Tag Archives: Burgundy France

Sharing Our Knowledge of CroisiEurope Barge and River Cruises

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We have worked with CroisiEurope for over 22 years and we highly recommend them. CroisiEurope is one of Europe’s oldest river cruise companies and is still family-owned by the Schmitter family.  With over 50 passenger-cruising vessels, they are also one of the largest.  The cruise line offers French and English language to their international guests.

In Europe, CroisiEurope cruises many rivers and areas that many other cruise lines do not.  The cruise line is known for its short river cruises which are particular area intensive. They stop at many ports that the other cruise lines do not.

Some unique itineraries are on the Guadalquiver in Spain, offering 6 and 8-day cruise itineraries; there are 5- day itineraries from Strasbourg, France that include a Swiss train ride or going to one of the high mountain tops in Switzerland, they have the only river cruise on the Loire river – an 80-passenger paddleboat.  Another paddleboat is cruising the Elbe River, offering  Berlin to Prague itineraries and round-trip Prague.  New in 2025, another paddle boat will be cruising the four rivers of Germany:  Rhine, Neckar, Mosel, and Saar.

 

Elbe Princess Paddleboat

 

A little more exotic cruise itineraries featuring Northern Europe cruises as far north as Copenhagen on the Oder and Havel, as well as Southern cruises on the Sava and Tisza rivers in Hungary, Serbia and Croatia.

On the Po River, there are cruises from 5-nights to 7-nights with special Carnevale cruises.  On the 7-night itineraries, there are dates that offer a pre-land stay in Tuscany or post-stay in Lake Como.

There are many cruise itineraries from 3-nights to 8-nights on the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Rhone, and Holland canals.

In addition to river cruises, CroisiEurope has 6 barge vessels:  Anne Marie in Provence, Daniele, Deborah, and Jeanine cruise Burgundy and Champagne France, Madeleine cruising Alsace, and the Raymond cruising Belgium.  These cruises are 6-nights in length (some 4-night Christmas Market itineraries), featuring French cuisine, beverages, wi-fi, bikes for cycling the tow paths, and all excursions.  Prices start at $3400 per person for double occupancy.

Madeleine Barge

On a  CroisiEurope river cruise, the day begins with a continental breakfast buffet, rich and varied: pastries, cereals, coffee, tea, fruit juice, a wide selection of breads, jams, cold meats, eggs, fresh fruits and yogurts.

Lunch and dinner are served at fixed times in one service. They offer a complete menu (starter – main course – dessert) composed by our chefs. They pay homage to French gastronomy and can satisfy the palates of our international clientele. The surprise is always there with finishing touches, and local flavors conducive to a culinary immersion in the visited country of the itinerary.

Produced daily on the spot, using mainly fresh products, they are accompanied by a selection of wines chosen for their quality and their compatibility with the dishes, and are included in the price of the cruise (except wines from the specific wine list).

Some of the ships feature single and triple occupancy cabins.  Many of the ships offer French balcony cabins (sliding glass doors).

We have cruised on many of the CroisiEurope vessels and really recommend them for a good value cruise line.

Contact us and let us help you find the perfect cruise.  888-869-7907 / 713-240-6753  europeanbarging.com

Burgundy Wine Cruise hosted by Texas Winery – Messina Hof

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Europeanbarging, a Texas-based company offering barge and river cruises, today announced a SPECIAL DISCOUNT of $750 per cabin on a Wine Cruise for its clients, slated for Spring, starting from March 20 – 27, 2025. Book by March 31, 2024 and Discounted rates start at $3280 per person, including port tax.

 

The wine cruise is scheduled on the AMACello ship and will be the 8th wine cruise hosted by the owners of Messina Hof Winery – Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo, who will offer several tastings and discussions on their wines and winery, as well as winemaking. A pairing of their wines will be offered with a special AmaWaterways gourmet meal. In addition to the many wine-themed excursions, there are multiple included excursions offered in each port, including hiking and cycling tours.  Excursions feature Gentle, regular, active, and late-riser tour options.

