We signed up for this tour back in Dec w/17 sightseeing events. Does anyone know why (on Day 8), the barge on the Canal du Midi activity is no longer listed on the online itinerary? (The event count dropped to 16 too.) We were looking forward to being on the Canal du Midi, and at one time thought of chartering a barge ourselves. It was one of the reasons we decided on South of France tour. I'm hoping that this activity is grandfathered into our itinerary. What Happened??
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Unfortunately, the barge operator whom we used for our tours (depending on weather and his availability) is in poor health now and unable to work. The tour itinerary was adjusted in January since we could not find a replacement.
Posted by
2 posts
Laura, I think I read that originally a lunch would be provided on the canal barge. Has something been substituted for that?
Thanks.
Posted by
Dry S. California
43 posts
Our tour stopped in Albi on day 8 (July 3rd) for lunch (just grabbed a sandwich on the go) and a chance to visit the Toulouse-Lautrec museum (very interesting) and/or the great cathedral. Lunch wasn't promised on day 8.
Barge ride now sounds rather ordinary compared to the Dordogne canoe ride, but I don't know the scenery.
Bill in SoCal
Posted by
Ohio
2161 posts
Hi Smar, we did this wonderful tour in May 2014. It rained (a lot!) so we wern't able to do the canoe trip. Our guide replaced it with the barge on the Canal du Midi. We shopped for picnic lunch stuff (duck sausage, fruit, cheese, chocolate, wine) at the market in Sarlat. Our guide brought bread for everyone. So, it wasn't really an "included" lunch but it was a good one! Great tour, beautiful scenery, good food!
Posted by
franktown, colorado
2252 posts
Laura, I am so sad to hear this news. He was such a competent operator and such a nice man. We took this trip as a family tour a couple of years ago and we all loved the canal day. Hopefully, it will be brought back at some point. The summer weather was cooperative and we were also lucky enough to be able to take the canoe ride. This was quite an amazing tour with so many varied activities! Our guide, Mary, had to do some creative thinking when an activity became "out of the question" at the last minute. The so-called substitution was so wonderful, we never missed the originally scheduled tour (don't even remember what it was supposed to be) We saw and loved instead, the Carrieres de Lumieres-awesome!!! I bet the same will happen for your group! It's a great tour; enjoy every minute!