderful our trip on the Savoir Vivre was, but I’m too jet lagged to do the experience justice. Suffice to say it was fantastic – the boat is better appointed and roomier than I thought possible, more like a traveling four/five star hotel than a boat, and the crew of Richard, Laura and Simon were splendid – warm, professional, caring, funny, knowledgeable and professional. And the food was magnificent and plentiful – my comment was now I know how a foie gras duck feels! By the way, Richard sends you his regards and thanks for recommending us. Just wanted to make sure you knew your recommendation was spot on… And by the way, the hotel you recommended in Dijon – Chapeau Rouge – was terrific. It was in a great location, moderately priced, attentive staff, and a very large room. Another wonderful recommendation from you! Thanks so much for all you help in making this vacation so terrific! All the very best. Date of Posting: 31 May 2014 Posted By: Tessier Savoir Vivre |
| We loved it. The cruise was the perfect mix of sightseeing, relaxation, and decadence. Is there anything you really enjoyed (excursions, food, wine)? The food was exceptionally good and we loved discovering new wines. The guide, Mathieu, was knowledgeable, very engaging, and had a great sense of humor. He made the excursions very enjoyable. I kept notes on the trip which I emailed daily to my friends and they were all very jealous. One was convinced that she wants to go too and is planning her trip for next spring. Is there anything that can be improved? I really can’t think of anything. How was the crew? The crew was wonderful. They really tried to accommodate all of our needs. How did The Barge Connection do in booking your barge cruise? Great. Will you be going on another barge cruise in the future? Absolutely, can’t wait to do it again and discover a new place. Date of Posting: 18 May 2014 Posted By: Pomato Athos |
| We enjoyed everything about the barge trip. The proof of that is that we have already recommended the barge trip to friends who have already booked for next May. The service, food, wine, and tours were superb. Especially outstanding was the attitude and service of the whole crew, especially Sheena & Peter, but also Max and the cook Giles. They were so ready to please and see to it that any thing we might - not only need - but just want was satisfied. The meals were wonderful - varied and delicious. Sheena was a master tour guide and gave us insight into the areas we visited - from the Grottos, Vessily (sp), to Flavinay (sp?). The experience was far more than I had envisioned and the best vacation I have ever had. Date of Posting: 12 May 2014 Posted By: Mr. David Elisabeth |  |
| We enjoyed the cruise immensely! We both loved the staff, cuisine and wine, visiting the several cities and found companions very compatible. How was the barge and accommodations? Excellent Is there anything you really enjoyed (excursions, food, wine)? As above, we enjoyed all—very well prepared barge cruise. Especially enjoyed the evening of music, great surprise and great entertainment Is there anything that can be improved? More background on the region—history of Po Delta, how being developed and maintained now; we would have preferred to be picked up at Piazzale Roma but didn’t know that was an option. How was the crew? Excellent How did the Barge Connection do in booking your barge cruise? Excellent Date of Posting: 31 October 2013 Posted By: Berry La Bella Vita |
| Hi Crystal...sitting in Atlanta airport on return home...after 40 locks...150 kilometers...great stops all the way up to Marseillete (Sabine & I took side trip to Carcassonne)... boat was great...people fantastic..food fantastic...the whole experience to be recommended... the 7 lock "staircase" just one of the surprise highlights.. Best...Allen & Sabine Date of Posting: 30 September 2013 Posted By: Ostrofe Vision4 Self Drive |
| We had a wonderful time on the Clair de Lune. It was the perfect size boat for us and we loved its dark wood, its decor, and especially its crew. Eve and Natalie were great and Simon was an incredible chef. We ate way too much! Heidi and Diana also great-Diana really goes the extra mile to make sure everyone's happy and she spent extra time picking up Andrew when he arrived. The rooms were spacious, and Heidi always kept them clean. We enjoyed the excursions, especially Carcassonne and Narbonne. The olive oil coop was also special since we had never seen that before. We don't have plans now for another barge cruise but might try a different region in the future. My husband would like to do more biking if we do it again. Andrew's only recommend was to have a large map (or wall map) for us to see exactly where we were going each day as well as the surrounding areas. Thanks also to you for your prompt replies to all our questions as well as the effort in securing us lodging and arrival/pickup arrangements in Toulouse. Date of Posting: 30 September 2013 Posted By: Hoenicke Clair de Lune |