YOUR JOURNEY ALONG THE SAÔNE RIVER

Experience the viticultural pleasures of the Burgundy region on this river cruise curated for new and experienced wine enthusiasts alike. Indulge in wine tastings set against the backdrop of picturesque destinations. Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring landscapes of graceful vineyards and storied landmarks along the Saône River. Delve into the techniques that shape the renowned wines of this region, gaining insight into traditional processes that have stood the test of time. Hosted by a dedicated wine expert, this journey is a must for anyone interested in the best of Burgundy’s wines.  Cruise ports include:  starting in Dijon, Seurre, Beaune, Chalon-sur-Saône, Tournus, Brancion, Mâcon, and ending in Lyon.

Messina Hof is the most awarded and renowned Texas wine in national and international competitions. In a community steeped in tradition, Messina Hof Winery & Resort holds its own with a 200-year history of award-winning wines. Although the winery itself was officially established with the first vintage release in 1983, the rich wine heritage of Winemaker Paul Bonarrigo dates back six generations to Messina, Sicily. Merrill Bonarrigo’s family originates from Hof, Germany. Together they have pioneered the Texas wine industry in creating premium wines of distinction and a landmark wine country destination.

The cruise rate includes all sightseeing, meals, wine with dinner, a daily happy hour before dinner, free internet, and the use of bicycles on board.  There is an optional pre-cruise land program in Paris France ($1485 per person), and a post-cruise land program in Geneva Switzerland ($1530 per person).  The special $750 per person discount offer ends March 30, 2024. Port tax is an additional $231 per person. A deposit of $400 per person is due with booking, balance is due 90 days before departure. Payment plans are available.

Europeanbarging was founded in 1998 and specializes in European barge and river cruise products. Located in Texas, Europeanbarging is an ARC-accredited company. AmaWaterways, the only cruise line that has the privilege of being inducted into La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, one of the world’s most prestigious culinary organizations and Tables et Auberges, leading the way in the cruise industry as one of the most innovative food and wine experiences both on-board and on-shore.

For more information contact Europeanbarging at 888-869-7907 or http://www.europeanbarging.com.

 

Gourmet France: Famous Cheeses from the Best French Cheese Regions

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Aside from French sweets, Gourmet France is known for its cheeses. So crazy are the French about their cheeses that there are around 400 distinct types of French cheeses grouped into 8 categories. Since it would take forever to go through every single type of cheese, here are the 10 tastiest cheeses from different French cheese regions that every aspiring French cheese connoisseur needs to know.

 

Cheese tasting

Cheese tasting on the Apres Tout barge in Burgundy France

Brie
Considered as one of the best-known cheeses in the world, brie is a type of soft cheese that becomes softer as it ages. Named after the historic region in Northern France where it’s mainly produced, brie has a rich milk and buttery flavor that makes it perfect to eat with bread and paired with either red or white wine.

Camembert
Named after its birthplace in Camembert, Normandy, Camembert is another type of soft creamy cheese that the French absolutely love. Made with raw cow’s milk, Camembert has an earthy flavor that is similar to brie, only a bit stronger.

Reblochon
This creamy cheese is made in the Haute Savoie Alps region and is one of the more popular grand mountain cheeses readily available in markets today. Made from raw cow’s milk, Reblochon has a strong aroma with a nutty aftertaste.

Edel de Cleron
Made in the village of Cleron in the Franche-Comte region, Edel de Cleron is a traditional cheese made from pasteurized cow’s milk. This soft cheese, known for its woody aftertaste, is best eaten ripe when it’s runny and gooey on the inside.

Delice
The Delice is a type of cheese that is made in Burgundy. Since cream is added in twice with the milk during the cheese-making process, this cheese is rich and exceptionally creamy that you’ll feel it melting in your mouth.

