People are talking about Tango & Fandango

Dear Daniel,
The trip we have just completed with you was indeed amazing and both Nols and I could not at any stage fault the programme or the crew - just fabulous. And as for your own performance you are truly king of the Canal du Midi and in the addition the most wonderful chef - the food was fabulous. Chris and Angie were also amazing and Chris's history really was so important to myself and the other guests. His KNOWLEDGE is truly fantastic!! See you in Australia soon?
Mike Pelly, June 2008

British expat cooking teacher Hazel Young owns two barges that can be booked for cruises down the Rhone, then into Languedoc via the Canal du Midi.... There are fresh-baked croissants every morning, terrific lunches and dinners on deck or on the riverbank, and plenty of chances to hang with the chef for tips on preparing Provencal food.
Bon Appetit Magazine, May 1999

The regions of Languedoc-Roussillon and Bordeaux are famous for wine, not for the
Canal du Midi. Hazel Young, owner of the floating-hotel company Canals of France,
aims to change that by adding a second gorgeously restored cargo barge to her fleet - and serving dishes that reflect the local terroir.
Kate Sekules, Food & Wine, April 2001

From the moment you all came out to greet us at Le Somail, we knew we were going to have a very special week. It exceeded our expectations, and we were already told it would be wonderful by our friends who came last year and recommended we do this trip. Indeed it was! Delicious meals, exceptional wines, informative tours and beautiful weather added to our best vacation ever. The careful attention to detail by Hazel and the friendly, professional staff set a tone that was unforgettable. We loved every minute. Thank you!!!
Bette and Al Kenzie, Maryland
Barges in tandem Tango & Fandango - May, 2004

Hazel and Daniel,
Wow! What a glorious week of exquisite food, delectable wines, remarkable sites, and your delicious company. An unforgettable experience aboard the Tango cruising along the Canal du Midi. Thank you for all your TLC to your Hawaii guests. Warmest Aloha.
Irene Croft, Hawaii
Barges in tandem Tango & Fandango - October, 2004

Some people come into your life and stay for awhile, others pass through briefly and leave a lasting impression. Our memories of our 'Tango' on the Canal du Midi --- Wonderful Wine, Fabulous Food, Captivating Countryside. Daniel's competence (at everything!), late night conversation and patience with our stories and questions (does the water for the Canal really come from the Atlantic?!) Thanks for the fun and memories...
David Humphreville and family, New York
Tango, October, 2004

This was a memorable week. We loved the regional cuisine prepared and served so beautifully. The views from the Fandango made me wish I were an artist: so many scenes were picturesque, and the crew delightful, you took great care of us all. You opened up the beauty of Languedoc to us: on the canal, with the bike rides and walks, in the Halles of Narbonne tasting a fresh seafood platter, in the olive oil mill and wineries, in the fabric shops and the old town of Pezenas, in the history of Minerve and in all our visits to the little towns along the canal. It's a piece of France that is now a part of us. Thank you to you all.
Carol and George Reed,Washington
Fandango - October, 2004

To Daniel and Crew, Thank you all so much for leading us on this great adventure through Languedoc. Your fine hospitality made this a vacation we will treasure always.
The food, wine, history, wonderful scenery, great weather, and bike rides will all be missed.
The trip has gone by in a flash and we can't believe we really must leave.
Are you sure you don't need some more crew on board? Thank you again.
Thomas and Julie Bozzell, Washington D.C.
Tango, September, 2004

Spending a week with Hazel and her crew on the Fandango has been an experience none of us will ever forget. Even the weather cooperated..truly glorious, sun and breeze-filled days and starry, crystal clear nights. Each meal on board was a true culinary experience, accompanied by perfect local wines, butter decorations and special napkin folds. Side trips ashore were fascinating tours through the history of the aria, knowledgeably and entertaingly conducted by Barry, and covering a wide variety of 'points of interest', including plenty of time for shopping at the incredible local markets. But the most extraordinary part of the whole experience was the actual barge ride itself...the leisurely pace along the canal between the plane trees and past the villages.. The thrill of the lock passages.. And throughout it all the beautiful smile and gracious charm of Janneke and the expert 'seamanship' of Tomas.. And all of it, EVERYTHING, finely tuned and orchestrated by our wonderful Hazel. Au revoir and merci beaucoup!
Bill and Marylou McAllister, Maryland
Fandango - September, 2003

We came, we saw, we surrendered - to Hazel's cooking, to Claire's care, to Jean Luc's steering and Earl's touring. Thank you all so much for sharing this amazing canal system and your
beautiful Fandango. And with such style and attention to detail on all counts.
Oliver and Vicki Newbegin
N.Z. 2006

Where to begin? The Sunday champagne toast while cruising under the trees, the perfect cheeses, fruit, sauces, soups, designer butter, cassoulet etc. etc. and that only describes the culinary delights. Hazel you are delightful. Claire, we are so gratful for your comforting 'touch'. Earl the superb gentleman guide, Jean Luc our wonderful captain. The trip has been such a pleasure, you all have made us feel like honored guests. Thank you.
Peter and Rosemary Beck
U.S.A. 2006

Dear Hazel,
I cannot make up my mind on what I will miss most:
1. the very comfortable and well appointed, warmly decorated Fandango or
2. the exquisite regional yet diversified food or
3. the professional and personal service of the crew or
4. the well chosen tour combining the beautiful canal, the villages, the wines of the Languedoc, the hisotrical sites we visited, or
5. your mother hen supervision, your presence everywhere simultaneously and your attention to detail or
6. your adorable and gentle Swiss dog Jozephine
But one thing I know is that all six combined equals heaven. Many many thanks for having succeeded in creating paradise on earth.
We shall be back.
Ernie and Josselyne Solomon
Japan 2007

Food - great!
Company - wonderful
Weather - perfect
Barge trip - priceless!
Sylvia Beckman
U.S.A. 2007

"With this captivating landscape unrolling like a private movie around me, each day passes by. The routine onboard is happily shaped by the rhythm of meals: late lazy breakfasts, followed by long lunches, afternoon canapés, and three course dinners, with some local cheesetasting thrown in (the cost of the trip is all inclusive - which means as much French wine tasting as
desired). Sitting on a barge travelling at walking speed, a million miles from fast-paced city stresses, has to be one of the best ways to see this countryside, but a week with Canals of France also includes land-tours to some of the more intriguing local attractions. The covered food markets at the ancient roman city of Narbonne are a welcome excursion. With the food and wine flowing and the French country-side floating past, the week is over before I am ready...
There are many barging companies that will take you along the Canal du Midi.
What makes a trip with Canals of France speical is the attention to detail
and the small number of guests on board.
Luxury Travel Magazine Australia
Fall 2007 Written by Alice Coomans