Only one sip of this extraordinary wine and I understand it was all price ready for.
Like a painfully sluggish sommelier, the river cruise trade has been gradual to convey the beautiful glories of Bordeaux to these of us who’ve thirsted for them.
The award-winning Avalon Waterways has modified that with its 8-day Bonjour Bordeaux: Chateaux, Wineries & Charming Villages, a magical crusing that plies the scenic Garonne and Dordogne rivers for a celebration of historical past, tradition, delicacies and, after all, wine.
The itinerary, a brand new one for Avalon Waterways, which boasts 79 itineraries throughout 13 rivers in 23 nations, was established as a direct results of previous passenger requests by way of the road’s “Want Listing” survey. And never solely are friends delighted with Bonjour Bordeaux however Bordeaux, which was trying to enhance river cruising within the area, is as properly.
Like all Avalon Waterways sailings, Bonjour Bordeaux brings with it an abundance of helpful “extras” like complimentary wines (excellent Bordeaux wines, after all) with lunch and dinner in addition to complimentary beers, wines and revolutionary cocktails at comfortable hour, a staggering assortment of included shore experiences and free Starlink Wi-Fi.
The Ship: Artistry II
Artistry II will not be a newbuild, however you’d by no means comprehend it. Initially launched in 2013, this 4-deck, 128-guest river ship was refurbished in 2024 to replicate the up to date Avalon Waterways fashion—gentle and vivid however with a decidedly homey really feel created via a impartial shade scheme accented with splashes of shade and welcoming touches like throw pillows and glowing desk lamps. Even a glimpse on the glossy exterior of Artistry II reveals the ship’s emphasis on floor-to-ceiling home windows, home windows that flood the ship with gentle and supply ever-changing views of the structure, charming villages and plush vineyards alongside its route.
That is an intimate river cruise expertise aboard a ship that’s easy to navigate. A small health middle is situated on deck one, whereas the principle eating room is situated on the deck above. Visitors head to deck three for cocktails, socializing and dancing on the Panorama Lounge ahead or observe the deck aft to the Membership Lounge for 24-hour self-serve coffees, teas, scorching chocolate and snacks in addition to the river ship’s provide of books, playing cards and video games. When the solar is shining, the Sky Deck with its ample provide of lounge chairs and its coated seating space is the proper place to take a seat again and watch the spectacular surroundings. (These with mobility points ought to notice that whereas Artistry II does have an elevator, the Sky Deck is probably not accessed by it.)
How Suite It Is!
Nearly all of Artistry II’s lodging are Panorama Suites, and there are two full decks of them. At 200 sq. toes, the Panorama Suite is 30% bigger than suites discovered on different river ships and that’s not the place the distinction ends. The bigger suite is the results of Avalon Waterways’ ingenious “open air balcony” idea, a floor-to-ceiling window that slides open a full seven toes to create the texture of a balcony with out lowering the room’s measurement. This bigger dwelling area permits Artistry II to place every suite’s heavenly Consolation Assortment mattress to face not the room’s wall, however the ever-changing view outdoors—Avalon’s river ships are the one ones able to doing this! And, talking of that Consolation Assortment mattress, its firmness could also be personalized– very smooth, smooth, agency or very agency—via the position of a mattress pad that covers its whole floor, eliminating that pesky groove that’s typically created when two single beds are transformed to a double. A flatscreen satellite tv for pc TV with English language channels and over 50 free film choices is tucked within the nook of every suite, your sitting-area desk could also be adjusted larger or decrease to the proper consolation degree and within the bathtub you’ll discover luxurious L’Occitane toiletries in addition to bathtub linen provided in two completely different colours, making it straightforward to tell apart your towels from these of your journey accomplice.
A Style of Bordeaux
An necessary a part of the Avalon Waterways expertise is visitor selection in…properly…the whole lot! The idea begins with eating. In contrast to many river ships which designate a agency time for dinner, aboard Artistry II, you could arrive on the lavish Panorama Eating room at any time between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Breakfast and lunch (buffet fashion, supplemented by a separate menu) supply the same two-hour window so you’ll be able to let starvation, not the clock, be your information.
Not within the temper for a proper four-course dinner? Go for lighter fare on the Panorama Bistro tucked on the rear of the Panorama Lounge or take pleasure in a lightweight dinner al fresco on the Sky Bistro.
