Bordeaux

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Bordeaux is the world’s major wine industry capital, with the first vines introduced by the Romans in the 1st century. Bordeaux Wine, which has been primarily a local product, became more widely known when the English kings discovered it in the 12th century. The historic part of the city of Bordeaux is on the UNESCO world heritage list and is home to Europe’s largest town square “Esplanade des Quinconces”, laid out between 1118-1128, at a size of 450,000 sq. ft.

Bordeaux is a delightful city for walking. Take a stroll along the very scenic riverfront area along the Garonne River as well as Botanical gardens across the river.  Bordeaux features one of the finest Grand Theatres in France, with its 18th-century architecture by Victor Louis and inspiration from Charles Garnier when he designed the Opera house in Paris.   Bordeaux offers many historic buildings as well as several notable museums – Basilique St Michel, started in 1350 – famous for its 375-ft free standing bell tower; Musee d’ Aquitaine and the Flamboyant Gothic Cathedrale St Andre with dimensions that rival the Notre Dame in Paris.  Cathedrale St Andre is surrounded by three museums:  Musee des Beaux-Arts, Musee des Arts Decoratifs and Centre Jean Moulin.

Shopping aficionados will enjoy the Cours Georges-Clemenceau, a major luxury shopping area as well as the Place de la Comedie along the Cours de I’ Intendance, known as the Champ-Elysees of Bordeaux.  Here you will also find several exquisite Louis XV houses.
Bordeaux is also an important Atlantic sea-port and it is well worth visiting the port at the head of the Gironde River, where tankers and freighters from all over the world call in there.

To reach the vineyards of the region of Bordeaux, you can take a short river cruise such as a five day round trip Bordeaux cruise visiting the Haut-Medoc region north of Bordeaux, the Gironde estuary, as well as the St Emilion area.  Alternatively, you can get aboard a six night luxury barge cruise St Louis visiting the Graves region south of Bordeaux between Agen and Castets.  Both cruises will feature visits to vineyards and wine tasting.  There are also visits to historical land marks and, of course, great wine and food.  The St Louis also offers cycling on their barge cruise.

Biking Tours on the Deluxe River Cloud II

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You can now enjoy active exploring while on a deluxe river cruise – with our bicycle cruises. River Cloud is offering several biking excursions on their Holland and Danube cruise itineraries.  In addition to several carefully planned cycling excursions, you will also enjoy the luxury of a floating 5-star hotel – the perfect place to retire at the end of the day. Take in the beauty of the passing landscape as you dine, or enjoy a relaxing evening in your stylish outside cabin.

Our spring bicycle cruises guide you through the beautiful landscape of northern Holland. Picture yourself cycling through lush, green fields and past quaint canals and windmills along the banks of Lake IJssel.  We will, of course, be making a stop in the lively city of Amsterdam, as well as the proud ancient merchant city of Antwerp.

In summer, we explore four countries intersected by the Danube and their exquisite cultural settings with spectacular views, as well as plenty of history and art in the landmark cities of Passau, Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, Melk and Dürnstein. You can cycle through the magical Wachau Valley and through the Donau-Auen National Park. You will also have the opportunity to sample a Grünen Veltliner and to follow in the footsteps of the Nibelungs.

On our cycling trips, the support van is not only a practical solution for transporting luggage; it also acts as a mobile workshop to provide support when we need it. You will see the van regularly wherever its route crosses our cycling path. The vehicle is never far away should you need to retrieve something from your luggage or pack something away, or if you feel the need to take a break.

River Cloud II offers the elegant travelling style of a bygone era and the rediscovery of a slower pace that is a pleasure and an enrichment alike. On board the River Cloud II, you can satisfy this yearning in the scenic heart of Europe, while enjoying an atmosphere of richness and elegance with the beautiful woods, brass and etched glass.  With only 44 cabins and 35 staff, there is plenty of room to relax and be pampered by an attentive staff.

Wine Themed River Cruises on the Rhone and Seine Rivers of France

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Cruise through some of France’s premier wine regions while enjoying the comforts of a deluxe river cruise vessel.

If you want to indulge in the world-renowned Burgundy wines along France’s Rhone River, sip great Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône wines, and explore the wine region of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, our deluxe river cruise vessel is the right choice.  The cruise includes stops in Arles, the city where Vincent Van Gogh lived near the end of his life. From Arles, you cruise to Avignon, where a wine tasting excursion takes you to the renowned Châteanueuf-du-Pape. Continue to Viviers and Tournon, where you will visit the L’Hermitage Winery and enjoy a chocolate tasting.  In Vienne, you will visit the Chateau Rousillion before cruising to Tournon for a Beaujolais evening. The following day you can enjoy a winery visit and tasting.  Your Rhone River cruise comes to an end in Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France.

