4 to 6-night all-inclusive wine tasting cruise through the Burgundy vineyards and villages

Cruise 1

Six Night Cruise On Board a luxury barge, Burgundy Canal Near Dijon
Arrival Sunday afternoon, departure Saturday morning

 

• Private wine tours on the UNESCO World Heritage wine slopes of Burgundy, visiting wine cellars and estates, wandering through vineyards and tasting a variety of Burgundy’s celebrated wines.
• Our barge travels through the heart of the Burgundian countryside on one of the prettiest parts of the Burgundy Canal
• Whilst cruising, you will have the opportunity to cycle or walk along the tree-lined towpath beside the canal.
• A chauffeur-driven tour of the notably pretty Burgundian wine villages with private wine tastings in cellars, tasting Grand Crus & Première Crus. Max has been organizing wine tours for his guests for many years, and he is welcomed with open arms by the wine-owners everywhere. It is also possible to ship wines home.
• Visit the ancient walled town of Beaune, known as the wine capital of Burgundy, with its magnificent Hotel-Dieu hospice (a 15th-century medieval hospital) and its historic center, where you will find boutiques and antique shops as well as wine and food merchants.
• Visit Dijon and participate in a guided tour of the famous Owls trail. Marvel at the range of building styles, visit the elegant Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, wander through a colorful morning market, its stalls brimming with fresh produce, tasty cheeses, and the eponymous mustard, and take the opportunity to do a little shopping.
• Visit the Clos de Vougeot, a wall-enclosed vineyard and headquarters of the Chevaliers du Tastevin.
• Visit a 12th-century abbey and a 15th-century medieval village, right beside the canal where we moor up!
• Invitation to dinner in a lovely old château nearby.
• Invitation to a typical Burgundian restaurant on the outskirts of Beaune in a famous wine village for lunch.
• On-board gastronomy: with an emphasis on fresh local produce, sourced each day by the chef, you can be confident of gourmet cuisine. It is also possible to cater for specific dietary requirements including organic products and gluten-free options.

 

Day 1-Sunday: Arrival onboard, only 10 minutes’ drive from the city of Dijon

 

• You will be met at the designated meeting point either at Dijon train station or at your hotel in Dijon. You will then be transferred, in the air-conditioned comfort of our minibus, to where the boat is moored. 
• The four crew members will be waiting to welcome you warmly aboard with a Burgundy KIR Royal: the perfect start to a unique and memorable few days in Burgundy.
• Your first candlelit dinner will mark your introduction to seasonal, regional specialties and the wines of Captain Max.
• Dinner on board will be prepared with locally sources products, and as some guests like to tell us, better than some Michelin restaurants!

 

Day 2-Monday: Cruise from Fleurey-sur-Ouche to Gissey-sur-Ouche

 

• Cruise in the morning and then, after lunch on board our barge, you will be driven by air-conditioned minibus to the Renaissance style Château du Clos de Vougeot. Attracting lovers of history and architecture alike, the château is a unique symbol of Burgundy’s wine history.
• Afterward, you will be driven to the picturesque village of Gevrey Chambertin for a reserved private tasting of its renowned wine.
• It will be time for some cocktails on deck, before the chef prepares you another culinary voyage paired with the local best wines.

 

Day 3-Thursday: Stay overnight at Gissey-sur-Ouche and more visits

 

• No cruising today, as you will enjoy a full day’s visit. Starting with two private wine tastings, you will then be invited to lunch in a restaurant in a well-known wine village on the outskirts of Beaune. Here you will taste more wines.
• Afterward, you will visit the celebrated town of Beaune, with its 15th-century medieval hospital, where you will have time to shop and relax.
• You will have told our Bookarivertrip.com agent about your food tastes, and our chef will  surprise you tonight again!

 

Day 4-Wednesday: Cruise from Gissey-sur-Ouche to Pont d’Ouche

 

• Today is a lazy day for you, cruising and relaxing, whilst enjoying the Captain’s range of wines from his onboard wine cellar and lunching on superb seasonal ingredients.
• Dinner tonight will be reserved for you in a nearby 17th-century castle, built in an old monastery.

 

Day 5-Thursday: Cruise from Pont d’Ouche to Vandenesse-en-Auxois

 

• Cruise in the morning, and then, after lunch at around 15:00hrs, visit a medieval village, Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, listed as one of the 'most beautiful villages of France'.
• With a commanding position, high on the hillside, the fortress is one of the last remaining examples of 14th-century Burgundian military architecture. The fortifications were built around the 12th century keep when facing the threat of the Hundred Years’ War.
• Look around the side streets, at the houses with stair turrets and pediments, and it will be easy to imagine the history of this once prosperous village.
• This evening, we will have prepared a selection of must-listen french songs, that you will enjoy while drinking a glass of champagne on deck.

 

Day 6-Friday: Vandenesse-en-Auxois to Escommes

 

• Cruise in the morning, and then, after lunch, a drive to a charming little wine-producing family, where a local wine producer will greet you.
• You will continue to learn about the winemaking process and enjoy further tastings of local wines.
• Farewell dinner aboard, meaning the last dinner we share together! Be ready for the last and best of your Burgundian culinary experiences.

 

Day 7-Saturday: Last morning on board and day of departure

 

• After breakfast, just before 10:00hrs or earlier if you need, we will drive you back to Dijon train station to catch your train, to your hotel in DIJON or to a car rental agency.
• Our cruises are created so that our guests can immerse themselves in the Burgundian atmosphere and the lifestyle of this beautiful region through bespoke activities and personal cultural experiences, whilst relaxing.

 

Cruise 2

A four-night/five-day cruise onboard Luxury barge for 6 guests who
enjoy cruising, wine tasting, gastronomy

 

DAY 1-Sunday: Arrival at Dijon and transfer on board your crusing hotel

 

• Guests are met at the designated meeting point and transferred by air-conditioned minibus to where the barge is moored up. A warm welcome aboard awaits you from the Captain and the Crew with a Burgundy Champagne welcome, once everybody has settled down the cruise begins, this will be a memorable vacation in Burgundy
• Dinner on board will be carefully prepared by our chef and wisely paired with fin wines.

 

Day 2-Monday: Cruise from Fleury-Sur-Ouche to Gissey-Sur-Ouche

 

• Cruise in the morning, after lunch, onboard the barge a drive out with the air-conditioned minivan to visit the wine capital of Burgundy, Beaune with its magnificent Hotel Dieu Hospice (medieval hospital) and the historic town center with its boutiques and antique shops. A private wine tasting will be reserved.
• Dinner will be reserved in a one-star nearby Michelin restaurant at the Abbey of La Bussière.

 

Day 3-Tuesday: Cruise from Gissey-sur-Ouche to Pont-D'Ouche

 

• After breakfast visits the Capital of Burgundy, Dijon, visit the fresh morning colorful market follow the Owl Trail to the church of Notre Dame, it’s historic buildings, enticing boutiques, including the famous Mustard Shop, lunch on board, cruise and relax in the afternoon.
• Dinner will be reserved at a nearby Chateau, Chateau Sainte Sabine.

 

Day 4-Wednesday: Cruise from Pont-D'Ouche to Vandenesse-en-Auxois

 

• Cruise in the morning, afternoon a visit to a medieval village and a private wine tasting.
• Cocktails on deck, the best champagne in your glass and the perfect dished at your table prepared by our chef for an unforgettable dinner.

 

Day 5-Thursday: You last day onboard and drop off at Dijon

 

• After breakfast, we will drive you back to the Dijon train station or to your hotel in DIJON, or car rental agency.