It isn’t stunning that eating aboard Artistry II is mostly excellent—we’re in France! Dinners embody a selection of appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, desserts and cheese and, in any respect meals, wholesome delicacies choices together with vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free can be found. (I have to say, nevertheless, that vegans and vegetarians may wish to re-think these dietary restrictions–the filet mignon served aboard Artistry II was the most effective I’ve ever had!)
Ashore? Energetic and Extra!
It’s a unhappy actuality that even some devoted followers of cruising imagine that rivers are a stodgy mode of journey characterised by frail seniors boarding crowded motor coaches for a fast cease at touristy websites alongside the route. Avalon Waterways shatters that picture!
In 2017, Avalon Waterways added a number of decidedly energetic shore experiences to its riverboat sailings and Bonjour Bordeaux isn’t any exception. In Fort Medoc, I take part in a four-mile stroll (at clip!) via Chateau Margaux, passing vineyards, gorgeous chateaux and fields of grazing wildlife earlier than ending the expertise with an excellent wine tasting and delectable charcuterie at Chateau Angludet. The next day, a few of us hop on an e-bike (Artistry II maintains a fleet of them in all sizes for the various heights of its friends) for a vigorous trip via the rolling landscapes.
It’s no surprise Avalon Waterways attracts friends who, at 60 years previous, are a median 10 years youthful than these discovered on different river ship strains!
However even the much less energetic visitor can look to Artistry II for shore experiences that shatter the norm. Together with the “Energetic” experiences which can be among the many 20 complimentary shore choices, friends might select from “Basic” ones that go to an space’s hottest websites (some together with a lavish lunch, oyster or wine tasting) or “Discovery” ones that unearth some lesser-known gems alongside the route.
In Bayle, our “Discovery” is hosted by Leslie Kellen, an eccentric South African who admits to having moved to Bordeaux particularly for the wine. Wine skilled and writer Kellen and his internationally famend artist and wine maker accomplice Clarissa, present us with a style (actually and figuratively) of their huge enterprises: a vineyard, a powerful artwork gallery, a classic automobile assortment, Le Petite Cave wine bar, wine cellars and the 2 luxurious residences that could be booked by guests to this pretty city. Our group will not be aggressively inspired to make purchases even on the inviting wine store—in truth, as a memento of our extraordinary expertise, Kellen takes a seat and personally indicators a replica of his ebook, My Little World, for every of us!
Mr. Kellen–his information, humor and communication expertise–is typical of the Avalon Waterways shoreside host. As an organization geared solely to English-speaking friends, I discover a lot of our guides to be “locals” who initially hailed from an English-speaking nation however who’ve resided in Bordeaux for many years. It’s really the most effective of each worlds!
With Artistry II, Avalon Waterways has delivered the extraordinary Bordeaux we’ve all been ready for. For lovers of wine, meals, tradition and historical past, it’s time to odor, swirl, sip…and say Bonjour Bordeaux!
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A free two-night Paris extension is offered on choose Bonjour, Bordeaux sailings.
The 8-day itinerary can also be accessible in two- and three-week choices: the 15-day French Masterpiece with Paris, Normandy & Bordeaux; the 22-day France Uncorked crusing alongside the Rhone, the Seine & Bordeaux or one other 22-day itinerary, France Uncorked, which sails the Rhine, Seine, Garonne and Dordogne rivers.
See cruises right here: Avalon Artistry II
‘About’ and extra Avalon Waterways cruises
Cowl picture, the ship, Artistry II, by Avalon Waterways, credit score Avalon Waterways
- AVALON-Artistry II-Panorama Suite: A room with a view! credit score Avalon
- AVALON-Deluxe Stateroom Toilet: Two colours of bathtub linen stop towel mix-ups! credit score Avalon
- AVALON-Drinks: Take pleasure in ingenious cocktails in addition to extraordinary wine aboard Artistry II credit score Avalon
Images and descriptions credit score author Judi Cuervo:
- Panorama Lounge: The Panorama Lounge, the social coronary heart of Artistry II
- Sky Deck: Visitors head to the Sky Deck for solar, leisure and spectacular views.
- Vineyards: A stroll via the world-renowned vineyards of Bordeaux.
- Wine Tastings: Swirl, sip and style extraordinary wines!
- ebikes: Artistry II’s fleet of ebikes enable energetic shore experiences!
- filet mignon: Extraordinary eating…at no matter time you would like!
- Killen-E-book Signing: Writer, wine skilled and Artistry II tour host Leslie Killen items every of us with an autographed copy of his ebook!
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