|
France Cruises Newsletter |
Wine & Gastronomic Cruises August 2010 |
|
Greetings!
France is famous for the unparalleled vintages that have come from this magnificent land. Although other countries have recently been recognized as key players in the world of food and wine, France maintains its paramount status for having the history, innovations, and sheer passion with which no country could possibly compete. Our Food & Wine themed cruises are not simply about food and wine, but the tradition, knowledge and complexity that every bottle of French wine shares and an opportunity for anyone and everyone to increase gastronomic skills while still enjoying the unique and cultured atmosphere that accompanies a barge cruise. With wine experts at your side or simply with a guide in a 17th century winery, this is truly the most convenient and comprehensive way to discover the wines of France, while learning to cook like the French, using time-tested techniques and fresh seasonal produce. |
BURGUNDY
For over 2,000 years, Burgundy has succeeded triumphantly in combining the generosity of its soil with the ingenuity and toil of man to become a reference throughout the world. Every traveler and wine lover alike should, at least once in his life, make a pilgrimage to the source of his pleasure, to the cradle of the world's finest wines. The best way to experience such a fabulous history and such fabled wines flattering both palate and intellect is through a barge cruise. A barge will take you on a distinct route to the heart of Burgundy and Burgundy wines, for it is impossible to conceive of the one without the other. This magical barging experience brings the exceptional and the extraordinary within the reach of all. It opens the door to the world of Burgundy wine, its heritage and poetry, its landscapes and villages, its cellars and winegrowers. In short, it is an open invitation to discover, learn and dream. Select your Burgundy canal barge cruise and see legend become reality! |
Wine & Gastronomic Cruise aboard the Caprice!
From Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France, to Dijon, the wine capital of Burgundy, this cruise takes place along the Route des crus du Beaujolais and the Cote d'Or Wine Road. This "marriage of wine and food" itinerary includes regional meals in traditional Burgundian bistros, visits to local wine growers and artisans chocolate manufacturer, and of course many opportunities to sample several crus. 6 Nights / 7 Days from $2,590 per person. More Info |
Private Wine Cruises and Michelin Star Cruises aboard the Randle!
For private charter only, intimate groups of just 2 to 4 guests, Randle offers 2 unique journeys throughout the valleys of Burgundy.
The Wine Cruise takes you along the vineyards of Cote St Jaques, Cote de Auxerre, Arancy, and St Bris with excursions to vineyards and caves for tasting truly artisan wines only available in Burgundy, not to mention outings to famous names such as Chablis or Beaune, just to name a few. 6 Nights / 7 Days from $2,440 per person. More Info
Randle's Michelin Star Cruise offers the unique opportunity to dine at up to four different Michelin restaurants in just one week! From l'Espérance, located in the beautiful little village of Saint-Père-en-Vézelay, and the Hostellerie des Clos at Chablis, to the gastronomic La Côte Saint-Jacques in Joigny and La Madelieine in Sens, this gourmet adventure will introduce you to a refined and inventive cuisine. Of course, this week long cruise also gives you plenty of opportunities to dine at less formal but altogether great local restaurants along the way. 6 Nights / 7 Days from $2,625 per person. More Info |
The Papillon Culinary Cruise Experience!
It is impossible to talk about a Food & Wine cruise experience in Burgundy, without mentioning the Hotel Barge Papillon. It is not by chance that recently three of France's top chefs (each holding 3 Michelin stars) decided to make a French TV program about cooking on a canal barge...and they chose Le Papillon. Le Papillon prides itself in creating superior cuisine for its guests, making a point to use organic ingredients and purchase direct from producers only - butchers, cheese-mongers, fish shops, farmers markets and bakers. Le Papillon team is all passionate about food and wine; the former onboard chef Eleanor 'Ellie' Garvin has just published "At Home in Burgundy, The Papillon Recipes" (available on Amazon) and the current chef, Sarah Hirst, continues to receive rave reviews as she enters her ninth season aboard Papillon. 6 Nights / 7 Days from $4,500 per person. More Info
Plus, exclusive US$ 1,000 per person discount for any 2010 departures when you mention this newsletter! |
BORDEAUX
Among the different French regions that cultivate the art of wine, the Bordeaux region is undoubtedly the foremost, be it in terms of the size, the long history or the quality of its vineyards. Vines are grown in all the five departments that make up the region, each of them with its own special landscapes and flavors just waiting to be discovered! Because vines were first planted here back in ancient times, the region has been strongly influenced by winegrowing over the centuries. |
NEW for 2010 - Hotel Barge Mirabelle!
New for 2010, the 24-passenger Hotel Barge Mirabelle takes you along the River Garonne, Gironde Estuary and the Dordogne River, a brilliant way to see the country and visit the vineyards that produce all the great Bordeaux wines. On this 7-day cruise, all lunches and dinners are prepared onboard in the finest local tradition by a talented, experienced French chef. Bordeaux cuisine features fresh oysters, grilled entrecote steak, river fish as well as meat dishes like foie gras and milk-fed lamb, not forgetting the famous macaroons of Saint-Emilion and canelé bordelais. Every day the Mirabelle will take you to a great Bordeaux wine region. The choice is vast: there are some 57 appellations. Your personal wine consultant for the cruise will clue you in what to watch for and provide all the information you need to understand Bordeaux wines: topography, geology, grape varieties, etc., as well as recommended matches with food. 6 Nights / 7 Days from $3,100 per person. More Info |
SOUTHERN FRANCE
The numerous landscapes in the Languedoc are reflected in the dinner plate! Indeed, from sea to mountain, this vast amphitheatre, looking out towards the Mediterranean, can be carved up into a multitude of specialties, from the many cheeses of the High Lands down to the fish and shellfish of the coastline. Each specialty is linked to a territory, such as fruit is anchored to its branch: oysters from Bouzigues, anchovies from Collioure, cod Brandade from Nimes, as well as the sea breams, tuna fish and red mullets arriving at the port of Sete! And not forgetting, the Cassoulet, from Castelnaudary, of course, a "standard" dish of the Occitan. The Languedoc wine-growing area, the largest in the world, spreads across 300,000 hectares of land and boasts 27 centuries of history! Impossible not to find a wine to one's taste in a region renowned for its quality and its diverse soils. The contrast of Mother Nature and the exposure of the land are, for the most part, the key factors in this vast range of wines, now able to be grouped together under the "Sud de France" label.
|
Languedoc Wine Lover cruise aboard the Alegria!
The Languedoc Wine Lover cruise aboard the Alegria is an exclusive high-caliber wine cruise through this wine country. Alegria will take you on an exploration of the Languedoc vineyards and their wonderful wines as you glide along the Canal du Midi, through the dreamy wine regions of the Minervois, Corbières, and Côteaux du Languedoc. You will have the opportunity to taste over 50 wines during your week, coming from every corner of the Languedoc. As well as enjoying wines from top producers such as Mas de Daumas Gassac - described as the 'Lafite of the Languedoc.' You will also sample wines from up-and-coming producers who will be the stars of the future. 6 Nights / 7 Days from $5,440 per person. More Info |
France Cruises can accommodate individuals as well as any group size and budget!
|
|
|
|
|
|