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costal town town of Altea, nr Alicante.
Amazing rooms all the size of a suite. great service. Super value with rooms from Euro 90-00.
The retreat offers excallent food and an honnesty bar. Large 60m swimming pool, palm trees and chill out areas. See 
Anjodi Hotel Barge France
If you have ever fancied combining a luxury hotel with a boating holiday then I think have found the perfect answer.
European waterways (www.gobarging.com) have a number of luxury hotel barges travelling up and down canals across Europe and Ireland.
I was fortunate to try out a barge on the 300 year old Canal du Midi in Southern France a couple of weeks ago. Flying into Toulouse was a great choice as it lies midway between the Mediterranean and Atlantic oceans.
Train connections from here are good and Toulouse is a wonderful city to visit. If you want to do an overnight before you make your way to the boat try out a beautiful little Maison d' Hotes called Anjali (www.anjali.fr). Anjali is a traditional Toulouse house built in 1880 and recently renovated giving 5 beautiful bedrooms and an outstanding garden in the heart of the city. A warm welcome is guaranteed and prices start at €80-00 including organic breakfast.
I flew to Toulouse with Jet2.com who offer friendly low fares, great flight times, and a generous 22kg baggage allowance to Toulouse from Belfast Airport, up to 2 days a week.
Flights start from £31.99 one way including taxes. See www.jet2.com.
The Canal du Midi skirts the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean before meandering inland through ancient villages, Roman fortifications and famous vineyards. Canal has been in existence for more than three centuries and was constructed by Pierre Paul Riquet between 1667 and 1681, with the help of about twelve thousand workers, who dug out 7,000,000m³ of earth to connect Toulouse and Sète.
Bearing in mind this was literally done by hand it was an amazing achievement. The reason the canal was built was to transport goods and the French Navy between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, it is now almost exclusively used by pleasure craft. This picturesque canal is lined with plane trees and crossed by pretty arched bridges believe me the postcards can't do it justice.
The Mediterranean weather and pace of life is relaxed and lulls you into unwinding as you cruise sedately along. It is the perfect place for cycling or walking along scenic tow paths, or simply watching the scenery pass by as you relax on deck with a cool drink.
The Anjodi, a 1929 former Dutch commercial barge was simply magnificent. This beautiful old lady accommodates 8 guests in four cabins towards the front of the barge. The rooms are neat and fitted out with dark wood panelling, bright local fabrics and beautiful original windows. Each room has air conditioning and loads of storage space. All rooms have ensuite facilities with a shower and luxury toiletries. Towards the centre of the vessel lies the main living area decorated with hardwood panelling and brass fittings, totally in keeping with a barge of this era. Large sliding windows, two lovely leather sofas, a coffee table and an elegant dining table for eight add to the ambiance and make this a lovely area to sit in, especially after dinner. 
Further enhancements include a generous library and I Pod docking station and board games (if you ever got bored!).
Upstairs there is a sundeck which boasts 8 mahogany reclining sun chairs with padded striped cushions, umbrellas, large mahogany table and a large Jacuzzi. On the Anjodi you travel at a snail's pace, and there's the opportunity to cycle along the adjoining towpaths the perfect place for cycling or walking along the canal, or if that appears too energetic, simply watching the scenery pass by as you relax on deck. In the distance you can see the Black mountains, whereas closer to hand are the vineyards that stretch for thousands of square miles. Anjodi's crew provides you with expert knowledge of the delicious combination of local cuisine and flavours that can surprise and delight your palate.
Fresh seafood, local meats, and cheeses washed down with excellent wines. Lunch is typically breads, cold-cuts, salads and cheeses, with the occasional hot entree or soup. The meal is served with wine and finished with dessert and coffee. Dinner is an elegant candlelit affair every night, which is of course a fitting tribute to the days sailing.
Now don't get too worried the dress code at all meals is casual, except for the Captain's dinner on the last evening, which requires a more formal attire, smart shirt etc. There is no need to rent out a tuxedo.
Snacks /canapés and wine are often served on deck as you watch the day pass you by and of course the staff are on always on hand look after you. All meals are served in a single seating either on the sun deck or in the saloon below with breakfast and lunch offered buffet-style.
Breakfast includes breads, croissants, ham, cheese, yogurt, cereal, fruit, coffee and tea. As on all of the hotel barges in European Waterways' fleet, Anjodi is an all-inclusive product, with wines, soft drinks, bottled water, beer, liquor and liqueurs, as well as all onboard meals and snacks, included. (Certain vintages of wine and Champagne -- except for the Welcome Aboard greeting -- are not included, but can be provided for a fee.) Shore excursions, usually lasting from two to four hours, typically take place once a day; all entry fees are included with your cruise fare. Optional activities, such as golf, cost extra. An air-conditioned eight-passenger VW mini-bus follows the barge's route and is available at designated times for transport. Excursions on Anjodi's regularly include stops at vineyards for wine tasting, guided tours through the medieval fortified city of Carcassonne, and visits to Narbonne, once home to Visigoth monarchs.