On the Seine River cruise, begin your voyage in Paris, then cruise to Vernon , for an excursion to Monet’s house at Giverny. Continue to ancient Rouen, where Joan of Arc was martyred. From Rouen, you can visit the Normandy Beaches or choose instead an excursion into Calvados country, to taste the region’s famous apple brandy. The following day, visit the harbor town of Honfleur, immortalized in a number of Impressionist paintings, or travel to Fecamp, home of the famous Benedictine liqueur. Continue your cruise to Les Andelys, site of Richard the Lionhart’s Château Gaillard. Your voyage will conclude in Paris.

Your wine cruise is hosted by a renowned wine or food expert, and your host will present three or four insightful wine-themed lectures that may also address other local specialties, such as the production of sparkling wines, the sampling of French champagnes and the uniqueness of Calvados.

Clos de Vougeot – The Headquarters or Center of Burgundy Wine

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The Clos de Vougeot vineyard is located in the Cote d’ Or area which is the most popular part of Burgundy, France. This wall-enclosed vineyard was named after River Vouge, which is only a stream separating the village Vougeot from Chambolle-Musigny. Despite being a tourist magnet, Clos de Vougeot is authentic and easy to visit unlike most Burgundy estates. The 12th-century Clos de Vougeot is the birthplace of the wine tradition in Burgundy. It served as the flagship vineyard of the Cistercians, and has been a highly recognized name for centuries.  Clos de Vougeot is a medieval chateau and serves as the headquarters of the Chevaliers du Tastevin, the famous Burgundian wine society.  It is the largest single vineyard in Cote de Nuits that is entitled to the Grand Cru designation.

The wines of Clos de Vougeot became famous when the Cistercians tended the entire vineyard and produced the wine. In producing Clos de Vougeot, the Cistercians first produced cuvées from the different parts of the vineyard, and then blended them to produce a high-class wine. Typically, wine from the top and middle parts would be used, and only occasionally would the bottom part be used for the final Clos de Vougeot wine. Wine from lower down the slope can be better in dry years, so this blending practice allowed the production of a wine that should have been consistent in quality.

There is a fine museum with changing art exhibits. Situated on ground level, the cellar and the vat house are both models of architecture and form a cloister around a small central courtyard with four enormous oak wine presses, used by the Cistercian monks. Part of the vat house dates from the twelfth century; others date from earlier centuries.  It was classified as a national monument in 1949 and opened to the general public.

Located just north of Dijon, Clos de Vougeot is offered as an excursion on several deluxe and ultra- deluxe barges offering French canal cruises in the Burgundy region of France.  The six passenger Après Tout and Fleur de Lys both offer wine tasting and visit to the chateau on this French barge cruise.

Luxury French barges Napoleon and Hirondelle Save with 30% Discount

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The twelve-passenger Napoleon is one of Europe’s finest small river cruisers, combining all the amenities of a luxury hotel with the friendly ambiance of a country inn.  The beautifully appointed large picture windows of this luxury barge cruise provide amazing views of the countryside. She takes you on a lovely voyage along the River Rhône.  Aboard Napoleon, you’ll forget about time as you gaze on views of the French countryside.

This part of Provence is famous for never-ending vistas of tiled roofs, historic monuments, lavender fields and olive groves. This region has a sophisticated culture dating back to Roman times.

Excursions lead to the wine region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the delightful towns of Avignon and Arles. Visits to St Rémy, birthplace of Nostradamus, and the ancient sites of Pont du Gard and Glanum are also part of the action-packed agenda.

Napoleon, the luxury Provence barge cruise offers you every facility you can think of aboard a barge cruise.  A sun deck with Jacuzzi and exercise equipment is located on the top deck while the main deck contains the salon, dining room and one state cabin. The beds are king-sized doubles, which can be arranged as twins if desired. In suite bathrooms are fitted with a pedestal basin, a shower stall, and a flush pumped water closet.

The Hirondelle is equally wonderful and enriched with all amenities as Napoleon. She cruises in Southern Burgundy on the Canal du Centre, the River Saone and the Canal du Rhone au Rhin between Chagny and Besancon. Along this route, you will enjoy a wine tasting at Chateau Chassagne Montrachet, a visit to Beaune with its famous Hospice, as well as visits to the quaint town of Dole and beautiful old city of Besancon.

This eight-passenger Burgundy barge cruise has four beautifully appointed staterooms, three with twin beds and one with a double bed.  Each stateroom has a private bathroom with shower as well as large windows that open well above the waterline. There is a spacious living room/dining salon, sun deck with lounge chairs and sheltering umbrellas, stereo, games, writing desk and reading material. The Hirondelle provides bicycles for cycling along the towpath and into villages, and has a minibus for excursions to local landmarks.  The large windows and the sundeck on the top deck of the Hirondelle make it easy for you to enjoy the passing scenery.

In the evening, your crew prepares an elegant five course gourmet dinner graced by fine wines and cheeses that are unknown outside of France. Dining aboard the Hirondelle is among the highlights of the cruise. Our five-course candlelit dinners are a  special treat. You will enjoy a buffet style continental breakfast, large lunch including pâtés, cheeses, cold meats, tarts, terrines and salad. Dinners are always plated with at least four courses and complementary wines.