A barge cruise
thru the Burgundy region of France
featuring cooking lessons, gourmet food & wine


SAMPLE

aboard the 24 passenger Escargot

Thursday   
Depart USA for Paris.

Friday   
Arrive in Paris. Transfer to Hotel.  Day and evening at leisure.

Saturday   
At 3pm coach transfer from hotel to train station. Transfer to Dijon via TGV train. Coach transfer to Vandenesse-en-Auxois, near the highest point of the Burgundy Canal, where the Escargot is moored. Welcome on board with cocktails.

Sunday   
Excursion to the elegant 15C Château de Commarin, Still privately owned, the château is notable for its beautiful furnishings and a unique collection of Renaissance heraldic tapestries. Visit to the medieval village of Châteauneuf en Auxois.

Cruise to the village of Pont d’Ouche. Pleasant walking and cycling along the towpaths.

Monday   
Cruise through the heart of the Ouche Valley to the pretty village of La Bussière; more opportunities for walking and cycling along the towpaths.

Excursion to Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy. Guided visit of the fabulous 15C Hospice, and its splendid varnished tiled roof, probably the finest example of Burgundian/Flemish architecture in existence.

Tuesday   
Excursion to Dijon, capital of Burgundy. After a guided tour of the historic center, including the Ducal Palace, there is a chance to stroll through the picturesque covered market, the largest in Burgundy. Cruise to the little village of Gissey.

Wednesday   
Cruise to Fleurey sur Ouche.

Excursion to the village of Concoeur-Corboin on the upper slopes of the Côtes de Nuits near Nuits St Georges, to visit a well-known farmer producing fruit for the blackcurrant and other liqueurs for which the area is renowned.

Thursday  
Short cruise to Velars sur Ouche. Excursion to Clos de Vougeot where wine was being produced as long ago as the 12C, followed by a wine tasting in a private cellar. Visit to a display of old wine presses, with a description of the wine-making process. Last cruise segment from Plombières to Dijon. Farewell gala dinner on board.

Friday  
Transfer to Dijon to catch the TGV train for Paris, Gare de Lyon, arriving around 12pm. Transfer to Hotel. Tonight dinner will be at a Michelin rated restaurant in Paris.  Return to Hotel.

Saturday  
Depart Paris for USA.

$3475.00 per person

Rate includes air from Houston**, hotel stays, barge cruise and Paris dinner

*Details of cooking lessons will be listed in detail later.
** Call for rate from other cities.