Food and wine themed cruises ideal for summer and autumn
The European summer has well and truly arrived and for lovers of food and wine there is no better time to think about a ‘wine appreciation’ or food-themed cruise aboard a European Waterways barge.
Burgundy
Burgundy is France’s most famous wine-growing region and a cruise aboard the 12 passenger hotel barge L’Impressionniste on the Burgundy Canal will give passengers the chance to visit places such as Clos de Vougeot, headquarters of the esteemed Chevaliers du Tastevin, or the town of Beaune, the wine-growing ‘capital’ of Burgundy. L’Impressionniste’s itinerary also includes a visit to Dijon’s vivid produce markets and mustard shops – a must-visit destination when travelling through the region.
La Belle Epoque, another 12-passenger hotel barge, also offers a 6-night itinerary through the famous wine region where this time, guests can visit the vineyards of Chablis and enjoy wine tastings at renowned winemakers such as the Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard.
L’Impressionniste and La Belle Epoque depart every Sunday in summer and autumn on their 6-night, all-inclusive cruises, with prices from €3,750 per person.
http://www.gobarging.com/cruises-in-burgundy
Special offer: €500 off per person sharing a cabin aboard La Belle Epoque or L’Impressionniste for departures on 19 October 2014 – offer price €3,250 per person.
Canal du Midi
Another wonderful cruise route for appreciating food and wine is the 300-year-old Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the South of France.
Cruise this tranquil, sun-drenched canal on the 8 passenger hotel barges Anjodi or Enchanté and tour the historic Chateau Ollieux Romanis or Chateau de Perdiguier to sample their internationally renowned Corbieres and Chardonnay wines.
Enchanté’s itinerary also includes a visit to ‘L’Oulibo’ a local co-operative olive oil press to sample the locally famous Lucques olives.
Anjodi’s itinerary includes a visit to Narbonne’s wonderful indoor food market with its bustling atmosphere where guests can pick up their own locally-produced treats.
Enchanté and Anjodi depart every Sunday during summer and autumn for 6-night, all-inclusive cruises with prices starting from €3,390 per person. http://www.gobarging.com/cruises-in-canal-du-midi
Special offer: €500 off per person sharing a cabin aboard Enchanté departure 19 October 2014 – offer price €3,790 per person.
But food and wine delights don’t end off-shore. Whether it be travelling through Holland, Scotland or France, many of the meals served on board use ingredients sourced locally from markets, farmers and suppliers along the way. Before you wake each morning, a crew member has visited the local patisserie to collect newly baked breads, buttery croissants and fresh pastries to serve alongside fresh fruit at breakfast while lunch might be a range of salads with local ingredients and French cheese, of course accompanied by an excellent choice of wine from the barge cellar.
Dinner is the culinary highlight of the day, served by candlelight, when chefs use the best fresh ingredients they picked up that day in each town with herbs from the small garden onboard.
On every European Waterways cruise, guests are served two different cheeses at each meal giving them an opportunity to try 24 different local cheeses on every cruise, as well as two different fine wines both at lunch and dinner from the barge cellar.
Prices for a fully-inclusive 6-night cruise in a twin/double cabin include comfortable accommodation aboard in air-conditioned, en suite cabins, gourmet meals, fine wines, an open bar, all excursions and transfers and the use of onboard facilities such as bicycles and spa pools.
Source European Waterways