Golf Cruise

Golf Charter
Marseillan - Salleles d'Aude
(or Salleles d'Aude to Marseillan)

MARSEILLAN
Sunday 4pm pick up at designated point in Montpellier
• you will be met by ATHOS Captain and Manager. In the comfort of ATHOS' private air-conditioned Chrysler minivans, you will be chauffeured to where the ATHOS awaits you at her moorings.
• You will be treated to a full-crew Welcome Aboard, whilst toasting with Champagne and Mediterannean canapés.
• Once you are settled into your cabin, you will be invited to a 4-course dinner, prepared by our highly acclaimed onboard Chef.

Monday Marseillan - Agde
Enjoy your first coffee of the day sitting in a comfortable chair on the upper deck of ATHOS. While coffee is available at any time from the bar, continental-style breakfast is served from 8:30, at your leisure.

For Golfers on this first morning, the proposed course is the well-acclaimed "la Grande Motte". It is made up of two 18-hole courses and one 9-hole, designed by Robert Trent-Jones (Senior) in 1987. The drive is approximately 45 minutes, and is close to the sea, just south of Montpellier. To get there, we'll leave the barge at 8:00am. For non-golfers, last night's mooring is the impressive view of the Island of Sete. We'll take the scenic 20 minute drive down the Mediterranean coast, explore the look-out point at the Mont St. Michel, then browse the morning market at Sete.

On your return, a spectacular (and appropriate!) seafood lunch awaits you, as you move off last evening's mooring and enter the open-waters of the Etang de Thau.

The Etang hosts Europe's largest mussel and oyster park.
Having cruised across the Etang and on to the Canal du Midi itself, the barge comes to its evening's moorings at Agde, in a shady and pretty spot under the massive Plain Trees.

Tuesday AGDE - FONSERANNES
After breakfast, this morning's suggested course for Golfers is the Golf de Fontcaude. An hour's drive away, your guide suggests a slightly later start and golfing through lunch today. An 18-hole international course, par 72 and 6,881 yds long, it was designed by Chris Pitman in 1991. The Clubhouse is a modern complex where you can stop for lunch when you are ready.

Non golfers are invited for a visit to the historical village of Pezenas. Many of the buildings in this village are architecturally impressive, as many were the family mansions of the first Languedoc court. Pezenas is filled with small artisanal boutiques, well worth exploring. Dannielle first suggests a small walking tour of the village-centre, and then a good browse through the shops!

The Pezenas group returns to the barge for a delicious lunch on board served with chilled rosé, relaxing sunshine and perfect service from Athos' attentive crew.

While eating, Athos begins moving through the famous round lock at Agde and heads towards Beziers. Golfers return to join the last leg of the cruise which is the exciting climb up the staircase locks. This is the perfect setting for a post-golf drinks and a toast to a perfect setting.

Athos crew will have dinner underway for your arrival at the scenic Fonserannes -- the hostess suggests dinner on the top deck, overlooking the spectacular scene of the evening-lit Cathedral at Beziers.

Wednesday FONSERANNES - CAPESTANG
After breakfast, Golfers have only a 20 minute drive to the delightful course at "St. Thomas". This course was designed in 1992 by Patrice Lambert. It is 6704 yds long and a par 72. Along with the beautiful views, it includes an interesting blend of groomed greens, and natural, open and wooded landscape. Lunch will be available at your leisure in the attractive and friendly clubhouse.

The proposed visit for non-golfers is for a 30-minute drive into the bustling and quaint town of Narbonne. After a brief look at the excavated section of the original Roman road, the Via Domitia, you have the option of browsing through the well-compiled Roman Museum, discovering the beauty of St. Juste Cathedral, shopping through the many stores surrounding centre ville, or, simply take a moment to blend into the scene: sit and relax in one of the many cafés.

Returning from Narbonne, the Athos crew are again awaiting your pleasure: chilled drinks are on the bar for your entrance, and as cruising gets underway, another gourmet lunch is served on the upper deck.

Golfers meet the barge at the Malpas Tunnel, and will enjoy the traverse through the tunnel as well as a relaxing late-afternoon of cruising towards Capestang.
Captain Julian stops the barge momentarily, and we hop off for a short wine-tasting at one of the few remaining traditional-method 19th C wineries.

Cruising will then carry on for another hour, until Athos arrives in the charming village of Capestang. Another gourmet dinner will be served on board.

CAPESTANG-ARGELIERS
Thursday
Golfers may be needing a day off today? Your guide invites everyone to the Oulibo - the local olive oil pressoir. After tasting the organic and wholesome olives (accompanied, bien sur by a small glass of rosé!!), a short drive up the Gorge de la Cesse and into the hilltop village of Minerve is in order. Dannielle will regale you with the harrowing tale of the Cathar siege launched at Minerve during the 13th C.

A long lunch and an afternoon of relaxation await you on your return to the ATHOS.
By early evening you have arrived in Argeliers, where ATHOS' mooring is beside the picturesque Argeliers bridge. There ought to be enough time for an invigorating game of petanque (over cocktails!?) or a brisk stroll into the village before Chef starts serving up her next delight!

Friday ARGELIERS - SALLELES d'AUDE
Today is the last chance for golfing, and your guide suggests an early drive towards Carcassonne. The course at Golfe de Carcassonne was designed by JP Bascuro and is 6297 yds long. If you are still feeling energetic after golfing, your guide suggests a quick stop-off at the Cité of Carcassonne and a quick look around the Medieval City. Lunch will be your choice - either at the Golfe de Carcassonne, or an earlier return to the barge to join your group.

Non-golfers are chauffeured to the Medieval Cité and are offered a guided historical visit by their knowledgeable on-board guide, Dannielle. After a look around the city together, there will still be time for browsing those shops, or a refreshing drink in the cafés while watching the busy crowds go by.

A late lunch is waiting when both groups return for the final afternoon of cruising.
The locks down to Salleles d'Aude are close together, and walking the short distance between locks is pleasant in the shade of the pine trees that line the canal. We arrive in the charming and rustic village of Salleles d'Aude in time for leisurely cocktails, a toast with your captain and crew, and another fabulous dinner the Chef has prepared for your send-off.

SALLELES D'AUDE
Saturday
After breakfast, you wave goodbye to the Crew, who have looked after your every need throughout the week. The minivans will now depart to the appointed destination in Montpellier.

Please Note
This itinerary is a sample only. Golf Courses, cruising and mooring points may be altered to suit guests individual requirements.
The itinerary runs the reverse in opposite weeks.
All courses have electric golf buggies for hire
Although some equipment is available for hire, it can be difficult to find complete sets of clubs to rent. The best advice is to bring your own!
Green fees and equipment rental are additional to the ATHOS Charter rate. They vary between €25 to €60 for Green fees and €25 to €40 for buggies.
Lunch and drinks while on the Courses will be at the expense of the passenger. All meals, beverages and snacks on board are included in the Charter price.
A crew member will be available at all times to give advice and help when needed.