| Crystal, the trip was just splendid. The food, wine, cheese and quality of the crew was exceptional. Over the years we have taken our family to the Baltic, the Adriatic around to Rome, Europe generally, Asia generally and Russia. No trip was more enjoyable than was our time on the Impressionisste. Carla and I travel now extensively in our respective businesses. We seldom meet individuals as helpful as the crew of the Impressionisste and never have we had food that approaches that which we enjoyed on the trip. Thank you for your fine assistance. You were very helpful. We will certainly contact you for any future travel for which you may be able to assist. Best, Rod Date of Posting: 31 August 2013 Posted By: Hills Family Impressionnist |  |
| This cruise was excellent. We cannot say enough about the boat, the service or the staff. Peter and Sheena were excellent. A truly lovely experience. Thank you. Charles Simmons Date of Posting: 31 August 2013 Posted By: Simmons Elisabeth |
| We enjoyed every minute of the time we spent on the Caprice. We were pleasantly surprised with the cabin. It was roomy enough and well designed. Beds were very comfortable and air conditioning adjustable to meet our needs. The food, wine and cheese experiences were superb. We looked forward to the choices each meal and savored every minute. Every one of the crew were wonderful. Muriel amazed me. She was always there and so knowledgeable. I was amazed how someone so small could accomplish so much. No requests ever denied. We will always have fond memories of this adventure. Date of Posting: 31 July 2013 Posted By: Karaffa-Owens Caprice |  |
 | The barge trip was beyond any expectations I might have had. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I enjoyed every minute of every day. The daily trips from the barge were great and we were able to ask for and get a stop at an old graveyard and church ruin that wasn't on the itinerary. That was special. The crew were all outstanding, friendly, helpful and a lot of fun to be around. Made us feel like family. The Barge Connection made all the arrangements seem uncomplicated. Thank you, Crystal. I hope to be able to do another trip one day soon. Thank you, Millie Esten Date of Posting: 31 May 2013 Posted By: Millie Esten Scottish Highlander |
| We loved it! Exceptional food, scenery and a great team led by Rudy bringing our group of 12 friends memories that will always last. Thank you! Date of Posting: 30 April 2013 Posted By: M. Westerland Impressionniste |  |
 | Loved the cruise - everything about it was good. Food a little bit TOO good - we are not used to all that rich cuisine. How was the barge and accommodations? Barge and accommodation were very comfortable Is there anything you really enjoyed (excursions, food, wine)? We enjoyed all the excursions - the countryside was lovely, the small towns a great experience - and we were looked after very well. The pace was exactly right. Is there anything that can be improved? Don't think so! How was the crew? Everyone looked after us extremely well, everyone was very pleasant - we felt really pampered. How did The Barge Connection do in booking your barge cruise? Crystal is a great communicator. All my questions were answered and I was never left hanging. Will you be going on another barge cruise in the future? Would love to - have it firmly in our minds for 2020, to celebrate our fiftieth wedding anniversary - if health and money permit. Date of Posting: 30 April 2013 Posted By: John and Laura Watson Anjodi |
| Best vacation ever! The boat and crew were perfect. Rarely do you get the opportunity to say you got your monies worth. The crew was super nice and extremely helpful. The food was heavenly. Our chef, Katie, walked us through all the meals and even shared recipes and techniques with us. I am a foodie after all! And our first mate, Ingrid was friendly, knowledgeable, and had a great sense of humor. Aoife was extremely attentive. Knowledeable and informative about the wines and also had a great sense of humor! Finally, Manuel, our Captain, was super!!! He took the time to teach us about the locks and techniques of barging and was eager to share a laugh with us. We are already talking about going again next year. Date of Posting: 12 August 2012 Posted By: W. Hudson L'Art de Vivre |
 | Hi Crystal, Thank you so much for your help booking our barge trip.....it was a blast! The region was so beautiful; we enjoyed the mix of country villages and the larger cities of Saverne and Strassbourg. The boat was great too. Very clean and comfortable for 7 of us....plenty of space for all. We would definitely do it again and would recommend it to others. Thanks again for helping us to have a very enjoyable vacation! Date of Posting: 12 July 2012 Posted By: Marie Kelly |
| I just returned from a week on the ATHOS on Canal du Midi and it was superb. Everything was well planned, the crew was so friendly and helpful, food exceptional. A delightful and relaxing vacation. Look forward to working with you again for the next barge cruise Date of Posting: 30 April 2012 Posted By: B Foster Athos |