Passengers can partake of a special on-shore dinner arranged at various locations depending on the route taken. Anjodi carries six touring bikes, some of which are 18 speed. Because the boat travels so slowly, it's easy to disembark at a lock and catch up with the barge later. Board games, boules and binoculars are also available for guest use, but as the scenery was so amazing I would reckon it would be hard to pull yourself away from it to sit down and play a game of cards. Gratuities are of course discretionary and typically average between four and seven percent of the fare paid.
So how was it for me?
Whilst I was waiting to be collected I wondered who might be aboard, how would I get on with my fellow passengers and crew for a week in a 33 metre long barge? Well despite the small numbers we all got on amazingly well. James our captain was an impeccable host and other members of the Anjodi's highly professional crew were a master chef, tour guide and host / housekeeper. Their knowledge of the region, amazing food and attention to detail were second to none. A warm and friendly greeting from our hostess Hannah offering champagne and canapés welcomed us aboard. As we relaxed on the sundeck each of the guests were shown to their cabins in turn.
There was a short health and safety briefing from James who explained that if he called out "Duck!" it meant we were approaching a low bridge rather than some feathered friends! Soon it was time for dinner. I fast became aware why Rick Stein featured Anjodi in his French Odyssey television series. Marie Touchet our chef, was about to start the guests on a culinary journey of discovery. Tomato surprise with fresh goat's cheese and black olive tapenade, followed by Roast Chicken Supreme in a tarragon sauce with zucchini and yellow piperade, accompanied with Selles sur Cher and Rebleechon Cheese followed by Crème Catalan.
The food was amazing and it was washed down with perfectly chosen wines. Now I had discovered that a hotel barge was in fact one of the finest dining restaurants I had ever been to, but on a luxury barge with amazing scenery. A great night's sleep under my belt and my fellow guests and I were we were off to explore Minerve, the ancient capital of the Minervois. Boasting a 12th century Cathar fort surrounded by deep limestone gorges, this beautiful town was besieged by Simon de Montfort in 1215. Its hilltop location afforded us spectacular views of the surrounding area and perhaps an insight into what was to follow over the intervening days. I was 'champing at the bit' to be on my way as I was really excited about the actual barging and navigating the locks.
Once back on the Anjodi lunch was served and again Marie had excelled herself. As we enjoyed Vichyssoise soup, prawns with a pastis sauce and camargue rice followed by flambéed peaches washed down with a chilled Marsanne 2010 the Anjodi moved gently along the canal. Oh my goodness I could really see now that it's not just a cruising holiday, but a feast for all the senses. For someone who likes his gadgets, Wi Fi, Blackberry™ and constant TV news, I realised I was not missing them at all. I discovered the pleasure of a slower pace of life on board I had all the time in the world to enjoy the sights and the company of my travelling companions. I can honestly say this was the best holiday I have ever had. The crew made everything seamless and nothing was too much bother for any of them. A stunning barge, amazing views, breathtaking scenery and wonderful company, food and wine all go to make this a truly amazing experience. As one might expect there is no smoking inside the boat so if you need a smoke its outside on the deck only. Other cruises are available in the following areas Burgundy, Loire Valley, Gascony, Champagne, Provence, Paris, Alsace & Lorraine, Northern France, Belgium, Germany & Luxemburg, Holland, Italy, Scotland, England and of course Ireland.
The latest addition to the fleet is the 20 passenger La Bella Vita a stylish 20 passenger vessel that was newly refitted in 2010 to high the standards of the European Waterways fleet. There are two upper-deck junior suites and eight staterooms, each with en-suite facilities. Delicious regional cuisine, fine Italian wines and the services of an attentive crew of seven will make this an unforgettable cruise.
I flew to Toulouse with www.Jet2.com you could also fly to Carcassonne from Dublin and Cork as you would be in the correct general area for boarding.
Fact Box
Prices for a 6 night cruise aboard hotel barge' Anjodi' from €2,950pp in a twin/double cabin, including all meals, wines, an open bar, excursions and local transfers. Full boat charters also available from €20,800. European Waterways Tel: +441753 598555 Website: www.gobarging.com
Fact Box
Leading leisure airline Jet2.com offers friendly low fares, great flight times, and a generous 22kg baggage allowance to Toulouse from Belfast Airport, up to 2 days a week. Flights start from £31.99 one way including taxes. For more information please visit www.jet2.com.