Morbier
Produced in the Eastern region of France, the Morbier is a type of semi-soft cheese that can be made from either raw or pasteurized cow’s milk. The Morbier has a tangy flavor with a hint of citrus and is also fairly elastic.

Pont-L’Eveque
Known as one of the oldest cheeses from Normandy, the Pont-L’Eveque is the only semi-soft cheese with a cross-hatched pale orange rind. Made from raw cow’s milk, it has a creamy smooth texture and a fairly strong pungent aroma.

Mimolette
Traditionally produced in the city of Lille, the Mimolette is a type of hard cheese with a bright orange color and comes in the shape of a cantaloupe. When properly aged, this cheese has a nutty flavor and makes a great addition to any cheese platter.

Comte
Also known as the Gruyere de Comte, the Comte is a delightful hard French cheese with a smoky yet fruity taste. Made from unpasteurized cow’s milk and produced in Eastern France, this versatile cheese is usually melted to make fondue, eaten as a sandwich, or grated over savory dishes.

Roquefort
Known as one of the most popular blue cheeses around, the Roquefort is made from sheep’s milk in the south of France. Similar to the Bleu d’Auvergne, the Roquefort is a rich, creamy, sharp cheese with a pungent aroma.

Taking a barge cruise through the canals of France will give you a chance to taste many different cheeses. The cheeses will be accompanied by complementary wines of the regions as well as great food. Barge cruises range in price from low $3,000’s to over $7.000 per person for 6 nights. Rate includes the cruise, all meals, most non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages and excursions. All barges include bicycles for cycling the towpaths along the canals and exploring the nearby towns and villages. Check out our site to learn about the different barges we offer. For more information contact: jan@europeanbarging.com or 888-869-7907  Barge and River cruise specialist since 1998.

Jeanine barge cruising Burgundy

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The Jeanine barge, cruises through the Saône-et-Loire and La Côte d’Or regions of France. Cruising along the Canal du Centre and canal de Bourgogne and its wonderful rural landscapes. At the crossroads of the great wine appellations, we cruise alongside the great vineyards of the Côte Chalonnaise and the Côte de Continue reading →

Chateau De Rully In Burgundy France: Visit the Medieval Castle

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CastleExplore France in Another Light- Chateau de Rully

Chateau de Rully is a medieval fortress situated in the midst of vineyards in the commune of Rully, Saône-et-Loire département of France. The castle comes under the Burgundy region of eastern France. It stands on the side of a hill and dominates the whole region, facing the plain leading to the Saône. In the west, it commands the valley towards Nantoux and Chassey-le-Camp.

The castle was built around a 12th century square keep (i.e. Donjon), the oldest part of the chateau that remains. It shows some interesting features of medieval military architecture with its parapet walk, battlements, machicoulis and loopholes.

The present look of the castle was designed in the 15th century with the addition of a small courtyard and north and east wings, turning the fortress into a manor house. Outbuildings and the great and lower courtyards were added in the 18th century. An 18th century building takes pride as Burgundy’s largest stone roof.

Medieval Castle Is An Historical Monument in France

The castle is listed as a historical monument on the supplementary inventory of the French Ministry of Culture and is open to the visitors. Your visit to the castle will take you on a journey through French history from the Middle Ages to today.

Since the castle came into existence, it has been kept in the same family. The current owner will nicely guide you through his home, showing the history of his ancestors. The fact that the castle is private property and not a museum brings about a unique and authentic experience.

Enjoy Wine Tasting at Chateau Rully in Burgundy France

Your trip to Rully becomes more exciting with wonderful wine tastings. Its vineyards expand up to 32 hectares (approximately 79 acres), of which a third are classified as Premier Cru sites. Rully is known for its red and white Rully wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, respectively. Around two-thirds of the production consists of white wine, and around one-third is red.

Our France barge cruise is a perfect option for you to visit the Chateau de Rully and indulge in some excellent wine tastings, as well as touring this Medieval castle. Call us for more information about our France barge cruise! Europeanbarging.com 888-869-7907